Kambala Chamber Music Outreach Initiative

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We recently hosted a delightful visit from the students of Kambala School as part of the Kambala Chamber Music Outreach Initiative. The performances, which lasted approximately an hour, showcased two pianists, a flute trio, and a string quartet. These talented girls performed captivating pieces by various composers such as Mozart, Chopin, and even a traditional Ukrainian folk song.

A large number of residents gathered in the lounge to enjoy the concert and share in a lovely afternoon tea. Following the conclusion of the performances the girls were quite happy to join in afternoon tea and get to know the residents. A big thank you to the prefects and teachers who arranged the musical groups, and, of course, to the exceptionally talented ladies for their remarkable performance that brought smiles to everyone present.

St Patrick's Day

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The Astra lounge was filled with shamrocks and a vibrant green hue in honor of St Patrick’s Day. The residents broke out their finest green attire and gathered for a delicious ploughman’s lunch. Lunch was a lovely mix of sweet and savory foods and some traditional soda bread care of the Bondi markets and Paddy the Baker. Some residents enjoyed a sip or two of Guinness, adding an extra Irish flair to the event.  The ambiance was cheerful and airy, accompanied by Irish melodies playing in the background and jovial banter and storytelling shared amongst the guests at the tables. Overall, it was a fantastic afternoon and good craic!

Bus Trip to The Auburn Botanical Gardens

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This month a group of residents ventured to the urban oasis known as the Auburn Botanical Gardens. The tranquil grounds are home to a stunning range of flora and fauna, ponds and lakes and even a waterfall. It was a perfect autumn day for a stroll around the lush gardens and to enjoy a picnic lunch. A highlight of the day was when a mischievous peacock decided to pull a disappearing act after a gate was left open! But fear not, because our very own peacock-whisperer, Noni, channelled her inner country girl and expertly guided the runaway bird back home, much to the amusement of everyone else!

Casino Day

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A group of residents came together in the Astra lounge for an enjoyable afternoon filled with games, socializing, drinks, and charcuterie. The lounge was beautifully themed as a casino for the day, complete with three tables offering Blackjack, Roulette, and other card games. Players received a stack of chips to play with, there were no rules at this casino, or rather the rules were made up (and changed) as we played along. Special mention goes out to Darryl the pro roulette croupier who kept the good times rolling!

The gathering was a delightful occasion with drinks, laughter, and merriment. The event was a huge hit, prompting thoughts of turning it into an annual tradition. Thanks to everyone who joined and contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Insightful Visit from the Director of Seniors Fitness

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This week, we had a visit from Emily, the Director of Seniors Fitness, who delivered a captivating talk on improving well-being through exercise. The talk covered a range of topics including an overview of common health conditions, the benefits of exercise, fall prevention, and a demonstration of some exercises. During the presentation, Emily elaborated on the distinction between physiotherapy and exercise physiology. Physiotherapy is recommended for acute injuries, while exercise physiology focuses on long-term injuries and strength enhancement. Regular exercise was emphasized for faster post-surgery recovery, fall prevention, and overall daily well-being.

Seniors Fitness provides tailored programs either at their Bondi Junction studio or in the convenience of your home. The session was highly informative, leading to increased interest among residents, with some signing up for future sessions. A big thank you to Emily and Seniors Fitness for their enlightening visit to the Astra!

Australia Day

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Crikey! What a flamin’ good day for a BBQ! Some of the Astra residents took advantage of the beautiful summer weather and partook in a shared meal and BBQ to celebrate Australia Day. Everyone chipped in with food and drinks, and the result was a mouth-watering feast. One highlight of the day was when Lore, who hadn't tasted a Lamington in 50 years since her arrival in Australia, finally got to sink her teeth into one.

