Enjoying the retirement lifestyle while you still work

Mel is one of our newest residents, having moved to Epsom Village in March 2021. When she visited the village, she instantly liked the size (around 90 residents) and the boutique feeling of it. Her decision to try the retirement lifestyle was mainly a practical one. “It was very affordable. I loved the fact that I could leave behind the maintenance worries. On top of that you have the security and the feeling of community.”

Mel works full-time as a Practice Manager for a very busy Orthopaedics surgery. Her career of more than 40 years has mostly been in Medical Administration, starting with her first job at the former children’s hospital, Princess Mary Hospital. Even with a full-time job, Mel makes the most of the retirement lifestyle that you can enjoy at Real Living villages. She loves spending time with her neighbours and tries to participate in the fun social events such as Happy Hours and costume parties.

Mel has always tried to maintain a good level of fitness with Dance lessons and Pilates. That’s why the Village Manager asked her to lead the Boogie classes that were organised at the Epsom Village during the 2021 lockdown. Mel picked the music herself and encouraged the residents with active but gentle dance moves.

Mel has a very active social life outside of the village, with three adult children and a big circle of friends. She loves eating out at restaurants, going out to the theatre, or travelling around New Zealand, and she declares herself a “beach fan”, enjoying as much as possible our gorgeous coastline.

If there’s any free time left, Mel will pick a good book and read it in her cosy apartment while enjoying the views outside of her sun-bathed window.