Ripple spoke to Oasis Life resident, Jane Schwerin, to get the scoop on retirement life at Burgundy Estate. Here’s what Jane had to say:

“What initially drew me to Oasis Life Burgundy Estate was the promise of a hospitality inspired lifestyle. I liked the idea of settling into a resort type environment. From the moment I stepped into the bright clubhouse overlooking the bowling green, I felt welcomed and picked up on a fun atmosphere. I was blown away by the bustling activity schedule, which spans weekdays to weekends. I am still enjoying my career and knowing  I could come home and either relax or socialise was a big draw card. I love that I can dine out or work out – all within safe walking distance of my home.

I think what really sealed the deal for me in my initial tour was how the community engaged with me. I enjoyed the staff’s energy and professionalism and I was really impressed with how approachable and friendly the residents are. As I strolled through the grounds, I was greeted warmly by everyone and felt instantly at home. There is a lot of genuine happiness and fun to be found at this estate, it’s not like any other retirement village I’ve visited before. There’s a real vibe here!

As a single woman, safety is a huge concern. Knowing that the estate has vigilant security personnel and protocols in place puts my mind at ease. Knowing I can really exhale and explore the grounds and walk safely to enjoy the facilities without fear is a huge relief and very freeing. The round-the-clock medical support offered here is also very reassuring, even though I’m a young retiree. It’s both practical and fuss-free to have someone nearby to see if I want to get my blood pressure checked or get simple medications without racing to the pharmacy after a long day. It frees me up and gives my family peace of mind as well.

Prior to discovering Oasis Life, I had little knowledge of the Life Right retirement model. My only frame of reference for retirement previously was visiting my grandmother in a traditional retirement home during my youth. I’d never imagined retirement could look and feel like this. I think what sets Oasis Life apart is the attention to detail with providing excellent amenities like the clubhouse and the fitness centre – these are tailored to the active and social retiree. These benefits along with the sense of community and comradery is why a Life Right with Oasis Life is so worth it.

When friends ask me about Oasis Life, I approach the topic with sensitivity, recognising that the word “retirement” can carry different connotations for different people. I’m a very social person with a large friend group and so I like to share my experiences here and often invite friends to join me at various events hosted by Oasis Life so they can experience the lifestyle here for themselves. I chose Oasis Life Burgundy Estate because of the fun atmosphere and also for the estate’s convenient location. It’s very close to shopping centres, a wide choice of restaurants and some of my favourite wine farms. The suburb of Burgundy Estate is very central. It’s close to Century City, where I work, and not far from Blouberg, where I enjoy the beach.

Without a doubt, I am proud to be a part of this growing and energetic community. Living among neighbours within the same age group and up is both easy and fun. We can just relax and be ourselves. We bond over shared interests and enjoy gathering at the clubhouse for a drink, belting out tunes at karaoke or starting new clubs. So there’s never a dull moment here but we also always respect each other’s individual space. When my children and grandchildren come to visit, I enjoy baking with them and they love doing activities on the estate. My grandkids love splashing around in the heated pool and we also enjoy leisurely strolls. I couldn’t be happier.”