ROSE DELLAR Independent seniors community the right move for property expert Rose Dellar knows good real estate when she sees it. The former real estate agent with 25 years experience running her own agency decided to move to her unit at Liberty Senior Living, a retirement community for independent living in the Brisbane suburb of Taigum, on the very first inspection. Indeed, Rose was among the first 10 residents to move into Liberty, which she has called home since January 2007. "I saw it advertised in The Courier Mail on a Saturday, and came for an inspection later that day.  I rang my son while I was here and he said I should go with it," says Rose. "I haven't looked back since.  I love it here and can't imagine living anywhere else." Rose's real estate background came in handy to help her assess the property, which was still not quite completed at the time of her inspection.  After 25 years of running a real estate agency at Hervey Bay in partnership with her husband Gordon, Rose understands what buyers like and don't like.  She even has experience as a land developer in her own right and, more than most, has an appreciation for the work involved in bringing a property development together. Liberty Senior Living is unusual among Australian retirement communities because it is owned and operated by a local family, rather than by a large corporation or a community organisation.  According to Rose, the Panettiere family, who operate Liberty, really make a difference to the community at Liberty. "The Panettiere's have been just great," says Rose.  "They treat us all like a part of their extended family." Rose made the decision to look for retirement accommodation last year after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which made it impractical for her to stay in her two-storey brick home at Everton Hills.  While her Parkinson's is under control with medication and guidance from one of the best specialists in Brisbane, Rose can't imagine living anywhere else now that she has made so many friends among the other residents, every one of which she says are lovely people. The social life is a key feature of living at Liberty, as well as its proximity to shops, health services and its own community bus. "Everything's so convenient too.  I can walk to the shops, although I'll get a cab or catch the bus back when I've got shopping to carry.  The bus service we have for residents is great, and it makes it so easy to get around and do things," says Rose. "Just recently, I had to renew my driver's license and it was not problem for the bus to drop me off and pick me up again." Now a great grandmother, Rose is coy about her age and appears to be in her sixties although she admits that her sisters are much older.  Whatever her age, she's far too busy to slow down yet. "Retirement is such a busy time and there's always something to do.  Every week is like six Saturdays and one Sunday," says Rose.

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BRUCE AND SANDRA MCLEAN Residents enjoy resort lifestyle in retirement community As soon as Banyo couple Bruce and Sandra McLean inspected the apartments at Liberty Senior Living, they knew they wanted to live there. In fact, the couple were so keen on the place, they were the very first buyers in the 88-apartment independent living community. "We love it here and wouldn't live anywhere else – it's the best decision we've ever made," says Bruce.  "This place isn't really a retirement village – it's more like a resort." Liberty organises many activities for its residents on a weekly, fortnightly and monthly basis, and has its own swimming pool and spa, gym and community centre. Still in their 50's, Bruce and Sandra were the youngest couple to move to the community after Sandra was diagnosed with multiple Sclerosis (MS) and found it too difficult to maintain a large house. "We lived in a lowset three bedroom home in Banyo for 21 years, but in the end it was just getting too much for me," says Sandra, who suffers from fibromyalgia and severe fatigue from her conditions. The decision to move was easy, and the process fell into place with some help from Liberty. "Our two children who are in their early 20's were still living at home, so they had to move out and find a place of their own at the same time.  Although they didn't have to, Liberty helped find a place for the kids to live together just down the road," says Sandra. The kids moved out one week and the following week Bruce and Sandra also relocated.  Downsizing from their three bedroom family home to their two bedroom apartment was easy according to Sandra, with some of the furniture and excess belongings distributed among her children and other relatives. Coming from the local area, the couple are able to continue to shop at the same stores, and use the same doctor and specialists as before, which as meant strong continuity even though they have changed address. "We had a magnificent Christmas here last year.  With the kids down the road, we see them all the time.  They still come over for dinner. "Mum's still living at home and won't hear of moving into a retirement home," said Bruce.  "It doesn't make sense because it's such a great lifestyle and you don't have to worry about the upkeep of a house or mowing the lawn." "It means so much more time for us now, and still we keep so busy that we can't seem to get to all the activities here, such as the weekly morning teas." "But mum won't leave her house and she's really missing out." Bruce and Sandra are quick to point out that Liberty Senior Living offers something different among retirement communities in Brisbane, which is its family focus.  Unlike communities that are managed by large corporations, Liberty Senior Living is managed by a family business involving three brothers, their families, and their parents. "Liberty is run by the Panettiere family and they have done everything they can to make us feel welcome," says Bruce. "Nothing is too much trouble and they're always willing to help."