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Whilst many would be daunted at the prospect of shifting home let alone country at the ripe young age of 80, Pat Miller took it all in her stride. After the passing of her husband Graeme, she sold up her house in Mount Maunganui ( on the east coast of the North Island)  and sought assistance in finding a suitable retirement community in the north shore close to her family. With its generous facilities, stunning outlook, social programmes and proximity to her family, Pat settled in to her next chapter with verve, at Fernbank Retirement Village in St. Ives.

Electing to take few possessions aside from those of sentimental value across to Sydney, we discussed with Pat how she might best live in her retirement unit and from there, created a floorplan and accompanied her to suitable furniture and furnishing retailers to select items for her unit as well as styling her home. To alleviate the stress of sourcing tradespeople and co-ordinating work required on the unit herself, the Fitz Factor was also engaged to project manage its minor refurbishment.

Not only new to the area but also to Sydney and knowing very few people, it was important that Pat felt comfortable in her new home from the beginning. Co-ordinating with the village’s community manager, a small party was planned at the comunity centre which provided an ideal way for Pat to meet many residents and immediate neighbours. An avid bridge player and a former opera singer, Pat quickly found her niche at Fernbank joining a couple of bridge clubs and the social committee. She has even  entertained the residents in an impromptu manner on occasion singing some of her favourite arias, at social events.

“The Fitz Factor team were so helpful and it was very reassuring to know that they had everything in hand from the start. Firstly taking me to visit a few villages that suited what I was looking for (mostly that catered to my interests and of course budget), then helping work through the settlement date with the operator,  to organising all the work I wanted done on the unit, styling it for me,  as well as the actual moving-in too. I just couldn’t have done it by myself and my son was too busy with his job and family commitments to take all this on. 

Their idea to throw a small housewarming party at the community centre was a fabulous way for me to quickly meet other residents and I so appreciated this suggestion, plus organising the whole thing as well.

Huge thanks to the Fitz Factor. I really did feel like I could relax knowing they were taking care of all the big and little things and I know we found the best place for me.”

Pat Miller