Centrally located in a quiet suburb, a stone’s throw from hospital and medical facilities, shopping centres and the beautiful Anderson Gardens, it’s no wonder independent senior living village Villa McAuley has a wait list!

When it comes to downsizing your home during retirement, totally independent assisted living is an attractive option. It allows you the freedom of living independently, coming and going as you please, making your own food, hosting guests as you always have, but with added support and benefits you don’t get from remaining in a standard residence.

For many people, moving to a retirement community like Villa McAuley has allowed them a new lifestyle, one that means less time maintaining a large family home, and more time socialising and enjoying hobbies.

 At the village’s community centre, the calendar includes regular activities, from weekly bingo to twice weekly indoor bowls, thrice weekly cards and hoy bi-monthly. There’s also Thai Chi, craft, Mahjong and a library of books and DVDs, an onsite shop and hair salon, and regular BBQs with families and friends of residents invited to join in.

“We have some ex-Stage Door Theatre people living here too, and they put on an annual variety concert called The Village Show,” says Villa McAuley Manager Laurell Miller. This year’s theme is Back to School, with the show set for September 7.

There’s also the reassurance that if a fan breaks, the stove dies or the fridge stops working, it is the village’s responsibility.

“We take security and the safety of our community seriously, with cameras fitted throughout the grounds and regular security patrols.”

“We are responsible for all maintenance,” says Laurell. “Residents don’t pay rates or insurance on their unit, as they buy a licence to live here. Prices at Villa McAuley are very affordable, and residents only need to insure personal belongings and pay for their electricity, phone and internet.

“Security is a key concern for many people considering relocating to a community like ours,” explains Laurell. “We take security and the safety of our community seriously, with cameras fitted throughout the grounds and regular security patrols.

“I’m also on call 24-7, and we have an open-door policy,” adds Laurell, “so the residents just pop in or phone me if they have any questions at all. We don’t really have staff turnover, so it’s the same faces around the place, which is nice. Our residents and residents’ families are dealing with the same people. I’ve been at Villa McAuley for 19 years, one of our gardeners has been here over 20 years! It really is a lovely community.”

With only 117 units, Villa McAuley is an exclusive address. Currently, there are no vacancies and a wait list. Laurell advises that anyone interested in relocating to Villa McAuley, to phone the centre and join the waitlist.

Laurell says there is no fee to put your or your loved one’s name on the waitlist, and recommends doing this five years before you/they will be ready to relocate.

To join the wait list, or to arrange a tour of the grounds, contact Laurell Miller at Villa McAuley on 4779 9847.