Independent living in the heart of Epsom

Penny started working at Real Living in July 2022 as Epsom Village's Village Assistant. While she hasn't been with Real Living for long, she has quickly become one of the most beloved staff members at the village. Penny excels not only in organizing activities and major events on the social calendar but also in effortlessly connecting with people and understanding their needs and preferences.

"From the very start, I felt like I belonged here, like another piece of the puzzle. I often tell people that I'm honoured to work at Real Living. I can make a difference in people's lives, and the residents here provide me with endless opportunities for growth and learning. It's a very fulfilling role.”

When my mother moved to Epsom Village, I was worried she might not like it. I knew her apartment was lovely, with a beautiful garden courtyard, but would she adapt to this new way of living? Once the process of condensing her worldly belongings into a small two-bedroom apartment was complete, life at Epsom Village opened up. With a calendar full of regular events, groups, outings, a gym, and a heated swimming pool, countless opportunities filled her schedule. New friendships blossomed as she opted in and out of activities, providing both company and privacy. The vibrant atmosphere of Epsom Village even led our family to affectionately rename it the Resort! Afternoon teas, evening gatherings, themed events, and special visits provided so much vitality and interest that we felt as though we were living in a resort. As an only child with just one parent left, I can't express how happy I am that my mother has found such joy at Epsom Village. I visit her often and love chatting with her neighbors—such lovely friendships are formed, and so many new memories are made in a place and time I never imagined. Thank you, Epsom Village—your staff's tireless efforts in supporting our cherished family members to embrace independent retirement living are truly commendable.

Barbara is one of the most adventurous residents at Real Living. At 19 years old, she bought her first vehicle, a motor scooter, which took her on her first trip around Europe. She’s traveled to 45 countries and has lived in Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and New Zealand.

Life for Barbara wasn't going to slow down with retirement; instead, she took on serious tramping when she stopped working. She has walked most of the Great Walks and many other multi-day tramps in New Zealand and overseas. When it was time to move to a retirement village, Barbara knew that her priority was to pick a new home that was conveniently located: “I moved to Epsom Village because of the good training walks from here up Mount Eden, One Tree Hill, Mount St John, and Mount Hobson. I also love my apartment's view towards Mount Eden.”

Elaine and Ivan believe that retirement must be enjoyed to the fullest. Their recipe for happiness is to lead a creative and active lifestyle, spend time with friends and family, and to always keep a positive attitude. They have been living at Epsom Village for more than 12 years and their cheeky sense of humour made them loved from the get-go. “The first time we visited the Lounge, we ended up convincing all the residents to go outside and dance the conga!”, confesses Ivan with his contagious laugh.

Elaine and Ivan decided to move to Epsom Village because of its location. The village is close to the heart of Auckland City and just down the road from fashionable shopping in Newmarket, leafy Cornwall Park and the Auckland Domain. They instantly fell in love with the friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to participate in so many social events, including the weekly village’s trip to the countryside.

Elaine was a very shy person until the couple moved to Epsom Village and Ivan encouraged her to be more sociable and start mixing with people. “Now he wishes he could get me to stop talking!”, she says with a cheeky smile, immediately reflected by her husband. The couple certainly add spice to our retirement village and they’re always keen in participating in dressing up events. Their costumes are sure to provoke admiration and laughter among all the other residents!

Nick Seaman is our superstar chef at Epsom Village, with more than 40 years of experience in cooking, ranging from fine dining restaurants to commercial catering, hotel work, boarding schools, and, of course, retirement villages. He’s been working for the village for almost two years, preparing the Wednesday Menu: “I really like being a chef because when you feed people, you’re also nurturing them. At the same time, you get feedback from them, so your work is an ongoing learning process.”

Nick loves chatting with the residents when he comes to the village on Wednesday afternoons, and he appreciates the autonomy and creativity involved in his role at Epsom Village.

Nick also enjoys the challenge of thinking outside the box when the village hosts special events. His most popular events have been the Pink Ribbon Breakfast, featuring his celebrated Eggs Benedict, and last year’s midwinter dinner, where he created a menu from scratch inspired by his travels around the world

When my late wife and I made the decision to relocate to a retirement village just over five years ago, the location and being able to bring our two cats were the two most important issues. Epsom ticked all the boxes. And as a smaller village it appealed as well.

As my work slowed down, I started to use the village pool. After being noticed by one of the village ladies, her partner talked me into joining him for swimming at the nearby Onehunga pool. I’ve since been introduced to the swim squad coach, joined up, and gone on to win my age group in the New Zealand Ocean Swim Series and Kohimarama beach swim events.

The decision to move into real Living certainly changed my life around.

Diana Burslem picked Epsom Village because of the location and proximity to her friends and also because it’s independent living: “You can join into everything, or you can be completely apart. There’s happiness amongst the people and friendliness, and a lot of people who had interesting lives.”

Diana is one of the most active, social and friendly members of our community, and she volunteers her help every time she can.

Diana worked as a teacher for more than 40 years. Around 2004 her sister set up a company to publish Readers, the books that junior school children use to learn how to read. For Diana it was a “natural progression” to get involved in her sister’s company and start writing books for children. “I love my job, I don’t get enough of it, it’s a passion!”

Diana is another of our busy and happy villagers, who likes to live life to the fullest.

Rosemary Dempsey has devoted all her life to food. She invented Kiwi Onion Dip when she was working as a Home Economist for Nestle. She was in charge of the test kitchen. When she left her job at Nestle, she became the first food editor for the New Zealand Herald. She was also a radio and TV broadcaster and a food photographer.

Rosemary moved to Epsom Village eight years ago, because she liked its central location, its elegant gardens, its privacy and its size: “I like that it’s small. I saw some of the larger villages and I said no, I couldn’t cope with that, too many people”. She still loves cooking and creating new recipes and she shares this passion with her two children and five grandchildren.

Rosemary has never been bored and she has no intention of starting now: her 90th birthday celebrations lasted a full month and included many friends and, of course, lots of delicious lunches at her favourite restaurants.

With an eye to the future I tentatively contemplated living in a retirement complex, but on a first somewhat apprehensive visit to Epsom Village, there was my corner second floor unit waiting for me. It was love at first sight, with its two panoramic walls of windows looking over treetops to the distant Rangitoto. A private balcony overlooks Reception, and comings and goings from the outside world. How could I wish for more?

This ‘small town’ has less than a hundred apartments of pleasingly varied shape and size, and occupants to match. It is nestled in a garden suburb with mature trees beloved by tuis, and individual private gardens in abundance. Showgrounds, a working farm, library, cinema and several shopping hubs are all within half an hour by foot, or ten minutes by bus. What more could I want?

Although independent, we Villagers have the reassurance of help at the press of a button. The hermits among us can hibernate in our she-caves and man-caves at will, but we can emerge to join congenial neighbours in the common lounge to catch up on news, laugh, grumble, cry or perhaps fit a piece into the community jigsaw.

So, though I have caring family nearby and abroad, fellow villagers and staff have merged into my perception of family, and after an outing I say I am going ‘HOME’.