People who move into lifestyle villages – often known as retirement villages in New Zealand – find it easy to connect with like-minded people. They also enjoy the sense of freedom that comes with letting go of property maintenance.
However, there are some differences between a lifestyle village and other housing choices like strata titles, residential tenancies or residential parks.
1. Socialisation
The community spirit that exists within village life creates an opportunity for residents to interact with one another and build strong friendships and connections. It can lead to a sense of well-being and alleviate feelings of isolation that can be associated with the retirement lifestyle.
Many villages have active social calendars to encourage residents to engage with their fellow community members and form long-lasting bonds. Activities can range from wine tastings, free concerts and special dinners to a regular card game or bowling session.
As a resident of a lifestyle village, you’ll often have access to second-to-none healthcare facilities 24 hours a day. It alleviates the need to travel outside of the village for medical assistance, which can save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.
2. Peace of Mind
People moving to lifestyle villages experience a sense of freedom and peace of mind. They have the opportunity to spend more time enjoying friends and family without worrying about property maintenance or gardening. It gives them the freedom to travel, knowing their home will be looked after by on-site staff.
All village facilities, including pools, BBQ areas and walking paths, are maintained by on-site staff. There’s also a range of social activities for residents to participate in. These activities can help to establish camaraderie and friendships, which are invaluable.
3. Low Maintenance
Many people find that the most liberating thing about a lifestyle village is the lack of maintenance to worry about. It’s a huge relief to know you won’t need to go up a ladder again or hurt your back with strenuous house cleaning.
In a lifestyle village, the homeowner owns their home but pays ongoing site fees to lease the land that it sits on. These fees generally cover the costs of services, operations, and security.
Most village operators have a team of professionals who manage the community facilities and carry out routine garden and maintenance work, leaving you free to do the things you enjoy. It means you’ll be able to spend more time exploring all the great onsite facilities and making new friends.
4. Sense of Belonging
Because lifestyle villages are generally smaller than traditional homes, there’s less maintenance involved, and the community is tighter, making you feel at home right from the start. Many village providers also have on-site team members that can help with the daily tasks such as gardening, cleaning and maintenance.
If you’re thinking of downsizing and moving into a lifestyle village, it’s important to do your research. Talking to current residents is a good way to gauge whether or not you’d be happy there, as well as assessing the facilities on offer. You should also take into consideration how close the village is to your family and friends, as well as the surrounding areas, like beaches, shops and restaurants.
5. Safety
In a lifestyle village, there’s always someone around to keep an eye on things – which means that safety isn’t something you have to worry about. For example, you’ll never be putting yourself at risk by climbing a ladder or bending over a garden hose. Instead, you’ll have an on-site team who take care of the maintenance for you – so you can focus your time and energy on other activities, such as socialising with like-minded friends.
There’s also the sense of security that comes from knowing there is help available to you if you need it. It can be in the form of a resident’s society, as well as medical and health facilities that are within proximity to your home.
