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20 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Retirement Village
A Checklist for Choosing a Retirement Village
Choosing a retirement village can be a complex, puzzling process, and having the right information can help simplify the process. Here’s a checklist of the 20 questions to ask so you can confidently pick the right retirement living option to suit your lifestyle.
Location and Lifestyle
When choosing a retirement village, it’s important that it’s centralised to the things that are important to you.
1. Is the retirement village close to my family and friends?
2. Is my new home close to local shops and services?
3. Do I like being close to nature – mountains, water, or another view?
4. What are the public transport options nearby?
What Locations Do Living Gems Offer?
Whether you’re looking for easy M1 access for trips to Brisbane, or prefer a relaxed semi-rural, country lifestyle, our resorts have been specifically chosen in charming locations across Queensland. Close to local amenities and with great transport links to major cities, our resorts are situated in some of the best locations to live your best years, including:
Family and Pets Matter
Some retirement villages have strict rules about who can visit you, when they can visit, and whether they can stay overnight. Plus, not all Australian retirement villages are pet friendly.
5. Are family and friends welcome to visit?
6. Can my grandchildren stay overnight as my guests?
7. How many guests can I invite?
8. Am I allowed to bring my pet?
9. Are there any facilities for pets such as dog runs?
10. Are there any restrictions on the size and breeds of dogs I can bring?
What Can Living Gems Offer?
At Living Gems, your family are welcome to visit you and stay overnight as guests. Our spacious homes and generous alfresco areas are perfect for hosting the family for special occasions.
In addition, Living Gems welcome your furry friends too! Along with other premium resort facilities, there are fenced yards, leashed walking areas, and secure off-leash areas, giving your pets plenty of room to run around.
Costs, contracts, and fees
Understanding what you’re getting (and what you don’t!) when you’re signing on the dotted line is incredibly important and should factor strongly into your decision. Any potential ongoing fees and outlays should be considered in your retirement planning. Don’t be caught in nasty surprises like hidden costs when choosing a retirement village.
11. Do I own my own home?
12. Are there entry fees?
13. How much are the entry fees?
14. Do I have to pay stamp duty?
15. Are there exit fees or deferred management fees?
16. How much are they?
17. Are there other ongoing fees?
18. Am I eligible for rental assistance?
19. Do I share any capital gains if I sell?
20. Are there refurbishment fees if I sell?
What Can Living Gems Offer?
Operating on a land lease community model, Living Gems makes over-50s living easy. This means you own – not rent – your own home and simply lease the land it is on. Your right to occupy the site is guaranteed by the Queensland Government’s Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003.
Because you are leasing the land, you don’t pay stamp duty on your new home, and you may be eligible for federal government rental assistance to reduce the cost of the modest weekly site fee. This fee covers the operation of the resort, on-site management, as well as the maintenance of the premium facilities, including an exclusive Country Club and other resort facilities.
There are also no exit or deferred management fees, and you keep 100% of the capital gains if you decide to sell. Not only should you be aware of any fees going in, you should also understand what happens when you leave a retirement village.
Visit Living Gems
Would you like to know more about Living Gems and have all your questions answered? Contact our team for an appointment to see any one of our resorts and facilities and discover why Living Gems is simply lifechanging!
