Dennis is the Senior Portfolio Manager for Marion Apartments, a new development built for the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn in Manuka’s St Christopher's Cathedral precinct.

“You can continue on like you’re working, without the working part.”

That’s a really nice sentiment actually, and exactly the kind of statement that should make you look forward to retiring, sorry, we mean permanently giving up a full-time occupation.

To expand on that idea, it’s about living “in the heart of Manuka, close to all of its services including cafes, bars, restaurants, cinemas, churches and medical care.”

As for what it will be like to live in their new development, “The Marian Apartments allow you to live in a totally maintenance-free environment with people of a similar age and background.”

You don’t even have to change your own light bulbs, and for social benefits there’s a common courtyard and a common pavilion for hosting functions.

www.marianmanuka.com.au

The redevelopment of the precinct cost in the region of $35 million, with the church expecting to recoup most, but not all of that expense.

As noted in the Canberra Times with a story by Michael Gorey back in March, “Some other church assets will be sold to cover the remaining cost while Favier House on Cooyong Street and the Rheinberger Centre in Yarralumla will be leased out.”

One concern people are likely to have with any living arrangement, at any stage of their life, is the cost.

The value it might have later on when you no longer wish to live there is also of importance to plenty of people.

“When it does come time to sell, you have a guaranteed pay out figure plus 50 per cent of any capital gain as designated by an Independent Valuer” stated Dennis, “and all payable within six months, regardless of whether the property sells or not.”