New resident Liana Pechini with community manager Cate Catanzariti. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Liana Pechini’s friends wondered why she wanted to move to what they thought was a retirement village.
“It’s not a retirement village, it’s a lifestyle village,” she said.
“I planned to downsize, came to look here and fell in love with the place.
“I don’t have to weed, do the hedges or mow lawns. I like the community feel and the security too.”
Liana is just weeks away from moving into Lincoln Lifestyle Griffith Hill, where construction has now begun on a clubhouse that will become the social hub of the growing community.
The sod was turned on the clubhouse this week, marking the next stage of the housing development on Citrus Road in the North Griffith suburb Collina.
The $7 million amenities precinct already includes a heated indoor pool, gym, lawn bowls green, pickleball court, putting green and outdoor terrace.
The new clubhouse is expected to be completed in about 10 months and will include a kitchen, bar and dining areas, lounge, cinema, craft studio and games room.
A design of the clubhouse. Photo: Supplied.
There are currently about 40 residents living at Griffith Hill, with the first stage of homes sold out.
Stage two is being built, with 28 homes released to the market and only three still available.
The final community is planned to have 198 homes, with the entire development expected to take about five years to complete.
The homes are designed for over-50s living, with two- and three-bedroom options. Prices start at $515,000.
Gardeners take care of front yards and common areas, with residents only having to look after their low-maintenance backyard.
Judy, 75, and her husband David, 79, moved from their two-storey Griffith townhouse into a single-level, two-bedroom home at Griffith Hill about two months ago.
“We chose to move from a house in Griffith to here while we could and while we could enjoy it and before it was too late,” Judy said.
“Now that we don’t have the workload of the large lawn and gardens from our last home, we’ve got more time for the things we enjoy.”
David and Judy Hall like their new home. Photo: Supplied.
She has taken up aqua and tai chi classes at the Wellness Centre, while David uses the gym.
The pair have also found themselves spending more time with their neighbours.
David said Saturday gatherings had become a regular fixture, with residents getting together for drinks and nibbles.
“The clubhouse will be just over our back fence and we’re looking forward to the new games room and cinema, as well the bar and lounge areas,” David said.
Judy praised the community manager Cate Catanzariti, saying she was so helpful and on top of everything.
“What people love about this place is you can do as much or as little as you want,” Ms Catanzariti said.
Unlike Griffith Retirement Estate, the village does not have an onsite chef or provide meals.
Cate said there was consideration being given to having a cafe operating two days a week, but the emphasis remained on giving residents the choice of how they spent their time.
For Liana, it was also about making the move before age made the decision for her.
“I wanted to be able to do it before I got too old,” she said.
