Safety Beach villa snapped up for $200k

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Lyn Collins outside her renovated villa at Aveo’s Beachside Gardens, Safety Beach. Picture: Supplied

After decades of renting, Lyn Collins has secured her slice of Mornington Peninsula paradise for just $200,000, a mere fraction of the local market value.

The divorced mum-of-three spent more than 20 years moving between rentals and feared she’d never own a home again.

The 65-year-old nurse educator said she never imagined she could buy a renovated one-bedroom villa in Safety Beach.

“I’m a downsizer, but I’m not retired, and until earlier this year I hadn’t realised the options available to me,” she said.

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“I certainly would never have imagined it would be possible for me to own a home at Safety Beach.”

Using her superannuation savings, she purchased a villa at Aveo’s Beachside Gardens Retirement Village for just $200,000.

The figure is about 75 per cent below the suburb’s median unit price of $810,000, and more than 80 per cent less than Safety Beach’s $1.15m median house price, according to PropTrack’s August Market Trends report.

The shift has not only ended years of housing insecurity, it has halved her living costs.

“It’s hard to get a loan when you’re older, so buying into a retirement community has given me financial security and peace of mind,” Ms Collins said.

Open-plan living with natural light is part of Lyn Collins’ Safety Beach downsizer. Picture: Supplied

Beachside living: Lyn Collins near the iconic bathing boxes at Safety Beach. Picture: Supplied

“Without rent I can rebuild my super before retiring in 18 months, and I’ve even been able to upgrade my car.”

Aveo chief executive Tony Randello said Ms Collins’ story reflected a generational shift in how older Australians approach retirement.

“Retirement looks very different today and this is evident across Aveo communities, where people are working for longer, driving longer, embracing technology, and using their smartphones for socialising and even gaming,” Mr Randello said.

A renovated kitchen inside Lyn Collins’ $200,000 villa at Aveo’s Beachside Gardens, Safety Beach. Picture: Supplied

Lyn Collins enjoys a walk along Safety Beach, just minutes from her new villa. Picture: Supplied

A new Aveo-commissioned Ageing Australia Study of more than 1200 Australians aged 65 to 85 found almost 30 per cent are still in the workforce.

But nearly half reported cutting back on dining out and socialising due to cost-of-living pressures.

Communities like Safety Beach, Mr Randello said, gave residents both affordability and social connection.

Lyn Collins says her villa has given her financial security and peace of mind. Picture: Supplied

For Ms Collins, the move has delivered far more than financial relief.

“Security is so important to me as I often get home from work after 6pm, and I feel safe here,” she said.

“My one-bedder villa is lovely and large enough for me, and my grandchildren come and visit regularly. I can walk down to the beach, and there are always activities going on, happy hours, dinners, friendly neighbours.

“Most importantly, I’ve made wonderful friends, and I’ll never have to worry about housing insecurity again.”