Jump to Content

Retirement Villages Canterbury

With 77 retirement villages in Canterbury, the region boasts one of the largest choices of retirement living in New Zealand. From the hustle and bustle of Christchurch, down to coastal Timaru, or head north to Amberley for some fresh country air, you’ve got everything on your doorstep in Canterbury.

Let us help you find somewhere

Villages in Canterbury

Showing 6 of 77 results


Retirement Village
  • 300 Island Road
  • Silverstream
  • Kaiapoi

Retirement Village
  • 21 Windermere Road
  • Papanui
  • Christchurch

Retirement Village
  • 5 Corbett Crescent
  • Aidanfield
  • Christchurch

Retirement Village
  • 1 Methven Chertsey Road
  • Methven
  • Methven

Retirement Village
  • 120 Hawthornden Road
  • Avonhead
  • Christchurch

Retirement Village
  • 135 Awatea Road
  • Wigram
  • Christchurch

Why choose a Retirement Village in Canterbury?

Canterbury offers one of the largest choices of retirement living anywhere in New Zealand. Even the city of Christchurch has so many options: the leafy suburbs of Merivale and Fendalton, the bustle of Riccarton and Papanui, or the relaxed feel of beachside Sumner. Close by there’s the new and growing satellite town of Rolleston in the Selwyn district, with its roots in the country but a distinctly modern urban feeling as well. Slightly further afield you’ll find Akaroa, with its French aura, quaint architecture, and beautiful beachside atmosphere, or Kaiapoi, famous for its historic woollen mills. And just to add to your difficulty choosing, there’s the long-established provincial Canterbury towns of Amberley, Ashburton and Rangiora.

Heading south from Christchurch across the Canterbury Plains, you’ll come to Timaru. Set on the coast, this busy port city is the industry hub for South Canterbury as well as the supply centre for its surrounding farmlands. The pretty town of Geraldine is on the inland loop; in the heart of a well-established and prosperous farming area, it also has a range of boutiques and galleries that reflect its artistic aspect.

In this region you’ll find a group of retirement villages, each offering different options. Perhaps you’re returning to your roots in retirement or coming into town off the farm. You can choose from villas, cottages or apartments; resort-style independent retirement living and villages offering a full range of care, should you ever need it.

All about retirement villages

A retirement village is a community specially built to cater towards the needs and lifestyles of older people. Many retirement villages offer units, villas, suites, or serviced suites. This gives you the option to choose to live independently within the village environment or to get extra help with cleaning or meal delivery.

Retirement villages
card icon
Looking for a retirement village property? Consider this

Retirement villages in Aotearoa New Zealand offer a wide range of accommodation options, including villas, townhouses, apartments, and studios ( learn more here ). Remember – whichever option you choose will become your home, so it needs to feel right for your lifestyle. Here are some questions to ask when...

Retirement villages
card icon
How can I leave a retirement village? Can I change my mind?

You have the right to leave a retirement village whenever you choose but you need to be aware that there are costs associated when you do. Learn more about the costs of exiting a village. Remember: even after you sign an ORA, you have a ’15-day ‘cooling off’ period during...

Retirement villages
card icon
What costs will I still need to pay once I enter a village?

You are responsible for paying for your personal costs, such as personal contents insurance, internal maintenance to your dwelling, power, phone and paid television/streaming services. You may also find that some activities/outings incur additional costs too. Most retirement villages in New Zealand also charge weekly fees, which covers expenses such...

Retirement villages
card icon
Mythbusting - Retirement Villages are a rip-off

You might have heard that people lose a lot of money when they move into a Retirement Village, or that entering a village is a ‘rip-off'. Generally, comments like these usually come from not fully understanding how the financial arrangements in villages work, because they're quite different from a standard...

find more articles in the Knowledge Lab

What's New

Curious about what’s happening in the Eldernet community? This is where you’ll find the latest updates and news from people across the motu.

Sign up for our e-newsletter and receive the latest information to support you on your ageing journey.

Join Eldernet