{
  "id": 14519803,
  "title": "Some older Australians embrace downsizing and apartment living despite costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/some-older-australians-embrace-downsizing-and-apartment-living",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T19:36:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-15/older-australians-downsizing-apartment-living-pros-and-cons/107185174"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Many older Australians are embracing apartment living despite the associated costs, according to some surveys. For 72-year-old John Turner, the benefits of less maintenance and better lifestyle options outweigh the downsides such as strata fees and moving expenses. The spacious family home they had lived in for four decades and raised their children in was left behind eight years ago when they moved to a two-bedroom apartment in Brisbane. The proximity to essentials like public transport, markets, and a cinema, coupled with a nearby hospital, made the move appealing to the Turners. Bryan Worn, a 78-year-old who recently made a similar transition, cited concerns about managing maintenance for his older home as the primary motivation. However, both the Turners and Mr. Worn acknowledge the extra costs involved, including strata fees and the need for unexpected repairs, which were not deterrents. Housing advocates argue that emotional ties to a home and limited housing options can prevent older Australians from downsizing. Curtin University's Steven Rowley noted that most older Australians prefer to stay put. He emphasized the lack of diverse housing options and affordable, larger apartments, which could facilitate a smoother downsizing process. UNSW's Edgar Liu echoed this sentiment, indicating that many retirees desire more space, especially as they spend more time at home post-retirement. Government intervention and mandating a mix of apartment sizes could potentially address the supply issue, according to Liu. However, Rowley expressed dissatisfaction with the current housing industry's capacity to deliver affordable, larger apartments, urging for a \"real rebalancing of prices and costs.\"",
  "summary": "Moving from a house to an apartment can come with fees like stamp duty and strata, but for some, the lifestyle perks outweigh the costs.",
  "key_points": [
    "72-year-old John Turner embraces apartment living in Brisbane.",
    "Bryan Worn cites maintenance concerns as motivation for downsizing.",
    "Housing advocates note limited affordable, larger apartment options."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}