Style: July 01, 2019

STYLE | promotion 49
Val Melhop
RESIDENT
What led you to choose this establishment, as you
were previously in Queenstown?
Queenstown is beautiful, but it’s a town geared for
tourists. When my husband died I felt isolated and lonely
down there, so decided to move back to Christchurch.
Security was a major priority for me as my four
children all live overseas. A retirement village seemed
my best option. Merivale, as a location, ticked all the
boxes and my daughter and I visited several retirement
establishments in the area. But when Leah of Merivale
Retirement Village showed me the two-bedroom
independent villa with its surrounding garden and a
raised vegetable plot for my lime tree and herbs I started
to get excited. Inside, I just gazed at the light, sunny and
astoundingly large living area, fabulous kitchen, bench
space galore, and got that 1-hope-nobody-bags-thisbefore-I-can-arrange-to-purchase-it
feeling.
What have you been most surprised to discover in
your first year here?
It isn’t what I imagined retirement homes to be like. This
is really quite special, and the best of both worlds – a
private home, but with staff to do the maintenance.
I think the staff are the most remarkable surprise
to me. They have gone above and beyond the call of
duty to make me happy – from the gardener digging
a deep hole in the garden for me to plant my heritage
apple tree to the chef who so charmingly sharpened my
kitchen knife.
Trisha & Neil Ockwell
RESIDENTS
Was it difficult to decide, as a couple, to move here?
Neil: Location and proximity to services were the most
appealing factors, but we were also impressed with
the individual designs of villas and boutique nature of
the village; important matters for our post-earthquake
home.
What are the benefits you have found in living in a
retirement village?
Trisha: I greatly appreciate having lawns and gardens
maintained at a high level, windows cleaned and, just
last week, the house and roof were washed down and
cleaned by a professional cleaning firm.
How has the move affected your lifestyle?
Trisha: Our villa provides extreme privacy, is easily
heated with two heat pumps and a gas fire, and
we are left to live our lives peacefully and happily,
always having the opportunity to summons assistance
or have meals delivered to our villa. We have had
the opportunity of selecting our own furniture and
furnishings and have the villa decorated to our own
personal taste. My husband is in a wheelchair and the
villa is perfectly set up to cater for his disability. The
entrance is flat, the two bathrooms are wheelchair
friendly, and the whole unit enables him to move
around safely and easily.
What might people be surprised to know?
Neil: The total cost of maintenance and outgoings is
less than rates, body corporate fees and insurance of
our previous apartment.
merivaleretirement.co.nz