Retirement Villages or Independent Living – it’s just one of the choices you’ll make when the time to retire comes. Retirement is a transitionary process that can be a bit daunting, not just for yourself but also for your family and loved ones. Everyone close to you wants your move to being a retiree to be a seamless one with as little stress as possible.
Many people choose to downsize their properties upon retiring to something more manageable. Maybe you want to do a bit of travelling and want something that has ‘lock-and-leave’ capabilities. Or maybe you want to enter into a retirement living scheme that’s catered towards making your old age easier, with communities, facilities and amenities on offer if you choose to use them.
If it’s the latter you’re looking at, there’s a couple of popular options that we want to talk about today. One is Retirement Villages, and the second is Independent Living Places for Retirees. We’ll also have a look at a few examples of these set ups in Brisbane’s southern suburbs that you can find close to the Harcourts Beyond office.
What is a Retirement Village?
A retirement village is a thoughtfully designed complex intended to facilitate the enjoyment of life for residents over 55 years old. There are usually different types of properties within the village, so no matter their needs residents can find a living option to suit them.
Retirement villages are built around creating a lifestyle for residents who want to lead active and independent lives. They’re not just for retirees, many of the over-55 residents are still at work full time but wanted to move in and enjoy the lifestyle on offer.
There’s a strong focus on safety and community, with activities on offer if you wish to partake. While the villages can be a very social environment, the low-maintenance homes also make it easy for you to enjoy extended trips away, knowing that your property is safe and secure no matter how long you travel for.
The beauty of a retirement village is that there are services to facilitate an easy lifestyle as you age. There’s normally a 24-hour emergency call system, as well as the option of extra care in your own home.
Independent Living Places for Retirees
Independent living places are smaller apartments or townhouses, usually still within a community village type of hub. They still offer the facilities and social activities for a full and independent life, with the inclusion of services like laundry, dining and cleaning on offer. This is a perfect option if you’d like the close community of a retirement village, but only require a small living space.
It’s important to note that different complexes offer different things. Generally though, you’ll still have time on your hands to enjoy your own personal pursuits. An on-site team takes care of gardening and maintenance, with the homes designed to ensure minimal upkeep.
If it’s an integrated social environment you’re after, then organised activities, outings and even exercise classes will be really appealing to you. If you choose to be engage with the community, then there’ll be never a dull moment. Alternatively, there’s always the option to live life at your own pace and enjoy organised social events as and when you please.
Most complexes will have an on-site restaurant to enjoy your meals surrounded by friends, or there may be the option to enjoy ready-made meals delivered to your front home.
Now that you’re familiar with the two types of retirement village living, let’s take a look at complexes close to Macgregor and what they offer.
Stockland Greenleaves Retirement Village
Website: https://www.stockland.com.au/retirement-living/qld/greenleaves-retirement-village
Location: 91 Tryon Street, Upper Mt Gravatt
About: This vibrant and close-knit retirement village is just a stone’s throw from Westfield Garden City shopping centre, as well as being only 15-minutes from the centre of Brisbane. Medical services, public transport and all kinds of entertainment are easy to access, plus it’s pet-friendly so you can bring the pooch along too.
Facilities and Services: Library, community centre, workshop, swimming pool, spa, billiards, craft room, bar, bowling green. Visiting healthcare professionals, hair salon, village bus, 24-hour emergency call system, village maintenance and landscaping staff, social program, full time village manager.
Aveo Sunnybank Green
Website: www.aveo.com.au/communities/sunnybank-green/
Location: 239 McCullough Street, Sunnybank
About: This peaceful and welcoming retirement community is conveniently located in Sunnybank, with easy access to the M1. Tropical landscaped gardens create a relaxing setting where you can enjoy the many facilities on offer. Aveo are an aged care company that are dedicated to giving older Australians a high-quality life, and this complex is strong evidence they are succeeding in this mission.
Facilities and Services: BBQ facilities, community garden, swimming pool, library, community centre, visiting health professionals, gardening and maintenance staff, pet friendly, social program, 24-hour emergency call system.
Carinity Lifestyle Wishart
Website: www.carinity.org.au
Location: 14 Glasford street, Wishart
About: With ‘welldoing’ as their philosophy, Carinity Wishart is committed to keeping their residents feeling good. They offer a host of activities, as well as residential aged care on site, so couples aren’t split up if one is need of extra care. With a great location close to shops, the housing options include one, two- and three-bedroom homes with lockup garages. You’re sure to find something to suit you in this beautiful, colourful retirement village.
Facilities and Services: Spacious gardens, library, community hall, church services and chaplaincy support, on-site store, visiting hairdresser, event rooms, access to help with daily tasks, co-located with aged care suites.
Aveo Carindale
Website: www.aveo.com.au/communities/carindale/
Location: 19 Banchory Court, Carindale
About: With Westfield Carindale shopping centre on one side and lush parkland and Bulimba Creek on the other, Aveo Carindale gives you the best of both worlds. Never mind the perfect location, the whole complex has been designed to offer the finest amenities to give you a hassle-free retirement lifestyle.
Facilities and Services: Swimming pool, restaurant, bar, gym, cinema, community centre, care team on-site 24/7, hairdressing salon, village centre, social and wellness program, dedicated chapel, billiards table.
Con Noi Apartments
Website: www.connoi.com.au/
Location: 30 Scrub Road, Carindale
About: A boutique retirement lifestyle in the heart of Carindale is on offer here. Consciously designed, air-conditioned one- and two-bedroom apartments have everything you need for extreme comfort. With only 45 apartments in total, this is a close knit community of retirees who enjoy a wide range of services and features at Con Noi. Care-free, low-maintenance living at its best.
Facilities and Services: Activities room, billiards, close to bus, coded keypad, communal facilities, garage, health & fitness program, hobby garden, hotel services, internet, parking space, personal care, social/wellness program, swimming pool, movie room, café, hairdressing salon, BBQ area.
Brookland Village
Website: www.brookland.com.au/
Location: 18 Romulus Street, Robertson
About: Living at Brookfield is about making the most of everyday and enjoying doing exactly what you want to do. Choose from the many social activities on offer, or simply pursue a quieter and private life in the comfort of your well-appointed home. 15-minutes from the Brisbane CBD and close to shopping centres and medical services, Brookland is a well-situated and popular retirement village.
Facilities and Services: Library, dining room, café, hairdressing salon, swimming pool, gymnasium, auditorium, reflection room, pet-friendly, maintenance team, gardening team, home care available, catering service, visiting allied health professionals.
Aveo Freedom Aged Care Rochedale
Website: www.aveo.com.au/communities/rochedale
Location: 24-30 Sunningdale Avenue, Rochedale South
About: You can enjoy a lifestyle of your choosing at Freedom Rochedale. Be as social as you’d like, bring your pets along, and remember that your friends and family are always welcome. Care and support is tailored to you, and there’s a arrange of activities on offer for you to enjoy.
Facilities and Services: 24 hour monitored emergency call, 24/7 supervisor, communal facilities, domestic service, on-site restaurant, registered nursing, single rooms with ensuites, small pets considered, cafe/kiosk (open daily), facility owned transport, hairdressing salon, swimming pool.
Wishart Christian Village
Website: http://www.wcva.org.au/
Location: 3 Erindale Close, Wishart
About: A retirement village with 29 independent living units, Wishart Christian Village offers affordable retirement accommodation within a Christian environment.
To conclude, we hope that list helps you in some way. If you need any advice on residential homes in and around the Macregor area, please contact us. The Henry Wong Team® are also experts on downsizing, so if you need any help or guidance with that process, you can get in touch at any time.
