Best Retirement Homes In Johannesburg

Finding the right retirement village in Johannesburg can be a life-changing decision for seniors or their family members. The perfect retirement home provides not just accommodation, but also security, community, and appropriate care services that enhance quality of life during the golden years. Johannesburg offers a variety of retirement villages catering to different needs and budgets.

This comprehensive guide explores four outstanding retirement villages in Johannesburg across different categories – affordable, cheap, government subsidized, and luxury options. Each of these retirement homes for seniors provides unique benefits tailored to meet specific needs of the elderly community in South Africa.

1.Affordable Retirement Option: Nazareth House Johannesburg

Brief Background of Nazareth House Johannesburg

When it comes to affordable retirement villages Nazareth House is one of the best options in Johannesburg . This warm and loving community is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of seniors, providing a serene environment where older persons can age gracefully while enjoying tailored services. The facility promotes independence, dignity, and an enhanced quality of life for all residents.

Contact details for Nazareth House Johannesburg :

• Phone: +27 11 648 1002
• Address: 1 Webb St, Yeoville, Johannesburg, 2198

What Services Does Nazareth House Offer

Nazareth House provides a comprehensive range of residential care services that prioritize the well-being and individual needs of older persons:

• Personal Care: Round-the-clock assistance with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene and mobility support, with open communication between staff, residents, and families.

• Medical Support: A multi-disciplinary team manages individual care plans including regular health assessments, medication management, and coordination with healthcare professionals.

• Healthy Nutrition: Their catering partner and dietician prepare nutritious meals catering to specific dietary requirements, served buffet-style in social dining rooms.

• Social & Recreation: Wellness coordinators host activity calendars with group activities, exercises, events, and programs, including individual sessions with each resident.

• Emotional Support: Their compassionate team provides emotional support, companionship, and a listening ear where residents feel valued and cared for.

• Safe Environment: The property is access-controlled with round-the-clock onsite security, emergency call bells, and trained staff ready to respond immediately.

Nazareth House offers three living options:

1. Independent Living: Spacious and comfortable apartments with comprehensive amenities.
2. Assisted Living: A variety of rooms and flatlets providing a safe environment while preserving independence.
3. Frail Care: Private rooms with 24/7 nursing care and assistance with daily living activities.

Additional services include weekly laundry and housekeeping, nutritious meals, resident pampering at their salon, communal facilities, security, maintenance, regular social activities, on-site chapel, gardens, pool, and a multi-disciplinary care team.

How Much Does It Cost to Live at Nazareth House

Nazareth House offers different pricing tiers based on the level of care required:

• Independent Living: Starting from R8,132 per month
• Assisted Living: Starting from R10,165 per month
• Frail Care: Starting from R14,793 per month

Reviews of Nazareth House

Reviews of Nazareth House are mixed:

Some residents’ families appreciate the Catholic ethos and professional management. One reviewer mentions: “Nazerth House is an incredibly run facility, the kindness of the staff and the exceptional running of the home is nothing more than amazing!”

However, some have expressed concerns about frail care services, with one family noting issues with activity programs and monitoring of residents’ health conditions.

Photos Of Nazareth House Johannesburg

2.Cheap Retirement Option: Kensington Gardens Retirement Village

Brief Background of Kensington Gardens Retirement Village

Kensington Gardens retirement village is the best cheap retirement option in Johannesburg . This retirement village is part of the Flower Foundation and is home to the beautiful Colonial House, a National Heritage Site. It is located in a historically significant area over 115 years old, residents live among Johannesburg’s heritage icons including the nearby Kensington Castle.

Contact details for Kensington Gardens Retirement Village :

• Phone: 011 781 4920
• Email: info@flower.org.za
• Address: Unit 4, Surrey Square Office Park, 330 Surrey Avenue, Ferndale

What Services Does Kensington Gardens Offer

Kensington Gardens provides:

Accommodation Options:

• Protea Section: Delightful one-bedroom cottages and bachelor apartments
• Erica Section: Spacious one or two-bedroom cottages surrounded by beautiful gardens

Community Activities:

• Bingo afternoons
• Movies
• Snooker
• Exercise classes
• Resident social outings and events
• Monthly socials
• Scrabble
• Knitting Club
• Library

Services Included in Levy:

• Water
• Panic button system
• Home Supervisor on property
• Cleaning and communal garden service
• Weekly wellness clinic
• Shuttle service to various shopping centers once a week
• Covered carports (subject to availability)
• Laundry facility
• External building maintenance
• Building insurance
• General garden maintenance
• 24-hour security

For residents requiring Assisted Living or Frail Care, accommodation is available at Pioneer House in Oaklands or an alternate village within the Flower Foundation network.

How Much Does It Cost to Live at Kensington Gardens

Kensington Gardens offers both purchase (Tenancy Rights) and rental options:

Tenancy Rights (Purchase):

• One-bedroom cottages from R220,000
• Two-bedroom cottages from R650,000
• Purchases are subject to an additional non-refundable administration charge of R17,000 on signing an agreement

Monthly Levies:

• One-bedroom cottages from R3,788
• Two-bedroom cottages from R5,060
• Bachelor apartments from R3,734

Rentals:

• Bachelor rentals from R4,793

Reviews of Kensington Gardens

Residents and family members have positive experiences at Kensington Gardens. One review simply states: “Beautiful place. Mom lives here. Very happy!”

Photos of Kensington Gardens

3.Government Subsidized Option: Park Cottages

Brief Background of Park Cottages

Park Cottages is a government subsidized retirement village located in Bertrams, Johannesburg, Gauteng. This facility provides an important housing option for seniors who require financial assistance.

