How to embrace your retirement years

Retirement marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in life and it can open up a world of possibilities. You can enjoy the fruits of your labour, pursue a new passion, and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.

Yet many New Zealanders approach this stage in life with trepidation, unsure of how to navigate the transition from a structured work life to the freedom of retirement. Embracing your retirement years is about more than just stepping away from work; it’s about seizing the opportunity to redefine your purpose, explore new horizons, and cultivate joy and fulfilment.

Here are some ways to help you embrace this stage of life.

Rediscover Your Passions

During your working and child-raising years, you may have set aside hobbies and interests because you simply didn’t have the time, or you had too much on your plate. Retirement gives you back that time. It may be painting or gardening, cabinetmaking, travel, playing a musical instrument, learning a new language or enrolling in a course, retirement gives you an opportunity to do what you want, when you want. Engaging in a hobby or a passion will not only give you a sense of achievement, it also keeps you mentally active.

Focus on Health and Wellness

Retirement gives you an opportunity to finally prioritise your health and well-being. No more rat race for you! Gone are the work-related stressors which served as a distraction in your earlier life. Now you can focus on your fitness and enjoy regular exercise such as walking, tramping, swimming, cycling, and yoga. Keeping active is mood-enhancing and life-enhancing. It helps you to life your life to the fullest in your golden years.

Social Connections

One of the key components of a fulfilling retirement is to maintain, strengthen and develop new social connections. As you transition from a bustling work life to retirement, you can lose some of your daily social interactions. That can lead to some retirees experiencing loneliness and isolation. Engaging in community activities or charity work, joining clubs, or volunteering for causes that you’re passionate about can lead to meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging. A strong social network can significantly enhance your quality of life and provide a support system in times of need.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

Retirement doesn’t mean the end of learning; in fact, it’s a fantastic time to expand your knowledge and skills. Many retirees find joy in taking up new courses, attending workshops, or participating in educational travel. Lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp, stimulates curiosity, and provides opportunities to meet like-minded people. Whether it’s delving into the history of New Zealand, mastering a craft, or exploring technology, continuous learning can be a rewarding and enriching part of your retirement journey.

Travel and Explore

Now that you have more time on your hands, you can explore New Zealand, the South Pacific, or the world. If you live in a retirement village, it’s easy to embrace the ‘lock up and leave’ lifestyle and leave all the maintenance to the village staff. Whether it’s visiting friends and family overseas, campervanning around New Zealand, or booking an ocean cruise, it all becomes much more possible in your retirement years.

Give Back to the Community

Many retirees find purpose in giving back to their communities. Volunteering your time, skills, and knowledge can have a positive impact on others. It could be mentoring young people or participating in local and community projects, volunteering not only benefits other people, it also enriches your own life and fosters a sense of accomplishment and connection.

Reflect and Appreciate

Retirement is also a time for reflection and appreciation. Take the opportunity to reflect on what you have achieved in your life, and what you still plan to achieve in the coming years. Embracing mindfulness and gratitude can bring its own sense of peace and contentment.

Embracing your retirement years with enthusiasm and an open heart can lead to a fulfilling life full of purpose, connection and joy. It’s a new chapter that can transform your life into a rich, rewarding, and joyful journey.

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Resort-style Retirement Living

