Spring into a new life

Spring is a time for renewal and new beginnings, making it an ideal time to start a new chapter in your life. Whether you're downsizing, looking for a change of scenery, or just looking for a sense of community, retirement villages offer a wealth of benefits.

And since the housing market typically picks up in the spring and summer, now could be a good time to consider selling the family home and moving on to life in a retirement community.

But while exploring your options for retirement can mark the start of a new adventure, choosing a retirement village can sometimes feel overwhelming and that’s because there are so many choices and so much to consider. Fortunately, the upside is the potential for a wonderfully rewarding lifestyle.

As one of New Zealand’s leading retirement village providers, Metlifecare doesn’t take a ‘cookie cutter’ approach to designing their villages. Each Metlifecare community has its own distinct character, look and feel, creating unique environments for residents and their families.

So how do you find the ideal retirement village that’s just right for you? After all, finding your new home isn’t just a practical matter – it’s an emotional choice too.

Given each Metlifecare village is unique, and everyone wants something different from retirement, it’s best to find the one that suits your lifestyle by exploring everything Metlifecare has to offer.

Start by considering all the different types of accommodation available. From private units and villas to smaller apartments and even luxurious penthouses, Metlifecare has a wide range of options to choose from.

Make the time to be shown through all the different options and get a feel for what feels like home to you. Is space or privacy more important to you? Do you want to be on ground level, or is a home with a view something you’ve always dreamt of for your retirement years? And, maybe for in the future, is care accommodation provided on site, should you ever require it?

Moving into a retirement village has the benefits of freeing up time and money that would otherwise be spent on home and garden upkeep, an increased sense of security, and having a range of things to do right on your doorstep.

Take note of available facilities and amenities in each village you look at. Which village will offer the right kind of fun to keep you interested, entertained, and excited about each day – day after day? Are you seeking an active retirement and want a village with a swimming pool and a bowling green with a vibrant café that’s close to the local shops? Or are you after a slower pace and prefer to live somewhere with expansive grounds and views, or communal gardens?

On the flip side, moving into a retirement community also doesn’t have to mean signing up for every activity on offer and being sucked into a relentless whirl of social interaction. Each village will also have its own activities and events that residents can take part in.

So, check out what’s on offer and see if anything appeals to you – while keeping in mind that if it’s not for you, then you don’t have to take part.

Think about whether you prefer an older village with well-formed landscaped grounds, or a modern, newly built community. Metlifecare has a range of welcoming, well-established villages, and new evolving developments in the most sought after locations New Zealand has to offer, including the Hibiscus Coast, Blenheim and Kerikeri.

When it comes to finding your new home, there’s also still something to be said for old-fashioned word of mouth. Connect with current residents in the village to gain valuable recommendations about what life is like there and whether you’d be happy to join the community.

For people considering the move, Metlifecare has free resources available on its website to guide potential residents through the process of choosing a village, including a handy checklist to help you compare different villages, clarify your priorities, and make informed decisions to live your best life.