It comes as no surprise that living in environmentally friendly, financially affordable retirement communities that have a sense of community have been shown to make a big difference in the quality of life and wellbeing of residents.
In 2023, with the effects of global warming and the escalating prices of energy, food and fuel high on the list of issues concerning older Australians, greater numbers of them are looking for living options that meet these standards.
In fact, sustainable living is no longer simply “nice to have” but something that retirees, their families and the broader community have come to expect from developers and operators of seniors’ housing.
Fortunately, progressive service providers are taking big steps to tackle the climate change challenge by improving the ways they build and operate facilities.
And the good news is that sustainability and affordability often go hand in hand.
McRae McMahon Place has a host of features that enable residents to live comfortably and within a reasonable budget while still being beautifully designed, comprehensively equipped and environmentally friendly.
Architecturally crafted apartments, a resort-style pool using a heat pump system that saves approximately half the cost of gas heating, fitness facilities at the nearby Uniting Seniors Gym in Lilyfield, rooftop gardens with spectacular views, elegant shared spaces and an active social community make for a perfectly balanced retirement lifestyle in one of Sydney’s premier suburbs.
Older Australians deal with cost-of-living pressures
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently released figures that confirm the challenges Australia’s older population faces in keeping up with the cost of living. Inflation has reached a 32-year high, and budgeting for necessities like groceries, utilities, clothing and travel has become a real concern.
If you're considering retirement living, there are a number of ways it can reduce expenses and simplify your lifestyle:
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Smaller, more manageable living spaces than traditional homes allow you to downsize and reduce the cost of housing, utilities, and maintenance.
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Amenities like fitness centres, swimming pools, clubhouses, and social activities are often included in the monthly fee and can save you money on entertainment and recreation.
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Optional services like housekeeping and meal preparation are offered at economical rates and can help you avoid the worry of handling these tasks yourself.
One example is Uniting’s brand new development McRae-McMahon Place, which is providing over 70s residents with a sustainable and cost-effective retirement living experience in the heart of Sydney’s inner west.
Affordable and sustainable retirement living
If you’re planning to make a move from your existing home, choosing the right retirement community shouldn't be a trade-off between affordability and quality.
At McRae-McMahon Place, you can find premium apartments with the latest interior design features, amenities, and lifestyle options for a reasonable price and at different investment levels.
The following are a few of the other ways McRae-McMahon Place enables residents to reduce their bills and expenses while playing their part for the planet:
Save on car running costs
If reducing your carbon footprint and saving money are important, choosing a retirement community in a central location makes good sense.
Leichhardt is one of Sydney’s most walkable suburbs and being able to get around on foot means you can save significant money on the cost of maintaining a vehicle and curb your emissions at the same time. McRae-McMahon Place is perfectly positioned on Marion Street, with shops, restaurants, cinemas, and supermarkets only minutes away.
Of course, car parking spaces are available for residents who need to drive and there’s also plenty of space for bicycles and motorbikes. An electric vehicle charging station has been installed for residents considering investing in an environmentally-friendly EV.
Reduce energy bills
Australia’s Energy Regulator has recently reported that households will face steep electricity price hikes over the coming year as power costs jump by as much as 30 per cent in some states.
Uniting’s Environmental and Sustainability Manager, Michael Mathias, says that one of the many benefits of living at McRae-McMahon Place is the opportunity to take advantage of more affordable electricity prices than those offered by market retailers through an “embedded electricity network”.
”An Embedded Energy Network is a network where Uniting buys energy from an energy retailer and then ‘onsells’ the energy to residents and other tenants. This enables us to provide lower electricity rates than the large electricity companies and stability in your energy bills,” he explains.
Other measures to optimise the community’s power usage include thermal insulation of roofs and walls, solar power generation, LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances and bathroom fittings, and a central hot water system.
Eco-friendly garden design and waste management
McRae-McMahon Place features a beautifully designed garden that provides a leafy respite from the surrounding urban environment and gives residents and their visitors additional areas to relax and unwind.
“We aim to create a better living environment for our people through landscaped gardens, maximising fresh air, and moderating temperature extremes through good insulation and glazing,” Mathias says.
Water-conserving native plants were used in the landscape design and rainwater is harvested for reuse throughout the garden.
A village waste recycling program encourages residents to dispose of rubbish thoughtfully and recycle wherever possible.
Uniting delivers environmentally-friendly retirement living
According to experts, the built environment accounts for a staggering 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Constructing, heating, cooling and lighting buildings and infrastructure all contribute to generating carbon in the atmosphere.
In response, Uniting is leading the shift towards sustainable retirement living by actively designing and developing more environmentally friendly aged care homes and independent living villages.
Uniting’s approach to sustainability includes:
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A commitment to reduce its carbon footprint to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. To achieve this it has been reducing emissions by 5% each year.
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Longstanding participation as a Gold Partner in the Department of Planning and Environment’s (DPE) Sustainability Advantage Program giving it recognition as a sustainability leader in the aged care sector.
McRae McMahon Place has a host of features that enable residents to live comfortably and within a reasonable budget while still being beautifully designed, comprehensively equipped and environmentally friendly.
Interest in McRae McMahon Place has been strong with 60% of apartments now sold. A range of two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus study and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses are available now. Contact us for more information and to schedule an inspection.
