For most of her life, Carolyn has been looking after other people.

Born and bred in Pukekohe, she's always been someone who puts family and community first. There were years spent helping raise her children, supporting her grandchildren with their sports and activities, and more recently, caring for her mother.

For two years, Carolyn lived in a cabin on her mum's property while providing care. An arrangement she carried on after her mum passed away, unable to make her parents’ house feel like her own space.

“My dog Max and I still slept out in the cabin. And then I thought, this is ridiculous. I can't spend the next 10 years of my life living in a cabin!”

Image - Carolyn relaxing at home with Max.

As she considered what came next, one place kept catching her eye – Franklin Retirement Village.

“I kept driving past here. So, one day I said, ‘I'm going to go in there to have a look.’” Retirement village living wasn't something Carolyn had ever imagined for herself. “I wasn't going to go into a village. I thought, ‘I’m too young.’"

But curiosity got the better of her. Franklin Village, one of Pukekohe's newest retirement communities, had just begun to release its Stage One villas when Carolyn decided to investigate.

The moment she stepped inside, she knew something was different.

“They showed me one of the villas and I was just sold. It was just a very emotional moment. I've bought and sold lots of houses over my life, but I've never had an emotional attachment to a house.”

The reaction surprised even her.

“It just was such an emotional thing. I thought, ‘This is it.’”

When her family visited, they felt it too. “They came and had a look and said, ‘Oh Mum, this feels great. It's perfect for you.’”

Not long afterwards, Carolyn sold her mother's house and made the move along with her beloved dog, Max.

Image - Carolyn in her brand new kitchen.

Her villa has proved to be exactly what she was looking for.

“This is perfect for me. It's just the right size. They’ve planned it really well. My car fits, the dog fits,” she says, as she proudly shows off the spacious living area.

Some of her favourite features include the generous storage cupboard which she has turned into a discreet office space, and a butler’s pantry that keeps the clutter off her kitchen bench.

“The feeling here is so lovely. I don't know whether it's because there's no bad vibes or good vibes - because it's all brand new - and we're the first people to come here and put our love into it.”

Carolyn was also taken with the social hub of the village – The Lodge.

“The Lodge, wow, it's just amazing! The whole place, what’s not to love about it? It's like living in a resort. I'm so blessed.”

Image - The Lodge at Franklin Village, the social heart of the community.

For Carolyn, staying in Pukekohe was important. Her family has called the area home for generations.

She's also a lifelong car enthusiast. A proud owner of a vintage Mustang and a devoted V8 fan, Carolyn grew up going to the speedway with her family and has spent countless weekends at local racetracks over the years. She will soon be finishing up a long stint as treasurer of the Franklin Street Rodders.

She's stepping away from that commitment to make room for new experiences.

“And I've done it for eight years and I want to spend time doing other things now.”

That's what this move represents for Carolyn. Not slowing down, but making space for a different kind of life.

Her grandchildren are grown up, her caring responsibilities have eased, she doesn’t have any more home maintenance to worry about - for the first time in many years, she has the freedom to focus on herself.

Image - Carolyn and friends playing a friendly game in The Lodge.

She has already joined the residents' committee and is looking forward to becoming even more immersed in the village.

“I want to get more involved here. I love playing darts and I like playing pool and I love movies. There's so much in the village to be part of.”

It’s not just the amenities that are the draw for Carolyn, but also the other residents. “We're all caring people. There's not one single person here that has not got some kind of empathy for people and asks about people. We all get on so well. I just love it.”

Ask Carolyn what she loves most about living at Franklin Village and there is no doubting the sincerity in her reply.

“The warmth. It's such a happy place. I wake up sometimes and pinch myself. I'm so lucky. It puts a smile on my face. It feels like home. It gives me joy.”

After a lifetime spent caring for others, Carolyn feels she's earned this chapter.

“This is my last road I'm going down,” she says. “And I want it to be something special, something that gives me joy.”

For Carolyn, that road has led her to Franklin Village – a place that finally feels very much like home.