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Retirement Villages Canterbury

With 78 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

Showing 6 of 78 results


Retirement Village
  • 141 South Belt
  • Rangiora
  • Rangiora

Retirement Village
  • 123 Fendalton Road
  • Fendalton
  • Christchurch

Retirement Village
  • 39C McKenzie Street
  • Waihi Place
  • Geraldine

Retirement Village
  • 10 Teviotview Place
  • Amberley
  • Amberley

Retirement Village
  • 2 Athol Terrace
  • Upper Riccarton
  • Christchurch

Retirement Village
  • 93 Princes Street
  • Waikari
  • Waikari

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
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Do all villages have to be registered?

Most retirement villages in New Zealand are officially registered with the Registrar of Retirement Villages, which sits within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). If you’re living in a registered village, you’re protected by the Retirement Villages Act. This protects you if the village you're living in faces...

Retirement villages
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What is a Retirement Village?

Retirement villages are becoming an increasingly popular choice for older New Zealanders who want to live independently among a like-minded community of people. But what exactly is a retirement village, and what can you expect if you decide to move into one? Here's the legal definition Under Section 6 of...

Retirement villages
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Is a villa in a retirement village the right option for me?

There is a range of different accommodation options to choose from in retirement villages across New Zealand. A popular choice for many people is a villa. A villa is a good option for people wanting to maximise space. Villas are commonly free standing and offer a modern open plan kitchen,...

Retirement villages
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What is the Retirement Villages Code of Practice?

This Retirement Villages Code of Practice establishes minimum requirements that retirement village operators must comply with to meet their legal obligations in New Zealand. These include some occupation right agreement terms and different types of policies an operator must have. Provisions in the code are enforceable by residents against operators....

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