At the age of 70, Julie (pictured right) “suddenly and unexpectedly” found herself separated from her husband of 50 years. The emotional turmoil was compounded by the stress of realising she was locked out of much of the real estate market around her hometown of Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast.
Then she remembered a conversation with a local tennis buddy who lived in the nearby over 55s land lease community of Pine Needles in Erina, who “painted a very good picture of life there.” She arranged a visit to her friend.
In 2021, Julie moved into her two-bedroom home, which she refurbished and updated with a new kitchen, flooring and blinds.
Today she has a wonderful circle of friends who enjoy trips and outings together. There’s tennis, swimming, weekly fitness classes, followed by coffee with the girls, lawn bowls, putting, happy hour at the clubhouse, dinner dances and live music nights. The list goes on.
It was the activities, the security and the sense of community she found at the family-owned and operated Pine Needles that Julie says helped her out of the horror “brain fog” that overwhelmed her when she found herself alone and struggling to find somewhere to live.
“The residents are from a variety of backgrounds and financial situations with different personalities and characters, which I love so much,” Julie says.
“I feel like a cat that had been thrown off a tall building and landed on its feet. Even if I came into a lot of money, I would never leave Pine Needles. This is my forever house.”
Research shows land lease residents are happier
Julie’s experience is borne out in research that reveals people living in land lease communities feel safer, happier and more connected in their community.
The Economic and Social Contribution of Manufactured Housing Estates in Australia report was published in July 2023. Commissioned by the Residential Land Lease Alliance (RLLA) and conducted by BDO EconSearch, the research found residents were overwhelmingly happier.
According to the report, people who live in land lease communities have higher than average self-reported personal well-being and satisfaction with their lives than the general population in Australia.
Most respondents also indicated that they feel safer, happier, more active and more connected to the community than they did before they relocated.
Couple trades family home for retirement community – with no regrets
Married couple Liz, 73, and Ross, 76, (pictured) were the first residents to move into Clifton Old Bar, a coastal town 20 minutes from Taree in 2019. They admit that at the time it felt like “a bit of a gamble” moving into the Mid North Coast community that took out the 2023 Land Lease Community of the Year award.
When asked what’s the best thing about their decision to sell the family home of 40 years and move into the community owned by Clifton Lifestyle, the couple don’t hesitate:
“Safety. That feeling of being safe. And not being lonely. No way am I lonely,” says Liz.
Ross said he was initially attracted to the fact there were no entry or exit fees and no council rates to pay.
“We thought, why spend money on a house when you can enjoy the money in your retirement?”
Liz adds: “We had a house, but it needed work, and I found myself filling the day doing housework. We had friends and neighbours, but I have to admit it was quite lonely. Now I have to try and make time to do housework because I’m too busy being active and socialising.
“We’ve learned to play croquet, we’ve learned Mahjong. There are music nights, happy hour at the clubhouse and dinners with friends. We really fill up our days. To be honest it has surprised me how much I enjoy it here.”
Kenny Phillips, Joint Managing Director of Clifton Lifestyle, said they were committed to creating more than just a place to live.
“We foster a vibrant community where residents can enjoy meaningful social connections and the financial peace of mind that comes with land lease living,” Kenny said.
“Our residents not only benefit from affordable luxury in a low-maintenance home, but also from a supportive environment that enhances their lifestyle and wellbeing. It’s this combination that makes our community so special.”
Providing connection for residents
NSW Land Lease Living Industry Association CEO, Lyndel Gray, said members were seeing the incredible benefits of connection for resident homeowners.
“Land lease communities offer people the opportunity to live in a house in a highly desirable location for less than the cost of traditional house and land options – but it’s much more than a comfortable and affordable lifestyle. It’s the sense of community that’s drawing more people to this growing home option,” Lyndel said.
“Time and time again we’re hearing reports from providers and homeowners that residents experience a sense of connection that is providing a real benefit for their health and wellbeing.
“This is reflected in this detailed research piece that showed that while the sector contributed approximately $2.2 billion to Australia’s GDP in 2021/22, it’s also delivering economic value to the community by avoiding mental health costs of approximately $14 million and avoiding physical inactivity-related illness costs of $3 million.
“These measurable economic benefits are the result of land lease community residents feeling safer, happier and part of a supportive community. They are less lonely and reaping the benefits of an active and connected lifestyle.”