The Williams’s were only in their 60s when they sold up the family home and moved into a retirement village in search of a globetrotting lifestyle of leisure.
When they aren’t leading travel groups – described as Contiki for seniors – around the world, Julie, 72, and Kevin Williams, 76, are enjoying life at one of Adelaide’s most exclusive addresses.
The couple never thought a retirement village was in their future until they decided to downsize more than five years ago.
When they sat down and discussed how they wanted to spend the later stages of life – more travelling and less home maintenance – they landed in the leafy green suburb of Leabrook at On Statenborough where costs start at $600,000.
“We want time to be able to pursue our dreams and passions, rather than being tied to a family home and all the responsibilities and the work that goes with that,” Ms Williams said.
“A lot of people go through life and don’t really plan the various stages of their life, they just happen and they go along and then all of the sudden they find themselves walking around and rattling in this large house,” Mr Williams said.
“When you live in suburbia you can actually be quite lonely, you’re the only person that is at home while everyone else is out making a living if you’re in a younger area.”
It was an unexpected choice for the jetsetting former western suburbs residents who now call a three bed apartment filled with knick-knacks and photographs from their travels home.
Ms and Mr Williams spend their days leading travel groups of up to 40 retirees. They have just returned from Japan, while a waiter in Whistler, Canada, once called for reinforcements saying “we have a seniors Contiki tour here”.
Together they have travelled to all seven continents and have no plans to slow down.
They said their new lifestyle means they never worry about leaving home to holiday, with maintenance workers and gardeners always on-site to keep everything running in their absence.
“That’s what retirement living is all about, it just allows us the time to really enjoy the time we have,” Ms Williams said.
“We can do what we want to do, we can be as busy as we want to be or we can settle back and be not quite as busy.”
There are plenty of other perks for On Statenborough’s 180 residents including a golf simulator and chauffeured limousines to the nearby Parade and Burnside Village.
Ms Williams, who is head of the village’s social club, said a common misconception about retirement living was that your lose privacy.
“Everyone gives each other the privacy that they particularly want but when you do want to have social interaction there are just so many people and they’re like minded so it makes it so much easier,” she said.
“There’s a lot of things that we do here – there’s aqua aerobics classes, a physio, there’s people playing mahjong, they play bridge … they’ve even now got line dancing, we have indoor bowls – so there’s plenty of activities that people want to be involved in.
“It’s a lovely place to bring people, it is your own home.
“I believe here, people don’t have to be lonely.”
The Williams aren’t alone with many South Australians barely of retirement age welcoming in the new era of retirement living.
Think elegant apartments, glistening swimming pools and chauffeured limousines, the state is brimming with luxury retirement villages and aged care facilities catering to your every need and desire.
Here are some of SA’s poshest retirement living and aged care facilities.
Some cost more than $1m but all offer different payment plans, tailored packages and assistance options, so contact the providers for exact prices related to your needs.
Location: Glenside
Cost: Undisclosed
The Glenbrook is described as a place where “the elegant things in life” can be enjoyed.
The retirement village boasts lush gardens, stylish residencies and is only a stone’s throw away from Burnside Village, local medical centres, cafes, public transport and parks.
The Glenbrook is close to after-school bus routes allowing residents’ grandchildren to easily visit throughout the week.
Tailored support services are also available with trained staff able to provide emergency or everyday assistance 24 hours, seven days a week.
Location: Rembrandt Living
Cost: From $600,000
Inspired by Dutch values and roots, Rembrandt Living aims to provide “high quality, down-to-earth home care, residential care (Rembrandt Court) and respite services for people of all backgrounds”.
The space has been designed to reflect the feeling of home with “trinkets, photos, memorabilia” lining the halls and with only 87 rooms on-site residents are all known by name and treated as individuals.
An experienced chef, spacious rooms, garden outlooks, an age-specific gym and wide range of social offerings complete the Rembrandt experience.
Location: Parkside
Cost: From $350,000
Residents can enjoy “hotel-style” accommodation at this “extra service nursing home”.
Complete with premium beds, ensuites, smart TVs and an a la carte menu, there are plenty of luxury offerings at St Louis Nursing Home in Parkside.
Health and wellbeing services such as a swimming program and aromatherapy are also available to keep residents feeling their best.
Location: Glenside
Cost: From $995,000
Currently under construction, Bloom is giving over-55s the opportunity to get in on the ground floor with more than 90 per of apartments already sold.
“Prestige apartments for discerning boomers” is how Bloom’s website describes its various apartment options which cost up to $1,529,000 for a three-bed, two-bath, two-car apartment.
This residency will boast exclusive amenities including a swimming pool, gym, private function spaces, wine storage, library and community garden.
And a concierge service will connect members to local providers and manage maintenance requests.
Location: Myrtle Bank
Cost: Residential care can be paid for in a lump sum of $850,000 (other options available), retirement living apartments from $925,000
From its Adelaide foothills location, Carmelite offers views of the city and Adelaide Hills with local shopping centres, medical facilities, eateries and supermarkets close by.
Residents rooms are contemporary and light-filled with an surrounding gardens and onsite facilities such as cafe and health and fitness centre completing the property’s offerings.
A range of social programs help foster a sense of belonging while inviting residents to become involved in their local community.
Location: Myrtle Bank
Cost: From $475,000
Period-style architecture, soaring ceilings and light-filled windows come together to produce the ultimate boutique residential aged care living experience.
Community spirit is cultivated through regular barbecues and various social activities and outings.
Residents can also access an on-site hair and beauty salon, Foxtel, signature meal choices and beverage service with meals, including alcohol.
Location: Brighton
Cost: $1.2m-$1.5m
Located on Brighton’s stunning beachfront, Brighton Dunes offers over-55-year-olds with “luxury independent living”.
Complete with a library, indoor pool and gym, the “thoughtfully designed apartments” are equipped with “spacious” living areas and “generous” balconies perfect for entertaining.
Two-bedroom, two- bathroom apartments are available and also come with a parking space.
Article sourced from The Advertiser
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