Jan has always been good at making big decisions. The kind that are sometimes necessary to send life in the right direction - and that often require a lot of courage.

After many years on Amager and 43 years as a civil servant for the City of Copenhagen, another big decision has been made. Jan is retiring and will live his new life in the middle of the Bodilhaven community.

Concrete and high school anxiety

The sun is high above Urbanplanen and Amager's asphalt is soft underneath us when we pick up Jan. Jan is 67 years old and has lived most of his life on the Copenhagen island.

Although Jan loves city life, he has spent the last few years living in the concrete building, Urbanplanen, where insecurity and noise are part of everyday life and the nights that go with it.

Despite the thin walls, there isn't much socializing to be had in the local apartment block, and Jan is looking forward to the new chapter ahead.

"I thought that if I stay in my current home when I retire, I'm going to spend the rest of my life watching TV and walking. I don't want that - I want something that can replace the social life at work." Jan tells us in the car on the way to Næstved. Here we are visiting Jan's colleague, Lars, who made the same decision last year and moved into the Hermanhaven community.

In addition to going to work, Jan is an avid college student. And when he can, he likes to go several times a year to sing, hike or travel with others. An interest that has played a big part in Jan's decision.

"Many of the retirees who come to the folk high schools live for it. They are active, social and outgoing. But when I ask what they do between our folk high school meetings, there's not much to tell - the time between stays is waiting time." Jan explains as the green fields of West Zealand pass us by. "Imagine instead being able to live in a place where you just have to open the door and the community and all the good experiences are right outside."

A good recommendation

At the entrance to Hermanhaven in Næstved, Lars is ready to meet us with a big smile. He and Jan have been colleagues for many years, and it was through Lars that Jan heard about the Agora Gardens concept.

Lars is 57 years old and was there when Hermanhaven's first residents received the keys to the newly built community a year ago.

"I'm very happy to live here." Lars says as he shows us and Jan around the large, covered atrium garden. Here there are small zones with space for various communal activities.

"Since we moved in, the board has done a huge amount of work to get the various guilds and clubs up and running - it's turned out great and it's a great place to be."

It was purely by chance that Lars and Jan started talking about life in the housing community. When the topic of Jan's desire for an active retirement life came up in the office one day, Lars didn't hesitate with the recommendation.

"I told Jan about the Agora gardens because I like the concept of community according to desire and need." Lars explains.

"There is never "too much togetherness". It's completely voluntary how much and when you participate, and that's what's great. Sometimes when I come home in the afternoon, a bunch of neighbors are sitting in the garden having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine - and then they ask if I want to join them. It's often after work and I'd rather get up by myself and have some food. But the offer means a lot to me."

Jan looks around contentedly in the large garden space, which is very similar to what will soon be his home in Odense.

"I've asked Lars many times: Tell me the truth now that you've lived here for a whole year? Is it still good or has the shine gone off St. Gertrud? Gertrud?" Jan explains with a knowing smile.

Fortunately, the report is still the same, and Lars confirms. In the green garden, the atmosphere is always peaceful and good - and privacy is never challenged. Unless you want it to be, of course. Then a chat, a cup of coffee or a helping hand is rarely far away.

A new and exciting life

It's no wonder that it's with butterflies in his stomach that Jan is sitting here in Hermanhaven's large, green living room. In just six months, it will be his turn to move into Bodilhaven and become part of his own community.

"When Lars showed me the place, it just hit me: This is what I'm looking for. And you never know how it will turn out." Jan thinks aloud, "but you can do your best to make a positive contribution."

"Here in Hermanhaven, all residents received a Folk High School songbook as a housewarming gift. I hope that Bodilhaven will do the same. Because then I want to start a singing association - Morgenrøden - or whatever. And if we're lucky, there might be someone who can play the piano. That would be great." says Jan, who will definitely be a gift for the future neighborhood.

There are many good experiences in store for Jan and his new neighbors in Bodilhaven. And the singing folk high school enthusiast certainly has a good attitude.

"I'm looking forward to a new and exciting life." Jan says, before we thank Lars for the visit and let Hermanhaven's main entrance slam behind us.