John and Margaret reflect on life at The Woodlands

Three years on, “We absolutely love it. No regrets at all.” 

When John and Margaret first moved to The Woodlands in 2022, they described it as the right move at the right time; a chance to future proof their later life while enjoying the independence, community spirit and quality of life the community offered. 

Over three years later, that enthusiasm has not faded. If anything, it has deepened. What began as a practical step into a new chapter has become a lifestyle they can’t imagine giving up. 

“We absolutely love it,” Margaret said. “No regrets at all. John was reluctant to come at first. He thought we were too young, but I have an eye condition which means my sight is deteriorating, so I said I needed to be here, to get used to it before my sight went. It has been the best decision we could have made.” 

From family home to freedom 

Before moving to The Woodlands, John and Margaret had lived in their family home in Heald Green for 47 years. “It was a big, detached house with three double bedrooms and a good-sized garden,” Margaret said. “We’d already had two new kitchens during that time, but everything was due an overhaul again: a new roof, pointing, all those jobs you never stop doing. I just couldn’t face all that again.” 

John said: “At first, I was not keen. I thought we should leave it another five years, but now I think we did it at exactly the right time.” 

For Margaret, the decision was about independence and quality of life. “We don’t need a big house anymore or the hassle of the upkeep. It’s all about quality years. We have the space we need, the freedom to travel, and no worries about maintenance or safety.” 

Standards that endure 

One of Margaret’s initial concerns before moving was whether the community would continue to be as well looked after in the years ahead. “When you move into somewhere new, you do wonder if it will be let go after a while,” she said. “But no – the Adlington team are on to everything. They are so good. If there’s a spillage on the carpet, it is dealt with within minutes. The staff are brilliant, and the place looks just as pristine now as it did the day we moved in.” 

John added: “It’s exactly the same as it was the day we saw it. The communal areas, the lounges, the gardens, everything is kept beautifully. The maintenance team are fantastic. They are constantly on top of everything.” 

A full calendar and a lively community 

One of the biggest changes in the past three years has been just how full their social lives have become. “If I was still in my house, I would be sitting at home watching television,” Margaret said. “Here, there is something going on every day. You can join in as much or as little as you want, but there is such variety that it’s hard to resist.” 

She lists a few favourites. “I do Scrabble, quizzes, book club and keep fit. I’ve learnt to play canasta recently and there’s a group of us who play every fortnight. There are cheese and wine nights, film nights, takeaway nights and poetry evenings. I’m not into poetry myself, but there’s something for everyone.” 

John is equally enthusiastic. “We have Pub Club every five or six weeks. About a dozen of us go into Didsbury and make a night of it. We play darts every other Saturday in the activities room, and outdoor bowls in summer, indoor bowls in winter. It is great fun. The sense of camaraderie is brilliant.” 

“Some of the homeowners organise activities now too,” Margaret added. “That is how it should be. It feels like a proper community, where people get involved.” 

From neighbours to friends 

When John and Margaret first moved in, The Woodlands was still filling up. “At the start there were just a few of us,” Margaret said. “We all gelled really well, and as more people came, it has evolved naturally. Everyone gets on, and new people are made to feel very welcome.” 

That sense of belonging is something they both value deeply. “It is like living in a village. People help each other. John is always helping out, collecting prescriptions, fixing televisions, going to the cashpoint with people who don’t want to go out alone. And I help too. I’m sure if one day we need help, others will do the same. It is that kind of place.” 

 John said: “Everyone looks out for each other. It is a real community.” 

Family connections 

Despite their busy social lives, family remains a big part of John and Margaret’s world. One of their daughters lives overseas and the other lives in Cheshire. They both visit frequently. “Our daughter from Spain is coming tomorrow with the twins,” said Margaret. “She stays with us; we have a good sized second bedroom. It’s also good that there’s the guest suite here that you can book for visitors. Our son-in-law stayed in the guest suite last night because our grandson was staying with us. He’s at university in Manchester and stays over on Monday nights. So, we’ve often got family here. It is lovely.” 

