Life on the other side

For John Collyns, transitioning into retirement village life is more than just a personal milestone—it's a reality check on nearly two decades of professional advocacy. After 17 years as Executive Director of the Retirement Villages Association, where he tirelessly championed the benefits of village living, John now finds himself on the other side, living it.

Moving into a retirement village can be a significant life change for anyone, but for John and his partner of 30 years Janet, the stakes were uniquely high. He had spent years telling tens of thousands of older Kiwis about the advantages of village life: a warm, age-appropriate home, a vibrant community, financial security, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing care is potentially available, if needed. "I’m pleased—and somewhat relieved—to say it’s all true," John reflects.

John and his wife Janet have moved to a village in Nelson. The couple had lived in a 1930’s bungalow in Lower Hutt, so the comforts of a brand-new, double-glazed home with modern heating were a revelation. “The difference is night and day," he says.

As for the move itself, downsizing from a family home of nearly 20 years was no small feat. “We had to get rid of swags of stuff, and we did it through a combination of sales on Trade Me, donations to charity shops, and the kids did quite well out of it!”

But retirement village life isn’t just about possessions, it’s about the community too. “We’ve made new friends, in fact we’re off to someone’s villa for dinner tonight. Nelson is also where I grew up, so it’s been fantastic to reconnect with people I haven’t seen in years," he adds.

The costs work out too. Their new budget has them living comfortably on the pension without dipping into savings. “Compared to the rates and insurance in Lower Hutt, living here costs a fraction," John explains, “which leaves extra funds for things we’ve been itching to do, like travel. We’re off for a month at the end of the year!”

Not only is it a new home for John, but it’s a transition from working full time to retirement. It’s different being in each other’s company 24/7. But we bounce ideas of each other, and we’re more focused now on what we might like to do together.”

“I’ve already joined the Monday cycling club, which is fairly serious. There’s also one on Friday called the ‘Easy Riders,’ however that’s basically just going round the block to the pub.”

A leader for most of his life, John’s signed up to run a resident-driven mental stimulation initiative called ‘Thinking Well,’ which involves discussions, events, and social activities. "It’s great fun to have philosophical discussions on topics like free will," he reflects.

Looking back on the big decision to move, John sums it up simply: “The physical move itself was hard work, but the concept and reality of village life are everything we hoped it would be. We think we fit in quite nicely and we’re looking forward to living a joyful life here for years to come.”