When the decision to downsize becomes a ‘blessing’

Retirees Geoff and Jenny Rook have not once regretted their decision to move into Aveo’s Sunset Palms Retirement Living community on the Sunshine Coast and now describe their downsizing decision as a ‘blessing’.

In June 2024, just six months after taking up residence in the Palmview community, Mr Rook received the devastating news that a condition affecting his vision had deteriorated rapidly and he was deemed legally blind.

“I now appreciate just how terrific our villa is with no steps and nothing at all in the design for me to trip on,” he said. “I feel Aveo had our situation in mind when they designed this home. Our situation would have been diabolical if my diagnosis had occurred while we were still living in our previous house. Now we are perfectly placed. I feel safe and receive wonderful support from staff, regular visits from Aveo’s Care at Home team and we are surrounded by caring neighbours.’’

Stage four at Sunset Palms is selling now, providing 22 villas with living spaces, contemporary finishes and quality appliances. The couple downsized from their nearby four-bedroom home to a new two-bedroom villa in the community with a multipurpose room, double garage, outdoor entertaining area and a grassed garden. “

It’s so spacious that we were even able to comfortably entertain our whole family of 18 at Christmas,’’ Mrs Rook said. While Mr Rook can no longer read a book, he still enjoys attending Book Club and Men’s Group meetings at the community. 

“I still can’t believe the timing of Geoff’s dramatic vision loss,’’ Mrs Rook said. “Not a day goes by when we don’t say how lucky we are to live here. It’s been a blessing.’’ 

Sunset Palms is a finalist for Best Community Development in the 2025 National Retirement Living Awards. Winners will be announced on June 19. 

Sunset Palms sales manager Aimee King said construction on the stage four release had been fast-tracked to meet the demand from retirees seeking a lifestyle centrally located between the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches and the hinterland. 

“Our modern, light-filled two and three-bedroom villas have been cleverly designed to cater to the changing needs of residents who wish to age in place and live independently for longer,’’ she said. “Aveo’s concept for Sunset Palms was to create a premium, boutique retirement community with a genuine ‘village’ of modern villas set in landscaped streetscapes with easy access to the resort-style facilities." 

“Residents thrive in our vibrant and friendly community often after leaving behind large, highmaintenance homes.’’ Community facilities include a dining room and bar, library, arts and crafts room, gym, hair salon, bocce court, outdoor pool, barbecue area, communal vegetable gardens and a private shuttle bus. The community centre is the hub of all events in the busy social calendar. 

Located in the heart of Palmview, Sunset Palms is a 15-minute drive from Mooloolaba beach and 20 minutes from hinterland townships or the shops of Sunshine Plaza. Set within a private corner of the masterplanned Harmony residential estate, it provides retirees with access to further lifestyle amenities including retail, restaurants and cafes, and a 60km network of pedestrian and cycle paths. On completion, Sunset Palms will provide 135 villas. Located at 58 Harmony Blvd, Palmview, stage four villas are priced from $565,000.

To learn more about Sunset Palms, click the link below.