Are you seeking a resort-style retirement? Spend your golden years in a brand new, modern, light-filled apartment surrounded by world-class amenities, and within easy reach of the Hibiscus Coast’s beautiful east coast beaches. The final touches have just been put on the magnificent Rimu apartments at The Botanic Silverdale and they’re open now and available to view. Silverdale Retirement Apartments Choose between a one, two, or three bedroom apartment, or convert a bedroom into a TV snug, a study, a crafting room, or a man-cave. The space is yours to do what you choose. Every apartment at The Botanic Silverdale has floor to ceiling glass which floods the living areas with light. The walk-through wardrobes open up to fully tiled bathrooms, and the large balconies or patios provide easy access to The Botanic’s many pathways and world-class amenities. Every apartment is generous and private and enjoys views across The Botanic’s park-like landscaping, into the village, or further afield into the surrounding Silverdale area. Our well-appointed kitchens are perfect for entertaining and will suit retirees who like to travel and are seeking a ‘lock-up and leave’ lifestyle, while the underfloor parking keeps your car clean, dry and safe, irrespective of whether you are at home or travelling. Check out the latest drone footage of the Rimu Apartments. Benefits of Retirement Villages The beauty of retirement village life is that all the maintenance is taken care of. You are surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, and you don’t need to lift a finger. The team at The Botanic believe in the power of nature to support and influence our residents’ wellbeing and quality of life. At the same time, we acknowledge that each and every one of our residents is unique and diverse. It is with this understanding that we have developed an intimate but open plan village, and have invested in an impressive range of world-class amenities. The end result is a modern retirement village that is rich in connection and community, supporting like-minded residents to live the retirement they choose in a vibrant, nature-rich environment. The Botanic really is the very best in class in modern retirement living, offering residents lifestyle, wellness, and beautifully designed spaces, so they can live well, naturally, in their golden years. Read more about Choosing a Retirement Village that is right for you. World Class Amenities The Botanic supports residents to live lives full of purpose, wellness, connection and joy. Our amenities include state-of-the-art fitness facilities, a 20m swimming pool, tranquil walking pathways, a relaxing library, a bowling green, Community Gardens and The Clubhouse Café. More amenities, including a golf simulator, are in development. Moving and staying connected to nature helps us to retain strength and stamina, revitalise our souls, and support our health and wellbeing. And all of this is available on your doorstep at The Botanic. The Botanic’s wellness centre includes a large indoor heated swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room and a sizeable, fully equipped gymnasium. Yoga classes and Aquacise are also hosted in this area. The Poolhouse and gymnasium look out across the garden to the Bowling Green, providing a nature-rich vista for our fitness-focused residents. In the centre of the village is The Community Garden which has become a resident-led project encompassing two 26m2 ‘Winter Gardenz’ glasshouses, a native timber pergola, 24 individual planter boxes, and an edible orchard of fruit trees and vines including persimmon, citrus, feijoa, fig, grape, berries, stone fruits, apple, and avocado. Residents have established a committee, and the Community Garden is now wholly run by residents, for residents. The Clubhouse Cafe The Clubhouse Cafe is the central hub for social gatherings at The Botanic and is popular with residents and the wider Silverdale community. It is open every day serving barista coffee, a la carte offerings and delicious fresh cabinet food to eat in or takeaway. The award-winning architecturally-designed building has a large outdoor decking area, professional kitchen facilities, and a fully stocked bar. Our professional Café team host private functions for Residents, and can accommodate community and business events, as well as private functions. Book your table at The Clubhouse Café today. The Botanic Accommodation Options The Botanic Silverdale offers the very best in aged-care living with modern apartments and luxury villas designed for active retirees living independent and purposeful lives. All of our homes have designer kitchens and walk-through wardrobes, and many have elegant high ceilings, floor to ceiling glass, views across the village or Silverdale, and sizeable courtyards, decks or patios. Every space at The Botanic is designed to provide easy access to our world-class amenities, garden pathways, and our vibrant and connected community. Once completed, the eight-hectare Silverdale site will have 84 villas and 354 apartments for independent living residents. An aged care home, and specialist memory care facilities will eventually complete the full suite of retirement care options. Care Facilities The Botanic Silverdale will soon begin development on our full continuum of care offering to ensure our village can meet the needs of every resident – from independent living to specialised residential aged care. All of our villas and apartments enable independent living through to high level home care support, all overseen by carefully chosen senior practitioners. The Botanic Silverdale is proudly pet-friendly Pets provide companionship and emotional support, and encourage owners to stay fit and mobile. Our dogs and cats are also natural icebreakers, and they help our residents to connect with one another, and foster a sense of community within our village. The Botanic is also the first retirement village in New Zealand with a therapy dog. Riley is trained to bring support and connection to our residents, whatever their personal circumstances. Hooray for our pets! Life is better with our furry friends. Luxury Retirement Homes NZ The end result is a modern retirement village that is rich in connection and community, supporting like-minded residents to live the retirement they choose in a vibrant, nature-rich environment. The Botanic Silverdale really is the very best in class in modern retirement living, offering residents lifestyle, wellness, and beautifully designed spaces, so they can live well, naturally, in their golden years. If you’re interested in learning more about the Rimu apartments or our villa homes, get in touch with Michelle or Jan on 0508 268 264 or pop along to our Show Home from Monday to Saturday between 11am-3pm. You can also get in touch via our Contact page. Rimu Apartments Tour – 17 December Be one of the first to see the brand-new Rimu apartments and make an afternoon of it because the popular Clubhouse Café will be open throughout the day for coffee, drinks, and meals. Plus, register for our Open Day and be in to win a $100 voucher at The Clubhouse Café! Terms and conditions apply. Come along to The Botanic Silverdale on December 17th, 12.30-3.30pm, and get a first look at our newly-completed Rimu Apartments. Or, enter on the day in our Show Home, and you could dine out on us! Join us at 17 Small Road, Silverdale with parking available on Evergreen Drive.

