Choosing a retirement village is as much about location as lifestyle. Where you live determines how easily you can get to a GP, a hospital, the shops, or simply a coffee with friends, and how connected you stay to family who visit.
Ageing in Place operates three boutique retirement villages across Melbourne's south-east and the Mornington Peninsula: Berwick, Carrum Downs and Mount Martha, each pairing independent villa living with an on-site nursing home. Here's why each location is worth a closer look.
Berwick
Berwick is one of Melbourne's most established outer-south-east suburbs, known for its leafy streets, strong community feel, and easy access to the Monash Freeway. For retirees, that translates into genuine day-to-day convenience: GPs, pharmacies, supermarkets and specialty shops are all close at hand, and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre is just minutes away for a bigger outing.
Casey Hospital sits conveniently off the Princes Freeway, giving residents fast access to acute and specialist care without a long drive.
Ageing in Place's Berwick village, at 25 Parkhill Drive, is a boutique community of 30 independent villas set in landscaped grounds only minutes from Berwick town centre. It includes a community centre with media facilities and a library, a barbecue pavilion, and an on-site nursing home and hostel, so residents can stay in the community they know even if their care needs change. Many residents say the village's smaller size is exactly what they love about it: it feels like a genuine residential community, not a large institution.
Carrum Downs
Carrum Downs Retirement Village sits on the Frankston-Dandenong Road corridor, giving residents quick access to Frankston, the broader south-east freeway network, and a wide spread of shopping and healthcare options. It's a practical, well-serviced location that suits retirees who want great value without giving up access to amenities.
Frankston Hospital and Peninsula Private Hospital are both a short drive away, making Carrum Downs an ideal choice for anyone who wants major hospital care within easy reach.
Ageing in Place's Carrum Downs village, at 1133 Frankston-Dandenong Road, is one of the largest villages in the portfolio: 92 independent villas set beside the Banyan Reserve wetlands. It features a community centre with a bar, library, billiards, and indoor bowls; a village bus service for residents who no longer drive; and an on-site nursing home, so a change in care needs doesn't need to mean a change of address.
Mount Martha
Our Mount Martha Retirement Village sits on the Mornington Peninsula, roughly halfway between Frankston and Mornington, and offers a quieter, more coastal lifestyle than the other two villages. It's a suburb well regarded for its beaches and relaxed pace, while still keeping shopping and medical services close by.
The Bays Hospital in nearby Mornington provides private specialist and surgical care, and Frankston Hospital and Peninsula Private Hospital are also within reach for residents who need broader acute services. Locally, Benton Square Shopping Plaza covers everyday needs and is only just up the road.
Ageing in Place's Mount Martha village, at 42 Acacia Street, sits on 7.5 acres backing onto parkland, only a kilometre from Benton Square and the foreshore beaches. It offers 59 independent villas, a state-of-the-art clubhouse, and an on-site nursing home, plus easy access to golf courses, cafés and the wider Mornington Peninsula wine region for residents who want to make the most of the coastal lifestyle.
What To Look For When Comparing Retirement Villages
- On-site care. Villages with a nursing home on the same grounds mean residents can stay put if their care needs increase, with no packing up and moving to an unfamiliar facility at a difficult time.
- Proximity to hospitals. Casey Hospital for Berwick, Frankston Hospital and Peninsula Private Hospital for Carrum Downs, and The Bays Hospital for Mount Martha all put major care within a short trip, worth weighing alongside how you or family would get there.
- Everyday amenities. Shopping centres, GPs and pharmacies within easy reach make a real difference to day-to-day independence. All three Ageing in Place villages sit close to established retail precincts: Fountain Gate, the Frankston-Dandenong corridor, and Benton Square respectively.
- Community size and feel. Berwick and Mount Martha are boutique communities of around 30 to 59 villas, while Carrum Downs is a larger community of 92. Neither size is inherently better; it depends on whether you're after a close-knit neighbourhood or a bigger social scene.
- Fees and transparency. Entry fees, monthly charges and deferred management fees vary across villages. Always read the Information Statement and have it reviewed by a solicitor before committing.
You can download the Ageing in Place Information Statement for each village directly below:
Explore Our Retirement Villages
Ageing in Place operates three villages across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula: Berwick, Carrum Downs and Mount Martha. Each combines independent living with an on-site nursing home, and each runs free, no-pressure tours.
If you are thinking about what a retirement village looks like for you, the best way to help clarify your thinking is to start taking a look at some retirement villages in person - even if you are not quite ready to make the transition to a retirement village.
Book a tour at any of our villages via the link below or call us on 03 9822 9505. We look forward to meeting you in person.
