RETIREMENT LIVING

IF you’ve ever wondered how retirement living is designed for you as you age, you’re guaranteed to be impressed by a visit to Bernborough Ascot.

Designed by international retirement and aged care experts, Marchese Partners, Bernborough Ascot takes future-proofed living to new heights.

“Working closely with leading universities such as the University of Stirling, Marchese Partners has a deep understanding of the ageing process and how ageing impacts our body, mind and lifestyle,” principal and Bernborough Ascot design director Frank Ehrenberg said.

A number of safety, accessibility and familiarity age-friendly design principles form the DNA of the Bernborough Ascot masterplan, enabling residents of all ages and abilities to actively engage in the community for years to come.

Called enabling environments, each community space and residence within the masterplan has been designed to allow for ease of use, reducing the chance of isolation among residents. Within the apartments, age-friendly design principles can be seen everywhere, including within the oversized penthouse apartments.

From extra-wide corridors with plenty of space for walkers, to spacious kitchen layouts, step-free thresholds including in the bathroom and on to the balcony, easily

AN authentic country lifestyle with urban convenience, surrounded by nature in a small boutique lifestyle resort, is available now at Affinity Lifestyle Resort, designed especially for over 50s.

Located in the Moreton Bay region, it is set among gum trees and native flora and fauna – an idyllic location to call home.

The small boutique size of the community gives lots of opportunities to meet neighbours and create friendships. Residents can take a leisurely stroll within the community and meet neighbours at the community dog park or at the many events and activities held at the resort.

Day trips away are regularly organised by the social club and there are monthly accessible powerpoints, and design features allowing for further modifications make Bernborough Ascot a cut above.

As Australia’s first retirement community to achieve a 6-star Green Star accreditation for sustainability, Bernborough Ascot has an impressive line-up of “green” features. Key design elements from Brisbane City Council’s New World City Design Guide, include solar panels, large rain water tanks and clever design to maximise natural light and ventilation. Its ideal position and aspect is used to reduce running costs.

Frank speaks highly of Lendlease’s commitment to people, purpose and place and is delighted to have been part of the journey of this ground-breaking intergenerational community project.

Set facing north over Doomben Racecourse and framed by mature fig trees, Bernborough Ascot is now open. Visit retirementbylendlease.com.au

PEACEFUL LOCATION TO ENJOY LIFE

dinners out, trivia nights, billiard games and weekly morning teas.

As a gated community, it gives a sense of security and peace of mind that there won’t be strangers freely roaming the village. Neighbours can keep an eye on your home if you are away travelling.

Stage 2 has just been released.

With plenty of caravan and boat storage currently available, the new design three-bedroom homes with alfresco area, some on larger sites, are sure to please.

Meet the homeowners at a Wednesday morning tea and find out first-hand what Affinity living is all about. Call 1300 295 807 to book a personal tour or for more information. BUDERIM’S only luxury lifestyle community, B by Halcyon, has its own Tesla Model 3 for homeowners to use.

Homeowner Lyn Lamble has become B by Halcyon’s unofficial Uber driver, using the community’s Tesla to transport neighbours.

“It’s just effortless driving,” Lyn said. “It’s responsive, it holds the road well, it’s comfortable and we don’t have to go to a smelly service station to fill it up with petrol.”

She said it was also fun to drive, especially on the open road.

“It just flies, you feel free, like a bird,” she said.

Lyn regularly drives other members of the community to lunch, the airport, shopping trips and medical appointments.

“It’s nice to be able to help people. I’m on my own here so I know they will help me as well,” she said.

Lyn Rudd has only been a passenger in the Tesla and is about to complete her induction to learn how to use the car.

“I’m really looking forward to taking it for a drive,” she said.

She said she loved living at the community and having the Tesla at her disposal was one of the many benefits.

“We’re enjoying it here. I’ve never had so many friends as I’ve made in just a short time at B.”

Display homes at B by Halcyon are now open and new homes available. Call 1800 050 555 to register for a private tour of the community.

OVER 50S RESORT LIVING BEATS A TOWNHOUSE

WHILE there will always be those who opt to remain in their own home when their children have left the nest, many are finding the time and effort spent on gardening and maintenance could be put to much more enjoyable use.

This sentiment is driving a new wave of over-50s “life-sizers”, many still working full or part time, choosing to downsize responsibilities and upsize lifestyle.

As house prices continue to rise, a lot of asset-rich but cash-poor homeowners could be missing out on the opportunity to unlock their home equity and start living the life they’d prefer much sooner.

Adrian Puljich, director and CEO of GemLife over-50s lifestyle resorts – which has three estates on the Sunshine Coast – said selling a house that had grown dramatically in value over the years to buy a new home for less, could be a huge benefit for downsizers.

“Homeowners can use the additional capital to invest or supplement their income to enjoy a better-quality lifestyle,” he said. “A lot of people begin by looking into apartments or townhouses but may be put off by having to pay stamp duty on their new purchase, being in a complex with a revolving door of tenants, or missing a sense of community.

“This is where the benefits of over-50s resort living are worth considering.

“You would never consider buying into a townhouse before visiting it, so what’s stopping you exploring resort living?” Mr Puljich said. Visit gemlife.com.au

HERMAN’S TOURS & TRAVEL

DAY TRIPS

Saturday 10 July 2021: Queensland Garden Expo, Nambour ......................................$70 Saturday 28 August 2021: Llama Farm .......................................................................$98* Saturday 4 September 2021: River City Cruise & Breakfast Creek Hotel ................$101* Saturday 13 November 2021: Eumundi Markets..........................................................$36 Saturday 4 December 2021: Christmas Lunch – Kawana Surf Club..........................$125 **

Departures from – Brisbane City, Corinda & Palmdale Qld Garden Expo, Eumundi Markets & Christmas Lunch – Aspley Departure also available *Includes Lunch ** Early Bird Offer – Pay deposit of $40 by 31 August & Save $20 EXTENDED HOLIDAYS

LONGREACH & WINTON

13 TO 21 OCTOBER 2021

Twin Share $3,585

per person, Single Supplement $620 Includes: Qantas Museum, Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thompson River Cruise, Lark Quarry Age of Dinosaur Museum, Tambo Teddies, Sapphire Fossicking, 1 Night Roma, 3 Nights Longreach, 1 Night Winton, 2 Nights Emerald, 1 Night Gladstone. All Meals Included, All Attractions Included