Last week we read about where we want to live when we retire. This week we look at another retirement living opportunity — ‘micro lots’.
Glenda Stephens is learning to love ‘small living’. A few years ago, she lived in a big house on five acres and could barely see her nearest neighbours.
Now she is one of the first people in Perth, WA to live on a micro lot of just 80sq metres.
She says, when the micro lots were first announced they were greeted with horror but living in one has changed her mind. They are light, open, very well designed and don’t feel cramped at all. Friends are surprised when they come to visit.
A recent survey of 3,300 apartment dwellers in Australia found that 70% of residents were professionals or managers and 23% retirees, but the apartments were often characterised as bringing social dysfunction to an area and destroying community.
The WA Government and Perth property industry are hoping 1.5 million people will choose micro lots in the future.
However, it’s a conversation they need to have around their aspirations, as they face strong cultural opposition with Perth residents traditionally preferring sprawl and space.
Whether the ‘micro lots’ will appeal to retirees is another thing, considering two-thirds of older Australians state they want to live in a standalone house, and, size matters with many wanting at least three bedrooms. A safe environment was paramount to where retirees want to live.
Retirees coming from large suburban areas may worry about the noise and claustrophobic atmosphere of apartment style living but many converts say there’s always someone around, cafes to visit and everything is close by.
And not all ‘micro lots’ are apartments, Glenda Stephen’s home cost just $340,000, is opposite a park and within walking distance from the shops.
Maybe it’s time to get over ‘size matters’ and think ‘micro’ for our retirement.
