Brisbane retirees Ben & Ruth Benelisha swapped their inner city home of Brisbane for a lifestyle change at Seachange Village Arundel over 50s lifestyle resort – which is currently setting the benchmark in over 50’s resort style living at the Gold Coast.
WHEN Ben and Ruth Benelisha retired, they knew it was time for a sea change. Retirement for us was about enjoying a vibrant, active lifestyle that afforded us freedom, independence and security,” Ben said.
“Although we had enjoyed our time in Brisbane, we were tired of the constant gardening and home maintenance. It was time for a change.”
The couple swapped their suburban Brisbane home in favour of coastal lifestyle change at the award winning over 50s lifestyle resort, Seachange Village Arundel on the Gold Coast.
Located in an established suburb in the centre of the Gold Coast, Seachange Village Arundel is successfully enticing retirees with its ‘easy resort living’. The community offers modern, low-maintenance living in a secure gated complex and a five-star Country Club with facilities including a pool and cinema.
“We fell in love with Seachange Village Arundel immediately,” Ruth said.
“We were fortunate to take a guided tour with one of the existing residents and they were able to tell us how much they enjoyed living at Seachange.
“They had made some great new friends and they enjoyed a huge variety of recreational and social activities every week. They had the freedom to enjoy a relaxed easygoing lifestyle or one that was a bit more action packed.
“We knew that Seachange Village Arundel was the perfect solution for us.”
The Benelishas purchased a home in the village, where prices start from $469,000. All homes are single-level dwellings set amoungst lush landscaping that provides a sense of peace an tranquility. Every home is drenched with premium finishes featuring 2.7m ceilings, stone benches and European appliances.
Best of all, they say they don’t have any maintenance worries. All lawn and garden maintenance is taken care of by Seachange Village Arundel.
“I’ve finished with all that outdoor work – I can watch one of the in-house landscapers do it for me,” said Mr Benelisha.
The couple has taken to village life with enthusiasm. They help run the communities Welcome Centre, they dance, organise parties and walk in the adjacent conservation listed Coombabah Lakelands Recreation Reserve to which the community has direct access.
They also regularly access the world class 5-star Country Club which is integral to the Seachange Village Arundel lifestyle.
The Country Club also hosts the Moncrieff University of the Third Age (U3A) campus. Residents are able to participate in a variety of courses available, along with U3A members.
They can also join the multitude of social groups that have formed at the Club.
“We love living at Seachange,” Ruth said.
“Everything we need is at our fingertips – there’s a shopping centre across the road and we enjoy taking walks in the wetland reserve next door. There’s a bus stop outside, the Helensvale Train Station is just 5km away and it’s also an easy drive to Brisbane to visit family and friends via the M1.”
Seachange Project Director Phil Goodman said a growing portion of residents at both Seachange Village Arundel and its sister community, Seachange Emerald Lakes, were coming from Brisbane.
“Many former city dwellers like Ben and Ruth are escaping the rat race and moving to the area,” he said.
“The Gold Coast is emerging as Queensland’s retirement capital with the highest number of over 50s lifestyle resorts in the region, and Seachange Village Arundel and Seachange Emerald Lakes are leading the pack.
“Seniors are seeking the low maintenance rewarding nature of lifestyle resorts after a lifetime of mowing lawns and cleaning pools.
“Seachange Village Arundel offers them the ultimate alternative – spacious homes, luxury fittings and gardens that are fully maintained”.
He said he expected more city dwellers to flock to the new Seachange Village Emerald Lakes as construction on its five-star Country Club neared completion. Like the Country Club at Seachange Village Arundel, it will offer a wealth of facilities like a heated pool, craft room, lounges, dining areas and more.
“At Seachange, our residents are discovering that they have more time to nourish their minds, bodies and souls and love the way they live.”
More Information
For a guided tour of the country club or to register for a FREE morning tea with Seachange residents, visit the Welcome Centre at 299 Napper Road Arundel or phone toll free 1800 652 797.
As seen in The Retiree magazine, August 2015.
