Janet Finds a New Home, Builds Lasting Friendships and Embraces a Vibrant Lifestyle at Edmund Hillary Village
Moving to a new home later in life can bring a mixture of emotions, especially when it means leaving behind a place filled with years of memories. For Janet, the decision to move from her seaside home in Napier to Edmund Hillary Village in Auckland was not an easy one. However, after taking time to consider her options, she discovered that the move would offer an opportunity to enjoy a new chapter of life, develop friendships, explore new interests and remain close to her family.
Six months after settling into her apartment at Edmund Hillary Village, Janet has embraced her new surroundings with enthusiasm. From exercise classes and painting sessions to social gatherings and organised excursions, she has quickly become an active member of the retirement village community.
Her approach to village living reflects a long-standing passion for staying active, meeting people and making the most of every opportunity. Although she occasionally reminds herself not to take on too many activities in one day, Janet is enjoying the variety of experiences available to her.
Her new apartment has also become a comfortable personal space where she can continue her creative interests, entertain family and friends, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the village.
A New Beginning After Leaving Her Seaside Home
Janet’s journey to Edmund Hillary Village began following the death of her husband, Barry, four years ago. The couple had shared a lovely home in Napier, overlooking the sea, and the property held many special memories.
Leaving that familiar environment was something Janet initially struggled to consider.
Her home was in a beautiful location, and she had developed a strong emotional connection to the surroundings. The thought of moving away from a place she had shared with her late husband made the decision particularly difficult.
However, Janet’s family gradually encouraged her to explore retirement village living. They believed that moving into a supportive community could provide her with greater convenience, opportunities to socialise and a lifestyle that would make everyday life more enjoyable.
After considering the suggestion for a couple of years, Janet began to recognise that a move could be the right decision.
Her daughter was already living in Auckland, making a move closer to family an attractive option. Being able to spend more time with her daughter and other relatives became an important consideration as Janet started exploring retirement villages across the city.
Rather than rushing into a decision, she visited several communities to understand what each one offered.
Why Janet Chose Edmund Hillary Village
Although Janet considered several retirement villages in Auckland, Edmund Hillary Village continued to stand out.She was particularly attracted to its location, beautiful surroundings and spacious grounds. Being close to her daughter was another major advantage, allowing her to maintain stronger family connections while establishing an independent lifestyle.
Janet explained that she repeatedly found herself drawn back to Edmund Hillary Village.The more she visited, the more comfortable she became with the community and its environment. She appreciated the attractive grounds, the peaceful atmosphere and the overall setting.
The village gradually became her preferred choice because it offered the combination of convenience, natural beauty and community living she was looking for.After making her decision, Janet selected an apartment that would provide enough space for her personal interests and visiting family members.
Six months later, she feels that she made the right choice.Her apartment has become a place where she can enjoy her independence while also benefiting from the activities, friendships and support available throughout the village.
Turning a Spare Bedroom into a Personal Art Studio
One of the most enjoyable parts of Janet’s new home is her dedicated art space.She has transformed the spare bedroom in her apartment into a small art studio, allowing her to continue developing a creative passion she discovered in 2014.Painting has become an important part of her lifestyle, providing an opportunity to express herself and explore different subjects.
Janet does not limit herself to a particular style or theme. Instead, she enjoys painting whatever captures her imagination.Her recent projects have included pansies, which she has been painting alongside members of the village painting group.Participating in group painting sessions has also introduced her to other residents who share similar creative interests. These activities provide an opportunity to learn from others, exchange ideas and enjoy time together.
However, inspiration is not limited to organised painting sessions.Janet’s apartment offers beautiful views of the village surroundings, which have provided the subject for one of her paintings.She recently painted the Edmund Hillary Village building with One Tree Hill in the background, capturing the scenery visible from her apartment.
The painting reflects her appreciation of the environment she now calls home.Having a dedicated studio also means she can work on her paintings whenever inspiration strikes without needing to leave her apartment.
