Living Independently In Surrey – A Guide To Options Available

Living Independently In Surrey – A Guide To Options Available

If your elderly relative wishes to continue living independently, but day to day life is becoming a little more difficult, there are a few options in Surrey worth considering before. Age Space have outlined what is available in the county so that you and your relative can make a decision that is right for them.

Downsizing in Surrey

Downsizing means selling your current home and moving into a smaller property. It is a common step for elderly people to make when their children have all left home, a partner has passed away or a larger house becomes too strenuous to maintain. This can also free up extra capital for future care needs.

For more guidance on general downsizing, please take a look at Age Space’s 6 Practical tips for Helping Elderly Parents Downsize.

When looking to downsize in Surrey, the following factors are important to consider:

Public Transport Routes

If your elderly relative is no longer driving, or moving house enables them to give up their car, then you will need to consider public transport options. Towns and villages in Surrey are generally well connected by local bus services and train routes run by railway operators: South Western, Southern, ThamesLink and Great Western. The most connected towns by public transport (most frequent services) are considered the ‘commuter towns’; namely, Dorking, Godalming, Guildford, Leatherhead and Reigate.

That said, your elderly relative is unlikely to need the level of service found in the commuter towns, meaning the public transport routes in smaller towns and villages may well be adequate. If they have given up their car as part of the move, any profits made can be put towards taxi fares or other car services. For more transport options, it’s worth taking a look at Age Space’s Community Transport Schemes in Surrey page.

To check for connections in a particular town or village, please check out the following public transport network maps:

If your elderly relative wants to downsize to an area that is easily accessible from a certain destination (such as your home), Traveline is a great resource to plan journeys. You can enter two locations and see how long the journey would take, including how many changes it involves.

Property Prices

Property prices for downsizing in Surrey Property prices vary across Surrey county and are likely to impact upon your decision. As a whole, Surrey is a more expensive place to buy property compared with the UK average.

Below is a guide to average property prices by area in Surrey, to give you an idea of the cost in different areas. It is worth noting that these prices are an average of all properties sold, and that bungalows and smaller properties are likely to be cheaper.

  • Ashford: £440,125
  • Banstead: £668,349
  • Camberley: £483,279
  • Caterham: £502,575
  • Dorking: £567,673
  • Egham: £486,841
  • Epsom: £612,465
  • Farnham: £549,381
  • Godalming: £608,934
  • Guildford: £586,485
  • Haslemere: £694,340
  • Horley: £441,045
  • Leatherhead: £779,522
  • Redhill: £516,902
  • Reigate: £609,862
  • Staines: £463,921
  • Thames Ditton: £909,516
  • Walton-on-Thames: £733,444
  • Weybridge: £967,763
  • Woking: £604,270

Prices are for 2023, sourced from: Rightmove.

Proximity to High Street

If your elderly relative is no longer driving, or isn’t keen on driving for much longer, having close access to local amenities is incredibly important. The ability to walk to the stop, or collect prescriptions themselves allows an elderly person to remain independent for a longer period of time.

If easy access to facilities such as shops and healthcare is really important, we suggest you consider sheltered housing options, as often facilities are on site.

Home Care Services in Surrey

Home Care can make a huge difference to your elderly relative’s life and help them to maintain their own independence at home for longer. These services can help to support your relative with some of the simple household tasks around the house that are becoming a bit more of a struggle, including washing up, cleaning and cooking.

You can use Age Space’s Home Care Directories for Surrey and other local areas that are linked below to find a suitable option for your relative.

Sheltered Housing in Surrey

Safer independent living options in Surrey

Sheltered Housing is accommodation designed for older people that allows them to continue to living independently, in a secure environment. Typically, it will consist of flats or bungalows with communal facilities.

The main advantage of sheltered housing is that help is always on hand, when your relative needs it. A warden usually lives on site to provide maintenance and repairs to communal or housing areas and alarm systems are available within each property, so that residents can receive help if needed. Older people often enjoy the social and community aspect of sheltered housing, as well.

Sheltered Housing can be provided by the council or privately (more commonly known as Retirement Villages).

Council Run Sheltered Housing Options

Sheltered Housing in Surrey

Local housing authorities offer subsidised and affordable sheltered housing accommodation to older people, with care and support available. The provision of this is dependent upon Care Assessment results in Surrey. If your relative is deemed eligible for council sheltered housing after a Care Needs and Financial assessment, the appropriate local authority will be contacted.

Below are the housing department websites for each local council in Surrey, where you can find more information:

Private Retirement Villages

There are four retirement villages in Surrey. Below is a summary of the setting and facilities of each, along with contact details.

Audley Cooper's Hill, Runnymede

Formerly part of Brunel University; Audley Cooper’s Hill is a luxury retirement village. The village was opened in 2019 and comprises of 128 retirement properties. The Audley Club has extensive facilities: a health and fitness suite, tennis courts, putting green, restaurant and library.

  • Telephone: 01784 557376
  • Address: Cooper's Hill Lane, Englefield Green, Egham, TW20 0JY
  • Visit Website
Elmbridge Village, Cranleigh

Elmbridge Village is an age-exclusive (60+) retirement village with a mix of modern private apartments and cottage style homes. The Village is set in beautifully kept gardens and there is a lively village community with an exciting social calendar.

  • Telephone: 01483 271477
  • Address: Elmbridge Village, Essex Drive, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8TR
  • Visit Website
Mayford Grange, Woking

Set in the outskirts of Woking next to a local golf club, Mayford Grange is an age-exclusive retirement village. There are easy links to central London by train.

Independent retirement living is offered with 42 apartments set around a landscaped courtyard. A central clubhouse provides the hub for retirement village life. A level of domiciliary care is provided upon request.

  • Telephone: 01483 751642
  • Address: Mayford Grange, 99 Westfield Road, Mayford, Surrey, GU22 9AX
  • Visit Website
Whiteley Village, Walton-on-Thames

Whiteley Village has a charitable purpose and most accommodation is only available to rent to retired people of limited means. There are 262 one or two bedroom independent living cottages, as well as 51 self-contained flats for people requiring a bit of extra care.

  • Telephone: 01932 842360
  • Address: The Whiteley Homes Trust, Whiteley Village, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, KT12 4ES
  • Visit Website

Surrey Retirement Homes

Retirement homes are similar to sheltered housing but are more communal and less independent. So, instead of separate homes, retirement homes are usually made up of rented rooms or apartments.

There are more than 100 retirement homes to choose from in Surrey. You can search here on Housing Care and filter by area.

Retirement homes are different to Care Homes or Nursing Homes as they do not provide immediate care or medical attention to residents.

If your relative requires more care, then it may be best to look at Care Homes instead. Take a look at our page on Finding a Care Home in Surrey page.