Ms Wood, 75, has been a resident at the Active Lifestyle Estates Lakes Macquarie property at Morisset since last October. And she loves it.

“I’d say to people don’t judge a manufactured home by its name. Go and have a look for yourself.”

To prove the point, Ms Wood invited the Lakes Mail into her home, and it’s impressive.

The two-bedroom home is spacious, modern, and boasts the sort of quality appliances and finishes you’d see in many new conventional homes.

“When you think about it, all houses are manufactured, aren’t they?” she said.

The location and neighbourhood have been added bonuses.

“We have all of this beautiful space, you don’t feel crowded in by the neighbours, and you can sit out here (on the back deck) in complete privacy which is great,” she said.

Ms Wood moved to the Morisset estate from the South West Rocks area of NSW to be closer to her family after the passing of her husband.

Her cat Lulu is allowed in the new home, and she loves the security of the estate.

“Everyone’s friendly. And the neighbours look out for each other more than they do in suburbia,” she said. “When you live in suburbia, sometimes you never even know your neighbours.”

Active Lifestyle Estates’ Lake Macquarie has launched the sale of homes in Stage 2 at Morisset. The 32 homes in Stage 1 sold out.

The new homes are 2-bedders or 2-bedders with studies, and range in price from $305,000 to $347,000.

Ingenia Communities chief operating officer Nikki Fisher said many over-55s were unaware there were alternative housing solutions available for seniors.

“The Active Lifestyle Estates model is unique in that buyers purchase a new, architecturally-designed manufactured home and lease, rather than own, the land,” Ms Fisher said.

That eliminates the need for residents to pay stamp duty and council rates, and because residents are leasing the land, some become eligible for rent assistance if they are on a pension.