A new lease on life at Springlands

Had I known the lifestyle we would have here, we would have moved much sooner. In a way, life begins when you move into a retirement village. You have a lot more free time to enjoy the things you love. I have a lot more time for my mountain biking!

Before moving here, we had a lovely house on the golf course, but the stairs became a bit too difficult for our mobility. Then we moved to a home in town, but the garden got too big for us. And then I decided, “I’d much rather be playing sport than gardening! So, we moved here, and we haven’t looked back.”

We’ve lived in Blenheim for the last 16 years and love the community here. When we decided to make the move, Springlands Lifestyle Village was the obvious choice for us. The location is so handy. You walk out the gate and the supermarket is right there, along with a medical centre, chemist, café – and a bit further along is Speight’s Ale House if you want to go out for a meal and drink with friends.

We’re in a beautiful two-bedroom villa which was completely renovated before we moved in, so it feels brand new. There were no expenses spared either. We’ve got brand new carpet, internal sensor lights, heat pump, gas fire, spacious, open plan living - all the things we’ve had before which make it feel homely.

The village has a real family feel to it as well. I have a friend who has a 10-acre property, and he has 20 feijoa trees, amongst other things. I go down and pick a bucket full of nice, juicy feijoas and drop them off to residents around the village. And we get the same in return. If I look out to our lovely fernery out the back, I’ll see that someone has left silverbeet, or other vegetables out there. No note. So, you don’t know who it is. But that’s just what our neighbours are like.

We live next to a lovely woman who really looks out for my wife. She comes over all the time with all sorts of meals. She said that God must have sent us to her. What a nice thing to say. I know you don’t get that with all neighbours – or at all retirement villages!

We knew a few people before moving in, but I couldn’t tell you how many friends we’ve made since moving in. The staff are friends too. We’re just so happy here.

- Kevin Hawkins, Springlands Lifestyle Village resident