Bus Trip To The Teahouse At The Crown Towers

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Established in 2020, the Tea House at the Crown is the perfect fusion of a traditional Chinese tea house and an uber-modern lounge bar. After seeing the beautiful pictures online a group of us ventured into the city to check it out. When we arrived at the Crown Towers we headed through the decadent foyer and up to the Tea House. We were seated in one of the coveted “birdcages” but ultimately chose to sit on the balcony and enjoy the views of the harbour and the boats passing by. Although the weather wasn’t the greatest the atmosphere, ambience and views certainly made up for it. We sampled some of the beverages on offer, Alana tried the spicy, tequila-infused “Mango Tango” cocktail and Nellie tried the “Madame Butterfly” and the fiery “Sichuan Boulevardier”, all of which were delicious! The group then headed to 88 Noodle, a restaurant with a tantalizing mix of Shanghai, Singapore, and Thai cuisines. After a hearty meal, it was time to say goodbye to the Crown's glitz and glam and head back to the Astra.

Bus Trip To See The Christmas Lights

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This month's bus trip was a festive one! A group of residents (and Anna) went to see the Christmas displays adorning some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The highlight of the trip was St Mary’s Cathedral, its stunning projections on the building façade accompanied by joy-filled music embodied the holiday spirit perfectly. The trip started at the QVB to see a unique Christmas tree honouring the importance of Aboriginal culture. From the QVB the group made their way to Pitt Street Mall and the David Jones animated window display. This year’s display was inspired by the beloved children’s book “Twelve Dogs of Christmas” by Alison Ritchie. Next up was Martin Place and its 3.4-metre colour-changing tree! Every 15 minutes or so the tree would change colours and play Christmas songs. The last stop in the city was St Mary’s Cathedral where the group took some great photos and got to look inside the Cathedral where real pine trees lined the aisles. The Cathedral grounds were filled with families and friends enjoying the lights and markets.

On the way back to the Astra, Nick the bus driver, took the group through Avoca Street in Bondi where almost every house was lit up and included some great holiday displays.

This trip was a sleigh-full of magical memories!

Christmas Party

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Tis the season to be jolly! And jolly we were at the annual Bondi Astra Christmas party! The night kicked off with drinks in the lounge then the residents and guests settled into the Bondi Tratt for a hearty Christmas feast. The Tratt once again delivered a beautiful meal with all the trimmings and plenty of libations, which enhanced the already festive atmosphere. After dinner, the residents and guests headed back to the Astra lounge for dessert, more drinks and speeches. The lucky door prize raffle was awarded to a bunch of lucky residents, with the first winner being Cleo who scored a fabulous bottle of bubbly. Once the formalities were out of the way the music was turned up and the residents (and staff!) danced the night away.

It was a fantastic night with lots of merriment, good cheer and a fun time had by all! Thanks to everyone who was involved and to the Bondi Tratt for another wonderful Christmas dinner.

Farewell Anna

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After seven years, Anna has decided to finish her studies and pursue a career in graphic design, sadly this means she will no longer be working at the Astra ☹

Anna has been an integral part of the Astra over the years and has made a lasting impact on residents and staff alike. Her creativity and ingenuity have been showcased at the many events and activities she has organised, Anna has been instrumental in implementing regular events/activities such as the Astra book club and technology workshops.

Her kind nature has touched the residents and is reflected in their smiles as they have grown to cherish her over the years.

Although it is goodbye, it’s more “see you later” as Anna hopes to still attend the monthly book club meetings and will be joining us at the Christmas party! From the staff and residents, we wish Anna all the best in all your future endeavors and will miss you greatly!

Melbourne Cup

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This year’s Melbourne Cup was a huge success…Once we found the correct channel on the TV! It was a lovely afternoon which included fancy frocks and fascinators, a sumptuous feast and drinks flowing. The atmosphere was filled with lots of conversations and laughter while the Astra lounge was adorned with colourful decorations. Congratulations to the cup winner Without a Fight and all the sweeps winners at the Astra!

Fire Drill

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Three strapping Bondi firemen came to the Astra to observe our annual fire drill! Flora held a short information session before the drill to talk through our procedure, and to answer any questions residents might have. The main things to remember are: 1, in the event of a fire alarm sounding, exit the building as quickly as possible by the fire stairs (do not use the lift). 2, don’t stop to pick up possessions on your way out. 3, meet at the fire assembly points so that village management/the fire response team know you are safely out. The drill went smoothly and our fireies stayed just long enough to make sure everything was under control. Flora got her workout for the day running up and down the fire stairs to check on residents who are less mobile! Stay safe everybody.

