Demand increasing for residential park living

Demand is reportedly increasing for residential park living, with Gateway Lifestyle releasing their annual enquiries are up significantly year on year across the country. And, according to their Residential Parks Director, Trent Ottawa, the market is coming from over 50’s looking for more affordable accommodation, a sense of community and security.

“If the large number of inquiries and site sales at three of NSW’s leading parks recently are anything to go by 2014 should be a strong year for sales. Enquiries have escalated over recent months and site sales have reached a record high, with one park, Stanhope Gardens, in Sydney’s northwest, 90% sold.”

Affordability is playing a big role in the growth of residential park developments, which offer a different housing model to traditional retirement living.

According to Mr Ottawa, a brand new, high quality, two or three-bedroom house in one of their residential parks near a major CBD will cost $270,000, and in the regional areas the homes start from $220,000.  This does not include the cost of the land, which is rented from the park operators, Gateway Lifestyle.

We popped into Stanhope Gardens in Sydney’s seaside suburbs a few weeks ago and met some of the over 60 community members to find out what all the fuss was about.  Christene, who is her 60’s and still working as an aged care nurse, moved to the residential park as a “seachange” and is very happy with her decision to do so one year on.  She undertook all her own investigations into the cost and lifestyle options available in retirement communities after last year deciding to downsize her property.

She spoke about her choice with beautiful frankness.

“Several things had appeal – the community atmosphere, the security of a gated environment and a brand new home which meant a true fresh start.  The sense of community is amazing here. There is always someone wanting to share a coffee or have a chat. She said.

And even a year after a year of living there, Christene remains impressed by how much space she has in her new home.

“I had a choice of homes,” she said.  “What I like about the one I chose is that is has a big ensuite, and the bedrooms aren’t ontop of each other which is great when the grand children come to stay. I just love the atmosphere and the community feel. It’s been a good choice for me”.

Gateway Lifestyle Residential Parks has twelve properties in NSW and QLD, joining a growing number of residential parks across Australia offering alternative quality affordable accommodation for particularly the over 50’s wanting to downsize or a lifestyle change.

“The ‘manufactured home park’ model is an emerging retirement living model because it offers high quality new homes without the cost of buying land,”  said Mr Ottawa.

Homes are built with the potential to be relocated but are designed to be onsite for the long term.

“Retirees or people planning to retire and are looking to downsize, can have a high quality new two or three bedroom home, pay a weekly site fee and can enjoy a range of social and recreational facilities without having to worry about lawn maintenance, rates or body corporate charges,” said Mr Ottawa.

Above: Stanhope Gardens resident, Christene McCann outside, and inside her new home.

This post is sponsored by Gateway Lifestyle Residential Parks.  For more information please call 1300 361 311 or visit www.gatewaylifestyle.com.au.