Enjoying Beautiful Views and Outdoor Spaces
Janet’s appreciation for her surroundings extends beyond painting.Her apartment balcony overlooks the village bowling green and croquet court, providing an attractive outdoor space where she can relax and enjoy the scenery.She has arranged the balcony with a table, chairs and plants, creating a welcoming area for spending time outdoors.
It has quickly become one of her favourite places to sit with her daughter and catch up with visiting friends.The balcony allows Janet to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while remaining connected to the activity taking place around the village.Gardening has also been a long-standing interest in her life.
For many years, Janet enjoyed spending time working in gardens and taking care of plants. However, following a couple of falls, she decided to give up the heavier gardening activities.Although she no longer undertakes physically demanding garden work, her interest in plants and landscaping remains strong.
She regularly observes the gardens around Edmund Hillary Village and appreciates the work carried out by the gardening team.Janet says she often compliments the gardeners when she sees them because she enjoys noticing the improvements they make to the grounds.
Her continued interest in gardening demonstrates how she has adapted her hobbies to suit her current lifestyle while maintaining the activities she enjoys.
An Active Lifestyle Built on Years of Experience
Janet’s enthusiasm for village activities is perhaps unsurprising given her background.Staying active has been an important part of her life for many years. She studied physical education at the University of Otago, developed a career and raised two children.Later, she spent approximately 30 years working in real estate, continuing her professional career until she was 80.
Her working life required energy, commitment and the ability to interact with people from different backgrounds.Those experiences appear to have influenced the way she approaches retirement village living.Rather than treating retirement as a reason to slow down completely, Janet sees it as an opportunity to explore activities and experiences that might otherwise have been overlooked.
She believes that participating in different activities is a good way to discover personal interests.Her philosophy is straightforward: try as many things as possible and decide later which activities are worth continuing.This approach has encouraged her to explore several opportunities at Edmund Hillary Village.
Her current activities include exercise classes, aqua aerobics, painting sessions and organised outings.Each activity provides a different experience, allowing her to maintain physical movement, develop creative skills and connect with other residents.
Exercise Classes and Aqua Aerobics Keep Janet Moving
Physical activity remains an important part of Janet’s everyday routine.Her interest in exercise dates back to her university studies, where she developed an understanding of physical education and the importance of staying active.At Edmund Hillary Village, she has continued this interest by participating in exercise classes and aqua aerobics.
These activities allow her to maintain an active routine while enjoying the social benefits of exercising alongside other residents.Group activities can also make physical exercise more enjoyable by providing opportunities to interact with others and establish friendships.
For Janet, participating in different classes is part of her broader approach to making the most of village life.She enjoys exploring what is available rather than limiting herself to a small number of familiar activities.Her willingness to try new experiences has helped her become involved in different parts of the community.
Exploring Auckland Through Village Excursions
Among all the activities available at Edmund Hillary Village, organised outings have become one of Janet’s favourites.Having recently moved to Auckland, she sees excursions as an opportunity not only to enjoy new experiences but also to become familiar with the city and its surrounding areas.
She particularly enjoys the journey itself rather than focusing entirely on the final destination.Travelling through different neighbourhoods, discovering smaller townships and observing local attractions have helped her develop a better understanding of her new home city.
One recent excursion took residents north towards a garden centre.Although the destination was interesting, Janet found herself equally fascinated by the small farms, townships and landscapes along the route.For her, these journeys provide an opportunity to discover places she might not otherwise visit.
Other outings have introduced her to ceramics and theatre, allowing her to explore creative and cultural experiences.The variety of excursions means that residents can enjoy different destinations while spending time together.
Janet particularly appreciates how these trips combine sightseeing, learning and social interaction.As she continues to explore Auckland, she is gradually becoming more familiar with the city’s surroundings and discovering new places along the way.
Building Friendships and Becoming Part of the Community
Moving to a new city and joining an unfamiliar community can sometimes feel challenging. However, Janet says the welcoming atmosphere at Edmund Hillary Village has made settling in much easier.During her first six months, she has developed numerous friendships and met residents who have helped her become comfortable in her new surroundings.
