{"id":4796,"date":"2025-10-01T23:50:59","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T23:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.villages.com.au\/?p=4796"},"modified":"2025-10-07T21:49:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T21:49:59","slug":"in-retirement-living-total-strangers-can-become-inseparable-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.villages.com.au\/retirement\/in-retirement-living-total-strangers-can-become-inseparable-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"In lifestyle living total strangers can become inseparable friends\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4796\" class=\"elementor elementor-4796\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-966620a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"966620a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f71b3a2\" data-id=\"f71b3a2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-113affd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"113affd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Debbie Hayes was so taken with Lincoln Place\u2019s Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate, the land lease community in Neath, she was prepared to move 460km south from Grafton.<\/strong><\/span><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kylie Bye, from nearby Maitland, also loved the thought of moving into a modern, low-maintenance home in a welcoming community.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The pair met when they arrived at the community to sign the paperwork for their new homes that placed them living directly opposite each other.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cWe began chatting that day and we clicked,\u201d Debbie recalls. \u201cNow, we\u2019re inseparable. We share so much in common and laugh together all the time. Kylie really is the best neighbour I could have asked for.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kylie agrees, saying the friendship has filled a void. \u201cI lost my mum earlier this year, and Deb stepped in like family. Her support and company mean the world to me. And if Deb needs any help around her house, my husband is there to assist.\u2019\u2019<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40d71d1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"40d71d1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-852a7a3\" data-id=\"852a7a3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16735ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"16735ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2-1024x791.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4799\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2-1024x791.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2-768x593.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2-600x464.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2-585x452.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture2.jpg 1056w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cc01cd2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cc01cd2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e8102b\" data-id=\"5e8102b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fce040 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fce040\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>From their regular shopping trips to evenings spent around the community firepit, Kylie and Debbie\u2019s friendship reflects the vibrant and social lifestyle residents enjoy across the estate.<\/p><p>\u201cWe often find ourselves standing out in the middle of the road outside our houses having a chat, and before long, other neighbours stop, and suddenly we\u2019ve got a little street gathering happening,\u201d Kylie says.<\/p><p>Debbie adds with a laugh, \u201cSomeone joked the other day that an overpass should be built in our street so cars could get around us!\u201d<\/p><p>Debbie, who downsized from a 10ha property, says, \u201cMoving here was the best decision I\u2019ve ever made. I decided it was time for me. I arrived on my own, but I\u2019ve found the most supportive community I could ask for.\u201d<\/p><p>Kylie and her husband searched up and down the NSW coast for a home in their price range. \u201cWe discovered Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate and now own our brand-new home outright, complete with a fully fenced yard where our two small dogs can roam freely,\u2019\u2019 she said.<\/p><p>Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate is a land lease community, offering affordable, secure and low maintenance living for over-50s. Residents enjoy a range of facilities including the new community centre with lounge areas, games room, outdoor dining areas, an upgraded pool, gym, pickleball court, and bowling green.<\/p><p>Only an hour from Newcastle, the lifestyle estate is surrounded by world-class wineries, boutique towns and national parks. Under the land lease model, residents retain full ownership of their home and any capital gains, while leasing the land. There\u2019s no stamp duty, no exit fees, no body-corporate fees, and no council rates.\u00a0 The only ongoing cost is a weekly site rental fee for the land that also covers the maintenance of the community and the lifestyle amenities.<\/p><p><strong>What are land lease communities and why are they so popular?<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7d7f4c4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7d7f4c4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-83a23d9\" data-id=\"83a23d9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf29cdd elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"bf29cdd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/watch?v=BR3aehRWk0M&quot;,&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-video .elementor-widget-container{overflow:hidden;transform:translateZ(0)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio)}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{height:100%;width:100%;display:flex;border:none;background-color:#000}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1\/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% \/ var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper iframe,.elementor-widget-video .elementor-wrapper video{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-open-inline .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;background-size:cover;background-position:50%}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{cursor:pointer;text-align:center}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay:hover .elementor-custom-embed-play i{opacity:1}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{display:block;width:100%;aspect-ratio:var(--video-aspect-ratio);-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover;-o-object-position:center center;object-position:center center}@supports not (aspect-ratio:1\/1){.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay{position:relative;overflow:hidden;height:0;padding-bottom:calc(100% \/ var(--video-aspect-ratio))}.elementor-widget-video .elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay img{position:absolute;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0}}.elementor-widget-video .e-hosted-video .elementor-video{-o-object-fit:cover;object-fit:cover}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-video,.e-con>.elementor-widget-video{width:var(--container-widget-width);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d7df87c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d7df87c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f2ffeb9\" data-id=\"f2ffeb9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ac5467 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8ac5467\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Lincoln Place Community Portfolio Manager Simone Davis said Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate embodies the best of modern downsizer living.<\/p><p>\u201cHere, people don\u2019t just buy a home, they join a community. It\u2019s about affordable homes, quality facilities, and the chance to create the kind of meaningful friendships that Debbie and Kylie share,\u201d Simone said.<\/p><p>The final stage of homes at Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate are under construction offering the last opportunity to buy a new home in the sought-after community. Two-bedroom homes from $395,000 can be secured on a $1,500 refundable deposit. For a limited time, purchasers receive a $5,000 package, including downsizing advice and help with moving costs.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-84260dd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"84260dd\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-29a3da6\" data-id=\"29a3da6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec6b66c elementor-button-success elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"ec6b66c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg\" href=\"https:\/\/thedcmgroup.createsend1.com\/t\/y-e-qhluhjd-l-c\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Return to Newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Debbie Hayes was so taken with Lincoln Place\u2019s Hunter Valley Lifestyle Estate, the land lease community in Neath, she was prepared to move 460km south from Grafton.\u00a0 Kylie Bye, from nearby Maitland, also loved the thought of moving into a modern, low-maintenance home in a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-retirement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4796"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4867,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4796\/revisions\/4867"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}