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How to choose a retirement village

Updated April 2026
Vanessa profile

By Vanessa Pratley

Investigative Journalist | Kaipūrongo Whakatewhatewha

Retirement villages can provide peace of mind in your golden years. Low maintenance and easy living close to others, often with support on hand if you need it.

On this page

  • 1. Consider if a retirement village is right for you
  • 2. Before you move into a retirement village
  • 3. Retirement village contract red flags
  • 4. Retirement village costs and fees
  • 5. Moving out of a retirement village
  • 6. Retirement village disputes and complaints
  • 7. Retirement Villages Code of Residents’ Rights

But it can be hard to choose the right one, or to know if you should move into one at all. We break down everything you need to know before you choose a retirement village, red flags to look out for in retirement village contracts and the process for leaving a village.

Image of an elderly couple reading a contract

1. Consider if a retirement village is right for you

2. Before you move into a retirement village

3. Retirement village contract red flags

4. Retirement village costs and fees

5. Moving out of a retirement village

6. Retirement village disputes and complaints

7. Retirement Villages Code of Residents’ Rights

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