Over 50's Lifestyle Village.

JohnR · Senior Member

Over 50's Lifestyle Village.

Cupie · Guru

We were attracted to the 'Life Style' of the over 50's Villages after visits to a complex where a friend lives.

However, the financial aspects were not to our liking.

I think that if we do decide to change it will be to a single level home that requires less maintenance than our current large high set family home.

biggles2 · Veteran Member

.. interesting thoughts !!

In my case, after being permanently on the road for many years, health changes have now caused my nomadic wanderings to stop. I now reside in a "base" I established for travelling purposes and quite happy to be still living in much the same mode as when travelling.

Nearest medical facilities might be 90 k's away, but for me it's no different to when I was travelling. Still a solo, I didn't have to consider a partner in my decisions which of course may have changed the status quo ..

One other consideration we all must ponder, is finances too .. and what "accessories" we can happily live without in our comfort zones. Do you need a social environment where your own existance can be easily observed, or would you be happy to live away from the madding crowds as I do ..

I'll enjoy reading other comments too ..

Jon

jade46 · Senior Member

Have a look at " Latitude 25" at Hervey Bay. Very nice. 3 bedroom if you want a bigger house.

visitlatitude25.com.au/

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

Cupie wrote:
We were attracted to the 'Life Style' of the over 50's Villages after visits to a complex where a friend lives.

However, the financial aspects were not to our liking.

I think that if we do decide to change it will be to a single level home that requires less maintenance than our current large high set family home.

Yep, this.

We did some research on a similar place in HB, but decided that the up-front cost, plus the (expensive) on-goings just did not make financial sense for us.

They definitely have their place for well-heeled retirees looking for a base which will accommodate some fairly serious caravans etc.

woolman · Guru

We have, 8 mths ago, moved from 3500 acres to an over 50s lifestyle village. Don't regret the decision at all. So much to do that we have to plan rest time otherwise it is go go go. 99% of people get on with well so not hard to avoid those we wish. Yards maintained, motor home secure parking, gated comunity. and close to medical facilities. What more do we want, as can swim/exercise in heated pool and relax in spa, that someone else cleans and maintains.

time to enjoy life now

Neil

LLD · Guru

Ballarat has many 50+ villages but all are very pricey. However, chatting to a fellow nomad and motorcyclist at the weekend, he (and wife) recently moved into a "transportable" home in a totally re-vamped van park that is now a 50+ village. I've seen similar in many other places. He likes it as a home base. Comfortable, modern, relatively inexpensive, small, easy to look after, and security when they are away. His RV is a Winnebago and I'm assuming there is storage at the back of the complex. And close to good medical facilities.

Rusty W · Veteran Member

Hi, we have lived in a lifestyle village (rv homebase Maryborough) for the last three and a half years built for caravans and motorhomes etc. Every house has a garage to fit your Rv in with most at 16mx6m with 3.6metre high door 15 amp power plugs ,water and sullage hook up tv and data all beside you Rv in the garage it can double as an extra bedroom as well. The village has all the usual things including a covered caravan wash bay with gantry to wash the roof of your van. Also 2 men sheds with one doubling as a workshop to service your car or caravan in, just book it with the office and it's yours for 2-3 days if you want. There is also 12 bays for your friends/ family to park their vans if they want to visit for a couple of days with power and water hook up for free.
We need a ten day week to fit all the activities in.

With everybody into the Rv lifestyle you always have something in common to talk about, like your last trip or your next one or your next mod.

There are no colourbond fences to hem you in and plenty of green zones and gardens to wander around in also. You can also get rent assistance if you qualify.
We have never had so many friends as we have now. I could go on and on but won't bore you anymore.
regards Russell

PeterD · Guru

2-Smiths wrote:
Cupie wrote:
We were attracted to the 'Life Style' of the over 50's Villages after visits to a complex where a friend lives.
However, the financial aspects were not to our liking.
I think that if we do decide to change it will be to a single level home that requires less maintenance than our current large high set family home.
Yep, this.
We did some research on a similar place in HB, but decided that the up-front cost, plus the (expensive) on-goings just did not make financial sense for us.
They definitely have their place for well-heeled retirees looking for a base which will accommodate some fairly serious caravans etc.

What were the "expensive on-goings?" Was that just the rent or were there other things as well? If you are thinking that the rent is large in residential land lease villages then compare it with the body corporate fees, council rates and all the other things that add up in the on-goings in a strata title establishment.

With residential land lease you are renting the land so you are entitled to rent assistance if you are on at least a part pension. Figure that in and you will find our villages are way cheaper to live in than strata title.

