Why the Tauranga area is such a popular place to retire
Bringing together a relaxed coastal lifestyle and the convenience of a growing city, the Tauranga and Bay of Plenty region has quietly become one of New Zealand's retirement heartlands.
Most areas offer easy access to healthcare, shopping and community facilities, while beaches, harbour walks and green spaces are never far away.
The mild climate is another drawcard, making it easy to spend time outdoors throughout much of the year. You might enjoy walking or cycling along the Tauranga waterfront, exploring the walking tracks at Kulim Park, browsing the Tauranga Farmers Market, or spending time at the beach at Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. There are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the Bay of Plenty lifestyle.
The area has a well-established retirement community, with plenty of clubs, social groups and activities to explore.
Equally important are the practical aspects, and the area offers good access to healthcare including Tauranga Hospital, GP practices, and other medical services.
Bupa has several retirement villages across the Bay of Plenty, including in and around Tauranga. Exploring the different locations can help you find a community that suits the way you’d like to live.
Location factors that matter when you're thinking of moving to a retirement village
Before you start comparing retirement villages in Tauranga, it helps to think about what matters most to you in a location. The things you value day to day can have just as much impact on your lifestyle as the village itself.
Closeness to family and friends
For many people, being in close proximity to loved ones can be one of the biggest considerations when deciding where to retire. The Tauranga area is well connected to the wider Bay of Plenty and Waikato and just a few hours from Auckland. This can make travel that much easier – whether you’re off to see family and friends or they’re visiting you.
Access to healthcare
Consider the healthcare services you use now and what you may need close by in the future. How close would you like to be to services such as Tauranga Hospital, your GP practice, pharmacy, and other health services you may use? It can also help to think about how you’d get to appointments if you didn’t want to drive, whether that’s by public transport, taxi or with help from family.
Everyday amenities and getting around
What shops, services and community facilities are you likely to use regularly, and how would you prefer to reach them? It can help to look at whether the area is easy to get around by car, on foot or using public transport. Tauranga’s Bee Card bus network connects many suburbs with shopping centres, healthcare services and the city centre, giving you another way to get around.
Lifestyle and the things you love
One of the benefits of living in the Tauranga area is the variety of lifestyles on offer. You might enjoy being close to the harbour, spending time at the beach, enjoying time at local parks, or having shops and community facilities nearby. The best location is the one that supports the way you'd like to spend your time, both now and in the years ahead.
Getting to know the Tauranga area, suburb by suburb
The Tauranga area is made up of several distinct communities, each with something a little different to offer. As you explore your options, think about which area feels like the best fit for your lifestyle, the places you visit regularly, and the people you'd like to stay close to.
Central Tauranga and Greerton
Central Tauranga and Greerton are convenient if you’d like to be close to Tauranga Hospital, shopping, public transport and other everyday amenities. Greerton has its own town centre, along with the Tauranga Racecourse, Greerton Aquatic and Leisure Centre and Greerton Library.
Bupa has four retirement villages across this part of Tauranga, including:
- Greerton Gardens Retirement Village has 29 two-bedroom villas, along with village transport for shopping trips and other outings, a library, wellness clinic and community lounge.
- Greerton Oaks Retirement Village is a smaller community of 22 two-bedroom units set among attractive gardens, with shared spaces for residents to relax and connect. Residents at Greerton Oaks are also able to utilise the facilities and services at Greerton Gardens.
- Cedar Manor Retirement Village has a choice of villas, apartments and studio apartments, with shared spaces and activities available if you’d like to get involved.
- Accadia Retirement Village is a smaller community with one and two-bedroom villas and one-bedroom apartments, along with shared spaces and activities for residents.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem Town Centre provides supermarkets, cafés, medical services and specialty shops, while the Tauranga Crossing shopping centre and the city centre are both within easy reach.
Bethlehem is around 15-20 minutes away by car from Bupa’s central Tauranga retirement villages.
Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui
Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui offer easy access to beaches, walking paths and the harbour. Along with local shops, cafés and community facilities, the area has a relaxed coastal feel while still being handy to Tauranga's city centre.
Bupa’s four central Tauranga retirement villages are around 20-25 minutes from both Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa by car, depending on traffic and where you're travelling from.
Welcome Bay, Ōhauiti and Te Puke
Welcome Bay and Ōhauiti are popular with people who enjoy parks, reserves and a little more space, while Te Puke provides a small-town feel with local shops and services, all within commuting distance of Tauranga.
Bupa’s Te Puke Retirement Village is a boutique-style community with villas, apartments and serviced apartments set within park-like grounds. A care home is also located on site.
Ōmokoroa
The Tauranga suburb of Ōmokoroa has grown steadily in recent years and is becoming an increasingly popular place to retire. Known for its coastal outlook, walking and cycling paths, golf course and friendly community, it offers a relaxed lifestyle while still being around 20 minutes from Tauranga's CBD.
How to compare villages once you've chosen an area
Once you've narrowed down where in the Tauranga area you'd like to live, the next step is comparing the retirement villages themselves. Visiting in person is one of the best ways to get a feel for a village, meet the team and picture what day-to-day life might be like.
When you visit, some useful questions to ask include:
- What does a typical day look like for residents?
- What facilities, activities and social opportunities are available?
- What happens if my care needs change in the future?
- Can I speak with a current resident about their experience?
- What do the weekly fees cover, and are there any additional costs?
If you can, try to visit more than once and at different times of the day. You may also like to take a family member or friend with you. They can offer another perspective and help you think of questions you might not have considered.
Before making a decision, it's worth taking some time to understand how retirement village living works. Learning about the different living options, Occupation Right Agreements and ongoing costs can help you feel more confident about your decision. Bupa's guide to understanding retirement village living is a good place to start.
How Bupa can help you find the right spot in the Tauranga area
Bupa has a range of retirement villages across the Bay of Plenty and Tauranga to suit different lifestyles and budgets, including villas, apartments and serviced apartments.
If you're still deciding if a retirement village in Tauranga is right for you, visiting a village is one of the best ways to see whether it feels like the right fit. You can explore the community, meet the team, ask questions and take your time getting to know what's on offer.
When you're ready, you're welcome to visit an Open Day, book a personal tour, or chat with one of our village managers. They're here to answer your questions and help you find a retirement village that feels right for you.
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