With their reduced maintenance, cozy yet manageable layouts, and access to social connections and extra care, compact homes in retirement villages are rapidly emerging as the ideal choice for independent seniors seeking to downsize.
These communities combine desirable amenities with opt-in support services, allowing residents to enjoy a relaxed, worry-free lifestyle tailored to their needs.
Advantages of living in a smaller home
Tony Randello, Chief Executive Officer of Aveo, which operates 67 retirement living villages across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, says potential buyers are often surprised to learn they can buy into a retirement community in a great location – such as Melbourne’s bayside beaches, Mosman in Sydney, or Newstead in Brisbane – with a smaller budget.
"People can downsize to these popular and premium locations and, in doing so, upsize their lifestyle," he says.
"Smaller homes within retirement communities generally have a lower entry cost, allowing retirees to purchase a home and enjoy low-maintenance living and a vibrant community for less.
"The affordable price of the smaller home enables them to move to a suburb they might have thought out of their reach, perhaps closer to family members or back to an area they grew up in."
According to data obtained by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, the primary benefits of downsizing for older Australians include a significant reduction in property maintenance time, lower housing costs, improved access to amenities like shops and medical facilities, and better lifestyle suitability.
Downsizing, or rightsizing, from a larger family home to a smaller one can free up time and cash to enjoy more of the good things in life.
"Rather than ‘living in’ their money, they can now afford to do other things such as travel, get a new car, or enjoy the feeling of not having to worry about the cost of living," Randello says.
Extra support for retirees when you need it
To help retirees stay independent for longer, Aveo communities offer residents the flexibility and choice to pay for additional services such as regular cleaning and laundry, chef-prepared meals from the on-site restaurant, and care services.
Margery Smith moved to a one-bedroom apartment at Aveo’s Lisson Manor in Hawthorn, Melbourne, two years ago and says she couldn’t be happier.
She believes the lifestyle and support provided are helping her to stay out of aged care.
"I want to live independently for as long as I can, and the services I receive here are helping me achieve this," Margery says.
"I always say living here is like living in an upmarket guesthouse with support on hand.
"It is absolutely perfect for the way I need to live, and I appreciate having my meals cooked by our chefs.
"I also receive home care services such as cleaning and some help with washing."
Lee, an Aveo resident at The Manors of Mosman in Sydney, moved into an apartment with services after living in the community for ten years.
"When I turned 90, I decided to treat myself to moving into a serviced apartment – someone else to wash my sheets and towels, clean, and cook for me," she says.
"A serviced apartment at The Manors is one bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, and there is a little kitchenette.
"We have three meals a day supplied, and I love eating in the dining room. I only have to ask for help, and it's provided.
"It's a perfect situation."
Residents in many Aveo communities can choose to pay for the support services they need with a fee-for-service option, which might change as their support needs change.
The Aveo home care services team can also create tailored care and support plans to empower residents to access support services and government-funded care services so they can continue living independently for as long as possible.
Saying goodbye to the family home and hello to convenience and support
Moving house is never easy, but moving from a home filled with memories is perhaps one of the toughest.
"The attachment to the family home is real," Randello says.
"People love the home they have lived in for years, even if it is a little worse for wear as the years pass.
"There are fond memories and a comfortable familiarity with staying put, but for those who switch their frame of mind from looking into the way they have lived to how they live in the future, they open themselves up for a lifestyle change – to step into a community life with facilities and services that make living easy."
Aveo offers communities in some of the most desirable locations along the eastern coast of Australia.
Many of these are within walking distance of popular parks and beaches, major shopping centres, entertainment precincts, and cafes and restaurants.
In Melbourne, Aveo communities The George and Concierge Bayside are under ten minutes from the bayside beaches, the Royal Melbourne Golf Club, and the local Westfield Southland.
In Brisbane, The Newstead Residences is in the heart of the Gasworks entertainment and shopping precinct.
Meanwhile, in Sydney, The Manors of Mosman is set in the prestigious harbourside suburb, less than 10km to the Sydney CBD.
Pamela, a resident at The Manors of Mosman, says: "It’s a very happy place, there’s always someone to talk to, and we have a wonderful social director who organises things for us.
"We go to concerts and out of lunch, I have some very special friends here, but everyone is friendly.
"You’re inclined to be with people who are interested in the same things as you are.
"We sing and we love music, but the biggest thing is to laugh, and we do, we laugh so much."
This article was originally published by realestate.com.au.
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