RETIREES are moving up in the world and loving it, according to new WA Apartment Advocacy research.
It reveals retirees are the happiest apartment dwellers of all demographics, reporting a 96 per cent satisfaction rating and 75 per cent indicating they would recommend the high life to family and friends.
In the survey of 3300 respondents, more than half of the owners had lived in an apartment for less than five years, with 65 per cent in a two-person household and 35 per cent as single occupiers.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe data also shows owners bought their apartment due to the location (83 per cent), ability to lock and leave (68 per cent), low maintenance (63 per cent), security (67 per cent) and parking for residents at the development (62 per cent).
Lifestyle (41 per cent) was another deciding factor.
Maureen Helen and her husband John Fleming are highly satisfied apartment owners after downsizing from a two-storey family home with a garden more than one year ago.
“Call me biased if you like, but living in an apartment at 81 years of age brings more joy than I could have imagined,” she said.
Maureen said there were many reasons mainstream apartments appeal to downsizers, from location and community to legal and financial arrangements compared to other retirement living options.
“Our apartment is within easy walking distance of everything we need or want, and access for our families is also easy,” she said.
“Also, communities in mainstream apartment blocks tend to be more complex, with a mixture of age groups, ethnicities and interests.
“It is possible to maintain privacy in one’s own space and at the same time enjoy meeting others in shared spaces and amenities.
“I enjoy the mix of families with babies and toddlers, watching older children study in the hubs in the common area, young people coming and going, and chats with the middle-aged and seniors like us.
“Social events are varied and often spontaneous, tending to centre around the pool, the theatre and dining room and the entertainment area.”
Maureen said they also chose to move to an apartment for ownership reasons.
“When you buy an ‘ordinary’ apartment, you own it in the same way a person owns a house,” she said.
“The buyer owns it and its title, so it can be used to secure a loan.”
“You also have the right to use the common property.”
Like all major choices, the decision to downsize was complex and needed considerable thought.
“Lots of people seem to move into apartments and enjoy the process,” Maureen said.
“Those I speak to love the lifestyle.
“John and I would certainly recommend it.”