For Norma Dennert, retirement was never going to be about slowing down.
Norma and her late husband Kevin retired about 20 years ago and soon after purchased a motor home so that they could spend their retirement pursuing their dream of travelling around Australia together.
What they didn’t anticipate was how difficult it was to keep up with the maintenance of their large family home while they were on the road.
“Our daughter was tending to our garden but had to travel a fair distance to do so.
“After a while we decided we’d have much more freedom and flexibility if we bought something smaller,” said Norma.
Norma and Kevin quickly decided that a home in a retirement community would offer them the independence and flexibility they were looking for.
After visiting a number of retirement villages they chose the Geelong Grove retirement community.
“My late husband and I looked at other villages but they were too big and too clustered.
“We were looking for a smaller retirement community where we’d have the opportunity to get to know everyone.
“Geelong Grove looked like a holiday resort and as soon as we walked in the manager made us feel incredibly welcome. We bought off the plan then and there.”
Norma has now lived at Geelong Grove for 15 years. She loves the village’s full sized bowling green and is part of several clubs within the retirement community. Norma is also a member of the residents’ committee.
Her advice to anyone considering moving into a retirement community is to have a look at the facilities to make sure they are happy with the unit they intend to purchase and, if possible, meet the other residents.
“Retirement really is what you make of it.
“For me, the move to Geelong Grove has meant that I’ve had more time to pursue my interests and hobbies and create new friendships.”
Geelong Grove invites everyone to come and experience retirement living.
Call 1300 160 170 to tour the community and view the available units.
