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Guide to Retirement Living

Considering a move to a retirement community? Our helpful guide outlines what to expect.
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Why choose retirement living?

If you want to live independently while enjoying a welcoming community, retirement living may be right for you. At our retirement communities across Melbourne and regional Victoria, residents are empowered to live life their way, with support available when needed.

Today’s retirement communities are not what they once were: modern, independent homes are complemented by quality shared spaces that extend your living area. There’s plenty to do and people to do it with—if you choose.

Moving is a big decision, and the Guide to Retirement Living helps, covering lifestyle, fees, contracts, and moving tips so you can choose with confidence.
Our Communities
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Retirement communities are designed with your wellbeing and lifestyle in mind, offering support where needed.

 
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Swim

Health and Wellbeing

Programs such as book clubs, movie clubs, games, art, dance and music.
Chat

Community and Lifestyle

Amenities including libraries, landscaped gardens, gyms, swimming pools and bowling greens.
Group 34

Exceptional residences and shared spaces

Services such as regular catered meals, scheduled shopping trips, visiting allied health and medical professionals.
Hand Heart

Care and support if you need it

VMCH is a provider of Support at Home services from cleaning and shopping to allied health support.
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A home for life

Residences are thoughtfully designed for easy, low‑maintenance living, so you can spend more time enjoying life.

Door and cupboard handles are easy to operate, steps are reduced or eliminated, doorways are wide, and floorplans allow circulation space for mobility devices.

Most importantly, downsizing means less housework and maintenance! 

VMCH offers two and three bedroom units and apartments across 15 locations in Victoria.

  • Units provide single‑level living with private gardens.
  • Apartments offer low‑maintenance comfort, often with balconies or garden access.
Find out more in our free guide
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Welcoming communities with a strong sense of belonging

Residences at retirement communities are only available to people aged 55 years and over so you won’t be living next to a share house of university students enjoying their party years, but you may be hosting your own parties with your new friends!

Community life is shaped by you.  You can take part in the clubs, activities, shared meals and outings on offer at most retirement communities, or simply enjoy knowing you have others close by.

Amenities vary but can include shared lounges, golf simulators, pool tables, walking trails, bowling greens, cinemas, gyms, pools, and dining areas that encourage social interaction.

VMCH communities offer a welcoming environment where friendships grow naturally and everyone is included, with many residents forming meaningful friendships. Whether you enjoy relaxing at home, have a busy social life, or are still working part-time, retirement communities are a great way to develop new connections.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about retirement living? Here are clear, helpful answers to guide your decision and make the move with confidence.

Come and visit us for a tour! We’d love to show you around and introduce you to some of the residents, so you can get a better understanding of what it’s like to live at one of our retirement living communities.

We also recommend that you sign up to our database so you can learn more about the individual properties come on the market.

Your safety and security is of the utmost importance to us. At all our villages we have staff either one site or on call 24/7. Our staff, neighbours, 24hr call system and CCTV provide great peace of mind for our residents.

Pets are absolutely welcome at all our retirement living communities, but we do ask you seek approval of management first. We want to make sure our communities are a wonderful place for those with and without pets, so we may ask you comply with a few guidelines to ensure a harmonious environment.

VMCH does offer a fantastic range of At-Home Aged Care services. If you need a little extra help at home and in the community, then we can provide the care you need. From cleaning, to shopping and allied health support. To find out more call 1300 698 624.

Retirement living is for people over 55 who can live independently in their own homes, and can participate and enjoy the community lifestyle.

In contrast, residents who live in an aged care residence can no longer live at home independently and require daily care for their health and safety.

Definitely! This is your home after all. Friends and family are welcome to stay with you for short periods. If you’re planning to have a visitor for an extended period of time, you’ll need to talk to the Manager.

Generally, any variations or alterations to the apartments, such as new paint colour scheme, alternate floor coverings, installation of permanent fixtures and other modifications will require the consent of management.

VMCH has retirement living communities across Bacchus Marsh, Brunswick West, Camberwell, Clayton, Deepdene, Eltham, Greensborough, Hawthorn, Kew, Kyneton, Pakenham, Point Cook, Torquay, Toorak, and Trentham.

We recommend that you consult your solicitor and financial planner or accountant before making this important decision.

You have the security of a 49-year lease. You may of course leave at any time of your own choosing.
No, stamp duty or GST are not applicable.

There is a weekly maintenance charge towards the operating cost of the communal facilities and services. This is set annually in relation to actual costs and in discussion with the resident committees at each of the sites.

You are responsible for insuring the contents of your home. Building insurance for your unit is included in the weekly maintenance fees.

The DMF is really an ‘enjoy now, pay later’ arrangement. This fee contributes to the capital cost of the amenities. By deferring these costs, entry into our community lifestyle is more affordable. You pay these deferred fees when you leave from the ingoing price paid by the next resident, which, in recent times, has usually returned more than the amount you paid.

A 24-hour emergency call service is provided to all residents and is included in the maintenance fees. Access to emergency assistance is by phone and pendant.

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