Before you get your heart set on any particular village or unit, take your time to look around and gather as much information as you can. Talk to friends who've already done their research or who have moved into a village themselves. Explore all your options, and make sure you understand the legal and financial arrangements of each village, as they are all different.
We believe it’s important to think about what your needs are now and what they might be in the future. Your future needs may look quite different, so it's helpful to be realistic. For example, while most of us will never require residential care, none of us can guarantee what we might need in the future. Should this possibility factor into your decision? And if your needs do change, would you be comfortable moving elsewhere if the village you chose had no care offering?
Most people are quite independent when they move into a village. It’s likely you would be too, and you can expect village management to regard and treat you as such. But circumstances may change and as a result you may want some assistance. For example, you may want village staff to check on you from time to time or you may need some practical support or personal care to enable you to stay in your home. Depending on your contract and whether the relevant services are available, you may be able to continue living in your unit, even if you require quite a lot of support. Home-based support services may be delivered by the village or by an external provider. Some villages also offer serviced apartments where a range of services can be purchased from the village operator. A higher level of care may be obtained if you live in a care suite.
Villages vary greatly – you’ll notice different-sized villages, from very few units to some with hundreds; different types of units within the same complex; newer villages and older villages. You will discover the community facilities can vary, with some villages offering a wide range such as a swimming pool, bowling green and café, and others only a basic meeting room.
The differences are not just those you can see. The way the village operates can also vary. Factors that influence this include the ownership structure, the experience and/or stability of the ownership, and the associated philosophy towards village living.
All villages have associated costs including those for leaving. You need to be fully aware of these.
Whether you want an official tour of the village or would prefer to look around by yourself, make sure you visit a village more than once before you make a decision, and if possible visit more than one village to get a feel for how each has its own culture.
Meet the people you will have contact within the village – this may include the owner, the manager, and other residents. Talk to several residents to hear their perspective.
Find out if there are regular social events or meetings and ask if you can come along and see if the village community feels like a place you would want to be a part of. Staff at some villages have quite an active role in village life, while at others they have less.
Research shows most people enjoy a high level of satisfaction when living in a lifestyle or retirement village. Residents say the benefits of a village are numerous, and they will be different depending on your personal needs. These may include giving you peace of mind, new and varied activities and interests, new friendships, and a feeling of being free to do the things you enjoy and not having to worry about home maintenance and other chores.
Updated: 28 Nov 2025