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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 communities across Melbourne and regional Victoria, residents are empowered to live life their way, with support available if 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 our Guide to Retirement Living helps, covering lifestyle, fees, contracts, and moving tips so you can choose with confidence.

VMCH retirement communities are designed with your wellbeing and lifestyle in mind, offering support where needed.

 

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Swim

Health and Wellbeing

Most offer group exercise areas and gym equipment, some include swimming pools or bowling greens. Walking groups are popular for those who enjoy social exercise, with amenities and activities supporting physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

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Community and Lifestyle

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

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

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Exceptional residences and shared spaces

Modern two and three bedroom homes with private outdoor spaces. Shared amenities act as an extension of your home.

Hand Heart

Care and support if you need it

VMCH is a trusted provider of a wide range of home care services from cleaning and shopping to allied health support.

A living room with balcony.

A home for life

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

Door and cupboard handles are easy to operate, steps 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:

  • Units provide single‑level living with private gardens
  • Apartments offer low‑maintenance comfort, often with balconies or garden access.
Waitress serving residents in St. Clare private dining room

Welcoming communities with a strong sense of belonging

Retirement communities are available only to those 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. Enjoy the clubs, activities, shared meals and outings on offer, or simply enjoy knowing you have others close by.

Amenities vary, but can include shared lounge areas, golf simulators, pool tables, walking trails, bowling greens, cinemas, gyms, pools, and dining areas to enjoy with new friends.

VMCH communities offer an environment where friendships grow naturally and everyone is included. 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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15 Communities Across Victoria

 

Metro Melbourne, Inner and Eastern Suburbs

Athelstan, Camberwell
Premium retirement living in the heart of Camberwell.
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Barnsbury, Deepdene
Beautifully appointed and in the heart of leafy Deepdene.
See details
St. Clare, Kew
Premium Kew residences and amenities, now ready to move in.
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St. Joseph’s Mews, Hawthorn
Beautifully appointed and in the heart of leafy Hawthorn.
See details
The Benson, Toorak
Luxury retirement living in the heart of Toorak.
See details
Corpus Christi, Clayton
Vibrant and active, safe and welcoming.
See details
St. Francis Park, Ivanhoe East
Now under development, coming soon to East Ivanhoe.
See details
Metro Melbourne, Northern and Western Suburbs
Point Cook
A welcoming coastal community in Melbourne's west.
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Providence, Bacchus Marsh
Vibrant, boutique retirement living.
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St Thomas', Greensborough
A friendly and welcoming community.
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St. Joseph’s Place, Brunswick West
Delightful, vibrant, city retirement living.
See details
Parkview, Eltham
Downsize into a welcoming community.
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Regional Victoria
Star of the Sea, Torquay
Enjoy more time for you, right near the beach.
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Shanagolden, Pakenham
A boutique village home to a lovely community.
See details
Marcellin, Kyneton
Boutique retirement living in a charming country town.
See details
McAuley, Trentham
Delightful, country-style retirement living.
See details

Retirement Living FAQs


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 on 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, but small changes such as installation of fly screens, picture hooks or disability modifications don’t need approval. 

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 monthly 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 arranging insurance for the contents of your home, as well as any public liability insurance that applies within your unit. Building insurance for your unit is included in the monthly maintenance fees.

When you leave, you pay an exit fee, known as a Deferred Management Fee or DMF. This fee contributes to the costs of services provided in the village to you. Think of it as the portion you don’t pay upfront, leaving you more money to enjoy during your active retirement years.

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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