Demystifying retirement living

When Sue and I first came to Pohutukawa Landing for a visit, we were taken to look at the villa we now live in. I said to, Sue, ‘I could do this’. After five years of trying to twist my arm, it was that easy and we settled immediately.

I was initially hesitant about retirement villages as my mother was in one and we didn’t have a great experience. It was an older village where everyone was in their late 80s/90s and seemed largely immobile. So, I was of the ‘old folk’s home’ mentality.
It’s not like that here.

We’re a young village where most residents are still very active, and it makes a huge difference. One reason why we emphasise making the move to a village earlier is because it’s a major lifestyle change, which only becomes more difficult as you age. “I think there are a lot of misconceptions about retirement villages. I get annoyed when I read people commenting on Facebook saying things, like, ‘They take all your money’ or, ‘It’s a rip-off.’

In reality, the earlier you get in, the more economically feasible it is. Plan to make the move when you turn 70. Don’t wait. That way, you get the full benefit of everything that’s here.

I’ve stayed in resorts internationally that are not up to the standard of living or have the facilities and experiences we have here at Pohutukawa Landing. We have classes including Pilates, Zumba, aqua aerobics, and pétanque, as well as regular Quiz Nights, Bingo and, of course, Happy Hour on a Friday night. There’s so much to do, we have difficulty fitting everything into the week!

Everyone is incredibly friendly too. All being of similar age, we immediately have something in common. You can pop into the Anchorage, and someone is guaranteed to sit down and chat with you. There are over 100 residents here at present and there would be very few I don’t know.

Villas range in size from two-bedrooms with a single bathroom, to three-bedrooms and two bathrooms with lots of storage and spacious living. We are in a laneway of six villas, and it’s just like any other street. That’s the thing I like about this village, it isn’t gated.

- Larry Davison, Pohutukawa Landing Resident