Are empty nesters moving to inner-city apartments?

Glenn - The Census Expert

Glenn is our resident Census expert. After ten years working at the ABS, Glenn's deep knowledge of the Census has been a crucial input in the development of our community profiles. These tools help everyday people uncover the rich and important stories about our communities that are often hidden deep in the Census data. Glenn is also our most prolific blogger - if you're reading this, you've just finished reading one of his blogs. Take a quick look at the front page of our blog and you'll no doubt find more of Glenn's latest work. As a client manager, Glenn travels the country giving sought-after briefings to councils and communities (these are also great opportunities for Glenn to tend to his rankings in Geolocation games such as Munzee and Geocaching).

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8 Responses

  1. Rob Spragg says:

    In our view the critical factor will be the location of our grandchildren. We have ideas, not yet realised, to build granny flats or live near each of our two daughters, who are in remote rural and outer suburban locations. If that does not work out, an inner city apartment looks attractive.

  2. kylee says:

    I’m interested in your views about how local papers, which are delivered through the letterbox or on the front lawn of residents homes, can capitalise on the growth in high density living given most have restricted access to either their front door and/or letter box. Obviously the internet plays a big part, but given most people prefer to read their ‘local paper’ in print, how does one overcome this obstacle?

    • Glenn says:

      Good point Kylee – and it’s a similar problem that the ABS has in delivering the Census. They have to negotiate directly with the building manager for each apartment block to get access for the Census collectors to go door-to-door. It’s tedious and difficult because residents aren’t expecting a knock on the door. This contributes to some of the high levels of “Non-Response” in the Census.

      From what little I’ve seen, local papers often get left in the common areas of a building, not necessarily delivered to the apartments.

      So I don’t have an answer for you I’m afraid. There is certainly a growing tendency for people to be concerned about security, and to lock themselves away behind multiple layers of it.

      Glenn

  3. Kylee says:

    Thanks Glenn. I’ve used your social atlas to help me better understand they demographic profile of people living in high density dwellings, and it appears the are certainly NOT the family type. My assumption thus becomes, people living in high density dwellings are probably not that interested in their local newspaper, given what we know is that ‘local’ newspapers become of interest once people start nesting and/or purchase a home. Do you have any other recommended resources for me to explore this theory?

  4. Glenn says:

    Kylee – one of the best indicators of involvement in the local community is how often people move. Renters are far more likely to move over a 5 year period than home owners. Renters are also more likely to live in high density housing. Check out any atlas and you have a map showing % of rental and % of population mobility. That’s a good place to start.

    Glenn

  5. Glenn Williams says:

    Hello Glenn, you have a great name…(sic)….. same as mine. I understand that you are the Census expert. I have just read your article “Are empty-nesters moving to inner-city Apartments?”. In that article you propose some questions to explain the statistics. Well, I am a Sydney-based property expert …… and still loving it after 30 years! I have done significant research to support a new Strata product I have developed that has the capacity to take the market by storm when I can find some seed investors to help me launch it one day. I can provide the answer for you as to why over 55’s do not move to swank new apartments. The Elephant in the Room is Strata Levies. At a time in their life when their income is diminishing, they are not prepared to sign-on for the next 25 years of paying $5,000 per annum plus, when they are looking to live on a Pension or Super savings. They can live in a Torrens Title house for free if they own it outright. Obviously Council Rates are payable on both (and apartment rates are cheaper than freestanding houses) …… however they will not sign-on for $100 a week plus for the rest of their lives……… My invention is Strata Title without Levies…… forever….. and it can be applied to Residential Strata, Industrial Strata, Commercial Strata, Retail Strata and Tourism Strata projects. I have had University assistance and completed thousands of interviews and THIS is the answer to your questions. I hope this has been helpful. Keep up the great work. I love your newsletters. I hope to engage your firm one day if I can ever get my amazing new business concept turned into a growing business…… One day……

    • Joe Flood says:

      This is a good point. Nevertheless with house prices at such astronomical levels, more and more older people see themselves with mortgages. So they can tolerate strata plus a reduced or no mortgage. Several high rise have been started around Albert Park that have much higher amenity and levies than you are quoting. The big attraction for older independent living is having a kind of gated community in the middle of town, swank facilities and on-site nurses with nearness to medical, rather than being out in the sticks in some independent living ghetto. Nevertheless – good idea and I wish you well.

  6. Joe Flood says:

    Interesting but I wonder if things may be changing under COVID. I am 70 and live in a 4 story apartment block in S Yarra. While when I moved in 18 months ago it was totally full of young people, I am seeing more and more people over 50 here. This a good location, close to public transport, parks and hospital. The foreign students and backpackers have gone, the bright lights are only just turning back on, and the rental vacancy rate around here has shot to American 10% levels never before seen. I think we should keep an open mind on this one and be aware that things are not as they once were

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