So many firsts to look forward to

There are lots of firsts happening in Gaye Applegate’s life.

For the first time in 50 years, she’s a single woman and the 66-year-old is also about to become a grandmother.

And by the end of the year, Gaye will be living on her own for the first time after moving into her first-ever brand-new build in a community designed for over 50s at Stockland’s Halcyon Nirimba, located within the masterplanned Aura development on the Sunshine Coast.

Gaye is already attending social gatherings and has made friends with other women in the same situation as her who were drawn to the community for similar reasons.

“When you are recently separated, you don’t want to be isolated so moving into a community designed for over 50s means there’s always plenty to do and you can mix with people when you want to,” she said.

“If you move into a townhouse or an apartment it can be a bit isolating. But in this community, you can be as social as you want to be and I’ve already made new friends who will be my neighbours.”

Her son Bradley and daughter-in-law Lauren, are just down the road in the suburb of Nirimba where they have been living for the past three years.

“I will be able to jump on my bicycle and ride down to see them and the baby and it will only take me a few minutes to get there,” Gaye said.

“We are all very excited.”

Gaye hasn’t yet bought the bicycle but she’s already picturing the outings she will have on it.  It will only take her 45 minutes to cycle to the main street in Caloundra.  And she can meet others who like to ride even before she moves into her new home in the Saturday morning bike-riding group.

“I’m going to buy a nice, lady cruiser with the basket on the front and a few gears and off I will go,” she said.

“I’m going to get up on a Sunday morning and hop on my bike and ride down to the Caloundra markets and then go grab a coffee and go for a stroll along the beach.

“That’s very much on the top of the agenda.”

Gaye’s in the process of buying furniture and picking out decor for her Avoca two-bedroom home and says not having to mow a lawn is a big plus.

“I didn’t want to have to buy a blower or a mower or a whipper snipper and in my new home I have fake turf out the back and a lawn that is mowed for me out the front,” she said.

Picturing her new home and the wonderful amenities right on her doorstep including the resort style facilities and a fire pit with views to the Glasshouse Mountains makes her happy.

“I got a photo the other day and the walls are up and the windows are in and that’s exciting because now I can start picturing me there enjoying my new home and the new opportunities that I will have living in that sort of community.”

“I’m just waiting to move and to be settled in my new home. And I will be able to sit there and say: ‘this is my new start; this is my new home’.”

Aura is Stockland’s 2,400-hectare masterplanned community with more than 200 kilometres of walking and cycling paths, and lush green recreation areas.  It is just 90km to Brisbane and a 20-minute drive to Caloundra beaches. Nirimba is Aura’s second suburb.