Keri never thought she would end up living on Lincoln Road.
“If you had told me I would be living here two years ago, I would have told you that you were bonkers.”
It was after the first Covid lockdown in March of 2020, that Keri decided she needed to make a few changes to her lifestyle.
“Spending all that time almost on your own got to be a bit of a drudge and I felt that being in an environment where there was a diverse group of mature people may suit me more.
“It was a huge step. We are all pretty set in our ways by the time we reach 70 and comfortable with our lives. It’s a big step to step outside of that and investigate moving into a new environment.
Friends of Keri’s were already living at Miriam Corban and convinced her to go and take a look.
“My friends had nothing but good things to say about living there. They loved it. So, I went along.”
After that first visit, she didn’t need any more convincing.
“I’m moving here,” she said.
Admitting to having preconceived ideas of Lincoln Road, she now says, like her friends, she loves living there too.
“It’s a busy road, but it’s actually really great and you don’t notice it. I can’t even hear much from my apartment.
“The supermarket and the shops are handy, I walk there. Lincoln Road has everything that I need within walking distance. Also, the motorway is right there, and the hospital is up the road. It couldn’t be more convenient for me.”
Keri had thought about living in a retirement village for a while and had looked at four others before Miriam Corban, without feeling like she had found ‘the one.’
“Dealing with Ryman was just different. My sales advisor Craig was outstanding and there was absolutely no pressure or effort to lock me into anything. It was all very easy, and I had no time limits at all which was seriously the best part. I can’t thank him enough for all his care and calmness in working through the whole process with me. Our Village Manager Greg is also a bonus, nothing is too much for him and his team.
“In fact, the whole thing was simply a no brainer in the end.”
After initially being hesitant to make the final decision, fearing she would lose her independence, she now says that she should have done it sooner.
“A lot of us here have had the same discussion and we personally feel a lot of people leave it too late to move in.
“This is not a place where people are waiting to meet the maker. People here have lives, some work jobs, some volunteer, some are very fit and energetic. There are so many different types of people in here.
“I’ve made long lasting friendships and management and staff here are amazing, it is like a big family. That’s the top of the list of positives about this village – the friendships I’ve made.”
Aside from the great personal benefits, Keri said her lifestyle has changed too, but for the better.
“I’m no longer worrying about maintenance, or mowing lawns, there is always available help, and I have a brand-new apartment with a modern kitchen. There is secure undercover parking and I generally feel very safe here.”
“What more could I want really?”
Miriam Corban Village grand opening wows the crowd
Residents joined Ryman Healthcare team members, the extended Corban family, west Auckland iwi Te Kawerau ā Maki and nota...