When Jeanette Andrews and her husband Mike moved from Papamoa into Metlifecare Somervale Retirement Village nearly two years ago the couple were looking for peace of mind.
Mrs Andrews said it was important the village had a hospital facility that would offer them a sense of security.
Mrs Andrews comments come as building consents for Tauranga retirement villages surge ahead.
Data from Priority One shows in the year to July 2016, 96 consents were issued, valued at $51.8 million, compared with 87 consents valued at $33.6m for all of 2015 and 35 consents for 2014 valued at $14.3m.
The largest single value consent over the same timeframes was issued to Metlifecare Somervale at Mount Maunganui in March for $11.7m to erect a 69-bed care home and 16 new serviced apartments