The pros and cons of retirement village living

Get the 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 from Stuff's Homed team ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [Support our Journalism]( [Support our Journalism »](   HOMED 17 August 2024   Kia ora {NAME}, We don’t hear so much debate about the pros and cons of retirement village living lately. Many of us know people who have moved into a village and found a new lease of life. I have yet to meet someone who has chosen to move out, but I have heard it does happen occasionally. (If that was you, perhaps you could get in touch!) But it isn’t for everyone, and not everyone can afford that lifestyle. This week I had the chance to talk to a couple (late 70s and 80s) who could have opted for village life, but [chose instead to build an amazing small architectural home in suburban Feilding](. This was the third house Julia and Kevin True have built, so they are familiar with the process, and they have worked in the building industry - Kevin is a plumber and, at 82, did all the plumbing on their new build. He still does plumbing jobs around town, but he’s not so keen on crawling under houses any more. The couple put their trust in architect Monika Puri of 242am and it was incredibly well rewarded. They went along with her suggestions and have a highly energy-efficient house that relates to the form of the neighbouring properties. But it has a real point of difference - a soaring peak allows sunlight to flood the house all day long. And Julia has the sunny sewing room she wanted right at the front of the house. Monika didn’t block off the house from the street. Rather, it addresses the street - the couple is a key part of the local community after all. And this is one of the things I love about their choice. They have security, but they don’t feel the need to lock themselves away behind huge gates. It’s inspiring. Enjoy your weekend. Colleen Hawkes Senior Reporter Colleen Hawkes Senior Reporter Enjoying this email? [Check out Stuff's other daily and weekly newsletters.](   [Inside a stunning high performance Wellington home]( When Sandip Kalsy arrived in New Zealand, he was shocked by the poor quality of the housing stock. He and his partner determined to do better. [Why this ad]( [‘Gotham City’: Iconic Metropolis penthouse in Auckland is listed]( Hidden away at the top of the city, the Metropolis penthouse even features a classic Chevvy helicoptered into the living area. Couple in late 70s and 80s build new home ... and do their own plumbing]( It was never going to be a retirement village for Julia and Kevin True of Feilding – they wanted something completely different. Nearly half of Kiwis want their home to help them earn - Ikea report]( House-related side hustles are higher in NZ than the global average, and you might be surprised what we like to do in our garages. 20-year-old who’s loved real estate since age 9 finally buys own home]( When most 9-year-olds were playing Fortnite, or sneaking off to the skate park with their mates, Lewis Pollock was checking out open homes. Support the Stuff you love. If you enjoy this content, please consider making a contribution. It can be as little as the cost of the coffees you drink while enjoying our news, podcasts and videos. [I'd like to contribute →]( [Discover more at Homed]( [Manage Stuff Account]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Terms & Conditions]( | [Privacy Policy]( You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the Stuff Homed newsletter. Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get the Stuff Homed newsletter in your inbox.]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland 1021, New Zealand [Instagram]( [TikTok]( [YouTube]( * You can email us at [feedback@stuff.co.nz](mailto:*%20You%20can%20email%20us%20at%20feedback@stuff.co.nz,%20or%20call%20us%20on%C2%A00800%20339%20000.), or call us on [0800 339 000](tel:0800%20339%20000).