For too long, the idea of a ‘retirement home’ has carried the image of living a slower life. Today, a growing number of South Africans over 60 are flipping that idea on its head. Helping to effect this change is Trans-50, a registered non-profit that manages five vibrant lifestyle villages across the country in Gauteng, Kimberley, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.
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Rather than being seen as a last resort, these communities are designed to offer freedom, flexibility, and dignified living for over-60’s, while removing the pressures of home ownership. For many, this is not about ‘slowing down’ but rather about choosing lifestyle over limits.
Knowing when to downsize
One of the most common turning points for individuals is when the family home starts to feel too vast, empty, or costly. “When a house and the garden become too big, that’s often the first sign,” says Ernest Nagel, a resident at Trans-50’s Acacia Park in Kimberley. He explains that rising maintenance costs can eat away at a person’s savings and energy, leading to a strain on resources.
Others may decide once their children have left home, leaving a space that feels more like a burden than a haven. Another resident, Henry Janse van Vuuren, from Panorama Palms, puts it simply: “There is no real right time, but the sooner the better after the age of 55, once your children leave the house and it becomes an effort to maintain the big space.”
Both residents agree that a common misconception is that moving into a community village is something reserved for older generations. Making the transition earlier often opens opportunities to live fully while you still have great energy.
Why earlier is better
Moving into a lifestyle community earlier allows residents to enjoy the best of both worlds: independence and support. These villages are designed with the community at the heart of the plans under the care of skilful staff, with a lot to participate in: library, common interest groups, gyms, and social events.
Nagel adds that these connections are easier to build while you’re younger and socially active. “You easily form part of a community that looks out and cares for each other.”
Janse van Vuuren agrees: “You adapt easily to your new living circumstances and get involved in the social activities at an earlier age.”
Both Trans-50 residents highlight the peace of mind they have knowing that health care and support services are on hand when needed but not imposed.
Lifestyle benefits that aid your finances
The financial advantages of downsizing are another plus factor that can’t be ignored. Village homes, particularly Life Right units, remove the worry of unpredictable maintenance costs. “You no longer have to worry about rising maintenance costs when you opt for a Life Right unit. The Village takes care of maintenance at their expense,” says Nagel.
Janse van Vuuren adds that moving earlier can also be a sound investment decision, noting, “You save money on the purchase by doing it earlier, as prices are always rising in community villages. Getting in early means you will have more capital to live off.”
Top four questions to ask before moving
What lifestyle amenities are available?
What are the different living options, and how flexible is the move between them?
How does the Life Right model or pricing structure work?
What support services are included, and how do they balance independence with assistance?
Your home. Your pace. Your support
The greatest shift is in redefining what life in these communities looks like. Far from feeling isolated, residents describe bustling calendars of activities, opportunities for volunteering and the joy of being surrounded by like-minded peers.
“You will form part of a community,” Nagel says, “and when you age, you will already be among people you know.” That sense of belonging, coupled with the safety of secure villages and personalised support, provides emotional reassurance for both residents and their families.
For many, choosing to move at 60 is not about ‘slowing down’ but about taking control of the next chapter of life, one that’s filled with friendship, purpose, and freedom from the stress of looking after a large property.
For many South Africans entering their 50s and 60s, the choice is no longer about retirement, but about lifestyle, and the message is increasingly clear. Life doesn’t end at 60; it starts there.
To find out more about Trans-50 visit: https://www.trans50.co.za/
