As South Africa’s population ages and more people semigrate to KwaZulu-Natal, the North Coast is becoming an increasingly popular retirement destination.

This is according to data presented at the launch of Auria Senior Living’s Coral Cove at Zululami Estate in Sheffield last week.

About 281 000 people have moved to KZN in the past five years, while the country’s population aged 60 and older now numbers around 6.79 million.

These trends helped shape the development of Coral Cove, a 21-hectare retirement community that will have 218 independent living units and 18 assisted-living apartments once complete. Almost 120 residents are already on site, with between 320 and 380 expected once the development reaches full capacity.

Auria Senior Living CEO Barry Kaganson said the development was designed to allow residents to remain active and independent while offering support where needed.

“There’s a massive misconception in our industry that a retirement village is a place you go to where your life gets smaller,” he said.

Kaganson said Coral Cove’s approach centred on four areas: physical health, psychological wellbeing, social interaction and independence.

One of Coral Cove’s first residents, former Miss World Penny Rey Coelen, said the estate had given her plenty to do, with movie nights, bridge, canasta and line dancing among the activities on offer.