After two years of searching far and wide, Ross and Joy weren’t quite sure where they’d end up. But when they walked into Awatere Village, in Hamilton something clicked.
I said to Ross," this is it. I could live here", Joy recalls.
It wasn’t the original plan. With family spread out across the North Island, they considered following them. But staying near their network in Hamilton felt right. And once they visited Awatere, the decision was made.
“It just had a welcoming feeling,” Joy says. “Tastefully decorated, lovely people. And so here we are.”
Now three months in – “three months today,” Joy notes – the pair are settling in beautifully. But it didn’t come without adjustment.
“We knew it would be a huge change… from a four-bedroom house and a very large garden to an apartment,” Ross says. “But you adjust, because you have to.”
And adjust they did. " It took a few weeks,' Joy admits, "but now we're comfortable. It's just far more relaxing and enjoyable."
What’s made the biggest difference? Community and connection.
“People gather,” Ross says, smiling. “The event of the week seems to be happy hour.” The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming. “They are living,” Ross adds. “And that’s very pleasant.”
For Ross and Joy, life at Awatere isn’t just easier – it’s richer. “We have a lot more time to enjoy one another’s company,” Ross reflects. “There’s more time in the day… and another relaxing day following.”
Their advice might be simple, but it’s heartfelt: when you find the place that feels right, trust it. As Joy put it, the moment they arrived: “This is it.”
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