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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.

Primary photo of Avon Lifecare (Family Owned)

Retirement Village
  • 437 Armagh Street
  • Linwood
  • Christchurch
Vacancy: -
Primary photo of Bainswood House - Rangiora Lifecare

Retirement Village
  • 191 King street
  • Rangiora
  • Rangiora
Vacancy: -
Primary photo of Methven Central

Retirement Village
  • 1-7 Methven Chertsey Road
  • Methven
  • Methven
Vacancy: -
Primary photo of Bupa Cashmere View Retirement Village, Christchurch

Retirement Village
  • 72 Rose Street
  • Somerfield
  • Christchurch
Vacancy: Yes
Primary photo of Bupa Ballarat Retirement Village

Retirement Village
  • 21 Ballarat Road
  • Rangiora
  • Rangiora
Vacancy: Yes
Primary photo of Diana Isaac Retirement Village

Retirement Village
  • 1 Lady Isaac Way
  • Mairehau
  • Christchurch
Vacancy: -

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.

What Retirement Villages have to offer

Thumbs up for Retirement Villages

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.

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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Is a care suite different to a serviced apartment?

A care suite is a hybrid-type option that combines a village offering (therefore something that requires an upfront ‘purchase’ price) and support at a higher level of care as certified by Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health and governed by the Age Related Residential Care (ARRC) Agreement. They may also be...

Retirement villages
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Do all villages have to be registered?

The majority retirement villages in New Zealand are registered with the Registrar of Retirement Villages, a part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Residents living in a registered village are protected by the Retirement Villages Act 2003. This includes protecting residents from mortgagee sales, liquidation or receivership, and...

Retirement villages
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Thinking of retirement living? Start here

Villages in New Zealand vary greatly – in size, location, on-site offerings, ownership, philosophy and of course price – so it comes down to choosing the village that best suits your needs. Before you get your heart set on any particular village or unit, spend plenty of time studying your...

Retirement villages
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Thinking of retirement living? Read these key financial tips

Just like any property purchase, purchasing into a village is a big financial commitment. Ensure you know the financial ins and outs of each retirement village, as they can vary from village to village and region to region, so ensure you get specialist legal advice. Here are some things to...

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