Ah, retirement! It’s the holy grail for working Australians, a new chapter of freedom, fun and carefree living. And what better way to live life to the fullest than making the move into a retirement Community.
Whether you’re ready to downsize (or rightsize) from your large family home, are feeling isolated in suburbia or want to be surrounded by like-minded people, there are many Over 50s living options available.
But the only question is, which one is right for you? Let’s take a look below.
LIVING IT UP IN AN OVER 50S LIFESTYLE RESORT
Offering a wonderful, active lifestyle for retirees who don’t do boring, moving into a Lifestyle Resort enables you to live life your way. With infinite activities and social opportunities at your fingertips, every day is like you’re on holiday.
You also get to have a say in how your Resort is run, with each facility instating a Home Owners Committee, who represents your views. Many Lifestyle Resorts also have a social committee that organises functions, events and all the fun stuff!
You also have access to a range of incredible facilities. For example, Living Gems Residents enjoy exclusive access to a Country Club, swimming pool, tennis court, gym, cinema and even a ten pin bowling alley. Yes!
Governed by the Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003, you purchase your home within a Lifestyle Resort, but not the land. Because… why buy the land if you don’t have to? You pay a weekly site fee and can rest easy, knowing your rights are completely protected by the Queensland Government.
And at Living Gems, you get to choose your home design, build a brand new house with WOW Factor inclusions… and have plenty of money left in your pocket to pursue your passions. Now that’s the ultimate in retirement living!
Plus, there is no deferred management fee at Living Gems. Your home is yours to sell. If you make a capital gain at the time of sale, that capital is all yours!
WOULD A RETIREMENT VILLAGE SUIT YOU BETTER?
Retirement villages provide independent living for retirees and older people in our Community. Moving into a unit within the Community, retirement villages offer a myriad of opportunities for seniors to connect, socialise and participate in a range of recreational facilities.
In most retirement villages, the day-to-day running
of the facility is managed for you, as are Community activities. There is always plenty to do, and it’s up to you to choose your level of involvement. Many retirement villages also offer a residential care service, providing additional care and support for Residents, if needed.
Regulated by the Retirement Villages Act 1999 (Qld), retirement villages require an ingoing fee, that covers the purchase of your home and the right to use the common facilities. If your home is in a strata title village, you may need to also pay stamp duty.
When you sell your home in a retirement village, you are liable to pay a deferred management fee or exit fee. This is generally set as a percentage (often anywhere between 25% and 40%) of the original purchase price or the sale price. This fee is designed to cover the cost of creating and maintaining the communal facilities that you enjoy as a resident.
OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS TO CONSIDER
When deciding on the right Retirement Community for you, there are many other (often overlooked) factors that you need to think about. For example:
• Will you have relatives living nearby?
• Is the Community convenient to the local shops, healthcare facilities and cafes?
• Are you allowed to bring your pet?
• Does the facility have a Community Garden, a dog run and plenty of green space to enjoy our beautiful sunny Queensland days?
Now, over to you. Which Retirement Community caters best to your needs? If you’d like to learn more about Living Gems Lifestyle Resorts, we’d love to tell you all about it and give you a tour!
