Our Residents

Meet the Residents – Bets and Bob

Where did you move from? 
A lifestyle block in Kaukapakapa.

What do you love most about The Botanic?
The location, making new friends, living life with amazing people, and the ‘time freedom’ we now have.

What are you enjoying about retired life?
The freedom to design our lives and follow our passions.

What have you learnt about retirement that you wished you’d known before? 
Life in The Botanic is like living in a resort surrounded by a group of friends.

How do you live a life filled with purpose?
Bets – I try to live with intention and make conscious and mindful choices that align with my values and skills. For example, I am a former nurse so I am studying to become a better Strength and Balance instructor to help residents to live stronger for longer. Bob – the key is to stay active and have something to look forward to every day!

What’s the best thing about living on the Hibiscus Coast?
The climate, it’s easy to stay active, we’re close to family, and you’re never far from a sea view.

How would you describe the community at The Botanic?
Friendly, vibrant, young at heart and diverse, and everyone is striving to live a ‘life less ordinary’.

What’s your advice to retirees thinking about moving to a retirement village?
Don’t put it off! The benefits of village life will enrich your life each and every day.

What’s your favourite dish or food at The Clubhouse Café?
Bets loves the Salmon Roulade and Bob loves anything sweet from the cabinet!

What is a great quote (or advice) you live by? 
You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream (Bets). Love and respect one’s partner (Bob).

Published 1 January 2025

Recent Posts

Meet The Residents – Rosemary and Paul

Where did you move from? Originally, we were from Torbay/Waiake Beach and moved to a new townhouse on Millwater Parkway. It was a very happy 8 years, but in the last year we began looking for a new development and when "The Botanic" show room first opened, the luxury lifestyle village really appealed to us. What do you love most about The Botanic? The great design, the lovely garden setting, and the fantastic feeling of ‘belonging’ within a community of like-minded new friends. What are you enjoying about retired life? The lack of stress, and we feel so relaxed because our time is our own to enjoy. That said, strolling around the village takes forever because of all the impromptu conversations we now have with our new friends, neighbours, and acquaintances. What have you learnt about retirement that you wished you’d known before? We had no idea just how busy we would become! There’s no time to be bored! How do you live a life filled with purpose? We have always been active, but now we have the time to make great use of our electric bikes, golf, beach walking and also the pool, gym, and the bowling green. What’s the best thing about living on the Hibiscus Coast? The close proximity to one of our daughters and our four-year-old granddaughter, and taking part in all their activities including Sunday morning "Nippers" with Red Beach Surf Lifesaving Club. It’s great having Orewa on our doorstep and the Silverdale Central Mall. How would you describe the community at The Botanic? Amazing! Our community is full of like-minded, intelligent people who all have interesting lives to learn about, and great stories to tell. How has the ‘Lock up and Leave’ lifestyle changed your life? Through Christmas and New year, we went away for five weeks and never once worried about our villa or our gardens.  The two of us travel a lot so the ‘lock up and leave’ lifestyle is a real bonus. It makes retirement stress-free. What’s your favourite dish or food at The Clubhouse Café? Paul loves the The Clubhouse Cafe "Big Breakfast" - even if it is not Breakfast time! And Rosemary loves cooking and creating meals at home, but she’s a fan of the year-round Clubhouse Soup offerings which are creative, and constantly changing with the seasons. What is a great quote (or advice) you live by? Do it - now!
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Moving to The Botanic Luxury Retirement Village: Transition Support Services Offered

