Whanganui

Why choose a retirement village in Whanganui?

Whanganui sits at the mouth of the Whanganui River, steeped in history and the longest navigable waterway in the country. The city has been shaped by its relationship with the river but is now also known for its thriving creative arts scene. Wander its streets and you’ll find studios and workshops, galleries and craft shops to explore. You can often watch artisans concentrating on their craft, before stopping for coffee or lunch at one of the many cafes. In the evening you can take in a show at the restored Opera House, after dinner at a nearby restaurant.

If this is where you’re planning to retire, you can look forward to weekly visits to the River Traders Market to buy fresh, bursting with goodness fruit and vegetables and other delicious goodies. When the grandchildren come to visit, they’ll love riding the Durie Hill Elevator for the amazing views at the top or scooting or biking round charming Virginia Lake. And in Whanganui or neighbouring Marton, you’re just an easy driving distance to Wellington, New Plymouth, Palmerston North or the ski-fields and Taupo.

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.