They say wisdom comes with age, and Oak Grange resident Joan is certainly wise, but what makes her delightful is her whip-smart sense of humour. At 95 years young, Joan finds laughter in anything ‘ridiculous’, like cat memes and jokes about ageing, and speaking with her for the first time feels like having a lovely catch up with an old friend. 

Joan has been living at Oak Grange for 18 years, making the move after visiting a friend living there. “I thought, I’m going to come back here,” she says. “And I’ve been very, very happy. I’ve never felt insecure or unsafe here.” 

Previously Joan had made the move to Phillip Island to live close to friends, but over time the medical facilities she needed disappeared, and the choice to move back to the Brighton area has been an excellent one for Joan.  

“What I’d say to people is it’s a lovely feeling being here,” Joan says, speaking of Oak Grange. “I feel sorry for women who hold onto old family houses because of the memories. Because you sell your house, you don’t sell your memories.” 

Joan is also an animal lover, clearly evident when one of the beloved temporary village residents - a guide dog puppy in training - came through the Clubhouse and was enthusiastically greeted by Joan. Joan’s cat, Annabel, is a big part of her life. 

“I was very ill for three months and my good friend looked after her with love and great care while I was out of action,” Joan says, a sign of the easy friendships and care shared by the village residents. 

As part of the redevelopment of Levande Oak Grange which will create brand new apartments, a stunning Clubhouse and premium facilities such as a heated indoor magnesium pool, Joan and her cat Annabel will be relocating to a new apartment.

“Levande has been wonderful,” Joan says. “Even with Annabel my cat, I said I wasn’t sure how the cat run would work at the new apartment, and they just said ‘Joan, it can be done’.” 

As an avid reader, Joan is also looking forward to the new library when the building works are complete. 

“I don’t do all the things I used to do, but I might sit on the edge of the pool and dangle my legs in. But a lot here are younger than me so they’ll be looking forward to all the new facilities.” 

Joan is also excited about meeting new residents as they move in and discovering who they are and where they’ve been. “Everybody has a story and it’s amazing what I’ve learned about people’s stories,” she says.

If you’re keen to find out more about living at Levande Oak Grange, or which brand new apartments are available to move in later this year, please reach out to our sales principle Danae Konstantakopoulos (0447 869 300) for more information on Levande Oak Grange, or see apartments available here.

Images includes display home photography and are provided for illustrative purposes only. Actual homes, views, layouts, dimensions, fixtures, fittings, finishes, appliances, materials, colours, landscaping and decorative items may differ from those shown. Images are indicative only and subject to change without notice.