News

Have you ever wondered what happens in an Open Day at one of our villages? We know it can feel daunting when you start to look at retirement villages with many unknowns ahead. Coming to an Open Day is the perfect way to have a look around, chat with our Sales Agents and our residents, and ensure that it feels like the right fit for you. Rest assured, there’s absolutely no pressure to buy during your visit to an Open Day.

We can highlight the benefits of our serviced apartments as much as we want, but there’s nothing better than hearing it directly from our residents. Compact in design, our 1- and 2-bedroom self-contained studio apartments cater specifically to those in need of additional support. Curious to discover what our residents have to say about their experiences?

Could you imagine living in an apartment right next door to a movie theatre? Remuera Garden’s best kept secret is the 45-seat tiered cinema that resides inside the village. March is Musical madness, and the residents are being treated to a festival of musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera, Grease and South Pacific.

Real Living villages have a heart of gold, and they show it time and time again with their ongoing support to various charities. They always try to have lots of fun at the same time, as we can see in Remuera Gardens’ latest charitable initiative. Their “Wear it Pink” event to support the Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation was a day full of laughs and heartwarming moments.

Most retirement villages have a minimum entry of 65 or even 70 years old, but at Real Living we welcome everyone from 55 years old. This is the main reason why Craig (61) was first attracted to Remuera Gardens, and then he instantly fell in love with the village after his first visit. In August he celebrated his first anniversary at the village with a sense of fulfilment: “It’s more than I ever expected. Remuera Gardens is ticking all the boxes I hoped it would.”

At Real Living we know that life doesn’t stop when you retire, but quite the opposite. Our villages offer a wide range of activities to keep you busy, including a big selection of cultural events. At Remuera Gardens they organise regular trips to shows, museums and libraries, and if you prefer to stay at home, they also have a 45-seat tiered cinema for you to enjoy.

When we say that Remuera Gardens is a feast for the senses, we’re not exaggerating! The village has around 130 different varieties of camellias which flower during the autumn and winter months. The residents love walking around their little slice of paradise and they always stop and talk to Aaron, the village’s most devoted gardener. Aaron has spent the last seven years cataloguing every plant and believe it or not… he hasn’t finished yet!

At Real Living we have many residents with remarkably successful careers. At Remuera Gardens we are very proud to have Nan Gibson-Brine among our residents. Working under the name of Nan Gibson, she is an accomplished concert pianist who has performed in England, Australia, SE Asia and New Zealand. Nan is so passionate about her music that for many years she shared her talent with the village organising delightful concerts and sing-alongs for her neighbours.

Shaun Wallace, aka “The Dark Destroyer” from The Chase, is touring New Zealand and we’re so thrilled that his first stop was Remuera Gardens! Did you know that he loves New Zealand and he’s a big fan of… kiwi onion dip? Yesterday Shaun fulfilled one of his dreams: to meet the inventor of our most famous dip, Rosemary Mount, who happens to be one of our residents at Real Living!