Richard and Jenny Green’s Mount Waverley house has been a wonderful home for the couple for the past 40 years.
But, looking around their living room adorned with photos of grandchildren, they are quick to admit it no longer fits their needs.
The driveway is too steep, the beautiful garden a bit too much work.
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“Jenny was very keen to stay local, so when we heard about Ryman’s Burwood East Village that was very attractive,” Richard says.
The couple will move into a three-bedroom apartment at the village next January, but the move almost didn’t happen.
“Before we heard about Burwood East, we looked hard at one retirement village, Richard says.
“But when we looked at the aged care area, it wasn’t like proper aged care, not everything was there.
“Finally, they said, ‘it’s not full aged care’ and for us it was very important that full care was offered.”
On each of “a number of visits” to a friend and to events at Ryman’s Nellie Melba Retirement Village at Brandon Park, the couple found the staff “were very good”.
After a family meeting Jenny and Richard decided the Burwood East village would be their new perfect home.
And they say the move is more exciting than sad.
“I think it’s more important to focus on what’s coming up, nothing stays the same,” Richard says.
“You have to move with your requirements and make the most of what’s ahead.”
During a recent catch up with other future village residents Jenny and Richard spotted some familiar faces.
“We are in a Sing Australia group, and we recognised a couple who are in a Sing Australia group too,” Richard says.
Time will tell if a singing group will form at the village, but if it does, there are already four guaranteed members!
