Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the Village Lifestyle Park?

The Village Lifestyle Park is a modern, over-55s independent living community set in landscaped gardens. Each of our modern and spacious homes is self contained and fenced in, giving you privacy. There is a wide range of homes from which to choose – you can buy an existing home that’s for sale, or build a brand new home on a lot of your choice.

Q. What are the homes like?

Each home is tailor made to suit the specific requirements of its owner. Every home is a spacious and modern 1, 2, or 3 bedroom home set on its own fully fenced allotment, complete with a car port, garden, and backyard. The home is not attached to its neighbour and offers independent, easy living. (See available homes…)

Q. What facilities are there?

Village has a modern community centre that includes a heated indoor pool, gym, dining and lounge areas as well as an al fresco BBQ area. The village environment is beautiful and friendly, complete with many landscaped areas designed to promote conversation, community, and an enjoyment of the natural surrounds.

The Village has all the modern conveniences you’d expect, including proximity to local townships (5 minutes’ drive to both Traralgon and Morwell town centres) and the Latrobe Regional Hospital (right next door), as well as the on-site recreation centre, heated swimming pool, caravan storage, and numerous BBQ areas. (See all facilities…)

Q. What are the people like?

The community at the Village is very active and welcomes new residents with open arms. Our residents range in age from 55 right up to their 80s and 90s. Some of our residents are retirees, while others work full or part time. Some have partners, some are single. Whatever your situation and status, you are welcome at the Village and are sure to find some like-minded friends to spend time with.

Q. How much will it cost to move to the Village?

You’ll be surprised to learn that the average cost of a house at the Village (including brand new ones where you have input on the design) is around $225,000. Many people find they can easily downsize to a home at the Village after selling their existing home, or even just using their savings.

Q. Are there any ongoing costs?

Like other retirement villages, we charge rent on the land on which your house is situated. This rent is around $130 per week. There is also an annual power supply charge of $490. Unlike many other retirement villages, we do not charge an administration fee, municipal rates, or water rates, saving you a lot of money each year. Nor do we charge a Deferred Management Fee, which can result in you missing out on up to 30% of the proceeds when it’s eventually time to sell your home.

This fee structure makes living at the Village extremely affordable. Many of our residents talk about a feeling of lessened financial pressure following their move to the Village. Download our brochure for more information.

Q. Is there a waiting list?

At the time of writing there is no waiting list. There is usually a handful of existing homes for sale as well as some empty lots ready for someone to come and build their dream home on. Hurry though, we can’t guarantee there will be homes available at any given time in the future. We encourage you to book a tour today to come and find out about the available options and see if the Village is right for you. Click here to book your personal tour…

Q. Do I need to organise a builder or real estate agent to move in?

No! To make it as easy and carefree as possible for you, we have partnered with renowned Gippsland home builders Snowgum Homes and Anchor Homes to bring you the best in modern luxury home design. You can build a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom home with a wide range of optional inclusions. All this for as little as $200,000, with no hidden costs. Find out more about the available home options…

Q. What’s the difference between a “lifestyle” and a “retirement” village?

When it comes to over-55s communities, there are two main options available – retirement villages and lifestyle villages. Because both generally offer communal facilities, enhanced security features, opportunities for socialising, low-maintenance accommodation, and a host of other lifestyle benefits, they are often thought of as the same thing – but there are some very important differences between the two. If you choose to live in a lifestyle village, your legal rights, contractual obligations and the fees you pay will be vastly different from those of a retirement village resident. Read our article on the topic to find out the full story…

Q. Why should I consider moving to a lifestyle village?

The safety and security of being in a gated community
The privacy of having a self-contained, fully fenced home on your own allotment
Social opportunities living with like-minded people your own age
The option to be free of the responsibilities of a larger home
The freedom to travel knowing that your home is cared for while you are away
The ability to store your caravan in our secure storage area
Immediate access to all the facilities you need, including Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon Golf Course, public transport, and local town centres
Your family’s knowledge and comfort that you’re going to be a part of a social, caring, and active community

We encourage you to speak to your family and friends about your decision to move to the Village. Our award-winning Managers here at the Village are knowledgeable and can answer any questions you may have. We also highly recommend you seek financial and/or legal advice about this decision – especially comparing our fee structure to others in our industry.

Q. What age do I have to be?

Yourself, your spouse or partner must be at least 55 years or retired from full time work to live at Village Lifestyle Park.

Q. Do I own my own home?

Yes, you own your home. We own the land on which it’s built and charge a small weekly rental fee, which also covers all your rates. Download our brochure for more information about fees and charges.

Q. What is a “deferred management fee” and do you charge them?

A deferred management fee is a fee charged by many retirement village operators. We believe deferred management fees are unfair and exploitative. In short, these fees are where you get a slightly better deal on your initial purchase, but sacrifice equity in your home over the long run, resulting in a greatly reduced profit (and often a loss) when it’s time to sell your home. In some cases this fee can add up to 30% of the total value of your home. At the Village we are able to offer great value on the purchase of your home without needing to resort to deferred management fees. Click here to read our full article on why you should avoid deferred management fees…

Q. Are pets allowed?

Yes, pets are welcome and we have a number of happy pets living with their owners at the Village. Pets are allowed subject to approval from our Village Managers and provided they meet a few reasonable conditions covering their ongoing care and management. Our Village Managers can talk to you about these conditions.

Q. Am I able to have my family and friends come and stay with me?

Yes, of course – your house is your home! Your family and friends are welcome to come and stay whenever you’d like them to. They are also welcome to use all of the facilities at the Village while they are here with you. If your house is too small for your visitors to stay, or you simply like to retain your privacy, your guests are also welcome to stay in the adjoining cabin accommodation.

Q. What happens if I decide to leave the Village at a later time?

You can sell your home in the village at any time. You are welcome to engage a real estate agent of your choice, and/or we can also assist with marketing your property for resale. The fact we do NOT charge a deferred management fee makes your Village home a lot more marketable because the new owner does not have to bear the burden of this massive exit fee, plus you get all of the proceeds from the sale of your Village home. Alternatively, many of our homes are demountable, so in some cases you can take the home with you!

Q. Is there space for my car and/or caravan?

Yes, each property at the Village has its own carport where you can keep your car under cover. There is also a secure caravan storage area where, for a minimal storage fee, you can store your caravan when it’s not in use.

Q. How do I take the next step?

To assist you in making your decision to become a Villager, you can talk to Geoff or Sylvia, who manage the Village. You can also talk to our residents and ask any questions about the Village lifestyle. It will soon become apparent that the Villagers are a diverse, happy group who enjoy their independent Village lifestyle and who welcome new residents with open arms. We also highly recommend you seek legal advice about the various options available so as to fully understand the different fee and ownership structures in the options you’re considering. Click here to arrange a personal tour of the Village at a date and time that suits you.

Do you have questions that are not covered here?

We encourage you to talk to one of our Village staff today. You can contact us any time to discuss Village life and to ask any questions about moving here.