What is it about simplifying our life that seems to increase our wellbeing and happiness? Maybe it's because when you have less, you have less to worry about. Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Edwin Way Teale puts it best, ‘Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life and the labours of life reduce themselves.’ And we couldn’t agree more.
Here are 3 key benefits of embracing a bigger life in a smaller space.
It’s no surprise that more people over 55 are choosing to sell their family homes and move into something smaller. The benefits of downsizing, both financial and lifestyle, play a big role in this growing trend.
Retirement looks different for everyone. You might still be working in a professional capacity, volunteering or helping out with the grandkids. Maybe you’re perfecting your golf swing, travelling the world or simply enjoying long coffee catch-ups with friends. Whatever your ideal retirement looks like, one thing is certain - it’s a new chapter filled with freedom, flexibility and more time to focus on what truly matters.
A retirement village makes this transition smoother. As Home Property Agents director Gabi Somlai says, “Once the kids move out, the family home just becomes too big for many people. If there are only one or two of you, what do you need four bedrooms for? Downsizing offers freedom. There’s less maintenance in a smaller home and you can lock up and leave without a worry when you go on holiday. It’s a much easier lifestyle.”
For Harry and Margaret, residents of The Aerie at Narrabundah, downsizing opened up a world of financial freedom. “Our admin fees are set in advance, and Keyton’s buying power means we get better rates on things like electricity and internet so we’re able to save more for our adventures. We don’t have to worry about building insurance or major maintenance either. If something goes wrong, like a power point breaking, we just fill out a form and it’s fixed, no fuss and no cost to us.”
Less maintenance, fewer expenses and more time for what you love — downsizing offers even more benefits to enhance your lifestyle.
With built-in security, a strong sense of community and minimal maintenance, downsizing to a retirement village offers the perfect balance of freedom and peace of mind especially for those who love to travel.
For Lyn, a resident of The Links at Waterford, making the move has meant embracing a worry-free, jet-setting lifestyle. “I manage tours for travel agents, mainly senior cruises and some specialised trips. Everything is planned in advance and then I escort the groups. It’s my retirement job,” she says. Spending up to four months of the year away, she values the security of knowing her home is well looked after in her absence.
When you live in a retirement village, you can simply lock up and leave, confident that your home is safe. Communal gardens are maintained, paths are kept tidy and when you return, everything is just as you left it, ready to welcome you back.
“I’m often away for at least three weeks at a time, sometimes in a caravan, other times visiting my daughter in the US. It’s so reassuring to know I can just walk out the door and not have to worry about a thing. It gives me an incredible sense of security,” Lyn shares. For those with a passion for travel, a retirement village provides the perfect home base — secure, low-maintenance and always ready for your next adventure.
Moving from your family home to a retirement village ticks many boxes for your wellbeing too. With a range of amenities and activities at your doorstep, staying active is effortless. Whether swimming in the pool, working out in the gym or strolling around immaculate grounds, there’s plenty to do to keep you active.
People who live in retirement villages know something the rest of the ageing population doesn’t. That villages are vibrant social hubs where friendships flourish. And science has found that beyond the joy of always having someone to have a cuppa with, the benefits of having friends and friendly neighbours are immense. Some residents have even found love.
For many residents, the village quickly becomes more than just a place to live, it feels like home. “We all get on so well here. You can’t just take out the rubbish without stopping for a chat. And if you’re feeling unwell, there’s always someone checking in with a bowl of soup. Moving here was the best decision I’ve ever made,” says Lyn. She leads an active and vibrant life, even competing as part of the team in the inaugural Keyton Pickleball Championship, an exciting event that brought residents together for some friendly competition and fun.
Once you’ve decided to embrace the freedom of retirement village living, the next challenge is downsizing. Sorting through a lifetime of possessions can be emotional after all every item holds a memory but as Oprah’s decluttering expert Peter Walsh says, less is more.
The key is to focus on less clutter, more meaning. Decide what to keep, what to store and what to let go. But how do you get your head around where to start? Here is a list of things you may need, want to keep or toss away.
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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