Historically, retirement has been considered a period to wind down, but for many Australians, retirement means the opposite. Retirement is an opportunity for rebirth, travel, or the fulfilment of personal interests, which had been put on the back burner as a result of work or family commitments. Such a change in mentality has contributed to the popularity of lifestyle centres in the country.
Unlike traditional retirement villages or aged care facilities, lifestyle communities are developed specifically for active and independent people aged 50+. They provide a unique balance of privacy and community, allowing residents to simplify their household chores without compromising their lifestyle choices. Perhaps you are thinking about your next move, and a lifestyle community might be just what you are looking for.
Say Goodbye to Weekend Chores
One of the chief reasons people opt to move and live in a lifestyle community such as https://www.lifestylecommunities.com.au/retirement-village/berwick-waters lies in their desire to shake the burden of home maintenance. With a large family home comes a never-ending list of chores – mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets, and more. These chores are no longer part of the equation when choosing a lifestyle community.
The community management is also responsible for taking care of common property like gardens, as well as sometimes even the exterior of your home. This ‘lock and leave’ functionality is really helpful for seniors who like to travel extensively. You can take a caravan or a plane to wherever you like for a month, assured that your home is secure and that you won’t return to find a jungle growing in your yard.
Peace of Mind and Security
Feeling secure in one’s own residential structure is paramount, and lifestyle communities shine in this respect. A gated entrance, security cameras, and on-site management staff add an element of security to most lifestyle communities.
But where a feeling of true security lies is with the neighbours. Life surrounded by members of one’s own generation provides a natural sense of a neighbourhood watch. This helps neighbours take care of each other, noticing if something does not look quite right or if a garage door is left open. This alone provides a sense of security for those living alone.
A Healthier Way of Living
Staying active becomes more and more important with age, and these communities are developed in a way that helps people stay fit. You don’t need to go driving down to the gym or invest in a costly gym membership when the gym facilities are at your very doorstep!
These lifestyle resorts have facilities such as heated swimming pools, fitness gyms, bowling greens, and tennis courts. Lifestyle resorts also come with walk paths around landscaped gardens. It becomes much easier when exercising is made so accessible and also when it can be done among company.
Incorporated Social Link
The problem with the retired lifestyle is that you may encounter the possibility of social isolation; but the solution is found in lifestyle communities. Here you enjoy the privacy of an individual house as well as the opportunity to be involved in the active lifestyle of the community.
The community centres provide the vital centre of the village where happy hours, movie nights, craft sessions, or dinner parties occur. If one feels the urge to mingle, you just walk on over to the clubhouse. But if you feel the urge to stay indoors, there’s no reason you can’t stay at home.
Understanding the Financial Shift
Relocating to a lifestyle community may require a different financial outlay from purchasing a traditional freehold dwelling. Usually, you buy the dwelling and an ongoing site fee to occupy the land the dwelling is on. The land lease option may help retirees enter a lifestyle community for a price that is below the median price for the housing in the local area and allows them to use the equity from their former home to buy their retirement.
But it is imperative to investigate the specific costs involved, such as the exit fee or deferred management fees, and capital gains sharing that differ depending on the operator. Nevertheless, for most people, it is financially smart since they don’t pay stamp duty when purchasing.
Is This the Right Step for You?
Lifestyle communities provide a perfect blend of freedom, security, and involvement. They take away from you the hassles of homeownership and give you involvement options. If you are ready to leave behind your lawnmower and move to a lifestyle that focuses on you, perhaps a visit to a lifestyle community near you is in order!
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