Oaps on the up: 1 in 6 people in england and wales now aged 65

According to Prudential's annual survey, this year's average Male retiree's income will be around £18,250 with their female counterparts expected to receive a third less making the cost of living a real concern to those entering their golden years.

 Top of that list of concerns is accommodation with many of this baby-boomer generation continuing to live in the family home. Whilst sentiment might may make some reluctant to sell and downsize, for many the impracticalities of a large home not to mention the running costs and possible threat of a future 'bedroom tax' encourages many to consider alternatives.

 So as more and more people in their 'third age' see their costs of living rise and their annual income decrease, it is hardly surprising that they are looking for better deals overseas.

 Danny Silver, MD and partner of The Villages Group, the first active living retirement village in the Canal du Midi, nestled in the heart of the Languedoc region of South West France comments,

 "More and more people are recognising retirement villages not only work socially but, in these times of austerity, financially too. Retirement developments are common in the US, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, and are starting to spring up across Europe as the number of people over the age of 65 now outnumber those of school age in the UK, and soon a quarter of the population will be over retirement age.

 "Compared to downsizing and say renting a retirement property, owning your own home in a retirement village such as The Villages allows you to keep a foot in the residential property market and, most importantly, keep active and socialise with like-minded individuals. Here at Canal du Midi, you can live with all expenses covered for under £35 per person per week (including all management; maintenance; land tax and all onsite activities!) which is considerably less than the UK state pension allowance."

Indeed, retirement villages such as Le Village Canal du Midi, offers buyers the chance to remain independent, yet benefit from a wide range of services in one of the top ten countries to retire to in the world.