Moving into a retirement village marks a new phase in your life. It’s a time when the convenience of living and additional support may become more important, but you still want to be able to live the lifestyle you want.

It can be hard to know when the right time to move into a retirement village is, but the truth is, this can be different for everyone. To make the move easier, it’s important to find the right retirement village for you, and plan your move carefully.

Make your move into a retirement village as seamless as possible so you can begin the next phase of your life, and enjoy your retirement to the fullest. 

How to know if you’re ready

The decision to move into a retirement village requires careful thought, and the right timing can be different for everyone. For many people, the decision to move into a retirement village brings peace of mind, but there can also be external factors that indicate it's the right time.  

Your needs change as you get older, and when it comes to your living conditions there can be numerous factors that become increasingly important, such as living in a safe and secure environment, and having the freedom to live an active and social lifestyle. 

If it’s gotten too challenging to manage your own home and you’re ready to downsize, it might be the right time to move into a retirement community. As you get older it can also become harder to keep in touch with friends and family if they don’t live nearby. It may be the right time to move to a senior living community if you’re missing out on regular social interactions. 

You want to be ready to enjoy the next stage of your life while you’re still active. Moving into a retirement village in Pakenham, like Evergreen, is perfect for those wanting to embrace a more social lifestyle and engage in fun and interesting activities during retirement. 

Find your ideal retirement village

When choosing your retirement home, you need to think about what you want from your retirement. 

Whether you prioritise community living, social activities, ongoing support, or want to have it all, there is a wide range of retirement living options. Consider the area you want to live in and look at the retirement villages nearby. There can be numerous benefits to moving to a retirement village but you want to know what to expect. Go on tours of the facilities to see if they suit your needs and get a feel for the community before making your decision. 

A retirement village can provide a sense of belonging, a place where you can be part of a community and build strong relationships. Many seniors may find it harder to maintain relationships when living alone, but living within a community allows you to retain your independence and privacy, while also having fellow retirees within close proximity. 

Being part of a retirement community provides a safe and welcoming place. If you require medical assistance or support, ask about what services are available. Some retirement villages offer food, laundry and cleaning services to help you maintain your home and make everyday living more convenient, so you can enjoy the life you want. 

Depending on your interests you may want to ask what on-site activities are offered, and the facilities available nearby. Engaging in social activities allows you to try new things or continue with beloved hobbies while meeting people with similar interests. Being part of a retirement community makes it easier to maintain an active and social lifestyle and make connections with people of a similar age and similar stage of life. 

Once you’ve found the retirement village you want to move to, the next step may be to discuss move-in dates and prepare for the move. 

Prepare for the move

In many life situations planning matters, but often more so when moving homes. To make the move as seamless as possible and avoid being overwhelmed, it helps to write out a plan. 

Before the move, you may need to cancel utilities, set up a change of address, organise movers and begin the packing process. If you have an animal friend making the move with you, you’ll also need to organise for them to be transported and make the experience as stress-free for your pet as possible. 

If you’re moving into a smaller space, you may need to go through your belongings to work out what you want to take with you. If you’re able to declutter it can make the move easier as there will be less stuff to worry about, though keep your most treasured items to help make your new home surroundings feel more homely. 

If you don’t have family or friends to help you, ask the retirement village if they will assist with the move to make it easier. 

For a retirement village in Pakenham, Evergreen offers a thriving retirement community where you can live your best retirement life.