Not All Retirement Villages Are Created Equal

A Retirement Village That Respects Space and Supports Community

The Retirement Village Built Around Space, Not Density

At Longridge Country Estate, we don’t build upwards, and we don’t squeeze villas into every spare corner. Longridge offers something rare in New Zealand retirement living: genuine breathing room.

We’re often told it feels more like a residential neighbourhood than a typical retirement village, and that’s exactly the point. Every home has space to move, space to garden, and space to enjoy the view. Our villas are all single-level, freestanding or duplex homes, carefully laid out with lawns, garden beds, and no apartments or high-rises in sight.

The reason we can offer this much space is simple. We’ve chosen to build in a provincial location. Here in Paeroa, we’re not competing for land the way developers do in Auckland or the bigger centres. That gives us the freedom to focus on lifestyle, not land size. It’s one of the many reasons nearly half our residents have relocated from Auckland. What they’ve found is more value for their money, larger, brand-new homes, more room to breathe, and a setting you won’t find in city retirement living.

And while we’re proudly based in the provinces, we’re certainly not isolated. Longridge is just five minutes from the local supermarket, has plenty of easy parking, and you won’t find a parking meter anywhere nearby. Paeroa itself is known for its welcoming community, charming cafés, and easy access to Hamilton, Tauranga, and Auckland.

A Retirement Village Doesn’t Have to Mean Less Space

A lot of people assume that moving to a retirement village means giving up space, that you'll end up in a tiny villa with barely enough room for a chair outside. But Longridge is a very different kind of village.

We’ve designed our village where homes are spacious, gardens are private, and you’re not living right on top of your neighbour.

There are no high-rises here, no apartment blocks. Just single-level villas, private gardens, wide roads, and plenty of room to breathe.

If you’ve visited other villages before, you’ll know how rare that is. It means every villa has a sense of independence. Lawns aren’t shared, driveways aren’t crammed, and you can enjoy a garden without compromising your privacy.

Development Progress at Longridge

So how do we manage it?

In places like Auckland or Tauranga, land is scarce. Developers go up, not out. That’s why so many retirement options in cities involve apartments or stacked living.

That’s the benefit of building in a provincial town that’s still well connected. Paeroa sits just over an hour from Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga, which means residents enjoy real space and privacy without feeling cut off. It’s peaceful, yes, but it’s also practical. Whether it’s seeing family, going to a specialist appointment, or heading out for a day trip, everything’s still within reach, just without the traffic and noise.

Many of our residents have said they’re getting more value for their money — a newer home, more space around them, and a quieter setting. While some are downsizing, others find they have more room than before.

The Hauraki is one of our most popular villa styles, offering two bedrooms, a study nook, and an internal-access garage, all on a single level.

Our villas have modern kitchens, sunny outlooks, wide hallways, and indoor-outdoor flow. They’re built for comfort now, and into the future.

You’ll find all the essentials close by — local cafés, healthcare, and community clubs — without the traffic, without the parking meters, and without the daily rush.

That’s the beauty of it, living somewhere that feels spacious, rural, and calm, but still has everything you need.

At Longridge, we’ve built more than a village. We’ve created a community where space is respected, independence is supported, and there’s freedom to enjoy life on your own terms.

For practical questions about things like costs, pets, or what's included, you’ll find clear answers on our FAQs page.

If you’re considering Longridge for yourself or a family member, we’d welcome the chance to speak with you. Get in touch to ask questions or arrange a time to visit the village. We also have motorhome parking for those who love hitting the road, and pets are welcome too, just ask us about the details.

Phone: 0800 928 928