Moving to Bolton Clarke, Europa has been a transformative experience for Jan, giving her a fresh start and a sense of renewed freedom. While she hadn’t originally planned to move into a retirement village, a series of serendipitous events led her to find her perfect home. Here’s Jan’s story.
“Moving here has been a new lease on life.”
Jan had always loved her previous homes, but her last house didn’t bring her the same joy. “I didn’t love it, and I loved the maintenance even less,” she recalls. Retirement villages weren’t on her radar until her daughter, who lived next to the new Europa village, suggested they check it out.
“One day we went out for lunch, and she said, ‘Maybe we should go in and have a look.’ As soon as I saw my apartment, I thought, ‘It’s this or nothing.’”
Taking the leap
Starting the downsizing process wasn’t easy for Jan. “I didn’t sleep too well. I was worried about the money. I’m a single person on an age pension, and I top it up with my super, so I needed to be sure I could afford it,” she says. A copy of Downsizing Made Simple helped her make sense of the steps involved, from decluttering to understanding the contracts and financial impact.
Jan chose a payment option with a low exit fee, no capital gain or loss, and a guaranteed buyback after six months. “I liked the certainty of that, and my monthly service fee is set for life,” she explains. She also consulted a financial expert, who provided a detailed analysis of the village costs and how they would affect her pension.
“I spoke to my three kids, and they were wonderful. They said, ‘We want you to be happy. It’s your money.’”
Selling and settling in
Selling her home was a smooth process. Jan opted for a private sale, avoiding the hassle of auctions and open houses. “It sold in 10 days to a single lady with a dog, who bought it for the same reasons I did.”
While parting with her furniture was emotional, Jan found a way to keep it close. “My niece bought a farmhouse in the country, so she has most of my furniture there. It looks lovely, and I can visit it.” She also sought the help of an interior decorator to furnish her new, modern apartment. “It’s all new and beautiful, and it gives me a lift.”
Europa offered her a $10,000 voucher for removalist services, which made the move even easier. “They packed, moved, unpacked, and even organised hard rubbish pickups and donations. It was a huge help.”
Life at Europa
For Jan, life at Europa is like a new chapter. “I hadn’t had a new house since my 30s, and everything here is beautiful and modern. It’s nice being part of a community.”
She’s embraced the village lifestyle, joining the garden club, attending morning teas, and enjoying weekly happy hours. “We have rooftop vegetable gardens and share the produce. It’s wonderful.”
Living in bustling St Kilda also offers plenty of activities. “The tram is two steps from the front door, so I head into town to visit galleries, go to a show, or watch the football with my family. There’s a lovely park nearby where I walk my dog Dorothy every day.”
Advice for others
At 78, Jan is fit and healthy, and she believes the key to a successful move is acting before it becomes too difficult. “You don’t want to leave it too long. It’s hard enough, but if you didn’t have the physical or mental strength, it would be very hard.”
She reflects on helping her mother move into aged care in her 90s. “She didn’t want to go, and it was hard. I didn’t want to be like that. I wanted to make the move while I was still independent.”
A lifestyle decision
For Jan, moving to a retirement village wasn’t just about finances; it was a lifestyle decision. “Whatever’s left when I leave here is a bonus for the kids. I would be horrified if they thought differently.”
Her advice to others considering the move? “Take your time, explore your options, and think about what you want for your future. It’s about creating a happy, secure life for yourself.”
Jan’s story is a testament to the freedom and joy that downsizing can bring, proving that with the right support and planning, it can truly be a new lease on life.
