Baycrest a perfect fit for family retirement

Finding family retiring under one roof might be unusual, but for Baycrest retirement village residents Liz and Craig Winnington and Liz’s brother Lindsay Clarke, it’s the perfect fit.

The trio made the move to the village in February, with Liz and Craig moving from Burleigh Heads and Lindsay from Wynnum West.

Craig says the sea change wasn’t planned but was spurred on by a friend.

“Another couple at Burleigh had sold their house and were moving up here. I immediately looked it up on the computer to check it out. That was a Thursday, last September, and by the Monday, we were up here having a tour.

“We loved it and put a deposit on the next day. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but it’s amazing up here, it’s so good!”

Liz says being able to be there for her older brother was a big driver in the decision.

“Lindsay doesn’t cook anymore, and it got hard for him the last 12 months with restrictions – he was getting a bit isolated. It made sense to be close by so we can help and provide some support.”

“At first Lindsay declined our suggestion, but once we showed him all the advantages he was very much on board,” she said. “The three-bedroom unit means we have our own space and the company for him has made a big difference – he’s always up at the community hall doing something!”

“We think it’s really well situated too. We feel really safe and secure – and we’re a five-minute drive from everywhere.”

She says they wish more people would rethink their approach to retirement.

“We don’t feel like it’s the end of the line – we’re very active! There’s always something to do, and having the aged care community right next door, it gives us peace of mind for the future, and for Lindsay, too.

“The fact that is there is quite unique. We just love it here, we’re really happy.”

Craig says the support from sales consultant Pat Sturdy and retirement village manager Sally Zentveld made the transition easy.

“Pat has been truly amazing,” he said. “We couldn’t have asked for better support moving here. The first sale of our old place fell over, but she assured us that the new place was ours, she’d hold it for us.

“And Sally has been great – the whole team has become like our extended family. Nothing is too hard, and we have all the support we’d need from them and the maintenance and grounds team.

“We’re very content and we love the laidback lifestyle. Baycrest is number one for us, we should have come 10 years earlier!”

Image:

A perfect fit: Liz and Craig Winnington with Liz’s older brother Lindsay Clarke, in front of their home at Baycrest retirement village.