For Neil and Therese Forrest, the first concrete slab at Townsville’s newest land lease community represents more than a new home. It will bring them closer to the people who matter most.
Neil and Therese Forrest stood beside what was, for now, simply a new concrete slab.
But they could already see the home they will share, the neighbourhood taking shape around them and, most importantly, more time with their family.
The couple are moving from Far North Queensland to Townsville, where their seven grandchildren live.
“We visit family every month or so, and we want to be able to spend more time with them,” Therese said.
It is a decision many people approaching retirement will recognise. The family home and familiar neighbourhood may still hold years of memories, but the distance from children and grandchildren becomes harder to justify.
For Neil and Therese, moving to Lincoln Lifestyle Northern Beaches at Mount Low offers the chance to be closer without giving up their independence.
They have previously lived in a lifestyle community and know what suits them.
“We value having like-minded neighbours, lots of amenities close to home, and living within a gated, secure estate,” Therese said.
The couple selected the two-bedroom, two-bathroom Hibiscus home, with a double garage. Its layout was appealing, but so did the life they could picture beyond the front door.
“I’ll be able to walk our Staffy along Sanctum Boulevard in the mornings and stroll the walking paths with Neil in the evenings away from busy roads,” she said.
Their home will be one of the first 31 built by Townsville builder Glenn Sexton Constructions in the opening stage of the $200 million community.
When complete, Lincoln Lifestyle Northern Beaches will have 360 homes and a 6,200sqm lifestyle and amenities precinct.
The planned facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, a gym, sports pavilion, bowling green, pickleball courts, walking paths and outdoor dining areas. A separate clubhouse will have a cinema, library, dining room, kitchen, bar and lounge.
Yet the Forrests’ decision shows why land lease communities are attracting people who may once have expected to remain in the family home.
Residents own their home and lease the land beneath it. At Lincoln Lifestyle Northern Beaches, there is no stamp duty, council rates, body corporate, Deferred Management Fee or exit fee. Residents instead pay a weekly site fee, which includes the maintenance of the community facilities, plus their own utilities.
Two-bedroom homes start from $605,000.
Lincoln Place CEO Paul Yeo (pictured left) joined Neil and Therese as their slab was poured.
“Meeting future homeowners like Neil and Therese and seeing what it means to them really reinforces what this community is all about – a secure, connected and welcoming place for over-50s to enjoy life to the fullest, close to family,” he said.
Neil and Therese are not moving away from their old life. They are choosing to make the people they love a larger part of the life ahead.