28 November 2018 Living Gems, Living Gems Caboolture, Living Gems Pacific Paradise, Living Gems Toowoomba, Opal by Living Gems

Retirement village or lifestyle resort. What is the difference?

Many of us have heard the terms retirement village and lifestyle resort – but, what’s the actual difference?While there are definitely similarities between the two (in that they both appeal to older people who live independently and have communal facilities), the key difference between the two sectors is the contractual and financial models that apply.Whatever option you are looking at that best meets your needs, it’s important to seek professional financial advice.The Queensland Government website has excellent guides for retirees about understanding the risks of retirement units as investments.They explain that living in a traditional retirement village is not the same as owning your own home or renting. In most cases, you do not purchase the property title to the unit. Instead, you purchase a right to live in the unit and the right to benefit from the lifestyle facilities the village offers.Lifestyle Resorts or manufactured home parks are often marketed as ‘Over 50s Lifestyle Resorts’. Once a purely affordable...
3 June 2018 Living Gems, Living Gems Pacific Paradise

Living Gems Home Owners making a difference

Home Owners Jan and Barry Smith have spent their working lives in a nomadic fashion, moving all over New South Wales, from Boorowa to Dubbo and everywhere in between. 12 months ago, they made the move to Living Gems Pacific Paradise and aren’t planning on leaving anytime soon. Jan tells us more about their lifestyle since moving in to the Resort.We moved around plenty whilst Barry was working as a banker, mine accountant and school bursar and myself as a teacher in New South Wales. Eventually we settled in Batemans Bay and enjoy the coastal lifestyle there for 13 years until we decided to make the move up the Sunshine Coast. We lived in Buderim for three and a half years before discovering Living Gems Pacific Paradise.My sister was already looking to buy here at Living Gems Pacific Paradise, so we thought we would come and have a look around. Barry and I decided that this would be the perfect...
4 September 2017 Living Gems Pacific Paradise

A White Christmas in Germany and Austria

Dreams of a white Christmas inspired Michael Holder and Karen Hawkings to travel to Germany at the end of 2016, a country that captures the spirit of the season like no other.The Deutschland Christmas charm is showcased at its wintertime markets and beer halls where the amber liquid flows freely and the wine is served warm and with spice.Michael and Karen did the Christmas and New Year period with Albatross Tours, first with a 7-day tour around Germany, followed by a 5-day Sound of Music-themed New Years journey around Austria.“It was a wonderful trip,” says Karen, “the scenery was spectacular, and the markets were very special – the food was delicious – and they captured the spirit of Christmas just as we had imagined they would.“It was our first Christmas in the northern hemisphere. We always wanted a white Christmas and New Year, and it was very nice to get the opportunity to see that alongside a group of really...