Find simplicity and freedom with rightsizing your home
Rightsizing can unlock freedom in all sorts of ways. Take a look at how rightsizing can help you!
Imagine a home that finally fits your life. One that doesn’t demand endless maintenance, takes care of itself, and leaves you time for the things you actually enjoy. That’s what rightsizing is all about – and for these new residents, it’s been life-changing.
Hear from Paul, Lucy and Alan and Theresa, who’ve rightsized their homes and traded upkeep and uncertainty for connection, security, and a new level of freedom. And the best part? They haven’t looked back!
How Lucy turned rightsizing into a life upgrade
“I’m doing more travel than I would normally do because I’m not so worried about the money now.”
For Lucy Cameron, rightsizing wasn’t about downsizing – it was about gaining freedom and financial security. After selling her home, she rented for a year before the insecurity of the situation led her to look at a retirement village.
“I’d looked before but got spooked by the commitment,” she says. “I’m a bit of a gypsy.” However, after speaking with her inner circle and reframing what her idea of freedom looked like, she took the leap.
“I had to give up on the idea of freedom being the ability to move and instead look at the freedom I would gain – to travel and feel secure and not worry about anything ever again,” Lucy says. When she found a villa at Hibiscus Chancellor Park with a yard perfect for her 14-year-old golden retriever, Lucy knew it was the one.
“It was completely unrenovated, but it was perfect for me,” she says. With a little input into renovations, she transformed the space into a stylish haven that now reflects her personality. “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Lucy says. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved a home as much as this one.”
But it’s not just a house that Lucy has added to her life. As a part-time travel agent, travel is Lucy’s passion, and her move has allowed her to jump at more trips, including a recent adventure to Morocco.
Lucy’s passion and her move has allowed her to jump at more trips, including a recent adventure to Morocco.
“This is the first time that the pressure is off!” she says. “I’m doing more travel than I would normally do because I’m not so worried about the money now.” Closer to home, Lucy’s days are filled with morning walks, village events and new friendships, making her social life more vibrant than it’s been in decades.
Her advice to others who are considering moving into a retirement village? “It’s not what you think it is. It’s not a waiting room. It’s freedom – you just have to find the right village.”
Paul's move from family home to freedom
“I play snooker a couple of days a week and there’s always about a dozen blokes there,” he says. “I love it, but just never really had much of an opportunity to do it.”
After more than two decades in his Buderim home, Paul knew it was time for a change. The house, with its large gardens and spacious rooms, had been the perfect backdrop to watch his family grow, but now maintaining it alone had become a challenge.
Looking for a lifestyle that offered freedom without compromise, he found a three-bedroom duplex at Bellflower Retirement Resort, close to the area he loved. But that didn’t mean it was an easy move. “I found it very hard to leave the family home,” he said. “It was emotional.”
Getting rid of furniture, adjusting to a smaller home and a new environment took a little time, but Paul quickly discovered the benefits of rightsizing. The easy-care property and well-maintained village gave him more time to focus on the things he enjoys.
Listen to Paul share the benefits of his move here.
“It definitely simplified life for me,” he says. “I love that I can come and go as I please.” Paul’s days are rhythmic and active. He enjoys morning walks with his dog, coffee with old neighbours down the road and plenty of golf, played both locally and interstate. He’s also rediscovered an old hobby since moving to Bellflower.
“I play snooker a couple of days a week and there’s always about a dozen blokes there,” he says. “I love it, but just never really had much of an opportunity to do it.”
With more time, funds and a supportive community around him, Paul’s only regret is holding off on his decision to rightsize. “I wish I had done it a little earlier,” he reflects.
Alan and Theresa make the move for a simpler and richer life
“We’ve been taking a lot of holidays while we’ve been here because you don’t have to worry about the garden or anything.”
For Alan and Theresa, Hibiscus Noosa Outlook was the right place to land following a few-year stint in NSW to be closer to their grandchildren.
After years of living in big homes with lots of maintenance, the couple decided this move was an opportunity to assess their current needs and lifestyle.
“I’ve always had a big backyard and a swimming pool, but I don’t want all that messing around now,” Alan says.
Their two-bedroom villa with a study is smaller than what they’ve had before, but it fits their life now perfectly.
With less ‘home’ to look after, the couple have more time to enjoy life. Weekly aqua aerobic sessions are a highlight for Theresa, and Alan plays darts and pool with neighbours. And when they’re not taking part in the retirement village’s activities, the couple are hitting the road more often – another perk of rightsizing.
“We’ve been taking a lot of holidays while we’ve been here because you don’t have to worry about the garden or anything,” he says. From Port Douglas to the South Coast of NSW, and across the globe to England, their travels are easier and more relaxed than ever.
Rightsizing isn’t just about having less; it’s about gaining more of what matters. For Lucy, Paul, Alan and Theresa, choosing the right Keyton village at the right time hasn’t shrunk their lives – it has expanded them, bringing more freedom, joy and possibility than ever before.
