Retirement living in Kent

27 developments

AskBart lists 27 retirement developments in and around Kent, run by 5 operators. 27 offer homes to buy from £172,500, and 21 to rent. The average home in Ashford sold for £344,332 (HM Land Registry, June 2026).

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Baker Lodge

Retirement living (27)

27 developments found
AylesfordVerified

McCarthy Stone

Aylesford is a retirement living development operated by McCarthy Stone, available to purchase or rent.

Starting from £302,000

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Burlington Lodge care homeVerified

Churchill Retirement Living

Nestled in the heart of Kent, Burlington Lodge is a premium retirement living community brought to you by Churchill Retirement Living. This exquisite community is comprised of 34 contemporary one and…

community
Starting from £369,950
Eadhelm Court - Resale care homeVerified

McCarthy Stone Resales

Nestled in the heart of the scenic town of Edenbridge, Eadhelm Court presents an idyllic retirement living opportunity. Just a stone's throw away from the quaint High Street and the local train…

community
Starting from £172,500
Gravesend care homeVerified

Churchill Retirement Living

Nestled in the charming town of Gravesend, this opulent Churchill Retirement Living property offers the ideal setting for a serene, independent, and fulfilling retirement. The development houses 75…

community
Starting from £370,950
Southdowns Village care homeVerified

Southdowns Retirement Village

Nestled within the serene expanses of 17.5 acres of Kent's picturesque countryside, not far from Dartford, you'll find the charming retirement village of Southdowns. This bustling community offers…

village
Starting from £195,000

Retirement living across Kent

Kent in numbers

Retirement developments listed27
Operators5 (largest: McCarthy Stone, 11; Churchill Living, 10; McCarthy Stone Resales, 3)
With homes to buy27
With homes to rent21
Lowest guide price£172,500
Average guide price£277,100
Types of livingcommunity 3 · village 1
Average sold price, Ashford (HM Land Registry, June 2026)£344,332

Figures are for the homes listed on this page.

About Kent

Kent offers a substantial choice of retirement living — 62 listed schemes across the county, most rated good by the CQC. It suits those wanting to stay in the South East with access to London, family networks in the region, and a mix of coastal and countryside settings.

What retirement living costs in Kent

To buy — from
£172,500
To buy — average
£277,100

House prices in Ashford

The average house price in Ashford is £344,332, based on HM Land Registry data. The graph shows sold-price trends by property type over the last 30 years.

Average price by property type

All property types
£344,332
Detached
£555,528
Semi-detached
£344,990
Terraced
£282,684
Flats & maisonettes
£163,241

Source: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index, to Jun 2026 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Figures are area averages for the wider local authority, not retirement properties specifically.

Is Kent a good retirement location?

Kent is a well-served retirement-living destination with solid CQC performance: the majority of its 62 listed schemes are rated good, with a small number outstanding. It suits people who value proximity to London and the South East, want choice in where they settle (from coastal towns to quieter inland areas), and are comfortable with the region's care costs.

Health & support

  • Medical access: GP surgeries and pharmacies are widely available across Kent; most retirement schemes are within reach of a district general hospital.
  • Safety: Crime varies considerably across Kent's towns and rural areas; check your specific location carefully, as some neighbourhoods record higher rates than others.
  • Family & connection: Consider whether you have family or close support nearby — Kent's size and links to London mean many people keep strong regional connections.

Finances & daily life

  • Cost of care: Most retirement living fees in Kent sit at or above the national average; affordability depends on your location within the county and the scheme you choose.
  • Transport: Kent has good rail links to London and other South East cities; most towns have bus services, though car-dependency varies by location and how walkable your neighbourhood is.
  • Housing options: 62 retirement-living schemes are listed across Kent, offering a real range of choice in size, location and style.

Lifestyle & environment

  • Green space & hobbies: Kent has parks, coastal walks and country estates depending on where you settle; many retirement schemes run their own activities and clubs.
  • Community: Retirement communities often host social groups and events; check whether your chosen scheme has memory support or activities that matter to you.
  • Climate: Kent's South East location means milder winters than much of the UK, but expect typical southern England weather — damp autumns and variable springs.

Things to weigh up

  • CQC ratings vary: Five schemes are rated as requiring improvement; always check individual CQC reports before you decide.
  • Regional costs: Fees sit broadly at or above the national average, which may affect your budget if cost is tight.

Common questions

How many retirement developments are there in Kent?

AskBart lists 27 retirement developments in and around Kent. The largest operators are McCarthy Stone (11), Churchill Living (10) and McCarthy Stone Resales (3).

How much does a retirement property in Kent cost to buy?

Guide prices at the 27 developments with homes to buy start at £172,500, and average £277,100. Service charges and any event or exit fees are extra; check each listing.

Can I rent a retirement property in Kent?

Yes: 21 of the 27 developments offer homes to rent.

What types of retirement living are there in Kent?

community (3) and village (1).

What do homes sell for in Ashford?

The average home in Ashford sold for £344,332 in June 2026, according to HM Land Registry's UK House Price Index.

Is retirement living in Kent regulated by the CQC?

No. Retirement housing isn't rated by the Care Quality Commission. Where a development offers on-site personal care, that care service is registered with the regulator separately.

Weighing up your options in Kent?

Care needs change over time. Compare the other kinds of later-life care in Kent:

Guides for families

More in our retirement living guides.

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