Waimea Plains is an Arvida Living Well Community that has raised the benchmark for retirement villages in the Nelson region. Located in Richmond, just 20 minutes from Nelson, this over-65s community is built around the theme of living well—woven into every aspect from architecturally designed homes to beautifully appointed shared spaces. Unlike traditional gated villages, Waimea Plains is open and welcoming, with homes grouped in small clusters connected by walking and cycling paths that encourage movement, connection, and exploration. Residents feel younger for longer, actively engaged in a vibrant community that strengthens connections with both neighbours and the wider Nelson region.
Light-filled, modern homes designed for independent retirement living. All homes meet Lifemark 5 Star standard for superior usability, safety, and accessibility.
The clubhouse is the social heart of the village, hosting regular activities and events.
Residents enjoy a vibrant calendar of activities, shared gardens, bike trails, and open green spaces. The beautifully appointed clubhouse features a kitchen, bar, TV lounge, piano, and library, plus a large deck for alfresco dining. Friends and family are always welcome to enjoy the pathways, park areas, and clubhouse alongside residents.
If your health changes, you won't have to leave the place you know. Waimea Plains offers these levels of care on site:
Waimea Plains is located in Richmond, Nelson, just 20 minutes from the city centre and close to Mapua and Motueka. The village sits amid the beautiful hills surrounding Richmond, with homes grouped in small clusters connected by walking and cycling paths that link to the wider recreational landscape. Unlike traditional gated communities, Waimea Plains is open and welcoming, encouraging residents to explore and connect with the broader neighbourhood. The setting embraces a fresh approach to retirement living, with thriving gardens, beautiful walkways, and open green spaces that make movement, connection, and exploration effortless.
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You've seen why you'd love it. This is the part most families only discover at the exit statement — so we put it in plain sight. Every figure is from the village's own filed Disclosure Statement.
The Capital Back score is a transparent weighting of five filed terms — you can see exactly where this village wins and loses.
Every operator uses different words for the same thing — we normalise them so you can compare like with like.
Accrues over your first 4 years, charged on the entry price.
Any increase in the licence value at resale is kept entirely by the operator.
Your capital is repaid once the unit is re-licensed to a new resident. (Operator-stated average: 207 days.)
Weekly fees stop when you vacate, and interest is payable if your capital is returned late.
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