Additional Coverage:
- I’m 38 and live in a retirement village. My rent is cheap, and my neighbors have taught me how to be a better friend. (businessinsider.com)
Thirty-Something Finds Unexpected Bliss in Retirement Village
It’s not every day you hear about a 38-year-old living in a retirement village. But for one Melbourne woman, it’s turned out to be the perfect place to call home.
After a break-up left her needing a new place to live, she was struggling to find an affordable apartment in the competitive Melbourne market. A visit to her aunt, who lived in a retirement village, presented an unexpected solution.
When her aunt mentioned a vacancy, she initially hesitated, unsure how she would fit in. But with her aunt’s encouragement, she applied, despite the age restrictions.
Six weeks later, she was approved. She credits her aunt’s recommendation and her own expressed desire for community after her heartache.
Moving in was a surreal experience. Her two-bedroom apartment cost a fraction of the average Melbourne rent, and her new neighbors, including a retired school principal and an army veteran, welcomed her with open arms, even helping her set up her furniture.
Life in the village has been a welcome change of pace. Her days are filled with simple pleasures: morning coffee and the newspaper, walks, chair yoga, occasional cycling, and weekly bingo. Her evenings are equally relaxing, spent grocery shopping, cooking, or chatting with her neighbors.
Living amongst people not consumed by the rush of modern life has been a boon for her mental health. She’s learned valuable life lessons from her neighbors, sharing stories, advice, and even recipes.
Last week, she learned to make lemon bars and raves about her neighbor Anna’s chicken noodle soup. She’s embraced the slower pace and now views the village not as a temporary stop, but as her home.
Her experience has reshaped her perspective on aging, demonstrating that life after 70 or 80 can be full of agency, new hobbies, and friendships. The strong sense of community has also taught her the importance of being a good neighbor. She regularly leaves treats on her porch for others and helps with errands whenever possible, all while living just minutes from her aunt.
She encourages others to consider the unconventional option of retirement village living, suggesting that you never know where it might lead you.