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Researching retirement villages
With so many retirement villages to choose from across the country, it can take some time to weigh up your options.
Here are some considerations to get you thinking about the right village for you.
Matching a retirement village to your life and lifestyle
Location is the first thing to consider when researching potential retirement villages. Is it important for you to live close to family, friends, and your old community? Then, consider a retirement village that isn’t too far from your current area. But, if you want a little change instead, there's a huge variety of villages across Australia. Whether you envisage your retirement by the seaside in the tropics or the cool air of the mountains, there's going to be something out there for you.
Once you've narrowed down a rough location, think about the types of facilities you might like to have on your new doorstep. Retirement villages have a lot on offer, with a variety of exciting amenities and events to keep you busy. With some larger villages featuring facilities like swimming pools, spas and gyms, a restaurant, a library, and communal gardens, think about what excites you most.
Narrow down your search
It can be useful to get out a pen and paper or open your computer to take some time to answer the following questions. This can help pin down what you want most out of a retirement village.
- What do you love about your current home?
- What don't you love?
- What do you love about your current lifestyle?
- What don't you love?
- What do you want to leave behind?
- How much room will you need in your new home?
- What things would you like to have nearby?
- What would make you feel safe and secure in your new home?
- What does your ideal retirement living arrangement look like?
- What facilities do you want access to?
- Are the activities that you enjoy available?
- What are your five non-negotiables?
- What kind of care and support might you need - both now and in the future?
Retirement village cost comparison
It’s important to compare the different costs and contracts between each retirement village to figure out what works best for you and fits within your budget. It’s a good idea to seek independent financial advice to help you navigate retirement village contracts.
An easy way to break down retirement village costs is by reviewing the moving in, living in and leaving costs of the villages you’re interested in.
Moving in costs: This includes the entry cost to secure your home - the ‘sale’ price
Living in costs: This is the monthly service fee that covers things like facilities upkeep
Leaving costs: This is the portion of the management fee that's left for you to pay when you leave.
Tours and trial stays
It's important to visit the retirement community you’re interested in so that you can build up a realistic picture of what your future could be. Visit during open days, attend social events, meet the residents, or call the village to arrange a private tour.
Experiencing village life for yourself will give you an understanding of what retirement could look like for you.
Choosing the right retirement village takes thoughtful consideration and research. Delving into various aspects such as lifestyle fit, amenities on offer and costs is vital to taking the first steps towards an exciting future. Pinning down your preferences through thoughtful questions can help you find your ideal retirement village.