Making the move to a retirement village is a big life decision – one that comes with a lot of hope and excitement but also elements of anxiety. The team at The Botanic Silverdale is experienced at supporting new Residents into their homes and making sure the transition is smooth, supportive, and tailored around every new resident’s needs. Our team has already helped many Residents to make the move to The Botanic, and we understand that everyone’s journey is different. Whether you want hands-on assistance and support every step of the way, or prefer to take things at your own pace, we can provide the level of support that suits your needs. Transition into The Botanic's community is smooth and supportive. More than 170 retirees call The Botanic Silverdale 'home'. If you’re beginning to think about retirement village living, don’t let the thought of logistics or change hold you back. Our transition support team can guide you through every step of the move, helping with everything from practical arrangements to emotional support, so you can begin your new chapter with confidence and ease. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the warmth of our community. It’s not just our team that steps in to help – our Residents often lend a hand with everything from moving furniture, to introducing you to clubs and events that make life at The Botanic so rich and rewarding. If the idea of moving feels daunting, we hope this blog helps to ease those concerns and inspires you to take the next step with confidence. Come and talk to us. We’d love to show you what life at The Botanic could look like for you or those you love. Comprehensive Transition Support Services From the first time you visit The Botanic, you’ll feel the genuine sense of community that runs through the village - not only among our Residents but across every member of our team. Nowhere is this welcoming spirit more evident than with our exceptional sales team, Michelle and Kathryn. For most Residents, Michelle and Kathryn were their first point of contact – whether through a friendly phone call, a welcoming email, or a personal guided tour of The Botanic. Their passion for the village shines through in everything they do, ensuring that each Resident and prospective Resident has everything they need to enjoy a life less ordinary. Their support doesn’t stop once you’ve decided to make The Botanic your home. Michelle and Kathryn are with you every step of the way, offering a range of tailored services to make your transition as smooth and stress-free as possible, including: Kathryn is our Sales Consultant and Administrator. Michelle is our Sales Manager. 1. Personalised Relocation Consultations If you need support, our dedicated team will work closely with you to develop a relocation plan tailored to your needs. Whether you’re seeking advice on downsizing, managing timelines, or planning the layout of your new home, we provide one-on-one support to ensure the process aligns with you and your priorities. 2. Partnered Moving Services We collaborate with trusted moving professionals who specialise in senior relocations. From careful packing to safe transportation and thoughtful setup, these experts handle every detail to make sure your belongings arrive safely, and are placed where you want them. 3. Home Personalisation Assistance We’re here to help you make your new villa or apartment feel like home. Our team offers guidance on furniture placement, accessibility features and dêcor. Whatever your style, we’ll help you create a space that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and the way you want to live. 4. Emotional and Social Integration We understand that transitioning to a new community can feel overwhelming. To make this easier, we offer: Resident Mentors: Friendly faces are on hand to offer support, share insights, and help you settle in. Welcome Events: Join social gatherings and activities designed to foster friendships and a sense of belong from day one. At The Botanic, we are committed to making your move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Many of our Residents tell us they felt at home almost immediately thanks to the wonderful support of our team and the welcoming community they’ve joined. Resident Mentors are on hand to help you settle into retirement village life. The Botanic's resident community is warm and welcoming. Beyond the Move: Ongoing Community Integration Our support doesn’t end when you receive the keys to your beautiful new villa or apartment. Our team remains available to answer any questions or help with anything you might need after you move in. However, the greatest source of support for new Residents often comes from within the wonderful Botanic community who are always read to welcome new neighbours and help them settle into village life. Here are just some of the ways our community helps new Residents to feel at home: 1. Social Programs an Amenities The Botanic’s vibrant lifestyle is built around resident-led initiatives and premium facilities, including: Recreational Activities: Swim in the 20m heated pool, work out in the gym, relax in the spa, enjoy the bowling green, or take part in fitness classes and gardening clubs. Future Amenities: Look forward to a golf simulator, cinema, and croquet court, all designed to support and enrich your lifestyle. 2. Health & Wellness Support Smart-Home Technology: Every home is equipped with emergency call systems and enhanced security features for your peace of mind. Future Aged Care: A dedicated 40-bed care facility is in development and will offer continuity of care as Residents’ needs change over time. MyLumin screens are fitted in every home and ensure residents remain connected at any time of the day and night. 3. Security and Peace of Mind The Botanic offers 24/7 emergency response systems and a secure environment providing Residents with safety and freedom, while also ensuring they feel part of the Silverdale community. The thoughtful, open-plan design of our villas and apartments promotes independent living, allowing Residents to enjoy peace of mind without compromising on lifestyle. Resident Testimonials: A Community That Cares Bets and Bob describe life at The Botanic like “living in a resort surrounded by friends.” They speak about the ease of transitioning and are grateful for the support they have received from staff. They find joy participating in a “life less ordinary” alongside like-minded retirees. Colin and Pip moved to The Botanic from Mt Eden and their advice for people thinking about moving to a retirement village is to “think about what you are looking for in a retirement community, and look around. Talk to the residents. Consider amenities, activities, location, and good access to public transport.” Barry and Mary are loving life at The Botanic and are grateful for the strong and supporting community, “At the recent Open Weekend, so many residents were here showing visitors around. It is rare and it is wonderful.” When asked what they love most about The Botanic, Laurie and Lanie were quick to point out the caring community, “It’s a wonderful community, and we’ve made so many new friends. If you’re not well, everyone is so caring, and it’s a secure and safe place to live.” Conclusion: Your Seamless Transition Awaits At The Botanic, we believe moving to a retirement village should mark the beginning of an exciting chapter, not a stressful ordeal. Our end-to-end support, combined with luxury amenities and a welcoming community, ensure you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying your retirement to the fullest. Ready to experience a stress-free move? Contact Michelle or Kathryn at 0508 268 264 to discuss our available homes, or browse our website to explore villa and apartment options. Michelle Pipping, Sales Manager Kathryn Rule, Sales Consultant and Administrator
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Connection and Community

Friendships flourish at The Botanic In your retirement years, a genuine sense of belonging comes not just from where you live, but from how you live - and the people who live in your immediate community. At The Botanic Silverdale, connection and community are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’ve designed our village to foster meaningful social connections, whether it’s through shared green spaces, resident-led wellness or hobby groups, or our wonderful amenities. Isolation can be a real concern for all of us as we grow older, and staying connected in our retirement years helps us to maintain a strong sense of identity, wellbeing, and purpose. The Botanic offers a warm, inclusive environment where friendships flourish and everyone feels part of something bigger. Luxury Villas versus Luxury Apartments One of the toughest decisions for retirees moving to The Botanic is whether they should live in an apartment or a villa. Luxury Villas Villas offer generous indoor-outdoor living, perfect for those who enjoy gardening, entertaining, or simply a little more space and privacy. Luxury Apartments Apartments, on the other hand, provide low-maintenance, secure living with large balconies or patios, and easy access to community amenities—ideal for those who love the ‘lock up and leave’ lifestyle. There are one, two, and three bedroom apartments priced from $850k to $1.350m including carparking, while two and three bedroom villas are priced from $1.325m to $1.645m. View our available homes Drone footage of our developing Village Take a spin through the village in our April Construction Update – our new villas will be finished in July-August, while our brand new Rimu apartments are ready now. https://vimeo.com/1071614219 See more drone video updates
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