Open Day

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We did manage to get a bit of sun at our long-awaited open day, and Bondi Beach was looking beautiful despite the inclement weather. It was exciting as we opened our doors again for the first time since the pandemic hit and welcomed prospective residents into the building for an open day. We also welcomed Craig Bennett, President of the Retirement Village Residents Association, to speak to us about retirement living. There were plenty of opportunities for prospective residents to speak to current residents and staff, as well as Craig and members of the Strata Committee. We had some presentations from Craig and Sam, Director of Bondi Beach Astra, which discussed moving into a retirement village. The lunch break gave us another opportunity to mingle, while eating some delicious food put on by the village. After lunch, Flora (Village Manager), Penny (OC Chair) and Rob (Residents’ Representative) gave short talks about the Astra specifically, and there were opportunities for guests to ask questions about the village. Thank you to everyone who gave up their time to come down and see our fabulous heritage listed building and meet our friendly residents. We loved meeting you and hope you will stop by again soon.

Welcome to Our New Residents

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Welcome to Ron, our newest resident! We have been blessed with three new residents moving in over the past couple of months (Deborah, Sonya and Ron), and we are so happy that they are all here. Ron moved to the Astra from Woolwich, and he loves his new environment. He and several of his family members have told us how delighted they are with his move here. They are impressed with his apartment, its spaciousness and location, its accessibility to services and transport, and with the communal environment in the building. Ron already loves to join in with all the social events that we put on, and it is an absolute pleasure to have him in our community. What a fabulous village we have, and what wonderful residents 😊

What Do You Need to Think About When Downsizing?

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There are many benefits to downsizing, but also plenty of things to consider when deciding if it is the right move for you. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but we hope that it will give you a firm foundation for starting on your downsizing journey...

  • Pros and cons of downsizing:

    • More upfront capital from selling your larger home. The Retirement Village model of 99 year leases even removes stamp duty from the equation. When buying into a Retirement Village lease, you do not pay stamp duty on entry, but you do pay a departure fee (also known as a Deferred Management Fee) on leaving the property. Although having more money may affect your Aged Pension (please check with your financial advisor if this could be an issue for you), having upfront capital allows you to control how you live your life now and allows for better planning for the future.

    • Fewer ongoing costs and improved cash flow. Utility bills, insurance payments, council rates and other ongoing costs are often lower in smaller properties. This could free up money to invest, spend on goods and services, or save for a rainy day. Importantly, many retirees want more financial security for the future, knowing they may have less money coming in then.

    • Differences in space and flexibility. Living in a smaller home may mean you have fewer rooms and less space for entertaining than you are used to. However, smaller homes are generally much easier to maintain and clean, and downsizing might mean you have fewer areas in your new home that are unused or under-used. You also might not lose as much stuff!

    • Fewer material things - many downsizers will use their move as an opportunity to declutter and throw away, or sell, their unwanted things. And since there is plenty of evidence that decluttering is good for your health as well as your wallet, this could be beneficial on several fronts.

    • Emotional connections and memories. Often, when people are considering downsizing from their family home, they fear losing all the memories and emotional ties that go along with that home. It can be daunting to make the break, but don’t worry the memories come with you and you will make a connection to your new place or neighbourhood quicker than you think. The saying “a change is as good as a holiday” exists for a reason, and there’s nothing like making memories in a new place when it’s the right fit for your next phase in life.

    • More convenient. You can choose a layout and fittings that better meet your needs, or a location closer to family, transport and services.

  • Financial considerations:

    • Selling your existing property (marketing costs, agent’s fees, conveyancer, other legal fees)

    • Financial advisor consultation

    • Moving costs - furniture removal etc...

    • Cost of living in your new area

    • Reduced repairs and maintenance costs

  • Do your research and decide on what’s most important for you:

    • What are your financial goals?

    • What are your future plans, or what would you like them to be?

    • What are you hoping to gain from downsizing?

    • Are you currently spending your limited time doing things you WANT to be doing?

