It’s common for people to move out of Auckland to retire, seeking more space or a quieter lifestyle. But what about those doing the opposite — moving to the city to be closer to their adult children?
Selling in the provinces and then buying in a central Auckland suburb can feel out of reach, even when downsizing. But Remuera Rise offers a rare combination: affordable apartment living in one of Auckland’s most sought-after locations.
If you want proximity to transport, shopping, dining, hospital, or medical care — yet live in a private and beautifully kept park setting — Remuera Rise is for you,” says Village Manager Debbie.
A boutique village that feels like home
Located within the leafy, established Broadway Park estate, Remuera Rise is a truly unique retirement village. Surrounded by high-quality private homes, parks and gardens — and with just 58 apartments — it will always remain boutique in size.
“We were driving home from Westfield and saw an open home sign,” recalls Paul, who lives in a fifth floor apartment with his wife, Jennie.
“We popped in, not expecting much — but the apartment had everything we needed: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, secure undercover parking. We looked at each other and thought maybe we should be accelerating our plans.”
That spur-of-the-moment visit turned into a life-changing decision. Paul and Jennie downsized and made the move, quickly discovering that life at Remuera Rise was not just easy, but enriching.
Comfortable and enticing lounges, make connections easy.
You feel like you’re amongst friends here,” says Jennie. “You can sit with anyone at happy hour and strike up a conversation. That’s important — communication keeps you young.”
Kate, another resident, agrees: “Because we’ve only got about 60 people, you know everybody. It’s just the right size.”
Debbie says that sense of connection isn’t entirely by chance. Staff make sure there are processes in place to help everyone — it starts on day one.
“New guests are welcomed with a buddy who will accompany them to their first Happy Hour, bingo game or dine-in dinner. We also offer complimentary lunch and dinner on move-in day, so they can relax at the end of the big move.”
A lock-up-and-leave lifestyle — without the body corp
One of Remuera Rise’s biggest drawcards is its location. Residents can walk to trains, buses, cafés, and one of Auckland’s premier shopping precincts — Westfield Newmarket. There are supermarkets, restaurants, and medical specialists nearby, and the Auckland Domain is just down the road.
“The location is fabulous,” says Kate. “You’re handy to any shop you want. When the time comes to give up your car, it’s really not far to go anywhere in a cab.”
Until then, every apartment comes with secure underground parking, ideal for people who want a lock-up-and-leave base for travel or weekends away.
You want ease of living after you retire,” says Paul. “If you want to travel, it’s simple. You just lock the door and go.”
“We have residents from all walks of life at Remuera Rise,” says Debbie. “It gives us a true community feel. And like the TV show Cheers, everyone knows your name.”
Village Manager, Deb, and residents Jennie and Paul.
The trains are part of the charm
One common hesitation for prospective residents is the proximity to the train station. But residents say it’s not a deal-breaker at all — in fact, it’s often a surprising plus.
“One of the first comments our daughter made was, ‘You overlook the railway line?’” says Paul. “But look at cities around the world! This is far preferable to living on a busy suburban road with fumes. And if you’re a train spotter, it’s wonderful. Often when we have friends over, we can’t get them away from the window!”
“The trains have never bothered me,” says Kate. “My apartment is double-glazed, so you don’t really hear them. If anything, they remind you that the world is working!”
Debbie echoes this sentiment: “The trains are relatively quiet with our double glazing. A lot of residents say they love seeing the hustle and bustle of life happening around them — especially after an Auckland concert, with concert-goers’ excited laughter and chatter, and the splendour of them in fancy dress.”
Easy living, thoughtfully designed
Remuera Rise is not a sprawling complex. All apartments are accessed by central lifts — no long corridors, no navigating multiple buildings. You’re never far from your front door, the lounge, or the library.
“It’s not a sprawling complex with long corridors or multiple buildings,” says Kate. “You go up and down in the lift. The apartments are close to everything. It feels like a home — not an institution.”
Some apartments feature unique layouts, thanks to the shape of the building, but residents say that’s part of the charm.
Some apartments have angled walls, which we like,” says Jennie. “It’s not a boring square — it gives it character and space for your own furniture and artwork.”
Angled rooms add to the charm and give apartments a unique feel.
“Our one-bedroom apartments aren’t designed as square boxes,” adds Debbie. “They’ve got a long hallway and lots of privacy — not just a front door that opens straight into the kitchen.”
Each apartment also includes high-quality fittings, guest bathrooms and come with emergency buttons for that extra peace of mind.
A place where people (and laughter) fill the lounge
Life at Remuera Rise is as social as you want it to be. From van outings and wine tastings to library afternoons and choir recitals, there’s something for everyone.
“We have very social residents who enjoy the many activities and events on offer,” says Debbie. “Our social functions are well attended, catered well, and with excellent entertainers. We also have resident-led talks about special trips or experiences.”
The communal bar area provides the perfect backdrop for socialising.
You can be independent, or you can join in,” says Kate. “We’ve got bingo, cards, crafts, billiards, a gym, a library — and I run the movies every second Sunday. The lounge isn’t terribly big, which is nice. It’s more like a large lounge in a big house.”
For Debbie, the best part of the job is hearing the sound of that community in action.
“I love my job,” she says. “I enjoy coming to work every day. I love the interaction with the residents and their families and appreciate that we get to share in their home environment. There’s nothing better than hearing laughter coming from the lounge.
Curious about life at Remuera Rise?
Come visit and see how central city living can still feel like home. We’d love to show you around.
Find out more:
