"For the last few years I have been thinking of downsizing. 'Retirement' flats are a joke. Extortionate prices and crippling service charges to live in a shoe box with the kitchen in the corner of the lounge/diner. No bath (they say for safety reasons) but a shower only suitable for a bean pole. 'Normal' 1/2 bed flats/houses might be an option but their prices are also ridiculous (Help to Buy and stupidly low mortgage interest rates) and it would cost thousands in agents and solicitors fees. So I will stay put. When, if, the savings start to run out I will take equity release and employ a gardener and home help one day a week," wrote Roy H.