    • What are the available amenities in the new place, and will you feel safe and connected?

    • What are your needs for personal space, visitors, storage?

    • What do you like about your home?

    • What could you do without?

    • How many rooms do you need?

    • Do you want to move somewhere calm and quiet, or busy and populated?

    • Do you enjoy walks by the beach, shopping in city centres, or spending time in national parks?

    • Are there any particular amenities that you want or need close by?

    • Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to research and do everything you need to do before you have to move. If it seems like downsizing might be a good move for you, hopefully you will see it as writing an exciting new chapter in your life story. So before you start you should make a draft, a blueprint you can use to ensure your move will go as smoothly as possible.

  • Who to consult about making a move:

    • Family and friends

    • Legal advisors

    • Financial advisors

    • NSW Fair Trading (they have a handy guide to your rights and responsibilities).

Please make sure to speak to a financial advisor and/or a solicitor before undertaking any big financial decisions. If you have any further questions about Retirement Village living in general, or Bondi Beach Astra specifically, please ring or email, or visit our FAQs.

Perks of Living at Bondi Beach Astra

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What are the advantages of living at the Bondi Beach Astra Retirement Village? We are obviously a bit biased, but we think there are many amazing reasons to think about moving here. After reading our list we hope you agree…

Location

We are located right across the road from Bondi Beach, with easy access to Bondi Junction and Sydney city centre. The view of the beach from the Astra building is hard to beat. Being a beach suburb means many of our residents walk along the coast daily, and a fair number will swim or surf throughout the year. We are situated just across the road from Bondi Icebergs at the south end of the beach, and are a pleasant walk to the ocean pools at the north end. With this scenery on their doorstep, our residents are thrilled to spend time outdoors, keeping active and connected to their environment, and with family and friends.

Facilities

Our communal lounge is a comfortable, sunny area that is used by residents all year round. There are always a few jigsaws on the go on the tables closest to the kitchen (good for getting a cuppa and a biscuit too), and groups of residents get together to play games regularly throughout the week. In addition to the games, our lounge has a library, a table tennis table and a snooker room with a snooker table, flat screen TV and computer nook. Outside the lounge is a lovely private courtyard with tables and chairs and a BBQ for everyone to enjoy. The village also has a dedicated gym area and heated pool for those wanting to stay active. For those who like to drive we have a private basement car park with spaces for lease, plus two visitor spots for short-term use by family and friends.

Concierge Services

Our Village Manager is onsite weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm, and on hand to help wherever needed. All our staff are friendly and approachable, and are always willing to provide concierge services to residents and visitors. We help with resident wellbeing, handyman tasks, technology issues, administration, scheduled maintenance and welcoming visitors, plus many other ad hoc things to keep life in the village running smoothly. It is important for our community to have access to practical services; equally important is the role that our staff play in providing a smiling friendly presence as people walk in and out of the building, an ear to listen, or some time for someone who has stopped by for a chat.

Social Events

We have a full social calendar (out of COVID lockdown) of events and activities. These events, including lunches and teas, varied activities, and days out, are some of the highlights for many people living at Bondi Beach Astra. We try to put on a range of activities and events that cater for different tastes, and have regular gatherings throughout the year. For more information on what we have done, are doing, or will do, check out our What’s On and Blog pages.

Food and Drink

With so many fabulous coffee shops at Bondi Beach, it’s no wonder that we regularly see residents popping in and out for that caffeine hit throughout the day. And since Bondi is a multicultural suburb, we have restaurants of all different flavours in the area. There are so many great places to choose from, but a favourite of our residents is the Bondi Tratt which, conveniently, happens to be located just next to the main entrance of the Astra building!

Access to Healthcare

There are plenty of pharmacies, GPs and other medical centres in the area. In the village each apartment comes with a 24/7 medical alarm system. Even if you don’t need to access those services now, it is still a comfort to know that if you do there will be lots of options for you around. Our residents fully appreciate being this close to so many world-class medical facilities.

Shopping

With grocery stores and boutique shops at the beach, and larger shops and shopping centres along Bondi Road and at Bondi Junction, there are so many places our residents can go to shop. Bondi really has a small town community feel, while remaining connected to city amenities.

