Interest in the downsized-housing boom in the New South Wales Maitland area is growing, as excitement for proposed retirement village Hunter Grange continues to grow and sister village Walka Grange receives praise from current residents.

Ranging in age from late 50s to mid 70s with diverse backgrounds, the residents of Walka Grange have become strong advocates of the downsizing trend, especially for their local area.

Walka Grange itself boasts features such as a gym full of state-of-the art equipment, indoor swimming pool, resident’s club room, well-stocked bar, lounge, and landscaped gardens. Hence, it is unsurprising that the village’s occupancies are all but sold out.

“Everybody loves it here. Best thing my wife and I ever did was buy in Walka Grange,” said Kenny, a Walka Grange resident and former Vietnam veteran.

Such motivation to downsize to the understated yet elegant village precinct can be attributed to many benefits, but for resident Jon, the security proved most attractive. After downsizing from a home with an attached five acres, his sentiment was that he had “worked enough, and wanted to be able to travel knowing the home was secure.”

The village services also include maintenance procedures. For resident Robin and his wife, this was a perfect arrangement.

“We went away for three months and came back to a perfectly maintained garden, lawn and secured mail. Before when we went away I was paying $55 a week for maintenance around my house. At Walka Grange that’s all included.”