As people’s ideas about retirement change, where they choose to live has become an increasingly important part of that decision. Retiring isn’t the end of the story for most people. It’s often the start of a new phase, and many people at this stage still have energy, health and things they want to do, with a sense of purpose, continued involvement in work or community, or simply a more relaxed pace of life than a city offers.
From what we’ve seen, people choose Hermanus, a coastal town in the Western Cape of South Africa, for a variety of reasons:
Time in or near nature is well documented as being important for our mental health and in Hermanus the sea and the mountains are close by. The coastline is dramatic with a diverse range of sea life to spot, including the arrival of the Southern Right whales in June a highlight and a major drawcard of the area. The 12 kilometers of cliff paths are easy to walk, with numerous stopping points and benches along the way. And not much beats a difficult day than debriefing at the seaside!
The fynbos-covered mountains are part of the Western Cape’s diverse Cape Floral Kingdom, close to town and reasonably accessible. The paths are well maintained and it doesn’t take long to be out on the slopes.
Retirement living today tends to be less about slowing down and more about continuing to live well. That said, growing older tends to shift ones focus increasingly towards health & wellbeing in the longer term, with questions such as:
Options include sea swimming in summer (though it can be cold), walking the cliff path, hiking in the mountains, golf at two local courses, gyms, sports and social clubs (Rotary has an active branch here), the Hermanus Country Market, wine tasting at estates in the area, a few art galleries, and a range of restaurants and coffee shops.
There are also several religious establishments in the town.
Hermanus has a number of retirement and lifestyle villages, offering different levels of accommodation and care, which is part of what draws people considering a move at this stage of life.
Cape Town is just over an hour away by car, with mountain and coastal alternatives. Cape Town International Airport is reasonably accessible and the greater Cape Town area has a wider range of retail options, if needs be. At the end of a visit to the city, it’s straightforward to head back to a quieter pace of life.
One needs to make a considered decision, though, especially in regard to relationships – this goes without saying.
Many people, and especially retirees, spend short amounts of time in coastal towns and leave with rose/holiday-tinted glasses – and Hermanus is no exception.
Most older people know that they don’t want to go it alone, but they move to a beautiful coastal town, away from their established friendship and family networks, and often experience the difficulties of making new friends in a new environment, which results in loneliness and isolation challenges.
That is where a ‘ready-made’ community of people in a properly-run retirement and lifestyle village can make a significant difference: an existing community of people, which matters more in a world where children and grandchildren are often scattered across different countries.
Author: Sam Hodson, Kidbrooke Retirement Village Manager
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