Residents David and Pat made the move to Miriam Corban village earlier this year
and settled in right away.
Originally from East Yorkshire, they came to New Zealand in 1983 seeking a new start. David worked as a cabinet maker to qualify for immigration while Pat looked after their three sons and performed voluntary work.
Eventually David moved into sales and marketing and established his career in the building supplies industry, working on the Fay Richwhite building.
“I’ve had a career and Pat’s been a fantastic stay-at-home wife looking after the kids,” says David.
“Although Pat’s not stay-at-home at the moment! Monday she’s at Zumba, Tuesday is Yoga, Wednesday is Keep Fit, Friday is Zumba, so we meet on Thursdays and the weekend,” he jokes.
Being at Miriam Corban village really suits their current lifestyle. It has local shops, supermarkets, and the hospital just down the road. Most importantly, family live close by.
“We’re free to lead the lives we want but we’re both aware that as we slow down
or circumstances change, we’ll immerse ourselves more into the village life when it’s right for us,” says Pat.
In the meantime, while Pat enjoys her exercise classes and David his lawn bowls, they’ve happily settled in their new home.
“We aren’t even missing our old house,” says Pat.
On the first night in their new apartment, they stopped for a moment, sat down on the sofa, and said to each other, “We’re going to be really happy here, we like it straight away.”
“It’s a lifestyle change, totally, and we embrace it,” says David.