Elevated living: embracing over-50s luxury

Christine Yeldham has some quite imposing neighbours — and she loves them. “We have five ghost gums sitting in front of us,” she says, describing the view from her home at GemLife Palmwoods in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. “It’s just beautiful.”

Christine and husband Guy share jaw-dropping vistas with other residents of the Emerald Collection of stunning abodes at GemLife at Palmwoods. “We all have our master bedroom, living and dining rooms facing the bush,” she explains. “They don’t take shortcuts on the view. You don’t need a green plant in the house, you don’t need a garden, you’ve got all this wonderful bush. You feel like you have breathing space in front of you, it’s just wonderful.”

The Emerald Collection’s bushland views seamlessly extend the Aruma Living space.

Emerald dreams

The Emerald Collection homes are currently found at five GemLife resort locations in south-east Queensland and New South Wales, each with a similar superlative outlook. “They might be on a boundary looking at a beautiful rainforest, or on a lake,” says Andrew Coulter, GemLife director. “They’re picturesque locations, with uninterrupted views, or on other premium sites within our resorts.”

But it’s not just what’s outside the window that makes these homes stellar, plenty of thought has been given to make sure the buildings themselves, curated by the company’s in-house architecture and interior-design teams, are envy-inducing — featuring exclusive fittings and that extra-special attention to detail. “They combine luxury finishes and superior craftsmanship with these prime locations,” Coulter adds. “They’ve got everything you’d expect, from butler’s pantries to large walk-in robes, luxury bathrooms and ensuites, and beautiful open-plan living spaces.”

The feeling of space is a huge plus, agrees Christine. For example, well-considered storage inclusions reduce the need for bulky furniture. “All the living rooms have these enormous built-in entertainment units,” she says. “And huge storage drawers that you don’t even notice. And that makes a difference, the living rooms are that little bit bigger because of that. It’s sleek and clean looking.”

Over 50s: Ready for luxury

The 50-plus category may be wanting to downsize, but, like Christine, they still want to live in style, as well as change up their lifestyle. In Australia, the number of those in this age group looking for a luxury home within land-lease communities is skyrocketing.

GemLife itself is now reaping the rewards of promoting the potential of resort-style living. “The market has grown over the past eight to 10 years more rapidly than prior to that, because of the amount of time we spent educating people,” Coulter says. “The over-50s are now understanding that it is a true lifestyle. They can be in a like-minded community, with friends, in a safe environment, and have a huge range of private amenities to enjoy including multi-million-dollar country clubs.”

Experience unmatched outdoor living in the thoughtfully designed Emerald Collection’s Country Club.

For this age category, who are close to or approaching retirement, the Emerald Collection is proving to be a deserving reward for all the work and energy given to career and family commitments. “We’re seeing a new market come in and really have demand for it. We’re getting more and more people wanting to talk about it,” Coulter adds.

Finding your people

Christine and Guy had already done the down-size move, from Sydney to the Gold Coast, but something wasn’t quite clicking. It was when they visited friends at GemLife Palmwoods that they found an atmosphere that resonated. “We were just absorbed by this small group of people who happened to be at the pool late in the afternoon, they invited us to join them, and promptly within 24 hours we’d made the decision to leave the Gold Coast,” she says, happily.

The sense of community at Palmwoods is huge, Christine explains. She plays in a ten-pin bowling league at the resort’s central Country Club (“We have such a blast!”), she and Guy pick up a pickleball racquet a few times a week, go cycling on e-bikes and are hoping to volunteer at the bar, a hub of social activity. “Every day there’s usually something we can be involved with, if we choose to.”

They’re not alone. “We’re seeing people come into these resorts with a new lease of life,” adds Coulter. “They’re making new friends, trying things they’ve never tried. They step up, and they’re having a great time.”

A secure spot

GemLife has also found that those coming to live at their resorts are finding their own peace of mind. Having a sophisticated and chic home base, means residents are free to relax in their haven-like abode, explore the community, and travel the globe.

“Everything’s looked after, the garden’s maintained, so there are no dramas, there’s no stress,” says Coulter. “Homeowners can pick and choose whatever lifestyle they want – they can embrace an active, outgoing and social lifestyle, or they can enjoy full privacy. Or you can do both, that’s the great thing.”

Christine agrees, knowing she’ll never tire of the view of those majestic ghost gums. “We’ve never even faltered on this choice, not once, from the minute we moved in,” she says. “It’s just been an amazing journey for us.”

GemLife Emerald Collection homes are now selling in southeast Queensland’s Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and NSW’s the Tweed and Mid North Coast. To find out more, visit gemlife.com.au/emeraldcollection.