Navigating retirement living

Australians are living longer, prompting many to consider not just when they’ll retire, but how they want to live when they do. From financial stability to safety and belonging, these choices shape not only the years ahead but overall wellbeing. 

Around 250,000 Australians currently live in retirement villages, a figure expected to double in coming decades as the population ages and more people seek housing that supports both independence and connection. Providers like Aveo, with over 10,000 residents across 67 communities, are part of this shift. 

Retirement living is gaining popularity because it offers something increasingly difficult to find elsewhere: manageable homes, predictable costs, built-in community, easy access to lifestyle amenities, and greater peace of mind - priorities highlighted in the ABS’s Measuring What Matters wellbeing framework, which revealed security, stability and social connection as central to quality of life in later years. 

The affordability equation 

But with the cost of living rising, housing affordability is a key concern for retirees and their families. 

Aveo’s Ageing Australia study shows affordability is a top driver when considering a retirement village. Aveo CEO Tony Randello says this is why clarity and choice are built into the company’s contracts. 

“Our research shows that retirement living can deliver greater financial certainty than many expect,” Randello says. “Flexible payment options - including our no-exit-fee model - can give residents confidence to plan for their future.

”He adds that predictable service fees - covering maintenance, insurance, gardening and shared facilities - can offer reassurance, reducing surprise bills and increasing transparency, all safeguarded by state-based legislation.

Safety and peace of mind 

Security consistently ranks as the number-one priority for retirees. Aveo’s Ageing Australia study found 75 per cent of people considering a move listed safety as their top concern. 

Financial adviser and author Rachel Lane, who created the Village Guru platform to help Australians compare retirement living costs, says the findings make sense. 

“Your home should be the place you feel most safe,” Lane says. “But as people age, concerns about falls or being alone start to weigh more heavily - on them and their families.” 

She adds that safety in retirement living goes beyond locks and gates. 

“One of the biggest fears in retirement is isolation. Retirement villages offer the opposite - a community of peers, social activities and people who notice if you don’t show up for morning tea. It’s not about being watched, it’s about being connected. Families take comfort knowing their loved one isn’t just safe, but also supported and socially engaged.” 

For Fountain Court resident Ray Brindle, that sense of support has been transformative. 

“Where I live, we’re in little clusters each in our own cul-de-sac,” he says. “There is support here and we are very social. My next-door neighbour is less mobile these days, so we go to her place every Friday for a happy hour.”

Connection and lifestyle 

Connection is more than a social nicety - it’s linked to health and wellbeing. On average, Australians over 65 spend almost six hours a day on recreational activities. Retirees aren’t retreating from life; they’re seeking ways to stay active, purposeful and connected. 

Aveo’s Ageing Australia study found the most valued features of retirement communities include support services, maintenance-free living, dining options, a cafe and a pool - amenities that provide freedom from chores and more opportunities to live well. 

Ray has embraced that freedom. 

“I’ve got more disposable income than I ever had in my life,” he says. “It allows me to enjoy the things that keep me connected - coffee groups, lunches and outings. It can be expensive, but what you buy is the benefits of being with people.” 

Randello says this reflects a generational shift. 

“Many of today’s retirees are active, engaged and tech-savvy,” he says. “They’re looking for communities that support independence, connection and convenience. That means different things to different people, from high-speed connectivity in community centres to contemporary wellness features like infrared saunas or golf simulators, and vibrant social hubs with cafes and bars. These aren’t extras - they’re part of what can make a retirement community thrive.”

Reframing retirement living

For many Australians, retirement living is still unfamiliar territory. Lane says many mistake it for aged care. 

“Choosing a retirement village is about much more than location or floor plans,” she says. “It’s about lifestyle, community and longer-term care. One simple tip: grab a copy of the activities calendar and circle the things you’d enjoy - it’s a quick way to see if the village fits your lifestyle.” 

Randello agrees. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that retirement living is just a property transaction, but it’s so much more. We provide homes, yes, but more importantly, ongoing service, support and connection. Many people who move into an Aveo community say they wish they’d made the move sooner.” 

For Ray, the proof is in the everyday interactions. “You’ve got to watch that you don’t get isolated,” he says. “Even just saying g’day down the street is important. That’s why I value the community I’ve found here.”

To learn more about Fountain Court Retirement Living, click the link below.