The benefits of retirement living
Ready to enjoy a lifestyle that's built around you? Here’s how retirement living can help you make the most of your next chapter.
Are retirement villages considered blue zones?
Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Does retirement living help you live a longer, happier and healthier life? We like to think the answer is yes!
Ever heard of a blue zone? These are the pockets of the world where people tend to live the longest and stay the healthiest - places like Okinawa in Japan or Sardinia in Italy.
So, what’s their secret? It’s not just luck. It comes down to strong social connections, staying active with simple daily movement and enjoying a fresh, nourishing diet.
And when you look at the stats around wellbeing, connection and quality of life, you might just say that retirement villages are a version of a blue zone.
Our answer to the blue zones?
If Australia were to have its own version of the blue zones, retirement villages are a pretty good place to start looking.
Many of the same ingredients for longevity can be found in a retirement village. From neighbourly catch ups and walking groups to community gardens and sporting clubs, village residents are living proof that a vibrant, connected lifestyle can make all the difference - no passport required!
It’s the little moments that make village life feel like home. At Buderim Meadows, a neighbourly chat is never far away.
The book Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life looks at how we can live longer, happier lives. It turns out, staying connected and doing what you love plays a big part. One of the interesting takeaways? There’s no exact word for 'retirement' in Japanese. Instead, it’s seen as a shift in purpose, not the end of the road.
It’s a mindset that really resonates with modern retirement living - staying active, social and always up for learning something new.
Why community counts
A lack of social connection can be just as risky as smoking, obesity or air pollution
Tennis, then a refreshing tipple - all part of the routine at Bellflower Retirement Resort. Good games and even better company!
Here in Australia, we tend to think of retirement as slowing down - but maybe it’s time to flip that on its head. The World Health Organisation recently reported that a lack of social connection can be just as risky as smoking, obesity or air pollution! The report shows that there's no time like the present to harness the power of connection for our health and wellbeing.
This makes the findings from research by the Retirement Living Council all the more powerful. According to their Better Housing for Better Health report, people who move into retirement villages are:
- 41% happier
- 19% less likely to need a hospital trip within the first 9 months
- 15% more physically active
- 5 times more socially active
- And far less likely to feel lonely or depressed
The fact is, retirement villages don’t just offer a roof over your head - they provide a community that keeps you active and feeling good, body and soul.
Living to 100 and loving it
Many retirement village residents are celebrating birthdays in the triple digits!
100 years young! The Annesley Bowral community recently celebrated this incredible milestone with one of its residents.
There’s something in the water at retirement villages... or maybe it’s the morning walks and friendly chats. Plenty of residents have been living in their villages for decades and many are now celebrating birthdays in the triple digits!
At Keyton villages all across Australia we’ve been proudly celebrating our centenarians for many years now - and the numbers keep growing! Take a look at how many residents have reached the incredible milestone of 100 in a Keyton community recently.
Some of these residents have been calling their village home for over 30 years! Proof that feeling settled, supported and part of a community can make a real difference to how we age.
Our 2025 resident satisfaction survey also found similar themes that support a healthy and happy life.
- 94% of residents feel safe and secure
- 91% say our teams are friendly and approachable
- 93% love the activities available
- 86% feel happy in their village or resort
The secret to a long and happy life
While retirement villages might not be official blue zones, they’ve definitely got a lot in common - strong community vibes, ways to keep moving and a real sense of purpose. All the good stuff that helps people live longer, healthier and happier lives.
So if you're after a lifestyle that's social, safe and stress free, village life might just be the ticket for making your next chapter the best one yet.
For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.
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