It wasn’t always the case, but nowadays, there are several pet-friendly retirement villages in Melbourne for seniors to spend their golden years.
Offering them a far more personalised life experience, these communities are run by staff members who have been specially trained to care for older Australians with pets. They often incorporate walking trails and dog parks among their wider set-up, therefore allowing you to thrive off the companionship of your four-legged friend without having to worry about their care.
This option can be found in independent retirement communities, as well as assisted living facilities. It might surprise you to discover they are even in some nursing homes as well.
If you are looking for a retirement village in Melbourne where you can live with Bella or Rover, it is worth confirming their pet policy before agreeing to move in. Some communities have restrictions on the size and type of the canine. So, you’ll want to be clear on whether your breed of dog will be welcome.
However, before you reach out to them, you’ll need to draw up a list of the best pet-friendly retirement communities in Melbourne. Here is a list of eight excellent places to get you started.
Grace Gardens Retirement Village Glen Waverley
Over in Glen Waverley, Grace Gardens is a deluxe retirement village that welcomes seniors and their furry friends.
Priding itself on offering residents a superb independent retirement living option, the community is renowned for being secure, inclusive, and well-set up to meet their needs.
Enjoying an excellent location, the property is only a 25-minute drive to the CBD in Melbourne. You can easily reach it by train and bus (the Glen Waverley Railway Station is a short distance away), as well as several local shops and eateries. A little further away, the Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula can be reached in 45 minutes.
In terms of accommodation, Grace Gardens presents twelve standalone, one-bedroom apartments and twelve villa units, all of which are on the ground floor. Equipped with a 24/7 emergency call service, they possess well-thought-out floorplans and are stylishly decorated with modern appliances and furniture.
This lovely gated village is adjacent to a scenic park with a duck pond and walking track, so you can easily take your dog for regular walks.
What sets Grace Gardens apart from other communities is that its homes are not designed for people over 50 but rather over 70. Residents are well looked after, but they have to pay a small service charge that covers water and council rates, public liability and building insurance, all external maintenance, a handyman, and gardening.
Address: 1 Grace Street, Glen Waverley VIC 3150
Phone: 0412 337 243
Website: https://www.gracegardens.com.au/
Viewbank Gardens
For those who want to be closer to the Melbourne CBD, Viewbank Gardens is a good option. This quaint retirement village is located at the bottom of the Yarra Valley Parklands, about 19 km northeast of downtown.
One of the first things that will impress you about the pet-friendly community is its beautiful landscaped grounds, which have a very homely feel. Within it is a large community centre that has recently been renovated. There is also a communal vegetable garden that is a real social hub!
The village offers comfortable and well-designed accommodations for residents with or without pets. It is situated not far from local medical services, shops, and social clubs and receives regular visits from barbers, hairdressers, and podiatrists. There is also a very good library on-site.
Address: 26 – 46 Rutherford Road, Viewbank VIC 3084
Phone: (03) 9459 9122
Website: https://keyton.com.au/home/our-villages/vic/viewbank-gardens/
Valley Village Mews Retirement Village
If you want to make new friends and live a simpler life as you age, the Valley Village Mews Retirement Village is the place for you.
Centrally located in Dandenong, this wonderful community offers an excellent selection of amenities which have been designed to provide retirees with an excellent quality of life in their older years.
Valley Village Mews is renowned for being one of the most inclusive retirement communities in Melbourne. As soon as you join it, other residents and staff will treat you like part of the family.
The accommodations are spacious, so you can live comfortably, drawing upon a full kitchen, private bathroom, and plenty of storage space to set yourself up properly. These properties are set among beautifully landscaped gardens to create a rather regal feel, perfect for enjoying a nice stroll or cuppa whenever you see fit.
When not outside, there are several activities to keep you active and entertained, including swimming in the pool, working out in the fitness centre, playing in the games rooms, or watching a film in the movie theatre. There are also lots of social functions and events throughout the week.
Address: 112 Stud Road, Dandenong VIC 3175
Phone: (03) 9793 3354
Website: https://www.valleyvillagemews.com.au/
Balmoral Over 55s Lifestyle Village
Balmoral Village is a buzzy, congenial and relaxed retirement community nestled within a residential cul-de-sac in the charming village of Wantirna South.
It is defined by its exceptional modern units, excellent facilities and wonderful landscaped gardens. It has the bonus of providing residents with convenient access to public transport and the nearby Knox City shopping centre.
Residents can choose from one-bedroom apartments or one- to three-bedroom villas that provide plenty of space for their furry best friend. All of these properties have been constructed and decorated to a very high standard and conveniently come with undercover parking and garages. If you have a boat, trailer, or caravan, there is even specialist storage for that, along with visitor parking for friends and family.
