New retirement community or older, more established retirement community? What is the difference?

There is a big difference between moving into an established retirement community that has been around for a few years, and being the new kid on the block; to moving into a brand new retirement community that is just being built.  And it is surprising that many people don’t stop to think about it. A retirement community, when you consider it, is just like any other neighbourhood but with a few extra services and a bit more structure to allow people to come together more often thrown in.  So when you choose one you are going to spend many more years of your life in, it makes sense to think about the culture, lifestyle and choice that comes from being in a new versus an old community.

Established villages have plenty to offer and it is usually all there fore you to see.  You might consider some of these things:

In an old community you will be moving into a house that has had previous occupants. 

Pretty much all of us have lived in houses that have had prior occupants.  We know this means that the kitchen and bathroom might be a little more used, and the facilities a little more well-loved.  Generally, the operators go to great lengths to improve the homes between occupants, ensuring they stay the up-to-date and modern looking homes people expect.  This also helps them keep maintenance costs down.  It may also mean entry costs are a little lower, but not always as a lot of different things go into the price of a village house depending on the structure of the specific village.

The community facilities and activities will be firmly in place.

If you are looking for a vibrant social activities, and good health and wellbeing facilities, and want to be able to see what is on offer before you move, then an established community is certainly a good way to do this.  You can be sure that what you are looking for isn’t just a “future promise”, but is real, tangible and working.  You can even “try before you buy” spending a weekend in most communities.

If you’re looking for a village with a pool, then there will be no worries in a village with an existing pool about whether it will be installed in the year they promised… and no issues if it is delayed.  Same with the community centre, which might still be listed as “coming soon” in a new village.

The people will be established in their retirement lifestyle.

This can be a wonderful thing, especially if you are new to the game and are keen for some guidance from others about how to get the best out of life.

Neighbouring retail centres and bus routes will be easily identifiable.

We know many people look for villages that offer good public transport and solid proximity to shops and leisure.  And in well-established suburbs this is usually very obvious.  You can see the bus route at the end of the street and know people have been using it for years.  And the local shopping centres will be large and visible.

New retirement villages are popping up everywhere too, and they sure look appealing.  But there are different, although similar things to think about if you are contemplating life in a new village.

You will live in a brand new house with new everything. 

When you’ve lived in an older house for many years the prospect of living in a bright, clean, brand new house can be quite enthralling.  In fact, it can be one of the reasons that some people want to downsize.  It can be quite cathartic doing the big clean out and starting a new stage in a new house.

The other people in your community will be new, and also in the early discovery phase of their new home and retirement lifestyle. 

It’s like when your kids start school.  All the parents were new to it too, and you were all learning together how to have fun, forming new friendships and exploring things in common with others.

The facilities might be being staged along with the development of the village.

It makes sense that the development of a new village occurs just like any other housing development.  First a few people move in, then the facilities start to come.  Then a few more people move in, then they build a few more facilities.  So make sure you understand the proposed staging of facilities like community centres, health and wellbeing facilities and swimming pools so you aren’t disappointed. There is nothing wrong with waiting a little for the good things if you get some of the perks of a newer community, if you know this was a choice you made.

There will likely be construction going on around you.

People in new villages need to expect that there will be construction and development going on around them for some time.  Nothing new here.  It happens in all new suburbs.  The price of progress is a little bit of noise in the daylight hours.

All the facilities when they arrive will be brand spanking new. 

Dining rooms with lovely new furnishings, and modern finishes; gyms with the most up to date equipment and new fresh swimming pool areas are terrific perks of a new village once they are in place.

So tell us today… What type of community do you think you would choose… New or old? And why? Take a look at the below new and old communities and tell us what you think… 

Aveo Island Point is a new retirement village made up of 32 independent living units. 

62 Island Point Road

St Georges Basin, NSW, 2540

Aveo Peregian Springs Country Club is an existing retirement village made up of 127 independent living units and 48 services apartments. 

21 Gracemere Boulevard

Peregian Springs, QLD, 4573

This article is sponsored by Aveo retirement villages. For more information on your lifestyle options take a look at the Aveo website or call 13 28 36.