Singapore might be one of the few countries where people start saving up for retirement as soon as they enter the workforce. That’s how you know we are one of the most expensive places in the world to live in.
For some, retirement looks like globe-trotting without a care in the world. For others, it is ferrying grandchildren to and from their preschools and spoiling them silly. No matter the vision for one’s silver years, so long as they are spent in Singapore, a comfortable abode is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow they’ve tolled their entire lives for.
Landed homeowners may be in the private property market again for downsizing. Or, with sound financial planning, HDB homeowners might find themselves in good stead for an upgrade. Accessibility of a new home is the chief concern among seniors, but it’s shaping up to be just one component for a longer checklist.
Here are three condominium projects in Singapore that have gone out of their way to cater to an ageing population.
Jadescape
Located along Shunfu Road near Marymount MRT, Jadescape is a luxurious condominium with over 1,200 units. Among these are a special class of Gold Standard units, which have been optimised for elderly residents from its interior provisions to surrounding facilities.
Within the unit, fixtures and fittings have been designed to give residents and their loved ones a peace of mind. On top of a wheelchair-friendly ramp, you would be able to find a lowered counter and pull-down hydraulic rack in its kitchen. The bathroom is complete with a wall-mounted seat, grab bars, as well as slip resistant tiles.
Many condominium projects come with smart home technology today, but Jadescape takes this a notch higher with sleep sensors that allows residents and their loved ones to track and analyse their vitals. Caregivers who live apart from their parents can make use of a smart IP camera that allows for real-time monitoring and two-way communications.
Outside of the home, the condominium offers regular health screenings as well as fitness sessions on improving one’s mobility and balance by certified instructors. Through Jadescape’s online community platform, nutritious menus can also be tailored according to a resident’s dietary preferences and restrictions. With a concierge that organises classes, day tours, excursions, and volunteer programs, residents have plenty of opportunities to socialise and enjoy an active retirement, even if it means belting out oldies at the karaoke lounge.
GEM Residences
GEM Residence is a dual-tower condominium that is one of the only three developments in the mature estate of Toa Payoh. It houses 578 residential units altogether, including 5-bedroom suites, dual-key units, 3-bedroom trios, and penthouses perfect for multingeneral living. Which could resist a central location like Toa Payoh?
Like The Florence, GEM Residences boasts a club condo concept that comes with concierge services round the clock. On top of organising complimentary fitness and dance classes to bring the community together, residents can also engage housekeepers, private chefs, rental cars, or its event management arm to help plan gatherings.
Perhaps the most convenient provision would be its in-house medical clinic that offers scheduled sessions, so you can say goodbye to long queues at GPs and polyclinics. Paw-parents will also be delighted to know that the condo comes with pet rooms and pet shower facilities to accommodate their furkids.
Meyer House
Want to make downsizing feel like an upgrade? Meyer House might be your best bet. Home to only 56 exclusive units, the condominium embodies luxury in every sense of the word - from its carpark to the gardens. Fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook its lush landscaping, Meyer House lets residents hold on to a slice of landed home living.
This is the first condominium in Singapore where every unit has its private lift and exclusive lobby, making accessibility a breeze for residents who may struggle with mobility. To make home maintenance just as easy, every unit has also been equipped with a Steigen laundry rack to automate the tedium of hanging clothes out to dry.
Every ground floor unit has its own private pool and a dual blinds system that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in air-conditioned comfort. The condominium has few facilities but each one is thoughtfully constructed. Its clubhouse made of glass, for instance, has a long dining table that fits up to 18 diners for extended family gatherings or birthday celebrations. At Meyer House, seniors can enjoy the efficiency of condo living without giving up the privacy of a landed home they’re used to.
Whether it’s the promise of abundant space, senior-friendly homes, or active ageing, condominiums are increasingly conscious when designing for an ageing population. If you’re planning to downsize and start building your retirement home, reach out to me for insight on opportune times to exit and enter the market.
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