12 Jan 24 - Resident stories
I've landed in the right spot
“We literally picked up where we left off at a different address, except now we have a whole community looking out for us”
"Maria, my wife and my co-pilot in life, came up with the bright idea of moving to Summerset. And it’s worked out brilliantly. With our entire family living in Holland and the two of us getting on in age, we realised that we needed more support. We’ve lived in the area for close on 31 years, and loved our community, so moving into the village didn’t feel like a massive adjustment at all.
We literally picked up where we left off at a different address, except now we have a whole community looking out for us. I’m a retired Air New Zealand engineer and recreational pilot, so my passion is anything to do with flying. My weeks are pretty full, working as a guide at the Air Force Museum of NZ, as an instructor at Flight Experience’s flight simulator and I also drive the van for Age Concern. (Another worthy cause to spend “spare” time on). So, living at Summerset just makes it easier to come and go as I please. The way I like to describe it to my friends is, ‘Imagine living in a five-star hotel but with your own furniture.’
It’s also great knowing my wife has all the support she needs and her close circle of friends at the village. She’s never been happier. Although she does have to put up with my personal flight simulator occupying an entire spare room now! Look, I’ve never been one to push advice on anybody; it’s not my style, but I do encourage friends to come and visit and see for themselves what the good life can look like."
— Hans
More resident stories
Read Ian & Gloria's story · Read Rose's story