What You Should Know Before Moving Into a Retirement Village

Thinking about moving into a retirement village? Whether you're planning the move for yourself or helping a parent, it’s a big step—and the more you know going in, the better. Retirement villages can offer peace of mind, connection, and support, but only if they truly suit your lifestyle and needs.

Here’s what to consider—and how AgedAdvisor can help make it easier.

1. Understand the Legal and Financial Side

Retirement villages often operate under an Occupation Right Agreement (ORA). That means you're paying for the right to live in the property—not buying it outright.

• Get independent legal advice from someone who knows retirement village law.
• Review the Disclosure Statement carefully—it outlines everything from fees to your rights as a resident.
• Understand all the costs: entry fees, ongoing fees, exit fees, and what happens with capital gains or losses.

How AgedAdvisor helps: We offer plain-language guides that break down these agreements so you can ask smarter questions and make informed decisions. We also connect you with trusted legal and financial experts who specialize in this space.

2. Lifestyle and Community Fit

You’re not just choosing a unit—you’re choosing a lifestyle. Every village has its own vibe.

• Visit a few different villages.
• Talk to residents and ask what day-to-day life is like.
• Look at activities, amenities, and atmosphere—does it feel like somewhere you’d thrive?

How AgedAdvisor helps: Check out verified reviews from real residents on our site to get an honest picture of what life’s like in each village. You can filter villages by lifestyle features that matter to you.

3. Think About Future You

Right now, you may be fit and active. But things can change.

• Does the village offer health support or care services?
• Is your home designed with future mobility in mind?
• Can you stay in your unit if your needs change?

How AgedAdvisor helps: Use our planning tools to assess how well a village can support you over time. We highlight whether a village offers different levels of care, so you know it can grow with you.

4. Choose the Right Location

Where you live still matters.

• Is the village close to family, shops, public transport, and medical services?
• Will you feel connected, or cut off?

How AgedAdvisor helps: Our interactive maps make it easy to explore villages by location and compare what's nearby—like clinics, cafes, and community hubs.

5. Prepare Emotionally

This move is not just physical—it’s emotional.

• Visit often before you move.
• Talk to family and friends.
• Give yourself time to adjust.

How AgedAdvisor helps: We offer support articles, real stories, and advice from others who’ve made the move, so you can feel more confident and less alone in the process.

6. Extra Tips to Get It Right

• Know your non-negotiables: proximity to family, access to care, garden space, etc.
• Compare contract types: freehold, leasehold, licence to occupy—they're all different.
• Ask lots of questions.
• Involve your family in the decision-making.
• Start planning early to make the move smoother.

How AgedAdvisor helps: We’ve got comparison tools to line up villages side-by-side, checklists to guide your visits, and resources to keep the whole process on track.

Final Thought

Moving into a retirement village isn’t just about downsizing—it’s about finding a place where you can feel secure, supported, and at home. With the right tools, knowledge, and a little help from AgedAdvisor, you can make a confident, well-informed choice.