Lifestyle Village: What is it Like?

Moving into a lifestyle village can be a major life change. But it’s a change that can reap multiple benefits.

If you’re considering lifestyle village living, take your time to review all the documentation. Please find out how much it costs to enter and leave, as well as ongoing expenses.

1. Peace of Mind

A move into a lifestyle village will free up your savings and time while providing a safe and secure living environment. It also gives you the freedom to explore interests and passions that may have taken a back seat during your working years.

You will enjoy second-to-none healthcare facilities on hand at all times, alleviating the stress that often comes with needing to find and pay for external medical assistance. Additionally, all of your maintenance is completed by on-site staff or on-call professionals, giving you more time to enjoy village facilities like swimming pools and BBQ areas.

The initial package and residential fees associated with a lifestyle village are often considerably less than the ongoing costs of a larger house. However, we encourage you to seek legal and financial advice before relocating to a lifestyle village to ensure that all of your options are carefully considered.

It’s also worth noting that lifestyle villages differ from retirement villages in that you own the property your home is built on while leasing the land it sits on. Both can offer great benefits, and it’s important to know your options thoroughly.

2. Sense of Community

Living in a lifestyle village can offer you a sense of community with like-minded people. There are usually social activities organised by the warden that you can attend, such as quiz nights or craft evenings. There’s also often a weekly rota for meals out and day trips, which is a great way to get to know your neighbours.

The sense of community can also help you feel safe. Many villages have a security system, so you can have peace of mind that you’ll be well looked after and your home will be secure when you are not there.

3. Health & Safety

Modern lifestyle villages have strict safety measures in place, and you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from a well-monitored community. In addition, you’ll also have access to second-to-none healthcare facilities.

In contrast to retirement villages, lifestyle villages tend to charge a single purchase price for the home you’ll live in, as well as ongoing rent for the land it is built on. They also tend to have a lower or no deferred management fee when it comes time to leave your property – something that must be carefully read through in any contract you sign.

The convenience and social activities of a lifestyle village make it an ideal place to spend your retirement years; for Lindsay and Judy from Ridge Estate by Teman in Gillieston Heights, spending quality time with the grandchildren is one of the biggest benefits of living in the village.

4. Low Maintenance

There are many benefits to moving into a lifestyle village – particularly for those with an active social life who don’t want the burden of maintenance. It frees up time to pursue a variety of interests and activities, knowing all the demanding work is taken care of by onsite teams.

Sam purchased her lifestyle home in a Teman community in Papamoa for $400,000. Her ongoing site fees cover the cost of management, water, rates and government charges for the land she resides on. It means she can claim rent assistance as the value of her home is exempt from Centrelink’s assets test.

Unlike standard retirement villages, lifestyle communities offer second-to-none healthcare facilities that are accessible to residents around the clock. It includes a doctor’s clinic, pharmacy and emergency room, as well as on-call nurses and allied health professionals. In addition, a range of activities and facilities are available to residents to connect with like-minded peers. For example, Ridge Estate by Teman in Gillieston Heights offers residents a comfortable lounge and a beautiful dining venue for evening tete-a-tetes.

5. Affordability

Living in a lifestyle village is also an affordable option when compared to maintaining your own home. By downsizing and removing property maintenance expenses, you can free up money for travel, family, or hobbies. Additionally, zero stamp duty and lower council rates help reduce your living costs.

Rather than having to worry about booking quotes, waiting for tradespeople to turn up and then spending time getting a job done well, the maintenance team in your village will do it all for you. That saves you a lot of hassle and means you have more time to enjoy the good things in life.