Local Events and Places of Interest

Venturing further away from home, libraries, RSLs and community centres offer a chance to make friends with people from all around the area. And with easy access to the city, Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and the many cultural and artistic venues that Sydney has to offer are just a bus ride away.

If you would like to learn more about the Bondi Beach Astra lifestyle, please contact us or visit our FAQs. We, and our friendly residents, can’t wait to hear from you.

Bucket List for Retirees

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It’s never too early to start planning for your future, and it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. That is why so many retirees are embracing the bucket list trend. We’ve put together some fun bucket list items for retirees and how Bondi Beach Astra could help you to fulfil them. The key things to remember with any kind of bucket list are to plan early and set yourself a realistic timeframe with realistic goals. And, most importantly, have fun!

(Please bear in mind that some of these suggestions cannot be undertaken in a lockdown pandemic, but why not plan for them now and have something to look forward to?)

  • Live by the beach. This is on people’s bucket lists the world over! What a privilege to be able to wake up every day and walk along the sand, go for a swim or just breathe the fresh sea air. Residents of Bondi Beach Astra love the beach and the lifestyle that comes with being in such a beautiful part of the world.

  • Travel. Another item that is on many people’s bucket lists, and although it’s hard to do in the current COVID-19 climate, it can’t hurt to dream. Many of our residents are prolific travelers (one has even published a book about travelling in her retirement years), and appreciate that their home is connected to so many different transport hubs. Whether travel is by bus, train, plane or boat, our residents love to take the opportunity to visit friends and family and make new friends visiting new places. While they are away, they can feel relaxed in the knowledge that they have a concierge to collect their mail, a secure and safe building to protect their belongings, and a raft of neighbours willing to water their plants!

  • Find a hobby/learn something new. There are so many things to do and learn out there that the world really is your oyster. Write a list of things you have always wanted to do, or do more of, and then see if there is a way that you can do them in your area or online. Bondi Beach is a diverse and vibrant community, and has so many in-person and virtual groups to join. Bondi Beach Astra itself has resident snooker and ping pong experts, as well as music maestros, who would be happy to play with you. And if you want to learn a new language? Chances are that you will find someone here who speaks it and who would be willing to chat with you to practice!

  • Learn a new watersport. What better way to spend your retirement than at the beach swimming, surfing, snorkeling or enjoying any number of other watersports? Bondi is known for good surfing, as well as beautiful ocean pools. And if the closest you want to get to the sea is walking along the promenade, then Bondi is great for that too! Our residents love to swim, surf, walk and just generally enjoy the beach atmosphere. It is truly a highlight of retirement living at Bondi Beach Astra.

  • Exercise more. There are so many things that you can do with exercise, it’s hard to know where to start! Whether it’s setting goals for increasing your exercise, just living somewhere that has nice places to walk outside, or finding classes to attend, exercise is hugely important for physical and mental wellbeing. There are plenty of local exercise classes, gyms and swim/surf schools at Bondi Beach. Our residents love to have an active lifestyle, and one of our residents even runs an in-house Qi Gong class each week for residents and friends. Our heated pool and gym area provide extra motivation to exercise without even having to leave the building.

  • Read more or start a book club. In addition to the bookshelves that we have in our common lounge area for resident use, there are many libraries in the area for you to choose from (Waverley Library, Woollahra Library, Watsons Bay Library and more…) Waverley Library also holds author talks, history lectures, screens movies, and many other cultural events throughout the year. A book club is a lovely way to connect with people and can also be run remotely while in lockdown. At Bondi Beach Astra we run a monthly book club, and it has been a great success not only for broadening our reading material but also for bringing neighbours together to learn more about one another.

  • Try food you’ve never eaten before, or eat lots of different foods from different countries. Food is often on people’s bucket lists too, and given Bondi’s multicultural population there are so many varieties of food for you to choose from here. Many restaurants and cafes are within walking distance of Bondi Beach Astra, and still more are accessible by take away and food delivery apps.

