1. A location that matches your lifestyle
Location can make a big difference to how much you enjoy life in a retirement village. Think about what you’d like to have nearby, whether that’s family and friends, your GP, your favourite shops and cafes, or places you regularly visit such as the beach, golf course or local clubs.
Then consider how easy it will be to get around. Are the places you’ll use regularly within walking distance or a short drive? Is public transport nearby? And if you decide to drive less in the future, will you still be able to get to where you need to go?
It’s also worth thinking about the location itself. You may prefer a village close to the centre of town, somewhere quieter on the outskirts, or a neighbourhood you already know well.
2. Facilities that match your interests
One of the benefits of retirement village living is the ability to continue to choose how you spend your day. You might enjoy a busy social calendar and plenty of opportunities to interact with other residents, prefer to do your own thing and pursue personal hobbies, or simply make the most of the facilities on offer that best suit your interests.
Retirement villages can offer everything from communal vege gardens and residents’ workshops to libraries and gyms, pools, bowling greens, and spaces for hobbies and activities.
When you visit a retirement village, think about which facilities on offer match your interests and daily routine. It’s also worth asking the village team about the availability of facilities, as some may be able to be used any time, while others might be used for organised activities.
3. Financial transparency
The decision to move to a home in a retirement village is a different process to buying a traditional home, so it’s important to understand the costs and agreements involved and feel that the village you are considering offers financial transparency in this regard.
Most retirement villages in New Zealand use an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA), which provides residents with the right to live in their home and enjoy the village facilities and community, but not own the property or land outright.
When you’re comparing villages, ask the village team to clearly explain:
- The Entry Payment – what it is, what it covers and when its paid
- Weekly Fees – what’s included, the fixed and variable options and whether they can change
- What the ‘cooling off’ period means and how it works
- What happens when you leave the village, including how your home will be resold, how the amenities fee is calculated and if any additional fees will apply.
It is highly recommended to seek independent legal advice before signing an ORA. This gives you the opportunity to go through the agreement in detail, ask questions and make sure you understand how everything works.
Read more: What does it actually cost to live in a retirement village in NZ?
4. Support for the future
Retirement village life is all about independence, but it can still be useful to understand what options may be available if your needs change in the future. If a village has a care home on site it may allow you to stay close to friends, familiar surroundings and the community should you need care in the future. For couples, it can also provide reassurance that if one person potentially requires care home level support, they will remain in close proximity to each other.
Read more: Retirement village vs rest home vs care home: What’s the difference?
5. A welcoming, approachable village team
The village team are part of the everyday community at a retirement village, and an experienced, well-established team can provide valuable continuity. Familiar faces who know the village and its residents can make it easier to know who to turn to when you have a question, need some help or simply want a chat.
Current residents can also give you useful insight into village life. When you visit a village, if you have the opportunity, ask the residents what they enjoy about living there, what the community is like and how approachable they find the team. Online reviews can be useful too, but there’s nothing quite like hearing directly from someone who calls the village home.
Retirement villages in New Zealand are governed by the Retirement Villages Act 2003, along with regulations and codes designed to protect residents’ rights and set out how villages must operate. When you’re comparing villages, find out how things work in practice – from how residents are kept informed, to who you can talk to if you have a question or concern. A good village team should give you clear information and explain anything you’re unsure about.
How Bupa can help
At Bupa, we want to make exploring retirement village living as easy as possible. Our village teams will give you clear information, answer your questions and give you plenty of time to look around and get to know the community.
You can explore Bupa retirement villages across New Zealand, then arrange a visit to the villages that interest you. Take a look at the homes and facilities, meet the team and chat with residents to get a feel for everyday life.
If you’re still learning how retirement villages work, our article things you need to know about retirement village living is a useful place to start.
Take your time, ask plenty of questions and visit more than once if you’d like to. We’re here to help make it easier to find a village where you’ll feel at home.
Find out more about retirement living in Auckland, Cambridge and Tauranga:
