If you look at villages.com.au and type in the location you or a loved one wants to live, you will discover there are many Over 50s operators by water, be it the ocean or a river.
The natural gifts of such locations give an added advantage to operators of retirement villages or land lease communities.
An emerging land lease community is investing in the wellbeing of its residents by blending the natural beauty of the Hervey Bay region with million-dollar lifestyle facilities designed to promote residents’ health and happiness.
Designed to extend upon the existing benefits of its coastal location, over-50s community Vantage Hervey Bay by AVID Property Group has committed to providing outdoor lifestyle facilities for its residents in line with extensive research finding time spent outdoors to be physically and mentally beneficial for mature adults.
For Vantage Hervey Bay residents Jennie and Steve Neary and their dog Brandy, a home entwined with nature was a non-negotiable when they moved into their new community late last year.
“The beach is my happy place – we love taking our puppy down for walks along the ocean or esplanade and just enjoying our time in the fresh air, and at Vantage Hervey Bay we’re only five minutes away from the water,” Ms Neary said.
“When we’re not at the beach, we have a lovely little garden that keeps us busy, and we’ve been able to make so many new connections since we moved in just from walking around the community and chatting to the neighbours that we meet along the way.
“In the afternoons especially, the community seems to come alive with everyone out and about enjoying a walk to watch the sunset – some days we’re even lucky enough to see kangaroos! There’s Happy Hour on a Friday with a barbecue.”
Beyond the development of outdoor lifestyle amenities, to further facilitate active living for residents Vantage welcomes ownership of any animal in line with council requirements, setting the community apart from surrounding Over 50s villages which often impose weight restrictions around pet ownership.
Research reveals benefits experienced by mature adults with access to nature includes increased muscle strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health in mature adults, as well as mental benefits of reduced stress levels, and improved mood and cognitive function.
AVID General Manager Queensland and Land Lease Communities Anthony Demiris said the design of the community has been carefully considered to work in harmony with its natural surrounds, giving residents the choice between beachside and parkland leisure activities.
“The natural surrounds at Hervey Bay are truly outstanding, and building our community in cohesion with the environment was such an important aspect of our development in this region,” Anthony said.
“Beyond the benefits of being positioned just 10 minutes from the beach, we were committed to ensuring the community was built with active outdoor living in mind, giving residents an abundance of activities to choose from without even leaving the neighbourhood.
“Construction on our luxury $16.5m community Clubhouse is progressing well, and we look forward to being able to welcome residents to reap the rewards of the lifestyle amenities to their full extent soon.”
Upon completion of construction in the coming months, Vantage Hervey Bay residents will have their pick of built-in lifestyle amenities including an outdoor lap pool and adjoining spa, sauna, outdoor yoga lawn, community garden, resident-run community workshop, tennis and pickleball courts, and a network of walking and bike paths throughout the neighbourhood.