She describes the people as exceptionally friendly and helpful.Whether meeting someone during an activity, spending time at the café or joining an organised outing, Janet has found plenty of opportunities to connect with others.
The village environment has made social interaction a natural part of her everyday routine.She enjoys meeting friends at the café and inviting people to visit her apartment.
These informal gatherings allow residents to build relationships and maintain an active social life without needing to make elaborate arrangements.However, remembering everyone’s names has presented a small challenge.
Janet has developed a practical system to help her recognise the people she meets. She uses the village phone list and adds asterisks beside the names of residents she has encountered.She jokes that other residents have remembered her name much more easily than she has remembered theirs.
Despite this small difficulty, Janet’s efforts to remember people demonstrate how keen she is to become part of the community.Some of the people she initially met have already become close friends, and she regularly encounters familiar faces throughout the village.
Enjoying Social Connections Without Losing Independence
One of the things Janet appreciates most about Edmund Hillary Village is the balance between community living and personal privacy.Although there are many residents and plenty of opportunities for social interaction, her apartment remains a peaceful place where she can enjoy time alone whenever she wants.
She says the village can be surprisingly quiet despite having so many people living nearby.This balance is particularly important to Janet.She enjoys meeting friends, participating in activities and spending time in shared spaces, but she also values having a private home where she can relax and pursue her own interests.
Her apartment provides that independence.She can spend time painting in her studio, enjoying the balcony, reading or simply relaxing without feeling that she needs to participate in every activity.
The combination of social opportunities and private living has helped her establish a comfortable routine.It also demonstrates how retirement village living can offer residents the flexibility to choose how much social interaction they want each day.
Moving Closer to Family Brings Additional Happiness
Another important benefit of Janet’s move to Auckland has been the opportunity to spend more time with her family.Her daughter, son-in-law and grandson live in Auckland, making regular visits easier.Her granddaughter also visits when she returns home from overseas.
Meanwhile, her son travels regularly from Texas to see her.Having family members closer has provided additional comfort and made the transition from Napier to Auckland more rewarding.
Family connections remain an important part of Janet’s life, and her new location allows her to maintain those relationships while enjoying an independent lifestyle.Her apartment also provides a welcoming space for family members and friends to visit.
The balcony, spare bedroom and comfortable living areas make it easier for her to entertain guests and spend quality time with loved ones.Being closer to her daughter was one of the main reasons Janet considered moving to Auckland, and it has become one of the most meaningful benefits of her decision.
Six Months Later, Janet Feels Right at Home
Six months after moving into Edmund Hillary Village, Janet has developed a lifestyle that combines creativity, physical activity, social connections and family time.Her days are filled with opportunities to explore new interests and enjoy familiar passions.
She continues painting in her home studio, participates in exercise and aqua aerobics, joins organised excursions and spends time with friends around the village.Her interest in gardening remains strong, and she enjoys watching the village grounds develop.
She has also become more familiar with Auckland through regular outings, discovering new destinations and enjoying the scenery along the way.Perhaps most importantly, she has found a community where she feels welcomed and comfortable.
The move required her to leave behind a home that carried many memories of her life with Barry. However, her experience at Edmund Hillary Village has shown her that a new chapter can bring its own meaningful experiences and relationships.Reflecting on her decision, Janet expresses genuine happiness with her new surroundings.
She says that whenever she walks into her apartment, she feels pleased to be home.For Janet, Edmund Hillary Village has become much more than a retirement destination. It is a place where she can maintain her independence, pursue her interests, enjoy time with family and build lasting friendships.
Her story highlights how moving into a retirement community can provide opportunities for personal growth, social connection and an active lifestyle.With her enthusiasm for new experiences and willingness to get involved, Janet is making the most of every opportunity.
And although she occasionally needs to remind herself not to do everything in one day, one thing is clear: she has found a place where she truly feels at home.
Source link: https://www.rymanhealthcare.co.nz/
