Downsizing With Your Furry Companion

Where there’s a family home, there’s upkeep. It’s remarkable how much time you can spend maintaining your family home – even if there’s only one or two of you living in it. All those extra rooms mean more vacuuming, more dusting, and more bathrooms to scrub. Plus, suburban homes tend to come with gardening, and in spring it can feel like fighting a never-ending battle against the weeds. Aside from the long hours keeping the home in good condition, there’s also the inevitable structural maintenance.

If you would rather spend your golden years enjoying yourself, downsizing might be the change you’re looking for! Downsizing to a Hometown Australia land lease community means trading in the responsibilities of a large family home for the convenience and comfort of a modern, low maintenance living space. As a newer and smaller home, there are naturally fewer expensive maintenance jobs to do. After living on 12 acres of land breeding horses, Bruce and his partner Karen, decided it was time for a lifestyle change and moved to the Sunrise community in Port Stephens in December 2020. “I was born on 8,000 acres in Collarenebri, so community living with neighbours and no horses in my back yard after 72 years was a big change however, we were ready for a lifestyle where we had more time to relax and enjoy life rather than seven days of farm life,” said Bruce.

Plus, selling the family home often means freeing up some equity to use as a nest egg to fund your new lifestyle. Moving to a Hometown Australia community provides the opportunity to live a physically and socially active life, become part of a community, enjoy a low maintenance lifestyle and enhance your quality of life – all without sacrificing the companionship of your pet. Sunrise is home to an inclusive environment with a busy social committee organising events and games nights, making it easy to join in on community life. A social aspect Bruce enjoys most is the dog walking group that he and his fellow residents started. “We have been walking our dogs together for over 2 years now and it’s great. You wake up with a purpose in life,” said Bruce.

Hometown Australia know that pets bring joy and companionship with many residents in pet-friendly communities enjoying walking groups and park catch ups contributing to the sense of community. Many communities have pet-friendly policies helping your four-legged friends feel right at home. With plenty of open spaces and walking paths, your pets will love exploring their new environment as much as you do. “I look forward to the company, having a chat between ourselves and other residents in the community. Sometimes the walk can take 20 minutes, sometimes an hour, depends on who we meet. We can solve the problems of the world in a 30-minute walk! Walking time starts at 8am at the park, and all three dogs remind you what the time is every day, we are very rarely late!” concluded Bruce.

Beyond the lush gardens and walking paths, many Hometown Australia communities are in beautiful scenic areas with national parks or beaches that your dog will love. When you’re ready to exercise without your furry friend, the amenities of your community have a lot to offer. Each community offers different amenities from swimming pools and gyms to lawn bowls and clubhouses.

Hometown Australia communities are situated in some of the most desirable locations in Australia. That “resort” feeling doesn’t have to end when you leave your community. Many of the communities are in sought-after tourist locations with easy access to beautiful beaches and vibrant local attractions.

For surf beaches and a lively entertainment scene, look no further than Hometown Australia’s pet-friendly communities on the Sunshine Coast. Unlike retirement villages, land lease living communities welcome full-time and part-time workers, as well as retirees. Maroochy Shores is vibrant, active, and surrounded by parks your dog will love.

If you’re a NSW-native, or have family in Sydney, you might be searching for pet-friendly communities in Port Macquarie. This coastal gem is exceptionally scenic, and ideal for an outdoor lifestyle. The Newport community has first-rate facilities and is near 17 fantastic beaches. Did somebody say ‘fetch?’

Pet-friendly communities in Brisbane don’t come better than the eight different land-lease living communities in this popular spot, perfectly blending the thriving atmosphere of the city with the area’s laid-back charm. With weather this good, you’ll be able to walk the dog every day of the week.

Downsizing doesn’t mean compromising. With Hometown Australia, you can enjoy a simpler, more relaxed way of life while keeping your beloved pet by your side across the many pet-friendly communities available. Experience the benefits of our pet-friendly, resort-style communities and start your next chapter today!

Please note: Some rules may apply across the range of Hometown Australia pet-friendly communities.