For many years, Melbourne downsizers Lyn, Pam and Anita had spoken about setting up a commune and living together in retirement.
Now the long-time friends have found a much better solution - moving into an over 50s land lease community in the city’s south east.
The trio and their husbands moved into Lifestyle Communities Riverfield, which is operated by leading independent land lease developer, Lifestyle Communities.
Anita’s move into Lifestyle Riverfield was sparked by a desire to finally give up ongoing home maintenance and upkeep hassles.
“The house was too big, it was just work, work, work on the weekends, cleaning and lawns,” Anita said.
“The house was 20 years old, it needed updating. For a while the husband didn’t want to come, and then all of a sudden it was ‘that’s it, it’s time’.
“We came here and looked at the first house, loved it and never looked back.”
Anita’s decision meant Lyn took a close look at the village, as she and her husband were also tiring of home maintenance.
“My husband complained one too many times about our gardens and the possums, and blowing the leaves, and wanted a new house,” Lyn said.
“Once we signed the papers to move in here, within four weeks our house was sold, and then six weeks later we were here.”
Pam was the last to move in. She and her husband came merely to check out Anita and Lyn’s new homes and congratulate them on their decision. However, to their surprise, the secure community and its amenities convinced them both to purchase as well.
FIND OUT MORE: About Lifestyle Communities Riverfield
Lifestyle Communities Riverfield Clubhouse and site
About Lifestyle Communities Riverfield
Lifestyle Communities Riverfield has a modern Clubhouse and wellness centre with a swimming pool, infrared sauna, spa, billiards room, gym (including reformer pilates), pickleball court, private cinema and maker’s studio.
Homeowners have access to a shared electric car and bikes, and a charging station for these vehicles. The community is also pet-friendly, with its very own communal dog wash.
These are the sorts of facilities you’ll find across many of the Lifestyle Communities locations.
Indoor pool at Lifestyle Communities Riverfield
All three friends are enjoying their stylish new homes, the community’s security, the chance to socialise with like-minded neighbours and the ability to walk out their front door and easily take part in healthy exercise.
“I have a bad back, so being able to swim and do my laps, and then aqua aerobics, is really important for me,” Pam said.
“Now I just walk across the road to do my swimming, which is so good for my back.
“And because exercise is now at our doorstep, I am more inclined to do it.”
A range of indoor and outdoor activities are available at Lifestyle Communities Riverfield
Meanwhile, the three friends are enjoying a busy social life.
“When my kids tell me they are going to bed at 11pm on a Saturday, I say ‘what?’ as we stay up later than that,” Anita said.
“If anything, I probably overdid the socialising when I first moved in.”
On this point, Pam chimes in, by saying “we have a much better social life than our kids at the moment”.
Lyn says she is more of a morning person and enjoys going out for walks around the community.
“There is always someone to bump into, and half an hour later you’re still chatting,” she said.
“The ‘lock up and leave’ security also means it is easier to go on holidays and travel.
“It’s such a lovely place to live.
“It has been a journey, and something we’ve spoken about for a long time, and now we tell other people how lucky we are”.
FIND OUT MORE: Watch the video of Lyn, Pam and Anita here
Wellbeing benefits of Lifestyle Communities
Lyn, Pam and Anita are not alone in their views.
A recent survey found that, when compared to other Australians and Victorians aged over 55, Lifestyle Communities’ residents enjoy a greater sense of satisfaction in their lives.
This includes greater satisfaction in their standard of living, health, personal safety and community connectedness.
Lifestyle Communities was founded in 2003 as an alternative to the traditional retirement villages. Since this time the company has grown rapidly, with its offering proving attractive to independent and active over 50s who may be working, semi-retired or retired.
The company utilises the land lease model, under which a resident buys an existing or new home and then secures a 90-year lease on the land. A weekly site fee applies.
The benefits of this model are that the resident avoids paying stamp duty when they purchase and depending on their personal financial circumstances, may also be eligible for Commonwealth rental assistance to help pay for the site fee.
Currently newly-built homes are available in eight communities across metropolitan and regional Victoria, with prices typically priced at 80-90% of the local median for homes in the surrounding suburbs. Resale homes are also available in many communities.
All up, Lifestyle Communities is servicing the retirement and downsizing needs of around 5,800 residents at 25 communities across Victoria, making it the biggest over 50s land lease provider in the State.
FIND OUT MORE: Lifestyle Communities website
This content was prepared for Lifestyle Communities by Downsizing.com.au
Outdoor firepit at Lifestyle Communities Riverfield
