Meet the residents of The Aerie Narrabundah

Harry and Margaret enjoyed an early retirement

"Retiring before 60 was the best decision for us."

Harry and Margaret have always loved to travel, but before moving into The Aerie at Narrabundah, it wasn’t as easy to just pick up and go. Margaret recalls, “Retiring before 60 was the best decision for us. We suddenly had time to enjoy hobbies and spend time with friends. Harry even took several trips overseas. I went to a few of them with him but most times I stayed back because long trips were a bit too exhausting for me.” Harry loved exploring during his solo adventures but he always worried about leaving Margaret at home to manage everything on her own. “I was always conscious of leaving Margaret to manage the garden, animals and any maintenance of the house. While we lived in a reasonable suburb, there were instances where one could feel unsafe like anywhere else. And while we had nice neighbours, it was really only those people who lived close by that we got to know well.”

Ever since they moved into their retirement village, Harry and Margaret lock the door, tell their neighbours and head off on their next adventure. “Whether it’s a quick trip to Sydney or visiting our daughter in New Zealand, we have complete peace of mind knowing our home is secure and there’s always someone around if anything comes up. There’s no need to worry about maintenance issues or whether the garden will go wild while we’re away – the village takes care of that!”

One of the biggest perks Harry and Margaret found in retirement village living is the financial stability it offers. Instead of worrying about surprise bills for home repairs, they know exactly what their monthly fees cover, allowing them to budget for travel more easily. “Our admin fees are known 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.”

When they first moved in, Harry recalls, “A sewer blockage (due to dried waste in the pipes) was resolved by the village’s plumber — something that would’ve cost us hundreds of dollars at our old house. We’re also walking distance to shops, cafés and bus routes, so we don’t even have to worry about driving into the city. These things also help keep our costs under control and add up to making more of our retirement funds available for doing the things we like.”

But it’s not just the financial side that sold Harry and Margaret on retirement living — it’s the sense of security and community. Apart from feeling reassured that Margaret is surrounded by friendly neighbours when Harry is away, the community has been a game-changer for both of them. “We have a very involved community. Having said that, you don’t feel compelled to participate in regular activities. There’s a gym, a hobby shed, swimming pool and a golf course over the fence. All are well used. As for the neighbours, we’re not in each other’s pockets, but we know help is across the road,” says Margaret. 

Without worrying about safety or maintenance, they’ve had more time and energy to focus on what they love. Margaret regularly plays table tennis and uses the pool and the gym. She also enjoys scrabble. Harry plays bridge and attends the occasional happy hour. Both enjoy walking around the suburb. Harry also brews a fine ale or stout which he happily shares with other interested people in the village. For those who like to be more involved in the village activities, Margaret adds, “There are residents’ and social committees where people can contribute to village life by engaging in the operation of the village. Being on these committees allows you to get some insights into how the village is operated and managed.”

Harry's advice to help others make the right decision for themselves while considering to move into retirement village is, “The best thing you can do is to think about your current lifestyle and how it might change. If you're like us and want to keep enjoying your hobbies but also have the time and freedom to explore new opportunities — or even travel — then it’s definitely worth considering. Since our move to a retirement village there are so many things that we don’t have to worry about any more. The pricing structure allows us to manage our funds well and has given us so much more freedom and taken away so much of the stress. Just make sure when you choose a retirement village read the contract carefully and get legal advice from a specialist lawyer.”

Joan and Russell love an adventure

“Knowing our home is safe when we’re away gives us the freedom to travel more often and for longer."

Joan and Russell's love for adventure, culture and the thrill of travel led them to consider retirement living. In their early 70s they decided to downsize from their large family home and embrace retirement village life. Ever since they moved to The Aerie at Narrabundah they say it has ended up being the best choice for their lifestyle and their future adventures!

They figured out that the best time to move wasn’t when they were too old to adapt to new surroundings, neighbours or the challenges of downsizing. Instead, they decided to make the leap while they were still physically and mentally fit. “My husband and I knew we wanted to move from a large home with swimming pool and expansive garden in our early 70s. We were inspired to move into a retirement village. We wanted to enjoy the process rather than dread it. We wanted to tackle clearing out our home, organise garage sales and make renovation decisions with ease before selling it — tasks that could have felt overwhelming down the line. We didn’t want to put that burden on our kids. It was important for us to handle it ourselves while we still could,” Joan shares. 

One of the best things about village life? Peace of mind! With just a small home to care for, Joan and Russell found that garden and home maintenance became a breeze. “We love that we don’t have to spend our weekends mowing the lawn anymore or focus on maintenance and renovations as we did in our family home,” says Joan. Plus, the village community offered security and support, which was a huge relief. “Knowing our home is safe when we’re away gives us the freedom to travel more often and for longer. We can finally explore without those nagging ‘what ifs’ that used to mess with our travel plans!” Russell shares.

Selling their big home opened up a world of financial freedom for Joan and Russell, allowing them to budget for travel. They’ve enjoyed snorkeling in amazing places like Indonesia, Fiji and the Maldives. “With a simplified lifestyle and fixed monthly costs at The Aerie, we can put more money toward planning our dream vacations,” Russell says. “It’s all about making the most of this time in our lives! We love being able to explore new places without worrying about breaking the bank!” Joan adds.

When they aren't off exploring the world, Joan and Russell are busy soaking up all the perks of village life. They love their daily swims in the indoor heated pool, friendly matches of 8 ball pool games and social events like the Melbourne Cup luncheons. “There’s always something happening at the clubhouse! With so many activities, we feel active and connected. Plus, the modern amenities make everyday living a breeze. Cooking is so much more enjoyable with these gadgets! It really is the good life here!” Joan smiles.

Moving into a retirement village while you’re still able to enjoy it is crucial. For Joan and Russell, it meant living life to the fullest without any burdens holding them back. They stay active with their favourite hobbies like going to the gym, joining craft groups and hitting the golf course. The couple has built a social network that really boosts their quality of life. Their advice for anyone who loves to travel but is unsure about making the move? “Do it while you're able. Time marches on and we have to march with it. Life in a retirement village means you have no responsibilities outside the village and commitments except necessary doctor's checkups.”

Back to The Aerie at Narrabundah

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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