Retirement Villages Spotlight – The Retreat Retirement Estate, Hazeldean, Pretoria

We will be interviewing clients who have chosen to live in various retirement estates around the country to learn more about their experiences. Please note that Chartered Wealth Solutions is not affiliated with, or sponsored by, any of the featured retirement villages, and the opinions expressed are that of the clients who live in these retirement villages.

Spotlight on The Retreat Retirement Estate – Hazeldean – Pretoria

The Retreat is a popular and well-established retirement estate in the lush and serene heart of Hazeldean in Pretoria East (adjacent to the Silver Lakes suburb). It offers 1, 2, and 3-bedroom Sectional Title free-standing homes with individually allocated exclusive use areas for gardens. The Retreat allows the keeping of reasonably sized dogs in fenced-off properties. In addition, there are spacious one and two-bedroom apartments available for a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

The estate boasts 24-hour security with a well-secured perimeter and one entry and one exit at the guardhouse, ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

For residents who require medical care, The Retreat has a Frail Care Centre with 52 beds and a team of medical professionals on hand to provide comprehensive care. The on-site medical services include 24-hour emergency services, personal health advice, and rehabilitation.

The Retreat also offers a range of social and recreational activities through its Social Club, which aims to foster a sense of community and provide entertainment for residents. There is something for everyone, from music evenings to the book club, bridge, snooker, happy hours, and even braais at the Lapa.

The Clubhouse offers facilities such as a gym, indoor (heated) swimming pools (3), and a steam room. There is also a well-established library, a beauty boutique, as well as a restaurant (unlicensed) which provides daily sit-down or delivered meals.

The estate’s beautiful gardens and walking trails showcase over 116 bird species and 40 indigenous tree species, allowing nature lovers to connect with the environment. Protected wildlife such as steenbok, rabbits, guinea fowl, and others are free to roam the estate.

The retirement estate homes at The Retreat are available to residents who are older than 50 years. Currently, there is a new development underway, which is approximately 80% complete. This expansion aims to add around 75 new fenced-off homes with 2 or 3 bedrooms.
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Meet The Retreat Residents Ronél and Charles Piani

Charles and Ronél moved to the estate in September 2017. Their previous home, a comfortable double-storey house with a beautiful garden, became a concern as they grew wary of using the stairs and the risk of falls and injuries. While in their late 60s, they began searching for a replacement and came across The Retreat’s advertisements for ongoing developments. They found an ideal site to build a 3-bedroom home initially intended for rental purposes. However, as Ronél made choices regarding fittings and flooring during the construction process, she convinced Charles that this was meant to be their own home. Fortunately, they were able to sell their existing home at a good price within three weeks and moved into their new home immediately upon completion.

There are many features at The Retreat that Charles and Ronél appreciate, including the free-standing concept of the houses, the beautiful gardens teeming with vibrant flora, birds, and other wildlife, as well as the inviting walking areas and nature park of The Meadows. However, the availability of 24/7 medical support and the use of the Frail Care facility, if needed, was the ultimate clincher for Charles and Ronél. They also take advantage of the on-site gym, restaurant, meal delivery services, hair salon, and medical services.

Charles and Ronél have an active social life within the community on the Estate. They enjoy their daily walks and often engage in intermittent chats with fellow residents along the way. They partake in social activities such as braais, especially with their close friends and neighbours. They regularly attend weekly teas and lectures that pique their interest. Ronél is involved in charity knitting and crocheting activities, while Charles takes an active role in the Retreat’s management as the Chairman of the Architectural Review and Compliance Committee.

Residents at The Retreat benefit from its close proximity to the Hazeldean shopping centre, situated only around three kilometres away. This convenient location provides easy access to a range of amenities, including Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths, restaurants, and the Intercare Medical Centre with several doctors available. Furthermore, the Wilgers Hospital is conveniently situated six kilometres away.

Reflecting on their experience, Charles and Ronél believe that moving to The Retreat was the best decision they made.