While moving to the coast from the city or country is a goal for many in retirement, an interesting trend has emerged showing that the majority of residents at RetireAustralia’s four Central Coast villages are actually from the local area.
The company’s latest statistics show that making a sea change is not the primary reason for most residents choosing its Central Coast villages as their home.
Instead, residents are remaining in their local area and investing in the benefits of a village lifestyle.
The Property Council of Australia estimates that about half of retirement village residents in Australia move to a village up to 10km away, while a further 17% move within 10km and 20km.
At Glengara Retirement Village at Tumbi Umbi, 71% of new residents in the last year have moved from the same postcode area.
Financial reasons could play a part: Glengara currently has a range of luxurious two- and three-bedroom independent living villas for sale ranging from $580,000* to $799,000*, while the current median house price in the area is $930,000.
The Central Coast has the highest percentage of its population aged over 80 in Australia according to the latest census, and retirees can invest in a modern village property and enjoy all the benefits of living in a social, secure community, while saving money in the process.
Tom and Toni Collings have lived at Glengara for over five years after moving from the local area, and have been enjoying the lifestyle since.
“I said it was the place I wanted to come to, and Tom said it was the only place he would go, so we didn’t even look anywhere else,” Toni said.
“The people are the best thing, the amenities are great, and when we want to go away we know everything is looked after.”
Living at Glengara is just like being at a resort, Tom said.
“Toni drags me out of here to go to Bali occasionally and I don’t know why I go, because it’s just as nice here!”
Since March last year, all but four of Glengara’s and Forresters’ 117 newly-built villas have sold.
Glengara Village Manger Andrew Glover said he wasn’t surprised at how quickly the final new villas have sold.
“Our villages offer the benefit of well-established communities, coupled with the rare opportunity to own a modern, architecturally-designed home,” he said.
For more info about RetireAustralia’s Central Coast villages, click here
*Price correct at time of writing
