With 79 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.
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Villages in Canterbury
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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.
How do I choose the right village for me?
More than 45,000 people live in retirement villages throughout New Zealand and research suggest that most people enjoy a high level of satisfaction living in a village. Of course, it all comes down to choosing a village that is right for you. Make sure you visit a village more than...
Thinking of retirement living? Here are the legal must-dos
‘Buying’ into a retirement village is not the same as purchasing a family home, for example. You need specialist legal advice, as there can be some legal ‘fishhooks’ to get your head around. The following questions are designed to assist in your decision-making process: Legal stuff Have you received and...
What are the costs of entering a village?
Depending on where you want to live in New Zealand, the cost of ‘buying’ into a village can vary greatly – some units can be priced in the $100,000s while others are in multi-millions. This ‘purchase’ price is known as the Capital Contribution Every retirement village unit listed on retirementvillages.co.nz...
What is the Retirement Villages Association (RVA)?
RVA is the abbreviation of the Retirement Villages Association. The RVA is the professional body which represents most Retirement Villages in New Zealand. Members of the Association pay a fee to belong. The Association works on behalf of their members in a number of areas. One important area is to...
Your options
Home and Community
Fully independent and living at home. There are many services to make life at home easier.
Retirement Village
Independent living in a purpose built property with varying levels of support.
Residential Care
The full service options for all the support and levels of care you could need.
News in the community
Want to read the latest news and events? See what's going on around NZ. This newsletter is created by contributions direct from the Eldernet community and is filled with good news and updates.
Palms Lifecare & Village - Retirement Village
Palms Village Open Day 20th Nov If you’re considering moving to a retirement village, an apartment or villa at Palms Village could be just the change you’re after. Palms Village is set amongst beautifully landscaped gardens, with modern buildings and a great location close to all the essentials. With affordable...
Waiapu House Lifecare & Village - Retirement Village
Waiapu House Fun Fair & Open Day Come on down and enjoy a morning of fun, food, and festivities, including: A Sausage Sizzle, Baking, Coffee Cart and Candy Floss. PLUS a Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Jumble Sale including Bric-a-brac, Plants, Whiteware and Arts & Crafts. You'll also be able to...
Stillwater Lifecare & Village - Retirement Village
Discover a comfortable and secure lifestyle at Stillwater Lifecare & village in Nelson’s picturesque surroundings. Designed to cater for your needs, these serviced apartments offer a range of services and facilities, ensuring a fulfilling and relaxed living experience. Located in a peaceful setting, Stillwater Lifecare & Village, Richmond provides residents...
Country Club Huapai - Retirement Village
We’re thrilled to share that Country Club Huapai has been recognised as the Best Medium/Large Retirement & Lifestyle Village, North Island at the 2025 Seniors NZ Best Awards! This award reflects the dedication of our team and the warmth of our community. It’s our residents, families, and friends whose experiences...