Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with hundreds of people at our Downsizing seminars in Sydney and on the Gold Coast. No matter where we were, many of the same big questions kept coming up:
“What about my Age Pension?”
“What are my downsizing options?”
“Should I put the money into super?”
These are great questions — and they highlight why the decision to downsize is rarely just about bricks and mortar. It’s about making sure the financial side of your move supports the lifestyle you want. And that starts with choosing the right place — and understanding exactly what it will cost.
Retirement villages offer more than a new address
Retirement villages can offer an incredible lifestyle — no maintenance hassles, great amenities, and a community of like-minded people. Whether it’s a morning swim, a game of bowls, or a social afternoon tea, the opportunities are there if you want them.
But while the lifestyle is easy to picture, understanding the fees and financial implications can feel overwhelming.
There are ingoing, ongoing, and outgoing costs. There are implications for your Age Pension, Rent Assistance, and Home Care Package. Suddenly, what felt like a simple next step becomes a financial puzzle.
Don’t forget to consider future care needs
Downsizing isn’t just about where you want to live today — it’s also about thinking ahead. While retirement villages don’t provide care themselves, many residents receive help through Home Care Packages, which can be delivered right to their door.
Planning ahead for your care needs can help you stay independent for longer — and avoid the stress of another move later on. That’s why it’s important to consider how a village can support ageing in place by allowing care services to be brought in when needed, and what that might mean for your budget.
A Village Guru Report can include your current or expected Home Care Package fees, helping you see the full picture of ongoing costs and support options.
Village Guru: your tool for confident decision-making
That’s where the Village Guru Report comes in. It helps take the confusion out of comparing retirement village options by clearly showing you:
- 🏠 How much it costs to move in
- 📅 What the ongoing costs are
- 💳 The impact on your Age Pension
- 🏡 Whether you can receive Rent Assistance
- 🧑⚕️ Home Care Package fees
- 💰 Exit costs when you leave
- 🔁 When you’ll get your money back
- ⚖️ Comparison of different contract options or villages
Whether you’re comparing villas in the same village or choosing between completely different communities, a Village Guru Report gives you clarity before you sign on the dotted line.
Find a village that offers a Village Guru Report
Hundreds of villages across Australia offer Village Guru Reports, including big names like Levande, Aveo, Anglicare, Bolton Clarke, Living Choice, VMCH, and Australian Unity.
You can use the Find a Village tool on our website to explore retirement villages near you that offer a Village Guru Report.
Still have questions?
While a Village Guru Report gives you a clear overview of the numbers, it’s not financial advice. For personalised strategies, speak to an accredited Retirement Living and Aged Care Specialist adviser. They can help you align your lifestyle plans with your financial goals — and avoid costly mistakes.
Because downsizing isn’t just about going smaller — it’s about choosing something better.
🧭 Explore now:
➡️ Find a Village offering a Village Guru Report
📞 Call us on 1300 855 770
