Downsizing on a larger scale

Downsizing from a large property to an over-50s lifestyle resort can be a daunting task, but if armed with the right tools, knowledge and a plan of attack, your move will be successful and a positive experience.

Tina and Dean Austin from Amber at Living Gems recently returned from a holiday in Vietnam where they spent a lot of time reflecting on their decision to sell their large family home and move into an over-50s lifestyle community.

“Dean and I had met while serving in the Defence Force where we saw operational service in war zones,” Tina tells us. “After much thought and deliberation, we decided to look into making the move from our much-loved home to a new lifestyle.”

Retirement and travel were high on their list as well as security and being able to leave their home for extended periods, so they shopped around and weighed up the options before making their final decision.

They chose a lifestyle resort over a retirement village, as it offered much better “value for money”. And because it was important for them to choose a resort that suited their way of life, the Austins began visiting lifestyle resorts from the Gold Coast to Hervey Bay.

“There were some beautiful resorts to choose from. We started doing the numbers and considered our existing rates, the cost to maintain the swimming pool and spa, the cost of mowing our half acre of lawn versus the weekly fees we were looking at,” says Dean.

The figures showed it would cost the couple an extra $30 a week to live in an over-50s resort, but the huge array of facilities available, including high-quality social, sports and recreational amenities, meant better value for money with the weekly site fees providing a comprehensive and complete suite of offerings.

“For that small additional cost, we would live in a beautiful new home within a secure gated community. Then there was the huge array of first-class amenities for us to enjoy like a heated mineral pool, lawn bowls rink, indoor ten-pin bowling, pickleball court, billiards, darts, library, movie cinema, stage for shows, cafe, and outdoor vegetable garden, plus the bar would always be a drawcard for many functions and happy hours.”

Some retirement villages also have stamp duty on the properties if the village is under a strata, community, or freehold title. In addition, they would also take up to 50 percent capital gains and deferred management fees if Tina and Dean ever decided to sell up. It was not the option they wanted to go with. As a result, they chose Amber at Living Gems.

Security was also high on their agenda, and giving them the ability to lock up and leave enabled the couple to enjoy their passion for overseas travel and have good friends keep an eye on things while exploring the world.
“Living in a gated community with residents our own age has helped us meet so many new friends and enjoy activities inside our resort, as well as external outings including overseas travel together,” Tina says. “We have Woolworths, doctors’ surgeries, a chemist, bakery, hotel, and other amenities only 200 metres from our resort gate.”

The bus service to the Loganlea railway station where express trains run to Brisbane, the airport and the Gold Coast, and the Logan Hospital are other drawcards the couple absolutely love, as the amenities are all within a 15-minute drive.

“Living in this resort is the best move we have ever made. We just love the friendships and lifestyle.”