Roz Baldwin says that, at the Monterey over 55s community on the NSW Mid-North Coast, she has found her “serene and peaceful place” where she can be creative, relax and enjoy the company of others.
Now Roz, along with other residents and staff, are looking forward to welcoming visitors to the Monterey community at an open day being held on 23 September.
Roz and husband Greg moved into Monterey in 2023.
The couple were both born, and lived for many years, in rural and regional NSW. Given this, they were looking for a retirement community in a relaxed country setting.
They found that environment at Monterey.
Monterey is located among rural fields and bushland at Kendall, a town of less than 1,000 people situated 30km south of Port Macquarie and around 10km inland from the NSW coast.
When complete, Monterey will contain more than 200 homes.
Currently just under 100 homes are occupied, with community facilities now in place including a clubhouse, gym, cinema, pool, bowling green, park, golf practice nets and tennis court.
Monterey’s clubhouse
A community work shed, and a second park with BBQ facilities and outdoor fitness equipment, are under construction and will open soon.
FIND OUT MORE: Monterey community website
Roz and Greg were initially attracted to Monterey’s homes.
They had inspected several other land lease communities and found that the homes were “very close together”. However, at Monterey, they were pleasantly surprised to see substantial homes on spacious blocks averaging 300 sq/m.
“At Monterey, we found homes that were still roomy with modern inclusions, and in an idyllic rural setting in a country town, like where we both grew up,” Roz said.
Roz and Greg purchased a three-bedroom home, with a double garage and two bathrooms. There’s enough space for a garden and shed in the backyard.
Greg and Roz Baldwin outside their home
All Monterey homes are built on site by the community developer Allam, which has a 30-year history of delivering master planned new residential communities. Monterey is Allam’s first over 55s land lease community.
FIND OUT MORE: Homes for sale at Monterey
Monterey’s homes include a master bedroom with walk-in-robe, an ensuite and main bathroom, an al fresco entertaining area, a gourmet kitchen, ducted reverse cycle air conditioning, a private garage with automatic doors, and solar panels.
Monterey homes have spacious al fresco areas
After moving into the community, Roz quickly embraced community life.
She became the chair of Monterey’s social committee, which has facilitated and planned many activities, including an annual Christmas party, high teas and Melbourne Cup day.
Monterey residents at an Australia Day celebration
“Everyone here is very friendly and happy to share their many interests and skills with others in the community, creating a range of activity groups,” Roz said.
“For instance, we have one gentleman who is a bit of an expert in information technology, who helps the other residents with computers. Other residents are selecting movies to show in the cinema.”
In fact, Roz has been so impressed with her time at Monterey that she wrote a short statement for Downsizing.com.au about its ‘community feel’ - which is repeated below:
“It’s about the way we feel when we drive into Monterey, a serene and peaceful place surrounded by nature,” Roz wrote.
“It’s a place that inspires creativity and relaxation.
“It feels so friendly with a keen sense of community.
“It feels like we all belong, and we always have someone to stop and chat to.
“It’s a place where we have learned to slow down, but, at the same time, enjoy being busy with so much to do.
“It’s the feeling we have the moment we walk through the door into our forever home.”
Come to Monterey’s open day
Monterey’s “Spring Open Day” is being held on Tuesday 23 September 2025, from 10am to 2pm. The day is an opportunity for anyone to check out the community and its facilities, and to talk to current residents.
Roz and other residents will be helping out on the day, including by baking sweet and savoury snacks and organising stalls.
More about Monterey
A range of pre-loved and new homes are currently available at Monterey, starting from $610,000.
Because Monterey is a land lease community, no stamp duty or Council rates are payable.
Homes can be secured through Allam’s Easy Buy offering, which allows homes to be secured with a $1,000 reservation fee.
Monterey has been named a finalist in the prestigious UDIA NSW Awards for Excellence 2025 in the Excellence in Retirement Living and Excellence in Regional Development categories.
About Allam
For more than 30 years, Australian-owned and operated Allam has been designing, building, and selling the types of homes Australian families need and want.
Across more than 40 master-planned communities in New South Wales and now Victoria, Allam has earned an impeccable reputation for providing quality homes through a straightforward, easy process that benefits our customers and business partners alike.
This story has been prepared by Downsizing.com.au for Allam
