After spending his working life with the electricity commission, a career that he absolutely loved, Charlie retired in 2000, but didn’t start looking at retirement options until many years later, when the love of his life sadly passed away. 

Charlie had cared for her for a few years in the lead up, and seeing the constant reminders of her everyday in their home became too difficult. 

So, he made the move to the brand-new Oak Tree Jesmond – a boutique retirement village of just 22 apartments that is ideally suited to his lifestyle. 

“This is the perfect fit for me. I’ve got my doctors, chemist, and everything I need nearby. The shops are just across the road from the village, and the bus stop is right there too. I’ve got everything I need here, and it just makes life so easy,” says Charlie.

“I’ve got my car parked in the garage but it’s easier to just jump on the bus!” It stops right out the front of the Commercial Hotel, and right across the road from the bowling club where I’ve got friends.”

“Then there’s the West Leagues Club just up the road too.”

For Charlie, one of the most special parts about his new home is that now the cemetery is just over the hill if he ever wants to go and talk to his wife. 

He’s also just five minutes down the road from his son who he now gets to spend time with often.

“I’ve got three grandchildren – two who live in Sydney and one who is constantly travelling around everywhere. Two of them are currently expecting, so I’m going to have two great grandchildren, due a month apart!”, says Charlie. 

“I really can’t speak highly enough of the place. My new neighbours are great.”

“All of Oak Tree are just fantastic people. Jennifer our Village Manager here is a wonderful person. It means so much to me.”

“Kellie Quinn (the Sales Manager for Oak Tree in Newcastle) has helped me so much with my move here. I get a bit sentimental and emotional thinking about it.” 

The future is certainly looking bright for Charlie’s next chapter at Oak Tree Jesmond!