As a comparatively new resident of the Beauty Point Retirement Resort, Padstow Heights, NSW, the management asked me if I would give my views about my new home to perhaps assist others who are contemplating going into retirement living. Firstly, just to give you some idea about location and the facilities that are provided. Beauty Point Resort is located on a 3.2 hectare-site beside the beautiful Georges River with sweeping views and the privacy of being next to a National Park in south-west Sydney. There are 146 one and two-bedroom dwellings housing some 160 residents in this 55-year and over resort. The site layout and facilities are excellent; there is a beautiful a la carte restaurant (also open to the public), an indoor heated swimming pool and spa, gymnasium, cinema, billiards room, residents’ lounge hair dressing salon, a visiting General Practitioner, a chiropodist, audiologist, physiotherapist, and a small grocery shop for every day essentials. Pets are allowed. My unit is two bedrooms (I use one as a study), both have built-in wardrobes, it is an excellent layout, there is a large entertainers’ balcony overlooking trees with a view down to the river, a front enclosed courtyard and a level entry. I have a lock-up garage which can be approached by way of a lift and it is under cover. I paid $20,000 for a licence to use a garage, which is returnable to me when I no longer require it. Carports are available at a lesser cost. My costs are $875 a month plus $15 a month for the garage. Units range in price from $500,000 to around $1 million, depending on their size and location. Remember, on purchase, you are not charged government stamp duty, there are no rates or unit levies to pay, so this, to some degree, offsets the monthly charges. However, you must seek legal advice in regard to your financial obligations should you leave your unit. The residences feature numerous emergency alarms throughout and there is 24- hour care seven days a week. There is a very active residents ‘committee which organises a number of special occasions throughout the year. Also, a range of activities are provided for those who wish to take part each week, such as a choir, craft group, scrabble, shuffleboard, a garden club, darts, a “Men’s shed”, Trivia, Drama, once a month “Birthday Bashes”, Crosswords, Carpet bowls, Bridge, Gin rummy and Canasta. These are all very important considerations, but for me, one of the most important aspects was the warmth and assistance I received from senior staff (including the on--site manager) and the helpful and welcoming advice I received from residents I met while looking around when considering buying into the village. I advise would-be residents to take a stroll around and talk to residents. I am pleased to say that from the moment I moved in with my furniture and belongings, in November, 2019, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace and contentment and this feeling has stayed with me ever since. There is also the considerable benefit of feeling safe at a time when you begin to be concerned about your wellbeing. My residence has emergency buttons throughout (plus a pendant I can wear) and I know, if needed, assistance is only minutes away. All of these factors help to build up your peace of mind which is so important as you grow older and become somewhat frail. You can’t put a price on peace of mind. I know it is a big step, to move away from your old home or unit into an entirely new life, but as we grow older, if possible, we must make moves to ensure we are in a safe and pleasant environment while we are still able to make those decisions ourselves and not get caught up in “the system” when it will be too late. Give Beauty Point Resort serious consideration.
