When evaluating if making the move to a retirement village is the right decision for you, there are a range of factors to take into consideration, such as – Does the location address my needs? Does it make financial sense? Do I feel ready to make the move?
All are important considerations to help evaluate if the move to a retirement village is the right decision for you.
While many opt for a tree change or sea change for their retirement years, Norman and Norrell Swanson decided that ‘no change’ to their current location was the best option for them.
Living in Moonee Ponds with their daughters close by, and taking into consideration their regular hobbies, the Swansons decided that moving to Rivervue retirement village on the Maribyrnong River would allow them to downsize and stay in the area.
“We considered moving towards Geelong and the coast but thought – Norm volunteers at the State Library of Victoria, we go to the football, we like going to the theatre; why would we spend all of our time travelling back to Melbourne to do those things,” said Norrell.
The couple, who previously worked at the Department of Defence, had a systematic and deeply thoughtful approach to planning for their retirement before they moved into Rivervue four years ago, then aged 63.
“We thought about what life would look like in 20 years,” said Norman. “We asked ourselves if we needed our big house, but knew it was more than we needed. And we thought about the circumstances if one of us passed away.”
“We didn’t want to leave the area, but if we downsized to something smaller within the area, we wouldn’t have much change left and we wanted to free up capital for our daughters,” said Norrell. “Our key driver was to help our kids out earlier, not when we die.”
The good news for the couple was discovering that living at Rivervue wasn’t going to cost them any more than their current cost of living. But they also realised the earlier you moved in the better off you were. As Norman puts it, “Procrastination at our age comes at a cost”.
Today, the couple is looking forward to, “retiring from retiring,” with both leading very active and full lives enjoying the facilities and activities within Rivervue, and those within easy access from the village.
“Even though we’re very busy, we’re now busy doing what we want to be doing,” says Norrell. “You’re retiring from work, not life; and Rivervue allows you to fill that life space.”
To discover more about this contemporary and fresh approach to retirement, call 1300 298 439 or visit www.rivervue.com.au.
