Moving closer to family

When Rob decided to make the move into retirement living, the choice was as much about family as it was about lifestyle. Originally from the Lismore area, he first considered Oak Tree Goonellabah. But with his children having moved to Queensland, Oak Tree Darling Heights, Platz Street, quickly became the right fit.

“I’d been thinking about moving into a retirement village for a while,” Rob says. “I had an acre to look after on my own, and it was getting to be too much. My kids had already moved north, so Toowoomba made sense.”

Rob loved there were no hidden surprises

Rob first came across Oak Tree online. What impressed him most was the transparency.

“Other villages, you had to ring up, make an appointment, and then they’d tell you the details. Oak Tree had everything upfront and available online. There were no hidden surprises. I felt confident about what I was signing up for.”

Then, when he visited Oak Tree Toowoomba in person, he knew it was the right place. “I came up and had a look, and I was impressed. The manager was very helpful, and the whole process was easy.”

Not long after Rob had made his decision to make his move, devastating floods swept through the Lismore region. While his Lismore home wasn’t directly affected, it confirmed for him that moving to an Oak Tree in Toowoomba was definitely the right decision.

It was the little things that made the biggest difference

One of the biggest attractions for Rob was the way Oak Tree villas are designed. “There are no steps, the light switches are bigger, and the toilets are higher. After having a fall, it was no problem to have extra handrails installed in the bathroom. Everything here is designed to make life easier as you get older.”

It also means far less maintenance. “On my acre, there was always something to do. Here, it’s all taken care of. If something needs fixing in the villa, Oak Tree organises it. Around the grounds, the money is put back into the village to keep it looking good. It makes you feel proud to live here.”

Time for the things that matter

Life at Oak Tree Darling Heights has given Rob more time to enjoy himself. “If you want to go away, you just lock up and leave. There’s no worrying about mowing or maintenance while you’re gone.”

He enjoys the community garden, which has become a favourite spot for residents. “It’s got a beautiful view down the valley. One of the other residents looks after the veggie patch, and there’s a nice outdoor area with a shelter there too. You can take a coffee, meet a friend, or sit and do a crossword down there. It’s a great place to relax.”

Social opportunities are there for those who want them. “We have men’s lunches every month. Sometimes it’s at a local club, other times at a hotel. You can pick and choose what you want to join in with; it’s entirely up to you.”

Settled and secure

Rob has now been at Oak Tree Darling Heights for three and a half years and says he’s well and truly settled. He’s close to family, enjoys his quiet villa, and has the peace of mind that comes with supportive staff and neighbours. “The manager is lovely and thoughtful. You feel secure knowing there’s always someone around.”

He also enjoys his hobby of photography and has been nicknamed the village photographer. “We’ve got the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers coming up, and I’ll be out with my camera. It’s something I enjoy.”

Advice for others

Rob says moving to Oak Tree has paid off in every way. “It’s been a good move. I’ve got less to worry about, more time to enjoy life, and a great community around me. You can’t ask for much more than that.”

He encourages anyone thinking about retirement living to see a village in person. “Come and have a look, talk to the manager, and meet the residents. That’s what convinced me. My family came along too, and once they saw the village, they felt completely confident it was the right choice for me.”

To find out more about what retirement living looks like at our Oak Tree Darling Heights villages, click here or call 1300 367 155.