‘ Don’t wait too long to move’
Russ Warren, 77, has lived at Auckland’s Selwyn Village with his wife Joanna for the past five years.
“We’ve got a cafe, theatre, 20- seat cinema with films three times a week, spa and heated pool,” says the chairman of the independent residents’ society.
“The only thing it lacks isa bowling green, but we’re more spaced out than many other villages,” he says of the extensive landscaped gardens.
“There is the attraction of living in a very safe and secure environment. Apartment blocks are accessible only by electronic swipes and visitors have to dial up the apartment to gain admission. Basement parking accessed by remotes also provides security as well as shelter from the weather.”
But Warren also offers some notes of caution: “If you’re used to living on a separate plot of land and you’re going to move into a village, the sooner you do it, the better. People sometimes leave it too late.
“In some cases, the move has proved to be so stressful that it had a serious impact on health, from which a resident does not recover.
“Most of them are in their 80s. Many are single people and it’s purely a matter of stress and bad luck. The average tenancy is about seven years.
“But we also have a couple here in their late 90s who moved in about 25 years ago — they’re still alive and they’re flourishing.”
Warren encourages anyone moving into a retirement village to “commit yourself to the new community, participate, contribute. Then you’re going to be happier and healthier and you won’t be lonely.”
Buying into a village is not a good proposition financially, but Warren says you get something money can’t buy.
“We’re obviously sold on the idea. But it’s not a good financial investment. The operators are making a real killing and there’s been a push in some areas of New Zealand for residents to get a share of the increase in value of the properties.”