Downsizing makes for stress-free retirement living

Downsizing during retirement made sense for Bolton Clarke Rowes Bay resident Zoe after moving into the village almost two years ago for the community and care services.

Now residing in a studio apartment at the village, Zoe says the space is perfect for what she needs.

“Some people might need a lot more space, but I transitioned quite well to the studio lifestyle,” Zoe said.

“I was in a three-bedroom home on Magnetic Island, but we began the downsizing process when we moved to Far North Queensland and then back Townsville to have more services available to us when my partner needed more care.”

After Zoe’s partner John lost his battle to cancer, she decided she wanted a place to call her own where she was surrounded by a supportive community.

“Rowes Bay seemed like a perfect location for me because the island is straight across from me here and it’s on the beach.

“Because of a back condition I was able to do less and less. I couldn’t cope with a bigger home, so it’s been a really good transition into a smaller space.”

Zoe says the transition took some adjustment but with additional community spaces around the village there is nothing she feels she is missing.

“You do have to think about what you’re bringing and storage, but I’ve got space under my bed and cubed shelving which is great – I don’t need anything bigger.

“Our studio apartments here are next to what we call The Glasshouse which you can come in and do crafts or sit in the lounge chairs and read, it’s like your own loungeroom.

“My advice for those considering it would be to come and visit somebody living in a studio apartment and see what it feels like.

“You might sit here and think ‘well of course I could live in this environment!’.

“For me, I can go visit my kids and do more things and I don’t have to worry about maintaining gardens or lawns, so it works really well.”