Tairawhiti/Gisborne

Why choose a retirement village in Tairawhiti/Gisborne?

Gisborne takes pride in being the first city in the world to see the sun rise each day. Its laid back, relaxed atmosphere owes a lot to that sunny reputation, and its surf beaches and world-class wineries. There’s plenty of good food on offer too, with cafes and restaurants dotted round the city, and citrus orchards and other growers complementing the vineyards. It’s been a holiday destination for generations of Kiwi families, and is the gateway to the East Cape beaches.

If that easy-does-it lifestyle – sun, surf, food and wine – sounds idyllic to you in your retirement, then this region might be your perfect match. There are plenty of retirement village options to choose from too.

A retirement village is a community specially built to cater for the needs and lifestyle of older people. Choosing to live in a retirement village can be a great option for those wanting to maintain their independence while living among a like-minded community of people.

Research shows most people enjoy a high level of satisfaction when living in a lifestyle or retirement village. For residents, the benefits can be numerous; these may include giving you peace of mind, new and varied activities and interests, new friendships, and time to be able to spend on the things you most enjoy.

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 offering a wide range such as swimming pool, bowling green and café. Eligibility age differs across villages too – some villages may allow residents to enter at 55 while others commonly have an entry age between 65 and 75.

As well as providing a range of different accommodation options, many villages now offer alternatives, such as care suites, which combine village offerings and residential care components. 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.

When you are ready to visit some retirement villages, our checklist may help you with your assessment.