PeterD · Guru

LLD wrote:
Ballarat has many 50+ villages but all are very pricey. However, chatting to a fellow nomad and motorcyclist at the weekend, he (and wife) recently moved into a "transportable" home in a totally re-vamped van park that is now a 50+ village. I've seen similar in many other places. He likes it as a home base. Comfortable, modern, relatively inexpensive, small, easy to look after, and security when they are away. His RV is a Winnebago and I'm assuming there is storage at the back of the complex. And close to good medical facilities.

In NSW the communities that are known via colloquialisms such as 50+ villages, manufactured home villages and lifestyle villages are legally known as Residential land lease communities. I think that this term is becoming common Oz wide. I dislike the term "Lifestyle Village" as there are others in NSW using the same term for strata title villages that they are flogging homes in. I hope you people above have checked that you are not also referring to lifestyle villages thatare strata title and not land lease style.

There is a good web site that explains the ins and outs of the various styles of villages, see - Strata and community living - Fair Trading NSW - Each page has extra information via the menu on the RHS.

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

PeterD wrote:
2-Smiths wrote:
Cupie wrote:
We were attracted to the 'Life Style' of the over 50's Villages after visits to a complex where a friend lives.
However, the financial aspects were not to our liking.
I think that if we do decide to change it will be to a single level home that requires less maintenance than our current large high set family home.
Yep, this.
We did some research on a similar place in HB, but decided that the up-front cost, plus the (expensive) on-goings just did not make financial sense for us.
They definitely have their place for well-heeled retirees looking for a base which will accommodate some fairly serious caravans etc.
What were the "expensive on-goings?" Was that just the rent or were there other things as well? If you are thinking that the rent is large in residential land lease villages then compare it with the body corporate fees, council rates and all the other things that add up in the on-goings in a strata title establishment.
With residential land lease you are renting the land so you are entitled to rent assistance if you are on at least a part pension. Figure that in and you will find our villages are way cheaper to live in than strata title.

I hear you. That's why when we bought, we bought a standalone place, so no strata title/body corp. expenses.

Cupie · Guru

PeterD wrote:
2-Smiths wrote:
Cupie wrote:
We were attracted to the 'Life Style' of the over 50's Villages after visits to a complex where a friend lives.
However, the financial aspects were not to our liking.
I think that if we do decide to change it will be to a single level home that requires less maintenance than our current large high set family home.
Yep, this.
We did some research on a similar place in HB, but decided that the up-front cost, plus the (expensive) on-goings just did not make financial sense for us.
They definitely have their place for well-heeled retirees looking for a base which will accommodate some fairly serious caravans etc.
What were the "expensive on-goings?" Was that just the rent or were there other things as well? If you are thinking that the rent is large in residential land lease villages then compare it with the body corporate fees, council rates and all the other things that add up in the on-goings in a strata title establishment.
With residential land lease you are renting the land so you are entitled to rent assistance if you are on at least a part pension. Figure that in and you will find our villages are way cheaper to live in than strata title.

The financial aspects that applied in my case were ...

(Of course there are lots of different financial/contractual arrangements applicable to the various developments).

One that we looked most closely at had the following conditions (that complied with the relevant State Legislation)

- Purchase price for a 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathroom, 1 car garage brick duplex with water view (over mangroves) ... $680,000 ( For comparison.. Local 4 b, 2 bath, 2 car, brick lowset on 650sm appx $550,000)

- 99 year lease of land & building (therefore no rent assistance available for land charges)

- monthly charges circa $700

- Pay own power & communications .. Solar not allowed & FTTN NBN only

- On exit, payment to 'development owner' 9% of Sale Price for each of the first 4 years ... ie up to 36% of sale price

- On exit, additional payment to developer of 50% of any Capital growth (any capital loss 100% your loss)

-On exit, the building to be restored to 'original' condition as defined by developer .. eg .. complete repaint, carpet refurbishment, remove non standard 'improvements' & reinstate surfaces, repair all non- fair wear & tear, all work by developers contractors .. at your cost. Any improvements that are 'to standard' eg Airconditioners, are part of the premises with no extra compensation.

- Sale managed by the developer.

- Continue to pay monthly fees until sale ... but limited to (I think) 3 months. Then negotiated 'reduced'? fees.

Oh yes, If you are deemed to be not capable of independent living you must vacate & sell the unit.

That's all I can recall from memory.

As I said there are many, many variations to the financial arrangements under the States' Legislation.

PeterD · Guru

Cupie, you were referring to something completely different to what JohnR was referring to. As a rough guess you were looking at a retirement village and not a residential land lease village. They are poles apart in the financial department. Land lease will win every time.

Cupie · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Cupie, you were referring to something completely different to what JohnR was referring to. As a rough guess you were looking at a retirement village and not a residential land lease village. They are poles apart in the financial department. Land lease will win every time.

Yes, you are correct.

As I stated, there are a range of different options available with their 'names' often interchanged by many but the most pedantic.

