Elizabeth Ludlam

“When it was suggested that I register an interest in one of the ‘Own Your Own’ units at the Riverview independent living village, I wasn’t over enthusiastic, thinking, ‘I’m not that old, still have a part time job, that place is for ‘old’ people.’ 

Five years later we were at the top of the applicants’ list, and the timing was fortuitous. Our home was on the market. It was time to downsize.

Now, seven years later, I see our move as totally positive. We retained an independent lifestyle, without having to be maintain repairs and maintenance on an older home. Have a much smaller area of gardens to set up as we wished, and bliss – someone else is responsible to mow the lawns!

Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed so much in our wider rural village and farming area. Yet our units securely withstood nature’s ferocity. Although our unit is in the lowest section, there was no issue with drainage, and daily checks of all the units from the Trust during the cyclone ensured everyone was safe.

I highly recommend our rural retirement village, the panoramic views from our windows; the short walk to the shops; the sense of being involved in a small community of fellow oldies. Life is good here at the Riverview.”