Downsizing
3 minute read

Lifestyle Communities®: The Solution for Retirement Living

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Retirement living can be a challenging period, with many older adults facing the rising cost of living and healthcare expenses in Victoria. However, downsizing to a smaller home, apartment, or a Lifestyle Community can offer a practical solution. Not only does downsizing reduce monthly expenses, but it also frees up equity and can lower maintenance and utility costs.

Lifestyle Communities® are designed for over 50's which offering a range of amenities. Located in Melbourne they include swimming pools, fitness centres, and clubhouses. Living in a Lifestyle home provides that sense of community and social interaction. From book clubs to exercise classes and trips there are a wide variety of activities and events to engage in.

Aside from the comfort and social benefits, downsizing to a Lifestyle Community also offers financial benefits. Government allowances, such as rental assistance for pensioners and veterans, can offset the cost of living. At Lifestyle Communities®, the weekly site fee for a single person on the Age Pension can be as low as $123.43 with rental assistance.

In addition to government allowances, downsizing also reduces the overall cost of living, as council rates are typically waived and there's no need to worry about maintaining a large property.

There's also the Deferred Management Fee (DMF), a fee paid when you sell your home.

The Deferred Management Fee (DMF) covers the cost of improving and contemporising your community over time. As a long-term operator, Lifestyle communities has a 30-year refurbishment plan in place for every community. The DMF allows us to keep the cost of purchasing a home as low as possible and ensures we have a vested interest in growing the value of your property. The DMF is only payable when you sell your home.

  • It supports affordability by deferring some costs typically payable upfront, until later, when you choose to sell your home
  • The ability to enjoy equity free up when you purchase
  • Average capital growth of 9.5% pa over the last 10 years, representing a strong financial return
  • A mutual interest in driving capital growth of your home
The Deferred Management fee is capped at 20% after five years, regardless of how long you stay, allowing you to benefit from continued capital growth. You’ll pay 4% of the home value on the sale for each full year. If you sell part-way through a year, you’ll pay a pro-rata amount of the 4% annual increase. Lifestyle Communities has averaged 9.5% capital growth per annum over the last 10 years. With our average house price growth running at 9.5%, this more than covers this meaning that nearly all our homeowners leave with a cash excess when the sell their home and pay the fee.

Activities

There are a variety of activities offered at Lifestyle Communities®, including swimming, tennis, golf, and pickle-ball. Lifestyle also runs group fitness classes such as yoga, Tai Chi, and Zumba. These activities can help maintain physical health and provide an opportunity for social interaction.

Social Events

Lifestyle Communities® offer a calendar of social events, including book clubs, movie nights, and game nights, as well as seminars and workshops. These events provide an opportunity to engage with others and participate in activities of interest.

Wellness Programs

The communities offer wellness programs to promote both physical and mental health. This includes strength and conditioning classes, aqua aerobics, and other physical activities. Lifestyle also offers seminars and workshops focused on mental and emotional well-being.

Community Gardens

Community gardens provide an opportunity for residents to get outside, enjoy fresh air, and grow their own fruits and vegetables.

Clubhouses

Clubhouses provide a space for residents to gather and socialise, with amenities such as pools, fitness centres, and libraries.

Transportation Services

Lifestyle Communities® offer a range of transportation services, including shuttle buses and vans, to make it easier for residents to get around. They can be used to travel to other communities, attend appointments, go shopping, and explore the community locations.

Security

The communities have gated entrances, security cameras, and security personnel to ensure the safety and security of residents.

Maintenance Services

Maintenance services are offered to take care of everyday tasks, such as landscaping and housekeeping. This relieves the difficulty of managing a large home and garden for seniors.

Contact Lifestyle Communities® today! To learn more about Lifestyle Communities, and all the benefits of living in a retirement living community call 1300 50 55 60.

Or go to the Lifestyle Communities home page now!

https://www.lifestylecommuniti...