From family home to coastal community: A new chapter at Redhead Beach

For three decades, Eddie and Sandy’s home was the place for family gatherings. With four children, seven grandchildren, and a steady stream of visiting friends, their door was always open.

“There was always something going on. The more the merrier, I’ve always said. With a Polish father and a Ukrainian mother I grew up with plenty of people visiting from their home countries,” Eddie said. 

“We had a very big house we lived in for 28 years. It had a pool, a big entertaining deck and a massive garden, but it all got a bit too much.”

So when it came time to farewell their sprawling two-storey home in suburban Newcastle, the couple knew they would need to find a community where their growing brood could still come together.

The couple eventually settled on Hometown Australia's Oasis at Redhead Beach, a newly completed beachside community just outside Newcastle.

Fortunately for the pair - and their extended family - the local clubhouse is about to open.

“Sandy found out the clubhouse is going to be open in time for my 70th birthday, so apparently we’re going to be the first to use it,” Eddie said.

“She’s already invited the neighbours we’ve only just met! Everyone is so friendly here.” 

Within just two months, Eddie and Sandy have settled into Oasis with no regrets about giving up a life filled with to-do lists and mundane maintenance.

“We wake up every morning here and we go, ‘Where are we? We feel like we’re on holiday somewhere’.”

A home away from home
Eddie and Sandy (both 69) didn’t go too far to find their new downsized lifestyle.

The couple swapped Belmont for Redhead Beach, 17kms from Newcastle’s CBD and only a short drive from their adult children.

Originally, the plan was to relocate to the Mid North Coast where they holiday for a month every year, however their family had other ideas.“We were going to move to Foster-Tuncurry, which we love, but when we came home and told the children and grandchildren, they were very upset.”

Instead, a visit to a downsizing expo in Newcastle led them straight to Oasis.

Eddie explained that during their house hunting phase, they attended several retirement community sales events, however they often felt the “hard sell”.

“We would explain that we weren’t there to necessarily sign on the dotted line,” he said.

“But some operators really put on the pressure. Catherine from Hometown was straight up with us. She just said, ‘Look, when you’re ready, just come and see us.’”

Low maintenance living
Moving out of their long-term home was a tough decision, but one that simply made sense for the pair who wanted a relaxed retirement.

After two knee replacements, one hip replacement - and another on the cards for Eddie - as well as a knee replacement for Sandy, the couple had had enough of weekend jobs around the house.

“We used to have lawn people, pool cleaning people, and then there was the garden. Everything just got too much for us,” Eddie said.

“Now we don't get up and say to each other, ‘I've got to go and trim this or go and fix that.’”

The masterplanned community at Oasis includes all the facilities associated with grand scale family living, without the added upkeep.

A long list of communal wellness amenities at Oasis includes a swimming pool, tennis court, gym, sauna and spa open to all residents and their guests.

Old friends, new neighbours
Retirement at Oasis has opened up a whole new chapter for Eddie and Sandy, who have deep ties with the Redhead region.

“We have friends of ours living here who were involved in the Redhead Surf Club back in the day. We were all instrumental in starting the Nippers there, we were officials and supervisors so it’s great to still be so close to the beach,” Eddie said.

Beyond the wellness amenities, Oasis also has a host of shared facilities where residents can get to know their neighbours, from a sheltered barbecue area and library, to the soon-to-be-opened clubhouse.

"We have good neighbours and a beautiful site here. We're absolutely stoked” said Eddie.

You're invited to the Oasis Redhead Open Home Event on Saturday 24 October from 10am to 12pm. Explore four newly released home designs and take a guided tour of the future clubhouse and amenities currently under construction with builder Modugroup.

With brand new two bedroom plus study homes ready to move in this year, don't miss this exclusive opportunity to experience what life could look like at Oasis. 

FIND OUT MORE: Hometown Australia’s Oasis Redhead Beach

About Hometown Australia
Hometown Australia is dedicated to providing Australians over 50* with vibrant lifestyle communities in lifestyle rich locations without the hefty price tag. 

Hometown Australia offers a wide range of land-lease communities and affordable home options with a range of new modern homes and preloved homes across a varied price range throughout Australia. To find out more, go to the Hometown Australia website.