South Africa’s most affordable retirement community is on the beachfront

In your golden years, living in a retirement complex can be peaceful. You get a built-in community and like-minded neighbours.

But retirement community levies are usually more expensive than levies in the average sectional title.

That’s not the case in one coastal town.

Here, retirees can buy an affordable flat and get affordable levies.

R400 000 Beachfront Property for Retirees

Buyers get stunning sea views while saving money because properties in this retirement-friendly town start at R210 000 and levies are roughly R5 000 a month.

Quigney is home to two of South Africa’s most affordable retirement properties.

The coastal suburb in KuGompo City (East London) has two beachfront retirement communities.

Buyers can choose between Weavers Retirement Centre and Woodholme.

At Weavers, a 37-square-metre studio flat sells for R210 000 and has R5 183 in levies.

At Woodholme, buyers can get a 1-bedroom flat starting at R390 000.

The beach is within walking distance, and many flats have sea views.

Both are also highly rated.

Woodholme has a 4.2-star rating, and Weavers has a 4.7-star rating.

Reviewers rave about the cleanliness, sea views, staff, and peaceful community.

But neither has frail care or any medical facilities.

Other Affordable Coastal Retirement Communities

The contrast between Quigney’s retirement communities and others is more apparent when you consider that in most other cities, retirement community levies start at R12 000 a month.

In Durban, retirees can purchase a 1-bedroom flat in Eden Gardens for R595 000. However, levies in this retirement complex are R14 599.

Retirees can buy a 1-bedroom 95-square-metre flat for R200 000 in Musgrave, Durban.

But again, levies are R17 000.

Smaller retirement communities without frail care facilities are a more affordable option.

In Cape Town, for example, Libertas Retirement Centre in Goodwood sells flats from R495 000, with levies of R8 500 a month, which include two meals a day.

Fairydene Retirement Village in Pinetown a flat sells for R200 000, and levies are only R3 787.

Community	Purchase Price	Levies
Fairydene Retirement Village	R200 000	R3 787
Weavers Retirement Centre	R200 000	R5 183
Birdsongs Retirement Estate	R375 000	R3 992
Libertas Retirement Centre	R495 000	R8 500