The beauty of Retirement in Newcastle: Newcastle is a bustling town situated in the foothills of the Northern Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg mountain range. Newcastle can very easily be described as the capital of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, with a fast growth rate and large population. Newcastle serves as the hub for many of the smaller surrounding towns in Northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Newcastle offers many positives with regard to retirement. Newcastle is a good size. Big enough to have many attractions and activities, but not so big that heavy traffic, pollution and excessive crime become a problem.
La Gratitude is deeply rooted in the local community and we welcome any person looking to retire in Newcastle. With La Gratitude you can be assured that you are in good hands when it comes to building relationships and getting advice on activities in the area.
A Short History Of Newcastle
Newcastle was strategically placed in 1854 by the Surveyor-General of the Natal Colony, Dr PC Sutherland. In 1864 Newcastle became the fourth founded settlement in Kwazulu-Natal. Thereafter Newcastle became a separate electoral division in 1873. Fort Amiel was built in 1876 during the war and construction of the town hall started in 1897. – see Wikipedia
The town played its role during the war and served as a depot and stopover for wagons during the 19th century. In 1890 the town’s role adjusted with the arrival of the first train and industry. The country’s first steel factory later became ISCOR was built in Newcastle. This led to Newcastle becoming an industrial hub for KwaZulu-Natal.
Today Newcastle serves as the gateway to the Zulu Kingdom, Free State and Mpumalanga.
The Beauty of Retirement in Newcastle
Staying active in Newcastle
With Newcastle being a tourism hot spot for the battlefields, comes a host of things to do. This includes hiking, fishing, golf and cycling. The big question here is what to do when you retire in Newcastle.
La Gratitude senior living community is adept at providing activities for all age groups as part of the accommodation available. We understand the importance of staying active in your golden years and provide various activities that cover physical and social fields.
Here is an article to find out more about La Gratitude’s approach to staying active.
Here is a list of other things to do that are not necessarily offered by La Gratitude.
Clubs and communities
The Old Hooters Club
The Old Hooters Club is a club for automotive enthusiasts of all ages that love and are involved with restoring and building vintage cars. The club hosts many social events that range from social afternoons at the clubhouse to road trips and shows in other towns.
Newcastle Bowling Club
Newcastle is home to a big bowling club with many active members. The club is situated on Oak Avenue in Arbor Park. It’s all about fun and comradery among the various competing teams. The club also offers a bar and is a place to be if you want to be socially active.
Newcastle Harriers Club
This is the club to join if you are a road running enthusiast. The club was formed in 1977 and hosted its first official road race in the same year. The club hosts a monthly social braai following the regular time trial runs.
Golf Courses
Newcastle is home to three golf courses, the Newcastle Golf Club in Newcastle town and the other at Kilbarchan Golf Course and a 9Hole/18 tee course at Vulentaba. The town course is a big full 18-hole course while the golf course in Ingagane offers 9 holes. The town golf club is also home to a restaurant and bar.
Places To Visit In The Area
The Battlefields Route
Newcastle is part of the Battlefields Route which consists of 82 battlefields and old fortifications and museums. Newcastle hosts nine (9) historical sites ready to visit and learn more about one of the biggest parts of South African History. Sites located in Newcastle are:
- The Town Hall
- Carnegie Art Gallery
- Haggards Hilldrop House
- The Armoury
- Newcastle Cemetry
- Hindu Shiva Temple and Mahatma Gandi
- Fort Amiel Museum
- Chief Albert Luthuli and the Blaauwbosch Methodist School and Church
- King Dinuzulu and the old prison
- Maharaj House.
Bird Watching at Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve
The nature reserve is located right next to Memel about a 40min drive from Newcastle in the Orange Free State. Seekoievlei is a renowned destination for birdwatchers that is home to many migratory bird species. Some of the special species you can see there include:
- Blue Crane
- Heron
- Stork and
- Ibis
Walking and Hiking Trails
There are literally hundreds of hiking trails in and around the Newcastle area. Many of the routes are suitable for one-day return trips. With northern KwaZulu-Natal being a popular tourist destination, comes many game farms and lodges that have their own hiking trails and unique locations.
Hiking is very rewarding and you get to choose your own pace. This is a perfect activity to stay active as mentioned in our previous article.
In Closing
Newcastle lends itself to being the perfect retirement retreat with many activities to stay active. Other things you can do not mentioned above include fishing, horse riding, joining a church group and volunteering your services. After reading this it should be clear that when you are looking for a new home or community to retire in, choose La Gratitude senior living community.
Retirement in Newcastle: Affordable and High-Quality Care
When considering retirement options, accommodation in senior living facilities often comes with a higher price tag due to the specialized care and services provided. However, our facility in Newcastle offers a unique proposition with several cost benefits. Nestled in the Northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, our senior living community provides better rates compared to those in bigger cities like Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town, all while ensuring top-notch quality of care and services.
Choosing to retire in Newcastle means you can experience the best of both worlds – a tranquil and scenic environment in the foothills of the Northern Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg mountains, without having to compromise on the level of care and amenities you deserve. Our community at La Gratitude offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere, allowing you to build meaningful relationships with fellow retirees and engage in various social activities to stay active.
Moreover, Newcastle’s strategic location serves as a gateway to exploring the Zulu Kingdom, Free State, and Mpumalanga, making it an ideal spot for adventurous souls seeking to explore more of South Africa’s beauty during their retirement years.
Embrace the charm of this bustling town and experience affordable luxury at our La Gratitude senior living community. Rest assured that your golden years will be spent in comfort and security, as we prioritize your well-being and happiness above all else. So why settle for more expensive options in larger cities when you can have it all in Newcastle? Choose an affordable and high-quality retirement lifestyle with us, and make the most of this next chapter in your life!
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You can make a difference
With your assistance, the volunteers at La Gratitude will be able to take better care of not only the residents at the old age home but also the greater Newcastle community. La Gratitude is constantly involved in outreach projects to help the elderly in need in and around Newcastle.
Your donations will be greatly beneficial in the provision of food and other basic necessities for the less fortunate elderly people that require assistance.
Donating is easy, click here to donate now.
