Smarter Communities Magazine | Issue 01/2020

Page 28

SMARTER • LIFESTYLE

Vertical living proving popular for families AN INCREASING NUMBER OF YOUNG FAMILIES ARE TURNING THEIR BACK ON TRADITION TO PIONEER A NEW STYLE OF VERTICAL LIVING The move to urban family living has

youth population (aged 15-24 years)

been determined by a motivation

resided in apartments. Similarly,

to live closer to work, ensuring long

nearly one in ten (9%) of all children

commutes are replaced by quality

aged 0-4 years had an apartment

family time.

home.

And given the average cost of a

When it comes to which states

house can be $400,000 more than

vertical living families were residing

the average apartment in large capital

in, 17% lived in Victoria, 13% lived in

cities, financial considerations are

apartment blocks in Queensland and

also believed to be a key factor for

3% in South Australia. The Northern

families seeking a more affordable lifestyle option. Research tells us the number of families seeking the lock-up-and-leave

Territory, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory between them housed 8% of apartment dwellers. But the vast majority of families in Australia living in apartments resided in NSW (59%). And the proof is in the pudding. Or apartment.

increasingly willing to trade-off a larger

Take Waverley in Sydney’s East for example

In acknowledging the issue,

Waverley has the second highest population density in NSW with 66% of residents living in flats, units or apartments.

growing trend towards family living

Waverley Council reported that

The Urban Taskforce says the

According to 2016 census data, more

families are choosing to live in smaller

apartment market is responding

than one in ten (11%) of Australia's

dwellings. Couples with children are

to this trend by providing onsite

lifestyle around the country is on the rise. It’s convenient. Why wouldn’t you want to permanently park the old lawn mower and use that time previously spent doing household chores out and about with friends and family instead? And kids, bet you’re happy to never again be asked to clean the pool before your friends come over. Or after a storm. Or after the Labrador takes a dip.

28

SMARTER COMMUNITIES

home in a more suburban location for a smaller dwelling in a more accessible location. property development advocacy group The Urban Taskforce has recently undertaken research on the in apartments, and claims to have found many examples of successful lifestyles.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.