  • Spend more time with your grandkids. This is something that is really important to a lot of retirees. If you live closer to your family, you are more likely to be able to spend time with them, and with lots of fun things to do in Bondi there are plenty of options for activities for all ages throughout the year. Many of our residents chose to live in this area to be around family and many of them enjoy spending regular time with their grandkids. What a delight to be able to do that once you are no longer worrying about full time work.

  • Get a tattoo! For some people this is something that they’ve always wanted to do! Well, who says retirement isn’t the time for that? And Bondi Beach has got you covered!

  • Become CPR certified. It’s never too late! With so many SLSCs in the area there are many and various courses to take. You never know when something like this might come in handy…

  • Get environmental. When you live in an area with so much natural beauty you want to try to help keep it that way, and make sure that it is still around for your grandkids to enjoy in years to come. Why not attend, or organise, a beach clean up, or go plastic free for a month? With farmers markets in the area and Waverley Council’s commitment to environmental causes, there is something in Bondi to suit every green-conscious person.

  • Write a novel, or just start to write more. Many people have ideas that they wish they had written down, so when thinking of things to do in retirement why not this? Several of our residents have written books, both novels and non-fiction books, and there are local writing groups for support. If you think you have it in you to write more, what better inspiration than a beautiful beach view and having a cuppa and a chat with a fellow writing resident!

  • Organise a wine tasting at home. Let’s face it, we’ve all wanted to run or attend a tasting event of some sort at some point, be it wine, whisky, coffee, chocolate, cheese, or anything else that takes our fancy. Well, at Bondi Beach Astra we have put on wine and cheese tastings, a coffee tasting, and even a gin tasting. Not to mention the many cake, chocolate, biscuit, bread and other food events that have involved our residents (and staff) trying different things out. Imagine if you could have this in your home all the time!

  • Hold a neighbourhood BBQ. There aren’t many more Aussie things than a BBQ, catching up with your community in the fresh air with some good food and a few drinks. Bondi Beach Astra has a communal BBQ for residents and their friends and families to use, and we run social events throughout the year. It’s a must have for those warm and breezy summer days. 

  • Practise meditation. Many people love to meditate for their mental and physical wellbeing. No matter where you are you can meditate, but it helps to have a weekly Qi Gong class that incorporates elements of meditation, and other local residents who are experienced meditators to give you tips and encouragement!

  • Volunteer or work with a charity. Retirees often want to stay active, and volunteering is a great way to do that. Several of our residents volunteer regularly with different groups in the area, from churches to libraries to schools. It is such an encouraging and rewarding activity to engage in, as those residents will surely testify to.

And this is just the start… 

At Bondi Beach Astra, we are located in one of the most beautiful and engaging places in the world, have so many great facilities available to residents, and have an active and welcoming social community. To find out how you can share in this lifestyle, call or email us, or take a look at our FAQs.

What Residents Love About the Astra

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We are often told by residents that moving to the Astra was the best decision, and that they love it here. In this article we give you some reasons why, in their own words:

“We have loved being part of the lively community at the Astra over the last 17 years and enjoy the many benefits of being part of an independent living Retirement Village. Security is important to us, as is knowing we can call for assistance any time. While we still live busy lives, we love to participate in the wonderful social events throughout the year with lots of music, dancing and feasting. Of course a great attraction for us buying here was the beach location with its magical views and access to public transport. We are looking forward to many more years here.” Rob and Penny

“One of the big pluses is ‘location, location, location’ with the tremendous pleasure to be got from being near Bondi Beach and the happy vibe of people enjoying the beautiful seashore. Also, the friendliness of the residents and staff at the Astra.” Gillian

“22 years ago, I was looking to buy a unit in Bondi Beach. I was so fortunate to find exactly what I wanted at a price I could afford. I have never regretted my decision. For someone who lived their whole life on the land, it was a total sea change.” Noni

“After living in Bondi for decades, nine years ago, increasing crowds, noise and pollution forced a decision to move. Lucky for me I found the Bondi Astra Retirement Village and literally moved round the corner. It was a short distance but a world of difference. I was able to stay in Bondi, keep my independence and enjoy secure, peaceful living with the option of support, friendship and lots of fun. Best decision ever!” Ann

