"We moved up to the coast 13 years ago in 1994, and into Wamberal Gardens in 1999. I had eight years here with my wife Margaret before she passed away. I was very lucky being here; I had all the necessary support. It's a real feature of the place, the spirit and the friendliness of the residents."

"I knew this was a good village, with very pleasant people"

Jeff: "I was the marketing manager of the Law Book Company for many years. With my job we lived in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and then back to Sydney again. I am 76 now."

"We moved up to the coast 13 years ago in 1994, and into Wamberal Gardens in 1999. I had eight years here with my wife Margaret before she passed away. I was very lucky being here; I had all the necessary support. It's a real feature of the place, the spirit and the friendliness of the residents."

"Margaret was perhaps not ready to make the move, but I knew I was. I was finished with hard work houses. Being here gave us freedom to enjoy life. We could look back on 51 years and know that we did everything we wanted; we rounded off a great life together. I still have that freedom thanks to being here. I can visit Nelson Bay every six weeks or so with my daughter and her family and rent a place for four to five days for a change in scenery. I just close the door and go. I can also visit Melbourne and see my friends, and in a few weeks I am going to Burleigh Heads for three weeks, but I most probably will take five - which I can with absolute security."

"I was very careful in choosing this village. Its location is absolutely ideal - it has buses to Erina, Tuggerah and Bateau Bay, plus excellent local shops. We are off the beaten track, which I like, and we have an easy walk to both Wamberal and Terrigal beaches. Many residents take a 45-minute walk every morning."

"Size was also very important to me. This is a boutique village, with 62 units and about 80 residents. There is no room for expansion. Most units have a two-car garage and many have been converted into offices and computer rooms."

"I knew this was a good village, with very pleasant people. There are no disputes. Most of the residents are active, with bowls or golf, and most drive. We have a 93-year-old still driving. We also have a very active Social Committee and an active Residents Committee with 16 members. We meet once a month and have had a Five Year Plan on what we want for the village. I am pleased to say that we are at the end of the first five years and most tasks have been completed. The last thing is the painting of the whole place and that's the end of this five year plan. The village manager and staff of handyman and gardener complete a truly well organised, well cared for retirement village."

For more information on Wamberal Gardens please click here.