Boredom is not an option in the village, as there are over 30 activity groups run by a dedicated recreational coordinator. Moreover, residents can access various facilities, including a swimming pool, restaurant, spa, bowling green and croquet lawn. There is also a full-sized billiard table, a restaurant, a library, a well-stocked workshop, and a TV room with Foxtel. If you don’t have a car and want to venture further afield, residents can ride on the village bus, which can take you to various parts of the local town.
If you choose to move into the Balmoral Village, you will be pleased to know that the staff really have your best interests at heart. They are well-trained to assist you in emergency situations and will make sure your appliances, unit, and gardens are well looked after.
Address: 300 Ridge Road, Wantirna South VIC 3152
Phone: (03) 9800 1333
Website: https://www.balmoralvillage.com.au/
Prospect Hill Retirement Village
Set within the pretty suburb of Camberwell, Prospect Hill is one of the latest residential developments created by the Zig Inge Group Pty Ltd. Like many of the other communities in their portfolio; it is an exclusive site that raises the stakes regarding modern urban retirement living.
All of their apartments have been crafted with impressive attention to detail that incorporates everything from the design and flow of the floorplan to the fixtures and fittings contained within it. Not only are they full of light and space, but they also feature contemporary, state-of-the-art kitchens that have a real ‘wow’ factor to them.
As impressive as the accommodation is, Prospect Hill also excels in the standard of amenities it provides its residents. Ranking highly among them is its fantastic lap swimming pool, which can be used all year. However, not far behind is its wonderful sauna, while the well-stocked gym is a popular place to get your heart rate up.
Prospect Hill enjoys a prime position in the community for those who fancy venturing out and about. It is situated in a tranquil residential area only a short distance from several restaurants, cafes, boutiques, medical facilities, and entertainment venues.
Address: 14-18 Prospect Hill Road, Camberwell VIC 3124
Phone: (03) 9882 6076
Website: https://prospecthillcamberwell.com.au/
Taylors Hill Retirement Village – Centennial Living
Taylors Hill Village might just be one of the most vibrant and friendly retirement communities in Melbourne. Along with the Burnside and Keilor Retirement Villages, which are sister properties, this pet-friendly village is a lovely place to move into with your dog.
The standard of accommodation is very good here, but really, it’s the regular social activities and get-togethers that make living here such a pleasure. Residents can take part in various pastimes organised by staff to keep them engaged and invested in life within the community, and there are many different facilities they can take advantage of to do this.
Address: 17 Amber Way, Taylors Hill VIC 3037
Phone: 1300 098 000
Website: https://centennialliving.com.au/
Rylands of Hawthorn, Retirement Village & Community
Over in Hawthorn East, Rylands is a purpose-built community that offers residents the very best in luxury retirement living.
Boasting an exceptional range of amenities and services, this four-level complex comprises 84 residences that are made up of one to three-bedroom apartments. These apartments feature state-of-the-art designs and appointments that will impressive even the most discerning of retirees. There is also secure, undercover parking available at the basement level, which provides peace of mind for those with nice cars.
The community is situated just a stone’s throw from Camberwell Junction shopping centre and is known for its club-like services. They include a fabulous, upscale restaurant, a gym, a swimming pool, a health and beauty treatment centre for podiatry, hairdressing and massages and a games room. There is also a workshop and business centre for those who require it.
Arguably the best reason to live at Rylands is that all your apartment cleaning, laundry services, meals and rubbish removal can be done for you (on a user-pays basis). There is also an emergency 24 hour monitoring system in place and several social activities, such as day trips, events, classes and entertainment, organised throughout the week.
Address: 349 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn East VIC 3123
Phone: (03) 9015 8000
Website: https://www.rylands.com.au/
Village Glen Retirement Living
There is no question that Village Glen Retirement Living deserves a place is the top echelon of retirement villages in Australia.
Offering residents an extensive selection of accommodations, which range from one and two bedrooms for independent living to three-bedroom villas that are perfectly set up for pets, seniors can easily choose somewhere that fits their needs.
All of these units have been designed with a keen eye on livability. They are comfortable and inviting and provide residents with peace of mind, security, freedom, and independence. Each of them provides the perfect sweet spot of being close enough to other residents to remain part of a community yet far enough away to maintain a sense of independence.
If you choose to stay here, you could be forgiven for thinking you were on holiday given the range of amenities that are available to you. These include a fantastic spa and wellness centre, a lovely 9-hole golf course and modern clubhouse and a croquet and bowls lawn. There is also a terrific vegetable garden, craft centre, and workshop to get creative.
While there is plenty to do throughout the village, it is understandable that you will want to venture out and about at certain times. Thankfully, the community is situated close to the main shops and entertainment venues in Capel Sound, and there are convenient public transport links available outside of the village to get there if you don’t feel like driving.
Address: 335 Eastbourne Road, Capel Sound VIC 3940
Phone: (03) 5986 4455
Website: https://villageglen.com.au/