Even practicalities are easier. “If we need anything, we know help is on hand,” John said. “And if there is ever an emergency, our daughters could both get here. Elizabeth would get on a plane. She comes over every six weeks anyway for her business.” 

The restaurant and day to day life 

For Margaret, one of the biggest perks of The Woodlands has always been the restaurant. “I was up to here with cooking when we moved in,” she said. “For the first year we went every single day. I didn’t cook a thing. The food is excellent and such good value.” 

“I also visit my mother twice a week,” said Margaret. “She’s nearly 99 now and recently moved into a care home, but she lived in her own flat until quite recently, so I was helping with her care. On Mondays I see her, then play Scrabble with one of my friends here in the afternoon. Wednesdays and Fridays we do keep fit, and later on Friday there is usually something going on, like quizzes, film nights or book club. Tuesday, we try to keep free, though it is often filled with outings such as trips to Manchester Art Gallery or the theatre.” 

“It is a lovely routine,” John said. “I play golf on Mondays and Wednesdays and sometimes join the John Lewis Golf Society trips. We’ve just been to Spain, although I think I am getting a bit old for 18 holes every day in that heat.” 

Travelling and time together 

Even with family commitments and busy social calendars, John and Margaret still love to travel. “We have done a few shorter trips recently,” Margaret said. “Majorca and the Isles of Scilly, mostly week-long holidays. We’d like to go back to Australia for a longer trip at some point.” 

The joy is knowing that they can go away without worry. “You can just lock up and leave. It is safe and secure, and you know the place will be exactly as you left it.” 

Comfort, cost and peace of mind 

While some people worry about the financial side of retirement living, John and Margaret say it has been far more affordable than they expected. “Our gas and electricity bills are about one sixth of what we used to pay,” John explains. “The apartments are so well insulated that we hardly use any heating, and you never hear noise from anyone else.” 

Margaret adds: “We were worried at first about the service and well-being charges and the communal facilities fee, but once you break it down and compare what we used to pay for everything, it’s fine. And for what we get, it is absolutely fair.” 

They have also been open with their daughters about the long-term financial arrangements. “We explained it all to them, the service and well-being charge and the communal facilities fee” said Margaret. “They are both doing well in life, and they are happy we are here. It gives them peace of mind too.” 

John added: “It is about quality of life. I said from the start, you cannot buy here expecting to make money. It is not a financial investment; it is an investment in enjoying your life.” 

Supporting others and staying young 

One of the most rewarding things about life at The Woodlands, for Margaret, is the mix of people and experiences. “The people here are lovely and have had such interesting lives. One lady was born in Germany in the 1930s and has told me her story. Another worked for the United Nations. There is so much to talk about, you never stop learning.  

“I think you feel younger living here because you are more active and more connected. You come back into life again.” 

Looking ahead 

Margaret’s sight has deteriorated since the move, but she says being at The Woodlands gives her reassurance. “I think you can live here much longer than you could in a house. It is so easy, everything is on one level, there is support if you need it, and you can have carers in if necessary. We don’t have to think about moving again. I don’t ever want to leave.” 

They both reflect on how far they have come since that first day in 2022. “When we first moved in, I think we knew it would be good,” Margaret said. “But it has been even better than we imagined. We have made lifelong friends, and every day we feel grateful for the decision we made.” 

“To anyone thinking about it,” John adds, “I would say if it’s something you are considering for the future, do it now. Don’t wait until you have to. You want to enjoy everything while you can make the most of it.” 

Margaret nods. “Some people are frightened to take that plunge. They cling to their house or their garden. But I look at some of my friends who waited too long, and I wish they had done what we did. You cannot imagine how much better life can be until you make that move. Every day here, I think how lucky we are. We really do love it.” 

You can read Margaret and John’s story about their move in our Homeowner Stories.

 

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