Meet The Residents – Chris and Stuart Hight

Where did you move from?
Kumeu, overlooking Kumeu River Winery.

What do you love most about the Botanic?
We love our apartment, we love all the incredible friends we’ve made, and we love the village community.

What are you enjoying about retired life?
Being spontaneous, spending more time with family, and travelling when we want to.

What have you learnt about retirement that you wished you’d known before?
That your retirement years will be some of your best years. 

How do you live a life filled with purpose?
Our careers were about serving others and caring for people, and we’ve always loved being involved and being available for others. So now we’re looking at ways of doing that differently.

What is the best thing about living on the Hibiscus coast?
Someone said to us that you don’t need to leave the Coast because everything you need is here, and that’s so true. It’s great having the beaches so close.

How would you describe the community at the Botanic?
Caring, a lot of fun, and very inclusive.

What is your advice to retirees thinking about moving to a retirement village?
Don’t leave it too late. Go while you are still young enough to enjoy all there is on offer.

How has the lock up and leave lifestyle changed your life?
We don’t have to worry about getting someone to look after our property when we go away. We can go away in our motorhome or overseas to escape the winter whenever we like.

What is your favourite dish at the clubhouse?
For Chris, it’s Gary’s special salmon and feta omelette, and Stuart loves the lamb shanks.

What is a great quote to live by?
“Never put a full stop where a comma ought to be.” The story doesn’t always have to end.