Debbie Hayes was so taken with Lincoln Place’s Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate, the land lease community in Neath, she was prepared to move 460km south from Grafton.
Kylie Bye, from nearby Maitland, also loved the thought of moving into a modern, low-maintenance home in a welcoming community.
The pair met when they arrived at the community to sign the paperwork for their new homes that placed them living directly opposite each other.
“We began chatting that day and we clicked,” Debbie recalls. “Now, we’re inseparable. We share so much in common and laugh together all the time. Kylie really is the best neighbour I could have asked for.”
Kylie agrees, saying the friendship has filled a void. “I lost my mum earlier this year, and Deb stepped in like family. Her support and company mean the world to me. And if Deb needs any help around her house, my husband is there to assist.’’
From their regular shopping trips to evenings spent around the community firepit, Kylie and Debbie’s friendship reflects the vibrant and social lifestyle residents enjoy across the estate.
“We often find ourselves standing out in the middle of the road outside our houses having a chat, and before long, other neighbours stop, and suddenly we’ve got a little street gathering happening,” Kylie says.
Debbie adds with a laugh, “Someone joked the other day that an overpass should be built in our street so cars could get around us!”
Debbie, who downsized from a 10ha property, says, “Moving here was the best decision I’ve ever made. I decided it was time for me. I arrived on my own, but I’ve found the most supportive community I could ask for.”
Kylie and her husband searched up and down the NSW coast for a home in their price range. “We discovered Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate and now own our brand-new home outright, complete with a fully fenced yard where our two small dogs can roam freely,’’ she said.
Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate is a land lease community, offering affordable, secure and low maintenance living for over-50s. Residents enjoy a range of facilities including the new community centre with lounge areas, games room, outdoor dining areas, an upgraded pool, gym, pickleball court, and bowling green.
Only an hour from Newcastle, the lifestyle estate is surrounded by world-class wineries, boutique towns and national parks. Under the land lease model, residents retain full ownership of their home and any capital gains, while leasing the land. There’s no stamp duty, no exit fees, no body-corporate fees, and no council rates. The only ongoing cost is a weekly site rental fee for the land that also covers the maintenance of the community and the lifestyle amenities.
What are land lease communities and why are they so popular?
Lincoln Place Community Portfolio Manager Simone Davis said Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate embodies the best of modern downsizer living.
“Here, people don’t just buy a home, they join a community. It’s about affordable homes, quality facilities, and the chance to create the kind of meaningful friendships that Debbie and Kylie share,” Simone said.
The final stage of homes at Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate are under construction offering the last opportunity to buy a new home in the sought-after community. Two-bedroom homes from $395,000 can be secured on a $1,500 refundable deposit. For a limited time, purchasers receive a $5,000 package, including downsizing advice and help with moving costs.