western australia

retirement village

We visit another retirement village site

@JudyEv (339982)

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

@Juliaacv (51193)

• Canada

23 Sep 21

When they have such attractive amenities but it is a land lease, it may appear better, but in the long run I would not want to invest in such a home. We were always warned against land leases.

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@Juliaacv (51193)

• Canada

23 Sep 21

@JudyEv We looked at a vacation property that was individual cottages, however it was on a land lease and my hubby and I declined. We will continue to look and hopefully find another cottage that is not on such a property.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

@Juliaacv We were looking for something that didn't include 'land lease' too.

2 people like this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

23 Sep 21

You got the better deal, a home instead of an apartment.

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

23 Sep 21

@JudyEv The huge plus for you is you own your home.

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@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Sep 21

@just4him Exactly and we were free to sell it to whoever we like at whatever price we like.

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@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I think so. At least, it suits us better. Their amenities are slightly better - bigger pool, bowling green, etc but none of it worries us.

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@kaylachan (69714)

• 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.

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@kaylachan (69714)

• 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 (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I wouldn't like to just have a lease. It doesn't sound secure enough for me.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• 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.

@Hannihar (130218)

• Israel

23 Sep 21

@JudyEv So do your friends like living where they are?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

Yes, they are very happy there and enjoy it very much.

3 people like this

@Hannihar (130218)

• Israel

23 Sep 21

@JudyEv I am glad that they are happy there.

3 people like this

Krissttina Isobe

@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.

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@JudyEv (339982)

• 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.

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@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

There are medical facilities nearby and a nursing home attached although it's not part of our village. We don't rent these but each has bought their own.

3 people like this

Krissttina Isobe

@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.

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@DocAndersen (54402)

• United States

23 Sep 21

so is it more what we call assisted living?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• 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 (339982)

• 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.

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@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.

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@kareng (59167)

• 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 (339982)

• 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

@kareng (59167)

• United States

23 Sep 21

@JudyEv True on the noise or a couple where one is hard of hearing and the other yells to be heard. LOL. Awesome glass!!

2 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

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

That's very much what we thought. We didn't like the lease arrangement.

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@rebelann (112878)

• El Paso, Texas

23 Sep 21

Your house is cute but boy is it close to the other house. I would have a problem getting used to that.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

They are very close together but we rarely seem to bother each other. The people on one side we've only seen once or twice. On the other side we've seen them a bit more often but mostly just to say hello in passing.

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@rebelann (112878)

• El Paso, Texas

23 Sep 21

At least they are not intruding on your privacy.

2 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (106271)

• Marion, Ohio

23 Sep 21

I would prefer to own also.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I think it's much better. There have been a few burnt fingers with lease arrangements.

3 people like this

@rakski (122983)

• Philippines

23 Sep 21

I think it is better to have your own backyard like in your place instead of going to a garden where all can go

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@rakski (122983)

• Philippines

23 Sep 21

@JudyEv true! and that is important.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I think so too. There may not be much of it but it's all ours.

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@xFiacre (13014)

• Ireland

23 Sep 21

@judyev I prefer yours - don’t like apartments.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I'm pretty happy with our set-up. Thanks.

2 people like this

Lenore Plassman

@sallypup (61117)

• Centralia, Washington

23 Sep 21

I'm guessing that you feel good about not living in an apartment.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

The outside is more spacious - rooftop garden, etc - but you're right. I wouldn't really want to live in an apartment.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (178568)

• 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

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

The maintenance on the other place was getting a bit beyond us.

2 people like this

@allknowing (136425)

• 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

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

Yes, the council rates are based on the size of the buildings.

1 person likes this

@toniganzon (72281)

• Philippines

23 Sep 21

I think it’s best to own your place than to lease.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

We thought so too. I don't like the thought of leasing.

2 people like this

@jobelbojel (35577)

• Philippines

23 Sep 21

The place is so clean and tidy. I like the apartment with plants outside.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I am hoping we might be able to buy some plants for our place this weekend.

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@FourWalls (68014)

• 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

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

We have a 'house' albeit quite a small one. Lawn bowls is very popular here but some US citizens on myLot have never heard of it.

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@RasmaSandra (79858)

• 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

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

I think so too and at least when you stop outside, the little bit of land around is your own.

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@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

@JudyEv (339982)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 Sep 21

We are very lucky to have a lot of these sorts of places available. Some are better than others of course. But if there are none at all, then it makes planning difficult if you have elderly parents.

3 people like this