3 minute read
The Resident Willy enjoys his retirement at De Wijngaard
Bustling Kortrijk
Kortrijk is a changing city. And a city that is embracing the future. That's why ION has located “De Wijngaard” there. This unique urban project allows you to walk between home and work.
Bon vivants enjoying retirement
Willy Bauwens has never regretted his decision to move to a smaller home. Two years ago, he and his wife Marijke decided to swap their townhouse in Kortrijk for an apartment. They choose “De Wijngaard,” a unique urban project by ION. “We didn’t need long to decide. The benefits of this project immediately appealed to us,” says Willy. — A green oasis in a
bustling neighborhood
“We used to have a lovely, large garden. Unfortunately, we could no longer maintain it properly, and we were sad to see it deteriorate. Our new apartment has views of the beautiful, large garden of ‘De Wijngaard’. And we don't have to maintain it. We can simply enjoy it.”
“We especially enjoy being out on our terrace. When night falls, we can have another drink and enjoy the view. For us, all that greenery is really the most fantastic asset! But it’s not the only one. It’s tranquil here, too. We can enjoy our home in peace and quiet.”
“Our apartment is right in downtown Kortrijk. We live just a few minutes from the railway station and are very close to Grote Markt. We go into Kortrijk several times a week. We
Social diversity
Assisted living assisted living apartments, regular apartments, and social housing. The neighborhood around “De Wijngaard” is quite diverse. The different groups can get to know each other in the bar of the urban project.
Willy Bauwens and his wife Marijke have lived in their apartment in De Wijngaard in Kortrijk for two years. He used to work as a press photographer for De Krant van West-Vlaanderen. Now he's enjoying his life in retirement. have a coffee at the market or go out for dinner. We also enjoy cycling and walking. There are many beautiful cycling and walking routes in and around Kortrijk. We’ve already discovered quite a few of them.”
“Still, our favorite tourist spot is the coast. We occasionally go down to the sea to soak up the fresh air and eat fresh mussels. My wife, Marijke, and I are still bon vivants. That doesn't stop when you get a little older.”
— The local place for networking “I used to work as a press photographer. I sometimes do miss my job. Press photography is a very social profession, and you’re always meeting new people. When you're retired, that’s not so easy. Moving home is exciting too. You don't know if things will click with your new neighbors. Fortunately, most of the ‘De Wijngaard’ residents are very social people.”
“We have made some great contacts in the past few years. We meet once in a while to have a chat, drink a beer, or play cards. That open, relaxed atmosphere among the residents makes this place even more enjoyable.”
“When we retired, Marijke and I decided to do some volunteer work. We have a lot of free time now and wanted to spend it in a meaningful way. A woman heard us talking about our plans on a terrace in Kortrijk. She told us that they were still looking for some extra helping hands in ‘De Wijngaard.’ Quite a coincidence!" “So now we volunteer one day a week to work behind the bar on the estate. It’s also a great way to get to know new people. There are about eight of us volunteers. The residents of the assisted living apartments are always delighted to see us. The bar is a perfect place to take a little break.”