“I love living at the Astra because of its wonderful location, across the road from beautiful Bondi Beach, lovely parks close by and with transport almost on our doorstep. The Astra is a close, caring, and friendly community.” Darryl 

“My father came to live in the Astra 14 years before I did, and it was because he was so happy here that I decided to move here too. Dad was so happy to be back in the area of his childhood and to be able to enjoy the beach once again. He became involved in all the activities at The Astra and even instigated some. He was very popular and I was lucky to be included in the evening socials. The Social Club helped me organise both his 80th and 90th birthday parties and we invited all residents, friends and family. So, when I moved in after his death, I already knew everyone. Like Dad had done before me, I regularly meet friends in the City for lunch, movies, ballet, concerts and theatre, and travel to family celebrations for birthdays and other celebrations. All of which is possible because of the close access to excellent public transport. When Dad gave up the surf he became a regular in the Astra pool and I use it regularly too as well as the Gym. When this lockdown is over I look forward to resuming the excellent barbecues, lunches and socials we all enjoyed prior to Covid. Also, I will start meeting family and friends once again. The Astra is a wonderful place to live, because of its excellent management, beautiful location, proximity to many shops and cafes and frequent public transport, plus very friendly and pleasant residents.” Maureen

“How lucky I am to live in an elegant, Art Deco icon, overlooking the Sands of the beach, sitting above the trendy Trattoria Restaurant, spending my Retirement years in an Amazing, vibrant environment, at the ASTRA.” Cleo

“I love the location of the Astra, fabulous view from my open-space unit, and within minutes I can be walking along Bondi Beach and swimming. Help from Paul and Anna in the office is a big bonus. They are always willing to assist, whether it’s a technology issue, maintenance problem, receiving postal deliveries etc… The Astra community is friendly and sociable and I enjoy catching up with them at village events from time to time.” Alison

“I lived in Bondi for some years before retirement, at which time I decided to relocate to the Astra, where I bought a unit. It turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. Where else could I walk literally across the road to a wonderful iconic beach, or to a bus taking 7 minutes to get to Bondi Junction or a bit longer into the City? How many other Retirement Villages enjoy the solitude of such establishments while being slap bang in the middle of a busily energetic shopping area with a vibrant cafe/restaurant culture? The best of both worlds! Added to this, importantly, are the caring, competent management of the village who do their best to make for a convivial comfortable atmosphere. I'm very glad I live at the Astra.” Andrew

If you are interested in finding out more about living in this historic, beautiful place please contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions you have. When we are able to safely conduct tours around the village, and hold events again, we would also love to introduce you to some of our friendly residents so they can tell you in person why Bondi Beach Astra is such a great place to live.

6 Common Hesitations When Choosing a Retirement Village

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We speak to many people about retirement living, and over the years we have noticed some trends in common hesitations to taking that final step. We also know that many people we speak to who live in a Retirement Village tell us it was the best move they ever made. So here is a list of common hesitations that regularly come up in our conversations with people considering downsizing to Bondi Beach Astra, and our reasons why we think you should still think seriously about making the move:

  • I’m not retired yet. You do not need to be fully retired to move into a village, just over 55 years old. At Bondi Beach Astra we have a number of residents who are still partially working and of those that aren’t, many volunteer on a regular basis. Still more play a vital role in actively helping with their grandkids.

  • I’m not ready yet. This may well be the case, and we would never presume to know your circumstances as well as you do. However, we do believe that it is never too early to start thinking about what you will do in the event that you need to downsize, move to be closer to family, or require more help around the home. It certainly can’t hurt to have the conversations now to prepare yourself for when you do feel ready. Retirement Villages are not aged care facilities, they are vibrant, active communities of like-minded individuals. They provide greater security and opportunities for social connection than non-retirement housing alternatives. It is worth considering Retirement Villages for many very good reasons, but please don’t count them out because of a perception that they are full of inactive and unsociable seniors. The majority of Retirement Village residents are lively and active members of the community, making the most of their retirement years.

