We visit another retirement village site
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342110)
Rockingham, Australia
September 22, 2021 7:26pm CST
A few nights ago, we were invited to a retirement village where our friends live. I thought you might be interested in the differences between their home and ours.
There are only 81 units there but all are ‘apartments’ rather than stand-alone houses as is the case with ours.
The apartments are set on three floors. No-one has any ‘outside’ but there is a small area which is planted with vegetables and herbs. There is also a workshop which we didn’t actually see but that is variation on ours. The swimming pool is undercover and there is a four-rink bowling green (lawn bowls).
The communal areas are very well-appointed and larger. Ours are going to be too small when all the houses are occupied.
We didn’t talk about the financial structure but I know ours and one other are the only ones where you buy your place outright. All other such places in our State operate on a very long lease. There is some negative criticism of the fees charged when you exit an apartment. This always put us off moving as it seemed a real rip-off. We actually own our place outright although we still pay fees for the upkeep of the amenities.
I didn’t get any photos but the place is Riverside Village, Salter Point. It is run by Baptistcare.
The photo is of the front of our place.
33 people like this
33 responses
@kaylachan (71768)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Sep 21
My husband and I like the idea of owning our place. It's good you're able to own yours, too.
3 people like this
@kaylachan (71768)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Sep 21
@JudyEv That's how I felt all the years we rented. I feel so much better having a house. Yes, I'm paying a mortage on it, but we know that money is paying the bank back. With my husband's inhairantance from his parents, we plan to pay the house off with it.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342110)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Sep 21
@kaylachan Paying rent seems such a waste when you could be using it to pay off a mortgage - as you are. Good for you. I hope you'll own the house outright soon.
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
23 Sep 21
Homes are affordability, mostly and amenities. Do you & your friends in condo like Senior homes have medical people to serve you? Locally, Gov. Ige, announced, low income Senior homes. Here is what it'll look like. Rent will be $2269.00 for 60% AMI or $634.00 for 30% AMI. AMI, area median income. Studio apartments, 260-330 sq. ft.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342110)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Sep 21
@oahuwriter The nursing home is within walking distance. We have places where just about everything is done for you but they can be expensive.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
24 Sep 21
@JudyEv
Like in walking distance? You know, at The Plaza, medical staff in condo like Senior home. Hair salon, excercise equipment, meals all cooked for you, they clean for you, just like staying in a hotel. I haven't heard anything about internet or laundry doings. The new one being built, is just like a condo only.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
23 Sep 21
so is it more what we call assisted living?
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342110)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Sep 21
Not really. It's a step before that - independent living comes first but the houses are designed for the elderly - wider doors for wheelchairs or walking frames. no step down into the shower, etc. Room in the bathroom for a helper or chair. The next step would be assisted living then eventually a nursing home.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342110)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 Sep 21
@DocAndersen Here it's called 'ageing in place' too. The good thing is that the person remains in the midst of the community they know and hopefully spouse and friends would be able to visit.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
23 Sep 21
@JudyEv my in laws were in a place like that - independent living, then assisted living at the end.
2 people like this
@kareng (61751)
• United States
23 Sep 21
I would not like the apartment idea. For one thing I imagine it would be noisy with your neighbors attached by the walls on all sides and up and down.
I think ya'll did good with just fees for upkeep. You can enjoy yourselves now without having to be annoyed with neighbors all around you.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342110)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Sep 21
I guess old people don't generally make a lot of noise although sometimes the TVs can be turned up quite a bit as people get more and more deaf. The glass in the windows here is some special sort which stops a lot of the outside noise.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
23 Sep 21
I prefer to own the proprty rather than be in a longterm lease.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (181717)
• United States
23 Sep 21
I like the idea of outright purchase much better. It's nice that you don't have to do the upkeep on your unit.
3 people like this
@allknowing (137764)
• India
23 Sep 21
I wondered what that cable is doing on the ground and then realised it was just a shadow.
Those apartments may be categorised too depending on the space each apartment has .
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72533)
• Philippines
23 Sep 21
I think it’s best to own your place than to lease.
2 people like this
@jobelbojel (36020)
• Philippines
23 Sep 21
The place is so clean and tidy.
I like the apartment with plants outside.
3 people like this
@FourWalls (69029)
• United States
23 Sep 21
I have thought about a "retirement" apartment community, but honestly I don't know if I could live in an apartment again after living in a house for 32 years.
By the way, I love to watch lawn bowling on You Tube. We have a city here in Kentucky called Bowling Green, but they're famous for making Corvettes not lawn bowl. 
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80736)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Sep 21
I think I like the idea of your house being separate from others, It is more like living in your own house than if you have neighbors all around,
2 people like this
@Entropa123 (114)
• Colombia
23 Sep 21
I had only seen these kinds of places in movies ?? but recently I was talking with my mother about how at some point it will be necessary to hire someone to accompany her or something like that, it would be incredible if there were areas for retirement here :(
3 people like this
