What I Rent: I’m in my 50s and trying out intergenerational living for the first time

Welcome back to What I Rent – Metro’s tenant diary series exploring what renting is like in the UK and further afield.

For years, 52-year-old Wendy Hilliard went about her everyday life barely talking to her neighbours, an experience she describes as typically British.

After a relationship ended and she started looking for new digs, she realised she wanted to connect with the people in her area a little bit more.

Now, she lives in a building designed just for that purpose, and is best friends with people in their 20s and 30s. She may live in a studio flat, but there’s a shared sauna with a steam room and a jacuzzi on site.

Here’s what Wendy had to say about her renting journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m 52 years young, and I’m a senior partnerships manager for a medical and security company.

I moved into the ARK co-living building following a relationship breakup. I love going out, holidays, travel, socialising with friends, and enjoying good weather.

What kind of home do you rent? How long have you been there for?

I’ve been here for nearly two years, and I’ve just signed my contract to renew for a third year. It’s not renting; it’s basically a membership agreement that you sign up for.

You could stay here for one day if you wanted to, as a hotel-type guest. Typically, long stays are three months or more. I do a 12-month stay each time, which is the maximum.

I’m in a classic studio, and there are others which are a bit bigger. It’s six square metres, so it’s compact. I’ve got a kitchen with an oven and cabinet space, and I’ve got an ensuite bathroom and shower as well.

If I want to have my own space and not see anybody, great, but one of the benefits of co-living is all of the amenities and the events that bring us together.

Why did you opt for this set-up, rather than a traditional renting model?

I was coming out of a 15-year relationship when I was looking to move out. At the time, I had a cat, so I was looking to find somewhere animal-friendly.

My finances weren’t in a very good place back then, so I needed to be very budget-conscious, but I wanted somewhere that met the requirements.

One-beds and studios were really expensive, and people were bidding over the asking price.

Unfortunately, the cat died a couple of months later, which was horrible, but that then meant I could look for high-rise buildings. I didn’t want a house share, and I wanted my own space, with all the bills included.

When I came here, it helped me knowing the area, because I used to live south of the river, but I was around Canary Wharf quite a bit.

There are so many facilities, including a dining room, gym, games room, co-working space, lots of things like that. The winner is the 20th floor, with the swimming pool with a view of Canary Wharf.

There’s a sauna with a steam room and a jacuzzi. When I first moved in, I went there every single day for two or three months.

How much do you pay to live here per month?

£1,800, including all bills.

What do you think about the area?

I love Canary Wharf. As a female, I feel that nowhere is entirely safe, but because it’s the financial area, there’s a lot of 24/7 security. Walking around at night, I do feel as safe as I can be.

Some people might think it’s a bit sterile, with lots of shiny skyscrapers. But you’re always by the river if you want to sit out and watch the boats go by. There are green spaces everywhere as well. The Jubilee Line is absolutely excellent, and it’s very speedy.

How’s the intergenerational living aspect?

It was something I actually asked before I came to have a look around. There are people in their late 30s, in their 40s and 50s. I know someone here who is in their 60s, so it’s wider spread than you might think.

Some of my best friends in the building are in their early 30s.

It’s a bit like when you work in an office. Age diversity is important.

One of my besties just moved to Miami for work, and last month I went on holiday to see him. He’s 20 years younger than me.

Have you learned anything about yourself from living alone?

My age group tend to be married with kids, and it just means seeing them is less spontaneous.

It’s quite typically British that people don’t talk to their own neighbours, and loneliness is a real issue, not just with the older generation. I’m loving it. Downsizing was quite therapeutic, and I just have what I actually need.

On those days where I want my own space, I entirely have it.

How have you made your flat feel like home?

I’ve got paintings on the wall and a disco ball. I’ve stacked mugs, and I’ve got little shelf dividers, lots of things to maximise the space.

You can’t paint or put up wallpaper here, and if you do put paintings up, you need to use Command Strips. They’re really easy to use.

There are loads of other spaces I can use, too. There’s a communal lounge, and if I want to work, I use the communal workspaces.

It’s like being in an office. We have a little WhatsApp group for all of us who like to work down there together.

Is there anything you don’t have with this flat that you’d like?

I’d like to take the roof off the building, put in a retractable roof, and in the summer, there’d be an outdoor pool.

Joking aside, though, it’d be nice to have a balcony.

Have you had any problems with your flat?

Occasionally the water will go off, but there’s on-site maintenance. In my flat, I can log a ticket via the app.

What are your plans for the future, housing-wise?

I’m here until October 2027, at least. You do get a lot of people who’ve been here multiple years, and some since the building first opened in 2019.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

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