  • I want two or three bedrooms. If this is what you need, then of course many of our one and two bedroom apartments won’t be suitable. However, most of our residents have friends and family who they meet up with regularly, and many will have people to stay in their apartments. Our apartments are a variety of sizes and shapes, to fit different needs for different people. Before you reject the idea of a one bedroom property outright, consider whether it is actually necessary to have the extra bedroom. For example, will the hassle of cleaning a room you don’t use to its potential for much of the year be more or less than the hassle of having a flexible living space that could accommodate visitors? Remember that downsizing has its advantages – smaller apartments are easier to clean and upkeep, having fewer things could make you feel less stressed and more able to focus on the important things in life, and of course downsizing usually comes with a lower price tag.

  • It’s too expensive. Again, we can’t speak to each individual’s circumstances, but generally Retirement Villages are cheaper than non-retirement living options. Equivalent Bondi Beach non-retirement properties are on average 42% more expensive. To reduce costs by more than 3% further, if you buy a long-term lease (which most Retirement Villages offer) rather than a strata title, you won’t have to pay stamp duty on your purchase. Moreover, the Deferred Management Fee is set up to ensure that you have more capital upfront on purchase, then pay a percentage on re-sale to cover ongoing costs associated with the time that you have lived in a village. For many people this is a model that is well-suited to them at this stage of their lives.

  • Bondi Beach is too busy, and the crowds are too young. It is true that Bondi Beach is one of Australia’s most visited areas. However, many of our residents love the vibrant culture and opportunities that come with living in a small community that has international renown. They don’t want to live in a sleepy quiet town where nothing ever happens! Bondi, for them, has just the right blend of amenities, environment, activity and community, and they like to be around people of all ages. This may not be for everyone, but if you are considering this area you should definitely come for a visit and see for yourself what they love about Bondi Beach.

  • Where are the men? This is a question that gets posed a lot on Facebook, and sometimes in person too. Well, just under 30% of Bondi Beach Astra’s residents are men. We do have men who are active in the community and also on the Executive Committee, but on average more of women attend social events than men which accounts for the difference in photos on our blog and social media pages. We encourage residents to bring friends and relatives with them to events when they can, and anyone is welcome to visit the village. Retirement communities in general tend to have more women than men, and we are no exception, but actually living here you might find that there are more men around than you had previously thought!

We always love to chat with people about their options, so please do contact us for more information. We are on the phone, email, and online. We look forward to hearing from you.

What is a Retirement Village?

/ Bondi Beach Astra/

Many people think that Retirement Villages and Aged Care are the same thing. I work in a Retirement Village and still my friends and family ask me on a regular basis “how are things going in the care home?”

But there are some key differences. You must be able to live independently to live in a Retirement Village. That doesn’t mean you can’t be reliant on people for help or care, but it does mean that generally you need to be able to look after yourself and move around independently.

Essentially, a Retirement Village is a community of homes and facilities designed for over 55 year olds. There is not even a requirement that you must be fully retired to move into a village. Anyone who is over 55 and able to live independently can live in a Retirement Village.

There are a number of benefits to moving into a Retirement Village. Most villages offer shared facilities – Bondi Beach Astra has many facilities for residents to use including a gym, indoor pool, common lounge and kitchen, courtyard with BBQ, and communal computers. Many villages also often offer added security, a community environment, and customisable services. At Bondi Beach Astra we have a daytime concierge (Village Manager) to help with any resident issues, a 24/7 emergency medical alarm system for any help outside of office hours, and we run regular community events and activities.

It has been shown in numerous studies that being social and connected is good for your health and happiness and may even help people to live longer.

Downsizing into a Retirement Village may benefit both financially and physically. Having a smaller space to keep clean and tidy is an upside for many people choosing to downsize at this point in life and may be generally more convenient. A smaller living space often means lower utility costs, and with more disposable income from having sold your larger house, you may be able to better plan for the future.

We would love to talk to you further about any questions you may have, to help you decide whether living in a Retirement Village is right for you. Please give us a call on 02 9365 3344, email us at sales@bondiastra.com.au or have a look at our FAQs.