News
15 October, 2025
Retirement living found to be top choice
NEW research shows retirement living is becoming a more affordable option, due to soaring house prices and rents, while freeing up much needed housing for the wider community.
Stewart Brown’s latest Retirement Living Performance Survey Report shows the median entry costs for a two-bedroom retirement living unit is equivalent to just 53 per cent of the median house price in the surrounding suburb, rising to 66 per cent for three-bedroom units.
The lower entry cost allows retirees to stay in the same community, close to family and friends, while freeing up equity from their homes to boost savings and reduce financial stress.
When then-62-year-old Karen Cook moved into her retirement village at Victoria Point in Queensland seven and a half years ago, she wasn’t planning an early retirement — she was looking for a lifeline for her husband, Paul.
Karen was still working part-time when they decided to leave the Gold Coast, where they had lived for 36 years, and downsize. She encouraged those in a similar position to start sooner rather than later.
“They think, ‘I can’t possibly downsize, I’ve got all the kids’ schoolbooks and tools in the garage’. But then it becomes overwhelming. I tell people: don’t wait until you can’t manage,” she said.
Now 69, Karen’s two-bedroom ground-floor unit sits among leafy gardens just a short walk from the bay, where Paul used to cast a line and watch the water.
When he passed away, Karen briefly considered moving back to the Gold Coast or joining her daughter in Sydney. But the reality of soaring house prices and the comfort of community kept her put.
Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said the results add to findings from last year’s Catalyst Research Report showing people in retirement living consistently report higher rates of happiness and wellbeing than all older Australians.
According to the report, those in a Retirement Community scored significantly higher on the Catalyst Wellness Index (77.5) compared with the average for all older Australians (71.3).
“As property prices rise, more older people are realising that retirement communities aren’t just convenient — they’re a smart, financial choice for living well later in life,” he said.
“More than downsizing, it’s about upgrading to a lifestyle that offers freedom, community and long-term affordability. It also frees up much needed housing for the growing families of the future.”
