Couple says village living is platform for “successful retirement “

Since moving from a large property in Bendigo to a brand new home at Bellarine Springs in Drysdale, couple Judith and Geoff say they’ve been filled with a “wonderful sense of belonging”.

The couple made the decision to move to a retirement village in 2009, after their children had moved away, and they found the ongoing maintenance of their Bendigo property to be a real burden.

“We liked the idea of downsizing to a retirement village, where mowing lawns and tending the front garden wouldn’t be our job any more,” Geoff explained.

After renting a holiday house on the Mornington Peninsula over the busy Christmas period, the couple decided they wanted somewhere quieter.

“During a trip down there, we travelled back on the ferry instead of battling the traffic towards Melbourne,” Geoff said. “And that’s how we ended up rediscovering the Bellarine Peninsula and looking at retirement villages here.

“The Bellarine Peninsula is how I think Mornington must have been 50 years ago. It’s much less busy, but so pleasant and scenic.

“We’re simply spoilt for choice when it comes to wineries, restaurants and cafes, and you don’t even have to hop in the car to get to some of them.”

Judith said that before visiting Bellarine Springs, she and Geoff looked at a few places, but were not “quite certain” about any of them.

“We went to an information session to find out more about Bellarine Springs and we discovered their display home, a style known as the Thomson, was available.

“We both liked the look of the spacious, informal floor plan. It was just what we were looking for. A lot of other homes we’d seen were like boxes in comparison… with all these units arranged in a grid, and no space to spread out and relax.”

Judith said getting to know the owner of Pinnacle Living, Geoff Reeve, made both her and her husband feel even more confident that they were making the right choice.

“At the initial meeting he came across as a very genuine, honest person and all our dealings with him since have backed up that first impression,” Geoff said.

Judith says the village offers a “great platform for a successful retirement” with easy access to an array of facilities and resources.

“When we’re older and not getting out and about as much, you’ll be sure to find us on the landing at the village Community Centre, sitting and enjoying the views over the bay. And while the facilities are fabulous, it’s really our neighbours and community we value most.

“Everyone is so amiable and reasonable about things, you get a wonderful sense of belonging and it’s easy to feel comfortable living here.”

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