How Melbourne couple is slashing bills and home costs in retirement
A Melbourne couple are ditching their family home of 40 years for an eco-friendly lifestyle, and saved thousands of dollars doing it. Find out how.
A Melbourne couple unlocked a new lease on life — and thousands in savings — by downsizing to an eco-friendly retirement community, and they reckon other retirees should follow suit.
Paul and Jeanette, aged 70 and 74, are swapping their family home of over four decades for Ingenia Communities’ new Green Star-certified development in Beveridge.
The pair spent years scoping out retirement options before landing on the right one.
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“To be honest, the decision to move to Ingenia started with a bit of curiosity,” Paul said.
“A friend suggested we have a look – over the years, we’d visited a few other villages around Melbourne’s northern suburbs — probably on and off over the past 10 years — but none of them really felt like the right fit.
“Then, when we saw what Ingenia offered, we thought, hang on, this feels much more like us.”
The Abbotts say the time to downsize became glaringly obvious as they got older such as maintaining a large home and storing stuff they don’t use anymore started to feel ‘overwhelming’.
Ingenia’s new Beveridge community is designed with homes certified under the Green Star Homes Designed program and promises residents like the Stapleton’s more than $2,000 in annual energy savings.
Sustainable features include solar panels, high-performance insulation, and airtight designs.
Jeanette said their new home is as cost-effective as they are eco-conscious.
“We’re very happy about the eco-friendly options in our new home,” she said.
“At first, sustainability wasn’t a big priority for us, but as we started looking more into downsizing, it became part of the picture.
“We had solar power at our old home, and that made a big difference – now, in our new home, there are features like airflow systems and other green initiatives.
“Being retired, even an extra $2,000 a year in savings makes a big difference — that’s money we can put aside for a holiday or something special.”
Ingenia chief executive John Carfi said the project is designed to do more than just provide homes — it’s about creating sustainable, affordable retirement living.
“We’re pioneering a new era of sustainable land lease communities that enhance resident quality of life while lowering running costs,” Mr Carfi said.
“With people living longer, retirement dollars need to stretch further.”
For Paul and Jeanette, the added perks of their new home go beyond savings – with access to a heated indoor pool, yoga studio, community garden, and clubhouse planned for the Beveridge community, they’re ready to embrace a more connected lifestyle.
“The community lifestyle is a huge drawcard for us,” Paul said.
“Personally, I’m looking forward to the clubhouse, the gym, and other social spaces.
“The beauty of a place like this is that everything is right there — you’re much more likely to use it all.”
Another key selling point for the Abbotts was the land lease model, which avoids the deferred management fees often associated with retirement villages.
“With those other places, you often have to deal with things like deferred management fees, which can make it harder if you ever want to sell and move on,” Jeanette said.
Their advice for others considering downsizing? Start early and take your time.
“For anyone our age thinking about downsizing or moving to a land lease community, I’d say do your homework and make sure you’re ready,” Paul said.
“We spent about 10 years casually looking at different options, and for the longest time, we said, ‘No, we’re not ready.’ Then, all of a sudden, you reach a point where it just feels like the right time.”
Jeanette agreed, urging other retirees to be practical.
“Talk to your family and neighbours about it, and really think about what you need,” she said.
“For us, it was the little things — like not being able to climb ladders or mow the lawn anymore — that made the decision clear.
“If the work at home is starting to feel like too much, it’s worth having a serious look at your options.”
“We’ve done this for ourselves, to make life simpler and more enjoyable.
Ingenia’s Beveridge community will welcome its first residents in mid-2025, offering 262 homes built for retirees.
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Originally published as How Melbourne couple is slashing bills and home costs in retirement
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