The retirement living myths that need to be retired

When Carl Curlett and his wife moved from the country to Melbourne in 1999, they knew nothing about retirement communities. They'd never visited one, didn't know anyone who lived in one and carried the same assumptions most Australians do about what life in a retirement village would be like.

Fast forward to today, and Mr Curlett has spent over 13 years at Cherry Tree Grove, where he chairs the owners' corporation, is part of a walking group, organises community events, and somehow still finds time for snooker and weekly happy hour with nearly 100 fellow residents.

“Our community has privacy and independence,” Mr Curlett says. “You can live here and do whatever you want to do.”

His experience challenges the most persistent myths about retirement living – misconceptions that prevent thousands of Australians from considering what might actually be their best option. Now, residents like Mr Curlett – armed with insights from Aveo's 2025 Ageing Australia Study – want to set the record straight.

Myth 1: You'll lose your independence

Mr Curlett's daily schedule would exhaust many people half his age. Chair of the owners' corporation, member of the walking group, regular at happy hour – his calendar is packed with activities he's chosen, not obligations he's been assigned.

“There's quite a few people living here who still work part-time,” he notes, dispelling the notion that retirement communities are about winding down.

The numbers back him up. According to Aveo's 2025 Ageing Australia Study of 1,260 respondents, 78 per cent of retirees aged 65-85 agree that retirement is about “doing what you want, when you want”. Among those surveyed, 29 per cent aged 65-75 were still in the workforce, and 10 per cent aged 76-85 were still employed in some capacity.

In fact, through maintenance-free living, modern retirement living communities are actually enhancing independence. No more worrying about fixing the roof, mowing the lawn or scaling ladders. Mr Curlett puts it practically: “I put in a maintenance request for the light globe in the kitchen. We've got nine-foot ceilings, and I would rather not get up a ladder!”

Myth 2: It's too expensive

It’s here where the numbers tell a surprising story. Properties in retirement communities are typically priced around 41 per cent lower than median house price in the same suburb, according to the Property Council of Australia’s 2024 PwC-RLC Retirement Census Study.

And it's not just the purchase price. When you factor in the ongoing costs of maintaining a family home – rates, insurance, repairs, garden maintenance, utility bills for a larger space – many people discover retirement living actually works out to be more affordable than staying put.

“The survey highlighted that 70 per cent of Baby Boomers want to have support available if needed, and nearly a quarter are drawn to the security and safety that these communities offer,” says Aveo Chief Executive Officer Tony Randello.

The study identified the top six most valued features: security, support services, a restaurant or dining room, maintenance-free living and a pool. These amenities reflect what modern retirees value most: security, convenience and connection.

Myth 3: You'll be bored and isolated

Retirement communities somehow carry a reputation for being lonely places. Anyone who's tried to find a quiet spot during happy hour at Cherry Tree Grove would respectfully beg to disagree.

But not everyone at Cherry Tree Grove is as socially active as Mr Curlett, and that's completely fine. “I think it's up to the individual to get involved,” he says.

He and his wife regularly visit a less outgoing neighbour for drinks – the kind of organic connection that develops when you're surrounded by people at a similar life stage. “Some people are always going to all the things that are on at the community, others keep to themselves.”

For Mr Curlett, involvement means serving on the committee for 11 years, joining the Monday walking group that explores Melbourne by train and tram, socialising with neighbours and participating in many of the community activities.

“I like going to happy hour – we get almost 100 people from the village who come along each week and there's a lot of people to chat with,” he says. “My wife and I also have our lives outside of the community.”

Mr Randello notes that community living addresses a challenge many retirees face: life shrinking as we age. “They might have had very vibrant and connected lives, perhaps with children, and have been involved in community sporting groups, activities or hobby groups. They have worked and built connections through their careers.”

The decision to move into a retirement community helps their world open back up again. Within a community environment, you can get involved as much or as little as you like, but there's a natural sense of connection and peace of mind that contributes to everyone’s sense of belonging.

The changing face of retirement

“The baby boomer generation now represents half of the people who are moving into Aveo communities, and they are driving the change in housing options and community amenities,” Mr Randello says. “They expect choice and flexibility, and retirement village operators must adapt to meet their needs.”

This generation is more adventurous and financially literate. They're embracing apartment living at unprecedented rates, drawn to low-maintenance living and the privacy and security of an apartment within a community setting.

Women in particular are finding a different experience of community living. “In the past, moving to a retirement village was perhaps seen as a 'quiet next step', but now women are taking advantage of the age-restricted community living and finding connections with like-minded people,” Mr Randello explains.

With 94 per cent of surveyed retirees owning smartphones and almost 90 per cent still driving, today's retirees are tech-savvy and independent. Retiring from life is one thing – what if you found a new way to live it instead?

Ultimately, the myth that needs retiring is that retirement living means giving anything up. For people like Mr Curlett, who knew nothing about retirement communities before moving in, the reality has been quite the opposite: more independence, more connection and more freedom to focus on what matters most.

“We certainly haven't lost our independence here.”