- Christchurch homes for buyers over 45 offer downsizing without retirement vibe.
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- Twenty-four new builds up for grabs, priced from $$849,000.
Two dozen new-build homes have hit the market in Christchurch – but young first-time buyers should stay clear.
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Developer North Ridge has a specific homeowner in mind for its subdivision, near Preston Park – downsizers aged 45 and over.
Listing agent Damian Dellabarca, from The Change Agents, said age restrictions were usually found in retirement villages. The one at Elmbridge Mews and at North Ridge’s Styx Mill development were the first he had encountered aimed specifically at Gen Y.
The two and three-bedroom properties in Elmbridge Mews, near Preston Park, are priced between $849,000 and $1.189 million.
The first of 24 homes are underway and will be completed in six months. Prices start from $849,000. Photo / Supplied
An artist’s impression of the finished subdivision, which borders a stream. Photo / Supplied
But Dellabarca said the developer North Ridge’s target market for both Elmbridge Mews and a second slightly larger age-restricted development in Styx Mill wasn’t necessarily baby boomers looking for retirement. Families are welcome in the subdivision, but there is a 20-year-long covenant in place that stipulates that at least one of the owners is 45 years old or over.
“The needs of a downsizer are completely different from those of a first-home buyer. [Elmbridge Mews] is aimed at meeting the needs of a generation that wants to downsize, but isn’t quite ready for a retirement village,” Dellabarca told OneRoof.
“The whole point is to create a community of people that are at a similar stage in life.”
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North Ridge director John Shearer had already moved away from developing townhouses for investors in 2020 when he came up with the idea of creating something specifically for downsizers.
Shearer worked with his in-house architect to come up with a new design template. “We just took all the nice bits in a big house and put them in a small house.”
Shearer told OneRoof the company had added an age restriction to give buyers certainty about the environment they were moving into.
“These houses aren’t really designed for young families or younger people. They are designed for older people who want the butler’s pantry and the ensuite and things like that. We thought if you buy a house, you want someone like-minded next to you. Your neighbour is just as important as your house.”
Radio legend James Daniels was the first to buy in the Elmbridge Mews subdivision. Photo / George Heard
Shearer said the feedback so far had been positive. “It’s a new concept. People haven’t really done a downsizer community development like this before. People put age restrictions on properties, but not for the reasons we have done it.”
Even though the age limit is 45 and over, most of those who had bought so far were empty-nesters closer to 55 in age. “They want to travel a bit more, get into their bowls a bit more, and just have a bit of an easy property to live in.”
Radio legend James Daniels, who up until last year co-hosted Newstalk ZB’s afternoon show with Simon Barnett, was the first person to buy a property in the subdivision. So far four of the 24 have sold and the entire development is due to be completed early next year.
Daniels and his wife Dianne live over the back fence from the development and were impressed by the location on the stream boundary and quality of the build.
Buyers who purchase the properties off-the-plans early enough can personalise the home, including the kitchen. Photo / Supplied
The 70-year-old, who has children old enough to buy in the subdivision, said they had been considering downsizing to a more low-maintenance property but weren’t ready to move into a retirement village.
They signed up after visiting the show home. “We really liked the plans , and four weeks later we went unconditional. We just loved it so much.”
The couple had bought a large four-bedroom home in Prestons in 2020 after a six-year battle with the EQC and their insurance company. They loved the area and their neighbours, but the house was too big for them now.
“We are empty-nesters in a four-bedroom house. We just don’t need it.”
Daniels, who has retired from radio after 47 years and is working part-time for his daughter’s specialist construction company, said the 190sqm home they had bought was perfect.
“I’ve had enough of gardening. It’s going to be low-stress, and that suits me. That’s where we are at.”
He hadn’t realised there was an age restriction when he decided to buy, but he liked the fact there would be fewer trampolines and flying balls in the neighbourhood.
“It’s just a noise thing, and hey, I’ve got grandchildren and they are very sporty, but I don’t need to live amongst that.”
He said it was a great community and close to all amenities, including a Bunnings, New World, and restaurants. “It’s a wonderful place.”
- Elmbridge Mews, Burwood, Christchurch, is for sale by negotiation
