5 Property Types Of Retirement Villages

Retirement villages come in many shapes and sizes. Whether you’re planning for the future or helping a loved one weigh up their options, it’s important to choose the right retirement village for your unique lifestyle aspirations and financial circumstances. 

To help you make a more informed decision, we’ve rounded some of the most common retirement village housing options. 

What is a retirement village?

A retirement village is a residential community geared to meet the needs of older adults. In a retirement village, residents live independently in a private home while enjoying a low-maintenance lifestyle and easy access to shared facilities. All retirement villages must adhere to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008, which sets out minimum standards for staffing, safety, security, maintenance, communications and more.

Choosing to move into a village is a deeply personal decision - one that should be approached with the same thought and consideration you’d put into moving into a new house, or relocating to a new suburb or city. Costs, amenities, housing options, village rules and care services can vary significantly between retirement villages, so it’s important to look at a range of prospective villages in order to find the one that best suits your personal needs and lifestyle preferences.

The common property types of retirement villages

Retirement villages offer a broad range of housing options to suit just about every budget and lifestyle. 

1. Villas

Villas are standalone homes. Ranging in size from one to three or more bedrooms, they are usually the most spacious properties in a village, and often feature a private garden or patio area.

Villas are best suited to people who enjoy their privacy and independence, as well as those who require a large amount of storage space. 

2. Townhouses

Townhouses, sometimes referred to as terraced houses, are a common housing option in retirement villages. This type of home shares a wall with neighbouring properties and generally come in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations.

Townhouses are an excellent option for older adults who enjoy their own space but don’t mind living in close proximity to their neighbours. 

3. Apartments

Apartments are one of the most common housing options and are usually located in or close to the main building of the village. Apartments range in size, style and quality, from modest one-bedroom units to luxury three-bedroom apartments and everything in between.

Apartment living is often best suited to older adults looking to downsize and relax in a low-maintenance home.

4. Studio apartments

In addition to regular apartments, many retirement villages also offer studio apartments, which combine bedroom, living room and kitchenette into one main room, along with a separate bathroom.

Studio apartments tend to be the most affordable type of housing and, due to their size, offer an extremely low-maintenance lifestyle. 

5. Assisted living 

Assisted living housing is designed to meet the needs of residents who require some assistance with daily living routines while retaining the independence of living in their own home. Assisted living services are usually tailored to the individual and may include healthcare, cooking, housekeeping, laundry and personal care assistance.

Serviced apartments are the most common type of assisted living arrangement, but some villages do offer assisted living in other property types.

What are the benefits of living in a retirement village?

Living in a retirement village is all about the lifestyle. Some of the key benefits of living in a retirement village include:

 

  • Community: Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of like-minded individuals. Many villages provide scheduled social activities, including hobby groups, exercises classes, village outings and a whole lot more. 

 

  • Amenities: Some villages provide shared community facilities for residents to enjoy, including swimming pools, libraries, gyms, cafes and more. The breadth of amenities varies between villages, so be sure to explore your options and find a village that reflects your lifestyle. 
  • Care: Many (but not all) retirement villages offer access to in-home care services, which may include registered nurses, physiotherapists, podiatrists and more. Most villages also provide emergency push buttons, giving residents peace of mind that help is always just a call away. 
  • Lifestyle: Retirement villages are purpose-built for older adults. Low-maintenance housing gives residents the freedom to enjoy their golden years on their own terms without worrying about home maintenance, repairs or landscaping.

Learn more about our retirement villages

Moving into a retirement village is a big decision. Here at Generus, we’re passionate about creating world-class retirement communities, and we’re proud to offer a broad range of retirement villages in primate locations throughout New Zealand.

To learn more about our retirement communities, call us today on (03) 961 9820 or fill out our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.

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