John Sullivan can’t wait to move to Manningtree, where he can embrace city life and make new friends.
He will make the transition to Hawthorn from Balnarring on the Mornington Peninsula, where he’s enjoyed 20 years of retirement.
“It’s nice by the beach and everything, but I’m looking for good company and to expand my friendships,” he said.
John and his wife Shirley moved to Balnarring from Ivanhoe when he retired as a professional photographer.
They had already started looking at moving back to the city to be close to their daughters and a ‘simple life’, when Shirley suddenly passed away last year.
“I think she would be very pleased with what I have decided to do. The children are very happy that I have made the decision to do this,” he said.
John, who loves spending time with his grand and great children in the city, is very active and has belonged to the Balnarring yacht club for decades.
He swims three times a week in the local pool or, in the warmer months, the open water. He plans on sticking to this routine when he moves to Manningtree by taking advantage of its proximity to the Hawthorn pool.
But there’s plenty more he’d like to do, such as joining the Men’s Shed or doing some gardening.
“I would like to my expand activities. It’s nicer to live in the city and take advantage of everything. I will be able to be more versatile with my time,” he said.
John has purchased a third floor apartment and is looking forward to getting a view over the busy suburbs below and decorating his balcony with “a few pots of flowers”.
“Life will be a bit simpler than having a big house to look after,” he said.
“You get more time to join in other activities. I just wish to keep it going.”