One must be careful when considering any option, to be well informed on the legalities.

In fact, in the case of at least the relevant Qld. legislation, the Contract document must include a full page declaration, signed by the purchaser and a Solicitor, confirming that the purchaser has taken legal advice on the conditions of the Contract. Previously, the Principal of such a village was also required to provide those enquiring with a PID or Product information Document that outlined all of the proscribed conditions. This has been changed to include a series of stand alone relevant documents that serve the same purpose.

Anyone considering a move to any of these places aught to start by reading the relevant legislation along with the PID equivalent of the selected facility & engaging a solicitor who specialises in that aspect of Law. Be certain that they have the correct description & conditions of what they are getting in to.

Please understand that I am certainly not anti such establishments & have several friends who are more than happy with living in the one that they have chosen, along with a few friends who are most unhappy but feel trapped.

PS. The example that I quoted is marketed as An 'over 60's Lifestyle Village' although the headline description in their brochures is "Beach front Retirement"

Rusty W · Veteran Member

High Cupie, all I can Say about the one you listed is YUK YUK and double yuk. We just pay rent and electricity and that is all, no exit fees etc. Some peoples electricity bills are around $2 a quarter as they are away vanning for 3-6 months at a time. It's a tough life but somebody has to do it.
regards Russell

PeterD · Guru

Cupie wrote:
PS. The example that I quoted is marketed as An 'over 60's Lifestyle Village' although the headline description in their brochures is "Beach front Retirement"

Another example of why I don't like the use of lifestyle village. The term is used for too many types of village. If you stick to the legal terms then you should make your meaning clear.

2-Smiths · Veteran Member

PeterD wrote:
Cupie wrote:
PS. The example that I quoted is marketed as An 'over 60's Lifestyle Village' although the headline description in their brochures is "Beach front Retirement"
Another example of why I don't like the use of lifestyle village. The term is used for too many types of village. If you stick to the legal terms then you should make your meaning clear.

If you put yours and Cupie's comments together, you can probably get a sense as to why they do that.

Market something as a "lifestyle Village" (when in fact it is anything but), and see how many people fail to read the fine print...

Seems to be working well for some of these places...

PeterD · Guru

2-Smiths wrote:
PeterD wrote:
Cupie wrote:
PS. The example that I quoted is marketed as An 'over 60's Lifestyle Village' although the headline description in their brochures is "Beach front Retirement"
Another example of why I don't like the use of lifestyle village. The term is used for too many types of village. If you stick to the legal terms then you should make your meaning clear.
If you put yours and Cupie's comments together, you can probably get a sense as to why they do that.
Market something as a "lifestyle Village" (when in fact it is anything but), and see how many people fail to read the fine print...
Seems to be working well for some of these places...

Michael, What I am pointing out is that the term "Lifestyle Village" is a term that has no real definition. The term was first used back when our villages were correctly known as manufactured home villages. Some "smart" salesmen used the upmarket term as they perceived that manufactured homes were no acceptable for upper crust purchasers. The term was quickly applied to this and other villages owned by the Adventists. These in turn are in the collective villages.com.au/ that use the term lifestyle village extensively. Drop down the "RETIREMENT LIVING" tab and see their reach.

hokianga · Senior Member

I don't have a lot of knowledge regarding legalities of lifestyle villages and such, but we had one couple that stayed in our park for a few days that ived I believe in a lifestyle village taht were going to leave,as there were a few hidden extra charges, like a charge of $30 to read their power meter? Watch out for the small writing wherever you look.

Cupie · Guru

If you are interested in the NSW market then the following link gives you an overview of Residential Land Lease and Retirement villages Boarding houses Strata Title living and the like. You can step through the various types by clicking the link at the foot of each paper.

I'll see if I can find similar for Qld.

https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-property/strata-and-community-living/residential-land-lease-communities

This is the Qld 'Retirement Villages Legislation. A bit harder to read & doesn't provide actual village details.

https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/sl-2018-0207

-- Edited by Cupie on Saturday 23rd of February 2019 03:40:45 PM

PeterD · Guru

Heather (hokianga), what park are you referring to that is charging the $30 meter reading fee? Things like that are not permitted in NSW. If it was a NSW establishment then it does not sound like a land lease community.

-- Edited by PeterD on Saturday 23rd of February 2019 04:31:28 PM

PeterD · Guru

In Qld, the equivalent of the NSW Land Lease communities is governed by the - Manufactured Homes (Residential Parks) Act 2003 and subsequent amendments - There is a little more here - Manufactured homes and the links under that heading on the LHS.

hokianga · Senior Member

Sorry i cannot recall, apparently it was written into their agreement and there was nothing they could do about it. Luckily for them there were no exit fees involved.