With options to suit their lifestyle, level of activity, taste and budget, the peaceful Lowveld has much to offer retirees as a retirement destination.
About the area
If you're looking for the peace and tranquillity of the countryside, a moderate climate throughout the year, and the comfort of being close to good medical facilities, Mpumalanga’s Lowveld region is a good retirement destination to consider.
This low-altitude, subtropical region in the eastern part of Mpumalanga (meaning “place where the sun rises”) includes the towns of Barberton, Hazyview, Malelane, Sabie and White River, among others – all of them located within a 70km radius from the well-developed capital city of Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit), which offers a host of amenities and services required by senior citizens.
The Lowveld is also home to the jewel of South African national parks, the Kruger National Park. This region offers retirees various options to suit their lifestyle, level of activity, taste and budget. If a slower-paced life is preferred, there are quiet, smaller, laid-back towns. There are bigger towns, too, if you prefer the busier urban areas.
Retirement facilities here often offer a combination of retirement villages and lifestyle estates. Developers have also introduced the concept of twin-community development (on the same grounds) providing safe and trouble-free country living for both over-50s and young families. Other developments have even introduced a threshold age of 40 for residents as an alternative to the usual age of 50. Both full-title homes and sectional-title apartments are on offer, while many of these developments also offer assisted-living and frail-care services.
As a retirement destination, the Lowveld has much to offer. It’s a scenic area rich in culture, history and tourism options which beckon to be explored by self-drive or guided-tour excursions. For those who are less mobile, the focus is on enhancing quality of life and creating social interaction opportunities within the borders of their retirement environment.
I love the all year-round warm weather and the beautiful bushveld sunsets of the Lowveld
-Freda Lessing, senior citizen and resident.
Hospitals:
- Mediclinic Barberton
- Mediclinic Nelspruit
- Lowveld Hospital Nelspruit
- Kiaat Private Hospital Nelspruit
Nature nearby:
- Lowveld National Botanical Garden: 70% of pathways in the developed part is accessible by wheelchair.
- Kruger National Park: explore South Africa’s largest and oldest game reserve – self-drive or guided tours.
- Panorama Route: some scenic points include: God’s Window, Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck potholes and several prominent waterfalls.
Transport plus:
- Mbombela is situated just off the N4 highway linking the Lowveld to Gauteng’s main cities (approximately 4-hours’ drive).
- Nelspruit Airport and the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (about 60km northeast of Mbombela).
- Daily shuttles between White River, Mbombela and Gauteng.
Agent insight on retiring to the Lowveld
What are the best things about living in a lifestyle retirement estate?
Being part of a community where social interaction is encouraged through communal areas and recreational activities that enable residents to enjoy an active lifestyle within the estate is a big plus. You also get to live a more carefree, lock-up-and-go life, where less time is required for maintenance around the home and more time is available to explore and pursue other hobbies.
Louise Snyman: Bateleur Estate
What are the things to look for in a retirement destination?
Make sure your retirement home is surrounded by the things you enjoy. If you love nature, invest in a home near scenic attractions. If you love shopping, find a place that has decent shopping malls nearby. You want to live in a place where you needn’t worry about your safety. Look for a medical centre and 24-hour emergency help nearby or inside your retirement village.
Driekie Heiberg: Rubicon Retirement Village
Why choose the Lowveld as a retirement destination?
Country living comes naturally in Lowveld towns. You are spoiled by a serene environment, with the added advantage of being a stone's throw away from Mpumalanga’s capital, Mbombela, and its modern amenities. The Lowveld’s scenic surrounds and natural attractions present retirees with a multitude of exploration and touring options close to their retirement homes.
Hettie Swart: Mataffin Macadamia Lifestyle and Assisted Living Estate
This article originally appeared in Neighbourhood, Sunday Times.
