FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Lifestyle Villages

We have years of experience in the industry assisting people relocate to their dream home and easy lifestyle

We have put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help answer your questions.

If you have questions that are not covered here, we encourage you to talk to one of our village staff today. You can contact us at any time to discuss village life and to ask any questions about moving here.

Lifestyle Villages are modern, over 50s independent living communities set in landscaped gardens. Each of our homes is self-contained with and may come in 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms, some fenced, some with garages or carports, decks, big yards or small self-contained gardens. There are a wide range of homes from which to choose from across our villages.

You can buy an existing home that’s for sale, or build a brand new home on a big block, close to a beach, in a rural setting or a mixture of all.

Our villages are not retirement homes and we don’t offer nursing or meals but rather an independent lifestyle in a community of like-minded people.

In our villages, there is a range of homes tailor-made to suit the specific requirements of their owner. These range from spacious and modern 1, 2, or 3-bedroom homes set on their own allotment. Contact the village directly for further information.

Most villages have a community centre where residents can mingle and hold functions, events and classes. There is usually a library for the sharing of books and a common kitchen or BBQ area. Also, most villages have a pool and other facilities. Our villages environments are beautiful and friendly, complete with many landscaped areas designed to promote conversation, community, and enjoyment of the natural surrounds.

The communities in Lifestyle Villages are very active and welcomes new residents with open arms. Our residents range in age from 50 right up to their 80s and 90s. Some of our residents are retirees, while others work full or part-time. Some have partners, some are single. Whatever your situation and status, you are welcome at Lifestyle Villages and are sure to find some like-minded friends to spend time with.

Please enquire with the village of your choice as you’ll be surprised to learn that the average cost of a house at our villages is extremely affordable. Many people find they can easily downsize to a home at Lifestyle Villages after selling their existing home or even just using their savings.

Like other over 50s villages, we charge rent on the land on which your house is situated. Please enquire with the village of your choice. Unlike retirement villages, we do not charge an administration fee, municipal rates or Strata Levies, saving you a lot of money each year. Nor do we charge a Deferred Management Fee, which can result in you missing out on up to 30% of the proceeds when it’s eventually time to sell your home.

This fee structure makes living in Lifestyle Villages extremely affordable. Many of our residents talk about a feeling of lessened financial pressure following their move to our villages.

If you receive Centrelink or Veterans Affairs Benefits you may be entitled to rent assistance. We suggest you check with the relevant government department for eligibility. Or simply visit:

www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/rent-assistance

At the time of writing, there is no waiting list. There is usually a handful of existing homes for sale as well as some empty lots ready for someone to come and build their dream home on. Hurry though, we can’t guarantee there will be homes available at any given time in the future. We encourage you to book a tour today to come and find out about the available options and see if the village is right for you.

When it comes to over 50s communities, there are two main options available – retirement villages and lifestyle villages. Because both generally offer communal facilities, enhanced security features, opportunities for socialising, low-maintenance accommodation, and a host of other lifestyle benefits, they are often thought of as the same thing – but there are some very important differences between the two.

If you choose to live in a lifestyle village, your legal rights, contractual obligations and the fees you pay will be vastly different from those of a retirement village resident. 

  • The safety and security of being in a gated community
  • The privacy of having your own HOUSE on your own allotment
  • Social opportunities living with like-minded people your own age
  • The option to be free of the responsibilities of a larger home
  • The freedom to travel knowing that your home is watched over while you are away
  • Immediate access to all the facilities you need, including local hospitals, public transport, and local town centres
  • Your family’s knowledge and comfort that you’re going to be a part of a social, caring, and active community

 

We encourage you to speak to your family and friends about your decision to move to one of our villages. Our friendly Managers at our Villages are knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have. We also highly recommend you seek financial and/or legal advice about this decision – especially comparing our fee structure to others in our industry.

Yourself, your spouse or partner must be at least 50 years old to live at any of our villages.

Yes, you own your home. We own the land on which it’s built and charge a small weekly rental fee, which also covers all your rates.

A deferred management fee is a fee charged by many retirement village operators. We believe deferred management fees are unfair and exploitative. In short, these fees erode your equity in your home over the long run, resulting in a greatly reduced profit (and often a loss) when it’s time to sell your home. In some cases, this fee can add up to 30% of the total value of your home. At Lifestyle Villages, we are able to offer great value on the purchase of your home without needing to resort to deferred management fees.

Our villages are mostly pet friendly. Pets are subject to approval from our Village Managers and provided they meet a few reasonable conditions covering their ongoing care and management. Our Village Managers can talk to you about these conditions.

Yes, of course – your house is your home! Your family and friends are welcome to come and stay whenever you’d like them to. They are also welcome to use all of the facilities while they are with you. There may be a small charge in some parks for your relatives and friends who choose to use the facilities.

You can sell your home in the village at any time. You are welcome to engage a real estate agent of your choice, and/or we can also assist with marketing your property for resale. The fact we do NOT charge a deferred management fee makes your home a lot more marketable because the new owner does not have to bear the burden of this massive exit fee, plus you get all of the proceeds from the sale of your Village home.

Yes, each property in our villages has its own car space where you can keep your car. Some of our villages also have a secure caravan storage area.

To assist you in making your decision to become a Villager, call our friendly managers in the village of your choice for further information. You can also talk to our residents and ask any questions about the village lifestyle. It will soon become apparent that the Villagers are a diverse, happy group who enjoy their independent village lifestyle and who welcome new residents with open arms. We also highly recommend you seek legal advice about the various options available so as to fully understand the different fee and ownership structures in the options you’re considering.

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