Home life: The 5 major shifts in how Australians live

While recent decades saw change across architectural trends, property investment and community-oriented planning, the pandemic created a seismic shift in the way Australians view real estate.

“Lifestyle has become a more important priority than ever,” says realestate.com.au senior economist Eleanor Creagh.

In today’s world, your home is more than a place to rest your head. The impact of Covid led to heightened awareness around housing that prioritises a balanced life.

Here are five major shifts in how Australians live and what modern home buyers want.

1. Wellbeing focus

What is the most fulfilling way to live in the present – and the future? That’s a question considered by home buyers in the wake of the pandemic, as they seek homes that help improve overall wellbeing.

Frasers Property Australia General Manager Brand & Customer Emily Wood says lifestyle is a long-term trend in property decisions but was accelerated by the effects of the pandemic.

“We’ve never had more change than in the first years of this decade, in terms of how and where people are choosing to live their lives,” Wood says.

“Our homes are performing so many more functions now. They need to be offices, classrooms, and gymnasiums as well as the place we cook, eat, sleep and spend time together.”

Popular considerations include style and spaciousness, proximity to health and wellness facilities and green spaces, scope for social connection and commuting times for work-life balance.

2. Age of the seachange and treechange

Staying at home led to increased consciousness of a property’s surrounds, prompting many Australians to retreat to idyllic coastal communities and country escapes.

Home buyers are still searching for their dream property through a lifestyle lens, seeking the appeal of peace, nature and a relaxed pace.

Wood points to dramatic growth in two of Frasers Property’s lifestyle communities, on opposite sides of the country: The Waterfront, Shell Cove on the NSW Illawarra South Coast, and Port Coogee near Fremantle, WA.

“We’ve seen a huge influx of Sydneysiders moving to Shell Cove in recent years, attracted by the more relaxed pace of life paired with the great dining, shopping and amenities of The Waterfront,” she says.

“And at Port Coogee, there’s a very alluring and quintessentially Australian coastal community vibe that continues to attract new residents, day trippers, and holidaymakers.”

3. Intentional living

The pandemic triggered a period of introspection, says Stancombe Research and Planning CEO Susan Stancombe, which prompted individuals to question their life’s trajectory and make intentional changes.

“One of the benefits of the pandemic era was that it gave people an opportunity for reflection,” says Stancombe. “People thought deeply, and continue to think deeply, about how they want to live their lives.

“This has manifested in terms of lifestyle choices, with making changes and exercising choices in ways they might not have done before.”

An interesting trend emerged from this introspection: a growing affinity for outer suburban and regional properties, with home buyers seeking more space, better value and a break from busy, densely populated areas.

4. Flexibility and functionality

The normalisation of working from home, and ongoing hybrid work arrangements, transformed the function of housing as more than just a home.

“For many, moving to a far more flexible relationship with the office has meant a re-evaluation of the commute,” says Wood.

“If you can work from home more often than not, then where your home is – versus where your office is – becomes more important.”

Homes had to become multifunctional spaces during lockdowns, accommodating work, learning and leisure, so adaptability has become “very desirable and important” in home design, Wood says.

“We want flexible spaces in our homes that can really grow with us and flex with our lifestyle.”

5. Reconnecting with community

The pursuit of an ideal lifestyle transcends the boundaries of property itself – it’s also about connection with the neighbourhood and access to shared community interests.

The value of belonging drives every decision in Frasers developments, with people-centric designs including walkable neighbourhoods, public open spaces and connectivity to local schools, shops and transport.

Wood says the company’s Community Development Managers design and deliver programs that bring new neighbours together, to create mutually supportive friendships and long-lasting bonds.

“Lifestyle doesn’t have to mean a view of the ocean or feeling like you’re on holiday every day,” she says.

“A lot of the time, a sense of feeling like you’re in the ‘right place’ comes down to having a good relationship with your neighbours, your kids playing together at the park after school, or the local barista knowing your coffee order when you walk in.

“It can be as simple and important as that.”

 

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Originally published as ‘Home life: The 5 major shifts in how Australians live’.