Choosing a retirement village is a big financial and emotional decision. It affects where you live, how you spend your time, what support you can access and, importantly, how independent and connected you feel day to day. For many downsizers and their families, the process can feel overwhelming, there is a lot of information to sort through, and it is not always clear what to ask.
This checklist is designed to make that process easier. It gives you a structured set of questions you can use with any retirement village you are considering, so you can compare options on more than price and location and feel more confident that the community you choose is the right fit for you.
How to Use This Retirement Village Checklist
This checklist is designed to help you:
- Compare retirement villages on more than just price and location.
- Ask consistent questions at every village you visit.
- Capture key details about contracts, fees, facilities, care and community.
- Bring this list (printed or on your phone) to inspections and information sessions, and note down the answers for each village. Treat it as a conversation guide, some questions may be more or less relevant for you, but having them written down avoids important topics being forgotten in the moment.
Section 1: Location, Lifestyle and Fit
Start with the basics: does the village suit your everyday life and preferences?
Key questions to ask a retirement village about location and lifestyle:
- Is the village close to family, friends and my current community?
- How far is it to shops, medical services, public transport and essential amenities?
- What is the general atmosphere, quiet, busy, social, independent?
- What type of residents live here (age range, mix of singles/couples, long‑term residents)?
- Are pets allowed, and if so, are there any size or type restrictions?
- What are the rules around visitors, overnight stays and grandchildren?
- Are there options to stay active nearby (parks, walking paths, clubs, community centres)?
If the village does not align with your daily routine and preferences, even the best facilities may not make it the right fit.
Section 2: Accommodation Type and Design
Next, look closely at the homes themselves. The right design can make daily living easier now and into the future.
Questions to ask about the homes:
- What types of accommodation are available (villas, apartments, units, serviced apartments)?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms are typical, and what size are the homes?
- Are the homes designed for ageing in place (minimal steps, wider doorways, accessible bathrooms)?
- Can I choose or influence finishes, fixtures and colours?
- Is there sufficient storage for downsizing from my current home?
- Are heating, cooling and insulation adequate for comfort all year round?
- What outdoor spaces are included (balcony, courtyard, garden), and who maintains them?
- What level of soundproofing is in place between homes?
Also consider how the layout would work if your mobility or health changes over time.
Section 3: Contracts, Legal Structure and Security of Tenure
Understanding the legal and contractual side is essential when choosing a retirement village. Always seek independent legal and financial advice, but start with clear questions.
Questions to ask about contracts and legal arrangements:
- What is the legal structure of the village (leasehold, licence, strata, freehold, company title or other)?
- What kind of contract will I be signing, and can I see a full copy before committing?
- How secure is my right to live in the village (security of tenure)?
- What happens if the village is sold or the operator changes?
- Are there any cooling‑off periods or trial stays available?
- What are my rights if I want to leave or need to move to higher care?
- Who owns and maintains the common areas and facilities?
Make sure you clearly understand the contract type, your rights and any limitations before making a decision.
Section 4: Fees, Costs and Financial Implications
Fees can vary widely between retirement villages. To avoid surprises, you need a full picture of all costs, upfront, ongoing and when you leave.
Questions to ask a retirement village about fees:
Upfront costs
- What is the entry payment or purchase price, and how is it structured?
- Are there any additional upfront fees (e.g. legal, admin, joining fees)?
Ongoing costs
- What are the regular ongoing fees (weekly, fortnightly or monthly)?
- What do these ongoing fees cover (maintenance, administration, insurance, facilities, utilities)?
- How often can fees be increased, and how are increases decided and communicated?
- Are utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet) included or separate?
Exit and deferred fees
- Is there a Deferred Management Fee (DMF) or exit fee? How is it calculated?
- How long after leaving will I or my estate receive any refund or payment owed?
- Who is responsible for costs like refurbishment, marketing and sale when I leave?
- Are there any fees if I decide to move out within the first few years?
You should be able to see worked examples showing what you or your estate would receive back after different lengths of stay (e.g. 1, 5 or 10 years).
Section 5: Services, Facilities and Maintenance
A large part of the retirement village lifestyle comes from shared facilities and services. These vary significantly between villages.
Questions to ask about facilities and services:
- What shared facilities are available (community centre, lounge, gym, pool, library, workshop, BBQ areas, gardens, etc.)?
- What activities or programs are regularly offered (exercise classes, social events, interest groups)?
