Getting to Know…Jordan Black, Levande Cardinal Freeman Ashfield
Getting to Know Jordan Black, Sales Principal, Levande Cardinal Freeman in Ashfield
Why retirement living can be about gaining independence, not losing it
For many Inner West families, conversations about ageing parents don’t begin with a neat plan. They start with small worries. Is Mum finding the house harder to manage? Would Dad benefit from having more people around? And how do you raise the idea of moving when the family home, familiar neighbourhood and decades of local connections are all wrapped up in the decision?
As Sales Principal at Levande Cardinal Freeman in Ashfield, Jordan Black helps families navigate exactly these questions. Cardinal Freeman offers independent living apartments within an established community, with landscaped grounds, a clubhouse, café, heated indoor pool, gym, salon and regular activities and outings.
We spoke to Jordan about starting the conversation, downsizing, staying close to family and why so many residents eventually say the same thing: we wish we’d done it sooner.
Jordan what brought you to Levande and retirement living?
My background is in property, but my path into retirement living came after a personal health challenge that meant stepping away from real estate for a period.
When I returned, I wanted the next chapter of my career to have more purpose. Retirement living felt like a natural fit because I could use my property experience in a role that was ultimately much more about people.
At Cardinal Freeman, I meet people who may have lived in Ashfield, Haberfield, Croydon or elsewhere across the Inner West for decades. They’re not simply deciding whether to move house. They’re thinking about family, friendships, routines and the life they’ve built around them. That’s what makes every conversation different.
What advice do you have for families who feel something needs to change?
You don’t need to have all the answers before you start the conversation.
Families often feel overwhelmed because they’re trying to solve everything at once: where Mum or Dad might live, what happens to the family home, how to sort through decades of belongings and how to manage it alongside work, children and their own lives.
Sometimes the first step is simply understanding the options. Visit somewhere like Cardinal Freeman together, ask questions and talk about what your parent actually wants the next stage of life to look like.
You can explore without committing to anything.
What do you wish more families understood about retirement living?
That retirement living is designed around independent living. It’s very different from aged care.
There’s also a perception that moving into retirement living means slowing down. Many residents are already active and social. They’re travelling, seeing friends, spending time with grandchildren and continuing with the things they’ve always enjoyed.
At Cardinal Freeman, residents can choose how involved they want to be, whether that’s taking part in village life, spending time with neighbours or simply getting on with their own routines. That choice is an important part of maintaining independence.
Often people aren’t moving because they can’t live independently. They’re looking ahead and thinking about how they want the next ten or twenty years to feel.
How do you start the conversation with a parent who may be resistant to moving?
The starting point has to be listening.
As adult children, it’s natural to focus on the things we’re worried about, but it’s just as important to understand what Mum or Dad doesn’t want to lose.
For someone who has lived in the Inner West for years, that might mean staying close to grandchildren, keeping the same GP, seeing old friends or still being able to head to the shops and cafés they know.
From there, you can explore options together rather than presenting a decision that feels as though it has already been made.
Sometimes visiting Cardinal Freeman helps simply because it makes the idea more real. You can walk around, see the apartments and gardens and get a feel for what everyday life in the community is actually like.
Is there a right time to start considering retirement living?
There’s no perfect age or single moment that’s right for everyone.
What I would encourage is having the conversation while there is still plenty of choice. It’s much easier to explore options when you’re making a lifestyle decision than when circumstances suddenly change and everyone is trying to find a solution quickly.
One of the things we hear quite often from new residents is, “We wish we’d done this sooner.”
How important is staying local for Inner West families?
It can be a huge part of the decision.
A parent may be ready to change homes without wanting to change their whole life.
For someone who has lived locally for decades, home isn’t just the house. It’s family Sunday lunches, a trusted GP, old friends nearby, favourite local shops and being close enough for the grandchildren to drop in without it becoming an expedition.
One of Cardinal Freeman’s real advantages is being an established retirement community in the heart of the Inner West, where opportunities to make this kind of move while staying local can be limited.
And for adult children juggling work and kids, having Mum or Dad nearby can make an enormous practical difference too.
What makes downsizing feel so overwhelming, and how can families make it easier?
For most people, it’s not just the apartment that’s the hard part. It’s everything wrapped around the move.
A family home can hold decades of belongings and memories, so sorting through it can feel enormous before you’ve even thought about selling or packing.
Part of my role is helping families break that process into manageable steps. We can offer practical guidance and connect people with trusted services that can help with decluttering, packing and preparing a home for sale.
Having a clear first step can make the whole process feel far less daunting.
What should families understand about the financial side of retirement living?
Retirement living is a significant decision, so it’s important to take the time to understand your options and ask questions about anything you’re unsure of.
There can be a lot to consider, particularly when a long-held family home is part of the equation, and every family’s circumstances are different.
The aim should be to feel informed and confident about what you’re considering before taking the next step. There’s no need to feel rushed through that process.
What should you look for when visiting a retirement community?
Look beyond the apartment.
What would an ordinary week actually look like there? Are there spaces and facilities you’d genuinely use? Can you be social when you want to, but still have your own privacy? Can you easily see family, get to appointments and keep the routines that matter to you?
At Cardinal Freeman, it’s about looking at the whole environment: the landscaped grounds, shared spaces such as the clubhouse and gym, and the activities and outings available if you want to take part.
But I’d also look beyond the village gates. Can you keep seeing the same people and visiting the places that already make up your life?
You’re not just choosing a property. You’re choosing what everyday life could look like.
Why do so many residents say, “We wish we’d done it sooner”?
I think people sometimes underestimate what they might gain from the move.
What we often hear is that residents feel more connected and supported while still maintaining their independence. Families can see that Mum or Dad is enjoying this stage of life, and there can be real peace of mind in knowing they’re settled and happy, particularly when they’re still close enough to remain part of regular family life.
My own experiences have made me very aware that life doesn’t always follow the plan you imagined. Going through a significant health challenge gave me a deeper appreciation for how unfamiliar transitions can feel.
That’s stayed with me. I try to give people the time, honesty and care I would want if it were my own family making the decision.
Thinking about retirement living for yourself or a parent? Contact Jordan to learn more about Cardinal Freeman in Ashfield, ask questions or arrange a visit.
📞 Phone: 1800 727 170 / 0438 023 354
✉️ Email: jordan.black@levande.com.au
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