“From wide open spaces to Village Life” – Meet our Residents, The Village on the Downs

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In a world that often demands more – more space, more possessions, more responsibilities – Margot Jakins chose to embrace less.

After decades spent on sprawling properties basking in rural life, she and her husband Barry knew it was time to pare back. Their choice? A simpler, more carefree lifestyle. Trading their expansive acreage for something more intimate and manageable was no small decision. “It was a complete change of lifestyle,” Margot said. For Barry, who grew up on sheep properties in the wide-open spaces of northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, the shift was particularly difficult.

The couple had lived on family property for most of their lives – so remote that Margot homeschooled their children for four years before they transitioned to boarding school in Toowoomba.

In 2002, Margot and Barry relocated and settled on a few acres in Glenvale. And although they still lived on a property it was far smaller than what they were used to. They kept busy with volunteering – at showgrounds, The Empire Theatre, and the gardens during carnival time – finding a middle ground between the vastness of their past and the simplicity they now sought. But as time moved forward, so did their need for a new kind of living. Encouraged by their children to plan ahead, Margot and Barry discovered The Village on the Downs.

The decision to downsize yet again wasn’t without its challenges. Leaving behind a life built over decades is never easy, but the relief from the burdens of property maintenance has been a blessing. “When you’ve done it all your life in the bush, it’s so nice not to worry.”

The Village, with its comfortable, single-level homes and a size that’s “just right,” felt like the perfect fit. Margot appreciates that many of the residents share a similar story – downsizing from large properties in places like the Lockyer Valley or Stanthorpe – and she enjoys the sense of camaraderie that brings. “There’s such an interesting variety of neighbours and old friends that have moved in here,” Margot says. “It’s amazing the connections that have been maintained over 60 years.” The Village has brought her back in touch with people Barry had once tennis with, or whose children went to the same boarding school as hers. Margot has now made quite a few friends at the village, many of them formed over a chat at the mailbox. But it’s not just the residents and friendships formed, The Village on the Downs is steeped in history, and Margot appreciates that its character has been preserved. Today, with Barry receiving the care he needs in a nearby residential facility, Margot finds comfort and security in the gated community she now calls home.

The transition has been one of adaptation, but also one of contentment. With her independence still intact, Margot is able to visit Barry often and hopes to stay at The Village for as long as possible. And as for the things she left behind when moving? Margot offers a piece of wisdom: “One uses 20% of one’s things, 80% of the time.” It’s a lesson in embracing the simplicity that comes with a life well-lived.

 

Margot is a resident at The Village on the Downs, Toowoomba. This article originally featured in edition 4 of The Village Retirement Group’s resident magazine, “Village Living.” Request your copy of the magazine today when you enquire below.

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