Contact details: for Park Cottages

• Location: Bertrams, Johannesburg, Gauteng

What Services Does Park Cottages Offer

As a government subsidized retirement village, Park Cottages offers basic retirement accommodation and support services designed to meet the essential needs of elderly South Africans with limited financial resources.

While specific details about services are limited in the available information, government subsidized retirement villages typically provide:

• Basic accommodation options
• Some level of security
• Essential maintenance
• Access to basic healthcare monitoring
• Community spaces for social interaction

How Much Does It Cost to Live at Park Cottages

As a government subsidized facility, Park Cottages offers significantly reduced rates compared to private retirement villages. Pricing is typically determined based on residents’ income levels and government subsidy allocations.

Seniors who meet certain financial criteria may qualify for heavily subsidized or even fully covered accommodation, making this an essential option for elderly South Africans with limited resources.

Reviews of Park Cottages

Specific reviews for Park Cottages are not readily available, which is common for government subsidized facilities that may not have the same online presence as private retirement villages.

4.Luxury Retirement Option: San Sereno

Brief Background of San Sereno

San Sereno is a premium retirement community located in Bryanston, Gauteng, operated by Auria Senior Living. San Sereno is the best luxury retirement village in Johannesburg no doubt about that . This luxury retirement village brings to life a sophisticated approach to senior living through spacious accommodations, comprehensive services, and world-class amenities.

Contact details For San Sereno :

• Address: 30 Fleming St, Mill Hill, Johannesburg

What Services Does San Sereno Offer

San Sereno provides an extensive range of high-end amenities and services:

Accommodation Options:

• Garden Villas: 168 freestanding villas (2 or 3 bedrooms, 120-200m²) with private gardens, patios, and single or double garages
• Apartments: Compact one and two-bedroom apartments (from 62m²) conveniently located near social and wellness activities
• Care Centre: Dedicated environment for residents requiring daily assistance

Standard Features in All Units:

• Underfloor heating in the main bathroom
• Built-in cupboards with Fineline sliding doors
• Solar geysers to reduce electricity costs

Lifestyle Amenities:

• Restaurant and coffee shop
• Cinema
• Bridge club
• Hair salon
• Several lounges
• Gym with daily exercise classes including yoga, pilates, strength and balance training
• Heated pool
• Library
• Billiards room
• Beautiful gardens

Comprehensive Services:

• Concierge service
• Maintenance team
• Housekeeping services
• Home domestic services
• 24/7 medical response
• Nursing team on site 24/7
• 14 days of respite care per annum
• Various dining options including delivery
• Social and wellness programs
• Cultural events

Care Philosophy: San Sereno emphasizes “aging in place,” delivering most care and support services in residents’ homes. This approach means that even as needs change, residents may never need to move to a dedicated assisted living facility. They also provide specialized care for residents with dementia.

How Much Does It Cost to Live at San Sereno

San Sereno operates on a Life Rights model, providing security of tenure without the responsibilities of homeownership. Pricing includes:

Purchase Price:

• Garden Villas: Starting from R3,800,000
• Apartments: Starting from R1,900,000

Monthly Levies Cover:

• Rates and taxes
• Certain electricity consumption
• Security/armed response
• Round-the-clock maintenance
• On-site management team
• Nursing team availability
• Use of the gym and exercise classes
• 14 days of respite care annually
• Water
• Building insurance
• Property maintenance
• Gardening services
• Concierge services
• 24/7 medical response
• Social and wellness programs

Additional services available at extra cost include domestic cleaning and laundry services.

Reviews of San Sereno

San Sereno receives mostly positive reviews for its facilities and services:

One resident describes it as “Retirement life at its best! The accommodation, activities, facilities and food here are brilliant, the staff are all really lovely.”

However, some visitors have noted concerns about inclusivity and financial management. One visitor commented on the impressive facilities but felt unwelcome as a person of color. Another mentioned challenges with Life Rights valuation and moving between accommodation types.

Photos Of San Sereno

What Age is Best for Retirement Homes in Johannesburg?

The ideal age for moving into a retirement village in Johannesburg typically depends on individual circumstances, preferences, and health needs. Most South African seniors consider retirement communities between ages 65-75, when they can fully enjoy the social and recreational aspects while still maintaining independence.

For those seeking a proactive approach, moving between ages 65-70 allows adjustment to community living while still active and healthy. This timing provides maximum benefit from amenities like social programs, fitness facilities, and recreational activities that retirement villages in Johannesburg offer.

Those with specific healthcare needs might consider moving between ages 75-85, when assisted living or frail care services become more valuable. However, waiting too long can make the transition more challenging and limit the community integration experience.

Many retirement villages for elderly residents in Johannesburg now adopt a continuum of care approach, allowing residents to start in independent living and seamlessly transition to higher care levels as needed, making earlier moves increasingly practical.

What is the Minimum Age for Retirement Homes?

Most retirement villages in Johannesburg have minimum age requirements, typically starting at 50-55 years for the primary resident. Some luxury retirement villages might set the threshold at 55, while others accept residents from age 50.

For couples, usually only one spouse needs to meet the minimum age requirement. Many facilities allow younger spouses to join, provided the primary applicant meets the age criteria. This flexibility makes retirement villages accessible to couples with age differences.

Government subsidized retirement homes may have different criteria, often prioritizing older seniors (60+) with limited financial resources and greater care needs. These facilities focus on providing essential services to vulnerable elderly populations.

Age requirements ensure communities can properly cater to residents’ needs while maintaining appropriate social environments. These policies help create communities where residents share similar life stages and interests, fostering meaningful connections.

Finding the perfect retirement village in Johannesburg requires considering not just age eligibility, but also budget, desired location, required care level, and lifestyle preferences. Whether seeking affordable, subsidized, or luxury retirement options, Johannesburg offers retirement homes for seniors across the spectrum of needs and preferences.