- Are there additional charges to use particular facilities or join certain activities?
- What is included in the maintenance of my home (repairs, appliances, painting, gardens)?
- How are maintenance requests made, and how quickly are they usually handled?
- Who is responsible for structural repairs and long‑term capital works?
- Are there any on‑site services such as hairdressers, allied health, visiting GPs or delivery arrangements?
Match the facilities to your actual interests and lifestyle, rather than being swayed by features you are unlikely to use.
Section 6: Care, Support and Future Needs
Even if you are fit and independent now, it is important to understand what happens if your health needs change.
Marston Living, for example, focuses on independent retirement living rather than providing on‑site aged care, so these questions help you plan how external support might fit alongside village life if you ever need it.
Questions to ask about care and support:
- What level of care or support is available on‑site (if any)?
- Are there any partnerships with home care providers, allied health services or nearby aged care homes?
- Can I bring in my own home care services if needed?
- Is there any 24‑hour emergency call system or on‑call support?
- What happens if my partner and I have different care needs?
- Are there options to transition to higher levels of care within the same operator or community?
Knowing what support is available can help you stay in your chosen village longer and avoid future upheaval.
Section 7: Community Culture, Rules and Governance
The “feel” of a village is shaped by its culture, rules and how it is managed. This is often just as important as the physical buildings.
Questions to ask about community and governance:
- How are decisions made about village life (committees, resident meetings, management input)?
- How can residents raise feedback, suggestions or complaints, and how are these handled?
- Are there clear village rules or by‑laws, and can I see them in full?
- What are the expectations around noise, parking, pets, smoking and alterations to homes?
- How often does management meet with residents?
- What is the average length of stay for residents (an indicator of satisfaction)?
Spend time talking to current residents if possible. Ask them what they like most about the village, and what they would change.
Section 8: Safety, Security and Accessibility
Feeling safe and secure is a key reason many people choose retirement villages.
Questions to ask about safety and security:
- What security measures are in place (gates, cameras, lighting, patrols, staff presence)?
- How are emergencies handled, during the day and after hours?
- Are paths, common areas and car parks well lit and easy to navigate at night?
- Are homes fitted with appropriate safety features (smoke alarms, non‑slip surfaces, option for grab rails)?
- How does the village support residents during extreme weather or local emergencies?
Confirm that safety is actively managed, not just assumed.
Section 9: Trial Stays, Waiting Lists and Next Steps
Finally, ask about the process of actually moving in, and what you can do to “test” the village first.
Questions to ask about next steps:
- Is it possible to have a trial stay or attend several activities before making a decision?
- Is there a waiting list, and how does it work (priority, fees, timeframes)?
- How long does the typical application and settlement process take?
- What support is offered with the move itself (downsizing advice, recommended services, introductions)?
- Who will be my main point of contact during the decision and move‑in process?
This information will help you plan timing and logistics, especially if you are selling a home or coordinating with family.
Bringing It All Together: How to Choose a Retirement Village
When you are comparing retirement villages, use this checklist to:
- Ask the same questions at each village so you can compare like‑for‑like.
- Record the answers in writing for later discussion with family and advisers.
- Identify any unclear or concerning areas where you need more detail.
Choosing a retirement village really comes down to three things:
- Understanding the contracts and costs.
- Matching facilities and services to your lifestyle and future needs.
- Feeling comfortable with the community culture and management.
This checklist is deliberately broad, because it is designed to help you compare any retirement village, including, but not limited to, Marston Living. Once you have used it to narrow down your options, you can then look more closely at which communities align best with your priorities.
At Marston Living, residents benefit from a team that develops, builds and operates its own villages, drawing on more than 30 years of experience in retirement living. That end‑to‑end involvement helps create communities that feel cohesive, well managed and genuinely focused on how residents want to live.
If you are beginning to explore retirement villages or are actively shortlisting options, sharing your checklist with the Marston Living team can be a useful next step. We can walk you through how our villages work, answer your specific questions and help you see how our experience, locations and lifestyle offering compare, so you can make a decision with greater clarity and confidence.
Why Choose Marston Living
For those comparing retirement villages, Marston Living offers reassurance across every area that matters, transparent information, quality homes, welcoming community spaces and a lifestyle designed to support independence and wellbeing. By addressing all the key questions in one place, Marston Living gives retirees and their families confidence that they are choosing a retirement village built around both peace of mind and long‑term enjoyment.
