RETIREMENT LIVING

from Your Time Magazine Brisbane - August 2021

WHAT’S ON

PALM Lake Resort is in the business of building award-winning homes and world-class facilities, but this familyowned Australian company is also in the business of building great communities.

Over 50s not only buy a home but also a lifestyle among like-minded neighbours.

While sporting pursuits, creative hobbies and social interests have been found to bring Palm Lake Resort homeowners together, so does a great meal A NATURAL bushland setting complemented by attractive landscaping, and beautiful gardens established by residents gives a sense of “country living” to the residents of River Glen Haven.

There is a sense of kinship, a community of friendly like-minded people enjoying a relaxed lifestyle in a safe and secure resort atmosphere.

Peter Hajdu, the park manager, has been in the community looking after the interests of residents and River Glen as a whole since it opened 30 years ago.

There are two community halls, two

– every new resort country club has a fully-equipped commercial kitchen.

Palm Lake Group founder/director Walter Elliott, who has been at the helm of his family company for 44 years, says he loves to see Palm Lake Resort residents enjoying each other’s company – generally around a table of food and wine.

Experienced chefs in the impressive kitchens prepare great weekly menus fresh on-site.

Each of the newest Palm Lake Resorts also offer a free meal per home per week at one of the weekly resident meal sittings.

This provides the perfect excuse for neighbours to come together and catch up over a delicious lunch or dinner with maybe a bubbly beverage or two.

Palm Lake Resort Beachmere Bay’s kitchen is overseen by Kay Smoothy who has been with Palm Lakes for eight years. To book an inspection call 13 72 56 or visit palmlakeresort.com.au pools and exercise areas within the 20 acres of natural parklands. When not taking leisurely strolls, brisk walks, or exercising the dog, there are facilities for darts, cards, bingo, snooker, indoor bowls, arts and craft and social events.

The River Glen Haven difference is that it provides an affordable lifestyle with no body corporate fees.

Residents contribute a simple and affordable monthly licence fee which in many cases is subsidised through government rental rebates.

Located at Waterford, 30 minutes from Brisbane and 45 minutes from the Gold Coast, River Glen Haven is walking distance to shops, the twice-weekly bus stops at the gate and there’s a train station nearby, along with bowls and golf clubs, a boat ramp, parklands, library, post office, medical centre and a number of churches. Call Andrea 0402 885 316 or visit riverglenhaven.com.au

DESIGNER INCLUSIONS A CUT ABOVE FIVE SIGNS IT’S TIME TO DOWNSIZE

ONE of the most common remarks made by over 50s considering buying a home at a GemLife resort relates to the quality of the inclusions.

From ultra-high ceilings and energyefficient solar panelling to premium kitchen appliances and tapware, prospective homeowners are frequently surprised, delighted and impressed by the quality and breadth of inclusions on offer.

GemLife interior design manager Jenn Kyle said that as part of its commitment to quality, GemLife wanted to ensure standard inclusions provided everything buyers could need.

“All the details have been thoughtfully considered in order to minimise the necessity for inclusions’ upgrades – something quite common with many other residential builders and adding to homeowners build costs,” Jenn said. “GemLife aims to be market-leading and by listening to the feedback of buyers and residents, we constantly refine and improve our inclusions offering.”

Sales manager at GemLife’s IF YOU have been thinking about downsizing your home, but are unsure if you’re ready to take the plunge, here are five ways to tell it might be time to sell up and move into a more relaxed stage of life. • Your current home’s layout is no longer working: When you bought your home, stairs weren’t a problem and the bath wasn’t a fall waiting to happen. Having the microwave out of reach of little hands was good, but now you struggle to reach it. • Maintenance is overwhelming: Homes are forever needing something repaired, particularly older ones. Now is not the time to be climbing ladders, yet paying someone to do it is expensive. And who wants to spend their weekends cleaning windows and mowing lawns? • Too big: You live in a five-bedroom house, but four are empty. You spend half your time cleaning. Larger homes also cost more to heat and cool. • You want to free up some cash: With the kids grown up and with free time on your hands, perhaps you could go travelling. Selling your home and buying a smaller,

Maroochydore resort Jo Michalowsky said first-time visitors to the resort consistently were blown-away by what they saw.

“They love our standard inclusions. For example, all our kitchens come with upmarket Smeg appliances including the microwave, oven, induction cooktop, and Fisher & Paykel dish drawers,” she said.

“People also love that we provide the security screens and the window furnishings because that means they can move straight into the resort because everything is already done for them.” Call 1800 910 278 or visit gemlife.com.au cheaper one can give you some money to do that. • Location: Priorities change over the course of our lives. While it was once important to be close to the school, now you’d rather be near the beach, and closer to family and amenities such as doctors, shopping and the golf course.

If you decide it’s time to downsize, start your search by learning more about life in a retirement village. IRT has purpose-built retirement villages in North Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Call 134 478 or visit irt.org.au/retirement-villages