When Helen first visited Oak Tree Retirement Village Goonellabah, she wasn’t planning on making a move. In fact, she hadn’t been thinking about leaving her home at all.

“I was with a girlfriend one day, and I said, ‘Let’s go and have a look at this Oak Tree I’ve been hearing about,’” Helen recalls.

What happened next surprised even her. “I walked in and said, ‘Right, I’ll take it.’ I put a deposit down, went home, put my house on the market, and it sold within two days.”

More than a decade later, Helen is still confident she made the right decision. “It’s the best move I’ve ever made in my 80 years,” she says.

From the very beginning

Helen has been part of the Oak Tree Goonellabah community from the early days, moving in as just the second resident. “When I first arrived, there were only two villas,” she says. “I’ve enjoyed every moment of watching it all grow.”

Over the years, she has seen the village evolve into a vibrant, established community, welcoming new residents and forming lasting connections along the way. “You get to meet new people all the time,” she says. “That’s been a big part of it.”

A feeling that just clicked

Despite not actively planning a move, something about Oak Tree immediately felt right. “It just had a lovely feel about it,” Helen says. “Even though it was early days and there wasn’t much there yet, something just clicked for me.”

Being able to walk through a completed villa also helped her picture life there. “You could see it, and that made a difference,” she says.

At the time, Helen had been living on her own for many years and was ready for a change, even if she hadn’t quite realised it yet.

Community, your way

For Helen, the biggest benefit of life at Oak Tree Retirement Village Goonellabah is the sense of community, balanced with independence. “You can be as private or as social as you like,” she says. “That’s what I love.”

Some days, she’s out and about, joining in activities and catching up with neighbours. Other days, she enjoys the quiet of her own home, knowing connection is always close by.

“You can go days doing your own thing, but you’ll still see someone at the mailbox or wave as you walk past,” she says. “There’s always someone around.”

That sense of connection brings a deeper level of comfort. “It’s a very comforting feeling when you’re on your own,” she says. “You know you’re not alone.”

The little things that make a difference

Life at Oak Tree is filled with simple routines and shared moments that make each day enjoyable. Helen regularly joins in activities like bingo, chair yoga and social afternoons, and appreciates the effort that goes into creating a welcoming environment.

“There’s always something happening if you want to be involved,” she says. “And a lot of thought goes into the events and special days.”

Monthly birthday lunches, casual catch-ups and spontaneous conversations all help create a strong sense of belonging. “It’s just a lovely place to be,” she says.

A decision she’s never questioned

Looking back, Helen says she didn’t hesitate, and she’s never looked back. “I didn’t even consult my daughters,” she laughs. “I just told them I’d found a place and put a deposit down.”

Their response confirmed what she already felt. “They came and saw it and said, ‘Mum, this is the best decision you’ve ever made.’”

After more than 10 years in the village, Helen still feels the same. “I couldn’t be happier,” she says.

And when asked what she would say to someone considering the move? “Don’t even hesitate.”

To find out more about what living looks like at Oak Tree Retirement Village Goonellabah, click here or call 1300 367 155.