That's a great question, and a good place to start answering it is to think about what you enjoy doing most. What lights you up? It doesn't need to be anything as intrepid as travelling the world (although it can be if that's your thing), it can also be making the most of the simple everyday joys in life.
For many people who've already made the move, life looks a lot like it did before, only with more room for enjoyment in it. The walks, the travel, the hobbies and the time with grandchildren all carry on. What disappears is the list of things that got in the way: the lawns, the maintenance and the worry about the house.
There's no such thing as a typical Ryman resident, so there's no typical day either. Here are three very different days.
Every morning, Shorty is up at 4.45am. "I'm ex-military so my body's gotten used to it," he says.
Then he gets to work. Armed with a specially modified trolley and grabber, he does the rounds of his village's bin rooms. He checks the right things are going into the correct bins and collects newspapers, paper bags and A4 sheets of paper as he goes, clocking up as much as 3km in steps.
Instead of heading to landfill, that paper gets a second life. Shorty folds the newspapers and shreds the A4, then drops it all off each week to local animal rescue organisations, where it's put to good use, including lining bird cages. He's already on his second shredder.
He's even helped improve recycling around the village by suggesting clearer signage in more than one language. There's always more to be done, of course. "I don't say anything about the lack of rinsing… but I could," he laughs.
His village manager calls him a real sustainability superstar, although Shorty sees it a little more simply. "I'm doing this because someone else is going to benefit. And because I want to," he says.
At Ryman’s Edmund Hillary Village, the walking shoes are always by the door. The Hillary Hikers started about ten years ago, with seven or eight members. Today the mailing list has more than 50 names.
The routes alternate each week between local walks and routes a bit further afield. There's just one rule: there has to be a café at the end for a coffee and a scone.
"Our group is a very happy group," says founding member Howard. "The feedback I get is they really enjoy the contact and the camaraderie and the café is the highlight of the day."
He adds with a laugh: "I feel the scone I eat normally always has undone the work of the walk however!"
They've even walked for a good cause recently, sporting bright purple t-shirts and walking the waterfront to raise awareness of bowel cancer, collecting plenty of smiles and thumbs-ups along the way.
For others, the best part of the day is all about the friends they make in the village. At one village, a group of theatre enthusiasts started to attend performances together. These theatre trips then evolved into long lunches and winery tours before expanding into group holidays.
The main travel organiser for the group is Marie, who says that in the early days, “I’d say to people, 'is there somebody that you think might like to join us?' and it just developed like that.”
As this group have shown, you never know where friendship can take you. A trip to the theatre, dinner out, a show in the village can lead to adventures much further afield. Village life makes it easy to say yes to new things, because like-minded company is never far away.
If you'd like to know more about what village life could be like for you, why not attend one (or more) of our events?
That's up to you, but a typical week might combine some village activities with the life you already have in the wider community. Think morning walks and coffee catch-ups, fitness classes, happy hour and spending time with family and friends on the weekend.
Here's what a week can look like:
One of the best things about living in a Ryman village is that you're not removed from the community. You're right in the heart of it. You spend your days enjoying village activities and social events, then head out to your favourite café, the local shops, the park or the theatre.
It's the best of both worlds: a friendly village community, in a suburb you already know and love.
There's always something happening around the village, but there's never any expectation to join in. Social butterfly? Brilliant. Prefer your own company and a good crossword? Also brilliant.
Your home is exactly that: your home. A place to relax, recharge, enjoy a quiet morning with a coffee or spend the day entirely on your own terms. The choice is always yours.
And if you'd like to lock up and leave for a while, that's easy too. Weary Dunlop Village residents Alan and Gayle enjoy a lock-and-leave lifestyle that enables them to spend half the year at the beach.
Ryman's wellness programs and exercise classes aren't just about physical health. They're also designed to stimulate your mind, and help provide purpose and connection.
Or perhaps you'd prefer to form an interest group or start a new activity on your own. In a Ryman village, those opportunities are never far away, and there's usually someone nearby who enjoys the same things you do.
The walking groups and travels groups that have formed in villages are good examples. They didn't start as a "wellness program", but evolved naturally within the village community as a way for people to keep moving, stay connected, do things that are important to them.
Freedom, connection and wellness, shaped by the residents who live in each village. See how it works.
It's easy to picture a beautiful villa or apartment. But ask Ryman residents what matters most, and they'll often tell you it's the things beyond their front door. From shared morning coffees and exercise classes to movie nights, village events and familiar friendly faces, it's the community of like-minded residents and support staff that makes all the difference.
Indoor pools, cafés, libraries, bowling greens, cinemas and beautifully kept gardens create places to relax, connect and stay active. The amenities vary from village to village, so ask what's on offer at the ones you like.
Exercise classes, social clubs and organised events offer plenty of chances to pursue a hobby or try something new.
Our village teams help keep everything running smoothly, so you spend more time enjoying life and less time worrying about upkeep.
Village amenities are only part of the story. What residents often value most is knowing there's a familiar team on site every day. From village managers to support staff, there are people nearby who know the community and are there when needed.
It's the kind of reassurance that's hard to see in a brochure, but easy to appreciate once you're living it.
Underpinning village life is the reassurance of knowing that care and support options are available if life changes. Ask the team at your chosen village about the options, availability and any conditions that apply.
Whatever they enjoy. Days can include walking groups, fitness classes, coffee catch-ups, hobbies, volunteering, trips out and happy hour, alongside the life you already have in your local community.
Do I have to join in village activities?No. There's always something happening, but never any expectation to join in. Your home is your own, and you choose how you spend your time.
Can I still travel if I live in a retirement village?Yes. You come and go as you please, and the village looks after the upkeep while you're away.
What facilities do Ryman villages have?Depending on the village, facilities can include indoor pools, cafés, libraries, bowling greens, cinemas and landscaped gardens.
Are there wellness programs in Ryman villages?Yes. Ryman's wellness programs are designed to support both your physical health and your mind, as well as your social connections.
How can I see what village life is like before deciding?Book a private village tour or come along to one of our events. You can look around, see the homes and chat with residents.
Every village is different, but one thing stays the same: a welcoming community and a lifestyle designed to make everyday living easier and more enjoyable. The best way to see if it's for you is to come and see the homes, the grounds and the people for yourself, at a time that suits you.
We'd love to show you around. Book a private village tour, come along to an event, or call us on 1800 314 425.