Modern apartments designed for active Kiwis seeking freedom and ease.
For many Kiwis, downsizing after retirement once meant squeezing into a smaller house on the edge of town. But in the Bay of Plenty, a new generation of older people is flipping that idea on its head.
They’re trading high-maintenance standalone homes for modern, beautifully finished apartments designed not for slowing down, but for living well.
At Arvida’s Bethlehem Shores community in Tauranga, the soon-to-open Living Well Apartments are already drawing strong interest from across the country. And according to Sales Manager Leanne Radka, the shift reflects a bigger change in how older New Zealanders see their next life chapter.
“Older people today are more active and living life their way,” she says. “Apartment living gives them the freedom to lock and leave, travel, stay social and keep doing the things they love.”
It’s a far cry from the old stereotype of retirement accommodation. And that’s exactly the point.
A new kind of apartment living
Bethlehem Shores sits on 61 acres of landscaped grounds, with sweeping views across the Tauranga Harbour and Kaimai ranges. The community already includes more than 240 villas, and the addition of 53 new one-, two- and three-bedroom Living Well Apartments expands the offering for those seeking a more low-maintenance lifestyle.
Radka says many people hold an outdated picture of what a retirement apartment looks like.
“Some assume they’ll lose independence, or that it’ll feel like a shoebox,” she says. “But when they walk in, they’re blown away by the quality, the space and the views.”
The high ceilings and premium contemporary finishes give the apartments a light, open feel that often surprises first-time visitors.
While many residents come from large family homes, they’re moving into apartments designed to feel spacious, private and contemporary, each with its own balcony.
To make the transition easier, Arvida Bethlehem Shores partners with a company called Moving On that helps residents plan and furnish their new home. “They fit the furniture to the apartment plan, pack, move everything, and even make the beds,” Radka says. “It takes such a weight off people’s shoulders.”
Designed for independence
The Living Well Apartments are designed to offer an added layer of support woven into everyday life. While residents live independently, they also have access to several wellbeing-focused services.
Every morning, they can choose to enjoy a buffet-style continental breakfast at the on-site café – a small ritual that often becomes part of residents’ social routine. Weekly housekeeping is also included.
The apartments are fully pet-friendly and visiting family, including grandchildren, often stay. During school holidays, Radka says, the pool is sometimes used by children visiting grandparents.
A community that feels like home
The Clubhouse is the heart of the community, offering everything from aquarobics and table tennis to snooker and weekly happy hours. There are more than 55 resident-led activities on offer, though participation is entirely optional.
“The Clubhouse is like an extension of your home,” Radka says. “People can be as active or as relaxed as they want. But the ones who get involved often say they feel younger because they’re doing so much.”
Although the apartments are independent living, residents have peace of mind knowing care is available within the wider Bethlehem Shores community. Should their needs change, they have priority access to care suites, provided one is available at the time.
“We meet with residents and their families, guide them on their journey and make sure they’re supported,” Radka says. “But the focus day-to-day is on living a full, active, social life.”
Why people choose to move
For many, the catalyst is a desire for connection after losing a partner. For others, it’s the maintenance burden of a large home, or a recent health event. Some simply want to join their friends.
“We often hear, ‘I wish I’d done it earlier,’” Radka says. “People want to enjoy this stage of life while they’re still active.”
Interest in the new apartments is coming from across the country, including Christchurch, Wellington, Napier and Auckland. Many are drawn to the Bay of Plenty’s warm climate and Bethlehem Shores’ proximity to medical services, shops, pharmacies and the city centre.
A life that feels like a fresh start
Ask Radka how she’d sum up the shift to modern retirement apartment living and she doesn’t hesitate.
“Don’t wait too late,” she says. “People want connection, activity, independence and comfort. They want to live well. That’s what these apartments are all about.”
Pricing varies across the new Living Well Apartments, with options ranging from one-bedroom layouts through to premium three-bedroom residences.
Explore the new Living Well Apartments at Arvida Bethlehem Shores at arvida.co.nz/bethlehemshores.