Tour the new Rimu Apartments

Tuesday 17 December, 12.30-3.30pm57 Evergreen Drive, The Botanic Silverdale Be one of the first to see the brand-new Rimu apartments and make an afternoon of it because the popular Clubhouse Café will be open throughout the day for coffee, drinks, and meals. Every apartment has floor to ceiling glass and is flooded with light, boasts a walk-through wardrobe, a large balcony or patio, and includes underground parking. You can secure a one, two, or three bedroom apartments with a fully refundable $5k deposit. Please join us on Tuesday 17th December, between 12.30pm-3.30pm for a tour of the iconic Rimu apartments as our village celebrates reaching this wonderful construction milestone. Look back on this project Drone videos https://vimeo.com/950961224 November 2023 https://vimeo.com/966176798 June 2024 https://vimeo.com/950969841 April 2024 https://vimeo.com/1025959479 November 2024 News and updates Rimu Apartments construction milestone A roof tent has been fitted on the second apartment building at The Botanic Silverdale marking a significant milestone in the village's development... Read more Preparing for every eventuality at The Botanic Silverdale To anyone not in the know, it looked like a real-life medical emergency was unfolding at The Botanic Silverdale, but it was an important training... Read more Our Rimu Apartment building is underway Construction has begun on the second apartment building at The Botanic Silverdale with 32 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments... Read more

Meet The Residents – Mary and Barry

Where did you move from? Kensington Park. What do you love most about The Botanic? Barry: I can’t drive because of health reasons but I am a traveller, and I have seen so much of Auckland by taking the bus which is located at the front gate of our village.Mary: I love so much about life here and I really like that residents design and develop all the group activities. What are you enjoying about retired life?Mary: I’ve used the freedom of my retirement years to become a competent cellist again which is marvelous. What have you learnt about retirement that you wished you’d known before? Barry: There’s a lot of joy in listening to other people’s life stories. You get to know so many people and they have such interesting life experiences. At my age, it has provided an opportunity for growth because I’m learning so much from others. How do you live a life filled with purpose?Mary: I’ve always got a purpose. It could be developing a new skill or running a business. I get out of bed early ready to ‘punch a hole in the morning’. What’s the best thing about living on the Hibiscus Coast?Barry: The beaches, the warm swimming water, and some of the great cafes. How would you describe the community at The Botanic?Mary: Lively! Everyone who lives here has a genuinely strong desire to see this place succeed.Barry: At the recent Open Weekend, so many residents were here showing visitors around. It is rare and it is wonderful. What’s your advice to retirees thinking about moving to a retirement village?Mary: Find a place that gladdens your heart, and go early. The Botanic is where so many people are starting new lives and so you get an opportunity to make new friendships. That is a gift. How has the ‘no maintenance’ lifestyle changed your life?Barry: I love it. One of the huge advantages is that I can stop and admire what the landscapers have done, and be grateful for all the time they have put into planning and developing our Community Garden. What’s your favourite dish or food at The Clubhouse Café?Barry: I say this without an ounce of shame, it is the beer-battered Snapper. I think I’ve had it once a week for the last 8 months.Mary: My favourite is probably the curry, and the salads are always interesting too. What is a great quote to live by? Barry: If you don’t do it now, when will you do it?Mary: Just do it.