Transitioning into retirement is a significant milestone, and for Mick and Julie, it marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
For Mick and Julie, retirement wasn’t about stopping—it was about shifting gears and finding a new way to stay active while enjoying a more relaxed pace of life. After 14 years in their home near Lake Macquarie, the couple realised they needed a lifestyle that offered less maintenance and more time to do what they loved.
Embracing a new lifestyle
Originally from New Zealand, Mick’s career as a shipping consultant led them across the Tasman to Australia 20 years earlier. After a series of work relocations—including time in Portland, Victoria—they eventually settled in Toronto, south of Newcastle.
“I loved my job—it kept me busy and challenged,” Mick said. “But the long hours and the physical upkeep of their home were becoming difficult to manage.” Julie, on the other hand, had been ready to retire for some time. “I was looking forward to more time for myself and the chance to get involved in activities I actually enjoy,” she shared.
The search for their forever home
As retirement loomed, they faced a big decision—where would their final forever home be?
Over dinner one evening, they discussed the idea of a retirement village. “We liked the thought of living somewhere that took care of the gardening and maintenance, whether we were there or not,” Mick explained. They also wanted to join a community where they could enjoy regular activities and connect with others while enjoying the social environment. The location also especially suited Mick as he was already a member of the Morisset Rotary Club.
Given the distance away from immediate family, it made sense to downsize and to join a retirement village with residents of a similar age in the area they loved. Somewhere they could take walks directly from their home to bush locations, but also be close to hospitals, good shopping facilities and city services.
Mick had always loved the Lake Macquarie area for its beautiful scenery, milder climate and relaxed lifestyle. “It has the best of both worlds,” he said. “We’re close to the lake and the bush, but we still have access to great services without the congestion and pollution of a big city.”
Finding the perfect fit at Catalina
After researching various options and visiting several retirement villages, the tranquil bushland setting and convenient location of Catalina Lake Macquarie stood out. “It’s close to the M1, so we have easy access to both Sydney and Newcastle,” Julie added. This was particularly important as her son’s family lived in Manly, and the convenience of the M1 meant they could reach Hornsby in just 50 minutes.
Although their move required some compromise—their new home didn’t have the double garage they had initially wanted—they quickly fell in love with their Nowra design villa and realised they didn’t need a second car. “The single garage is still very spacious, and we gained a third bedroom that I’ve turned into my office,” Mick said. Their private alfresco area with bush views has become a favourite spot for relaxing. Julie also transformed the backyard into a beautiful mix of flower and vegetable gardens, complete with raised beds and a small garden shed for her tools.
A fresh start in retirement living
Since moving to Catalina, Mick and Julie have embraced the opportunities to stay active and engaged. Early on Julie took charge of the weekly cinema screenings in the village’s private 60-seat cinema, curating a diverse range of films for the community to enjoy. She also attended yoga classes twice a week, which have become a hit among residents. “I’ve always liked being busy and active, so the Village has been a great fit for me,” she said. While Mick continues to balance work and leisure, he has taken an interest in the group of residents who are nominated as Wardens to take a lead role with emergencies if the management are not on site.
When time permits, they have both been honing their skills on the competition-standard Bowling Green and regularly attend technology workshops hosted on-site and social gatherings in the club.
“For us, Catalina has provided the perfect balance of independence, convenience, and community connection,” Mick said. Julie agreed, adding, “It’s given us a fresh start in retirement. We have everything we need, but we also have the freedom to travel, visit family, and enjoy life in a beautiful home and location, without the hassle of home maintenance.”
If you’re considering a lifestyle change that offers a welcoming community, modern comforts, and a range of social and recreational activities, Catalina might just be the answer. To learn more, contact Catalina at 1300 927 786.
“Moving to Catalina has been one of the best decisions we’ve made—it gives us the perfect mix of independence, community and opportunities to stay active, all while leaving the hard work of property maintenance behind and freeing up our time to do more of the things we love.”
