Source : the age
The shift towards regional living is showing no signs of slowing down, but it’s not only city dwellers who find the idea of a tree change so appealing. According to the latest Regional Movers Index, inter-regional migration has increased by 20 per cent, with Toowoomba in Queensland ranked among the most popular destinations.
For over-50s in Victoria, this inland city provides a similar lifestyle to the one found in the Macedon Ranges. Both offer four distinct seasons, crisp mountain air, stunning scenery and a better quality of life, but Toowoomba’s affordable housing market and more temperate climate make it the ideal choice for downsizers ready to live well without compromise.
“Toowoomba has the healthcare, shopping and cultural attractions people value, but it also offers space, beautiful natural surrounds and a genuine sense of community,” says Andrew Coulter, chief operating officer at GemLife. “For many Victorians, it’s the kind of place where they can enjoy a slower pace while staying in touch with everything that matters.”
In response to Toowoomba’s growing appeal, GemLife, one of Australia’s leading over-50s lifestyle resort operators, recently broke ground on two more communities in the region: the newly launched GemLife Cotswold Hills and GemLife Highfields Heights, which will soon open its first lifestyle facilities.
The mountains are calling
Perched on the crest of the Great Dividing Range, Toowoomba echoes the mountain lifestyle of the Macedon Ranges while reducing cost-of-living concerns and making travel more accessible. Brisbane is just 90 minutes away by car, and holiday hotspots like the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast are close enough for weekend getaways.
At GemLife Highfields Heights, residents can enjoy easy access to these attractions alongside beautifully designed homes, under-construction Country Club facilities (including a tennis court, cinema, sauna and grand ballroom) and 3.5 hectares of open green space.
“The resort sits among rolling countryside with creek frontage, bushland and views towards the Bunya and Gowrie mountains, so there’s a real sense of space and connection to nature from the moment you arrive,” Coulter says.
Inspired by its rural heritage, the community offers luxe resort facilities with a contemporary Queenslander and farmhouse aesthetic and is within easy reach of the city’s coffee, shopping and arts scene.
“It really delivers the best of both worlds – a peaceful country retreat that’s still incredibly convenient,” Coulter adds.
GemLife Cotswold Hills offers a new take on rural living. “It has been designed for people who want a genuine country lifestyle without giving up everyday convenience,” Coulter explains.
“It’s set in one of Toowoomba’s fastest-growing areas, just minutes from the city, so residents can enjoy the peace of the Darling Downs while still having easy access to shopping, healthcare, cafes and everything they need.”
Landscaped recreation spaces and walking trails help maximise outdoor enjoyment, as do generously sized front and rear gardens, which Coulter notes are increasingly hard to find.
“This means people don’t have to compromise on having space to entertain, garden or simply enjoy being outdoors,” he says. “Combined with our Country Club facilities and the welcoming community we’re known for, the resort offers a lifestyle that’s both relaxed and connected.”
The evolution of over-50s living
For today’s over-50s, downsizing can be less about restriction and more about having the freedom to do more of what they love.
“The expectations of today’s over-50s are very different from those of previous generations,” Coulter says. “They’re active, curious and thinking about how they want to spend the decades ahead, not simply where they want to live.”
In response to this shift, GemLife is making a significant investment in wellness, combining community, fitness, mindfulness, travel and nutrition into one holistic program. “What makes it different is that wellness isn’t treated as a schedule of activities – it’s part of everyday life,” Coulter says.
“Some people might join a fitness class, attend a cooking workshop or travel with neighbours. The choice is always theirs.”
Thanks to GemLife’s transparent land lease community model, residents can spend less time worrying about finances and more time living life to the fullest.
Homeowners own their home and lease the land through a weekly site fee, which also contributes to the upkeep of shared resort facilities. There are no entry or exit fees, stamp duty, council rates or deferred management fees, and residents retain any capital gains if they sell.
A move to GemLife Highfields Heights or Cotswold Hills can also help Victorian downsizers unlock equity in their family home. “This can strengthen their financial position while allowing them to move into a home that’s thoughtfully designed for the way they want to live today and well into the future,” Coulter says.
“Ultimately, that’s what sets GemLife apart. We provide the environment, the experiences and the opportunities, but homeowners decide how they want to make the most of them.”
GemLife creates vibrant lifestyle communities for over-50s Australians in sought-after tree change and sea change locations, including GemLife Woodend and the newly launched GemLife New Gisborne. For more information, visit gemlife.com.au
