Australian empty nesters choosing to live large

It’s not just apartments and beach houses being snapped up by middle-aged buyers. Australia’s new generation of empty nesters are rejecting the traditional ‘downsizer’ lifestyle in favour of larger, contemporary homes.

Melbourne couple Ruth and Peter McCall are trading in their federation-style home in Canterbury for an equally large converted community hall in Westgarth following their children moving out of home.

2-4 Mangarra Road, Canterbury

“Transitioning into the ’empty nesters’ phase of life doesn’t necessarily mean reducing or compacting your living arrangements or lifestyle, although I understand that for some that’s also quite freeing,” McCall says.

“Reconfiguring that space as we are doing by moving from a federation-period home to a renovated community hall allows us to enjoy ‘home’ in a new setting, while not compromising on lifestyle.”

2-4 Mangarra Road, Canterbury

The McCall’s new home in Westgarth is a stark contrast to their c1913 home of the past 20 years, with its defined living spaces, period-style interiors and large outdoor living space.

The couple will be the first owners to take possession of the converted hall since being renovated for residential use by Melbourne fashion designers of Alpha 60, Alex and Georgie Cleary. The home has featured in numerous design publications and on the Channel Ten television series Offspring. 

98 Union Street, Westgarth

“We appreciate the care taken by the outgoing owners Alex and Georgie Cleary who were able to incorporate the integrity of its bones – space, light and rich timber flooring – to offer a creative and flexible space,” McCall says.

“Aged in our mid 50s, we enjoy space and the capacity to appreciate our eclectic collection of furniture and artwork and having our sons and friends visit and stay as often as possible,”

While many of the couple’s friends question the move to such a contemporary space, McCall has always been attracted to the lifestyle Melbourne’s northern suburbs provide.

“We will continue to access all those things we love [in Westgarth] – lively High Street and the varied cafes and a sense of community in a ‘village style’ pocket adjacent to Northcote and Merri Creek which we anticipate will be a regular walking trail for us and our dogs.”

Sales director Arch Staver​ at Nelson Alexander is seeing more empty nesters saving downsizing for later in life.

98 Union Street, Westgarth

“I think we are finding that more and more empty nesters are discovering that their kids retain a homing device after the first time they move out, and it’s not often until the third move that they do in fact leave for good,” Staver says.

“Jokes aside … I think that such a big move requires consideration, consensus and a plan, it has to be more than just wanting a cafe latte at the end of the street.”

Staver says moving to a contemporary space that’s strongly in contrast to a buyer’s former home is also becoming more commonplace.

98 Union Street, Westgarth

“I think you might find that anyone looking for a change of address is also looking for a change of style and often size too,” he says.

“A complete change of style adds substance to the enormity of a house move and can sometimes, (as I have been told by some empty nesters) help the whole process become more fun and adventurous.”

In Sydney, architect Campbell Baird and his interior designer wife Janice have also undergone a dramatic lifestyle change mid-life, up-sizing from a two-bedroom apartment in Elizabeth Bay to a family home in the Upper North Shore which they share with Campbell’s parents.

“By October 2013, my parents moved into their own quarters which we had designed to accommodate them should they eventually become less mobile,” Mr Baird says. 

“We have separate front doors and they have their own living area, kitchen and bathroom.”

98 Union Street, Westgarth

The home’s location in Warrawee has one main benefit for Mr Baird, “Space, space and more space”.

“We have a 1442-square metre block of land,” he says.

With the couple’s children still at home, the arrangement means their grandparents can easily step in for added support. 

“During the week, as my wife and I get home late from work, [my parents] have dinner with our children, help with the homework and get them ready for bed,” Mr Baird says.

“My mother does a significant amount of the housework during the week and my father shops for groceries and maintains the large garden that we share.”

98 Union Street, Westgarth

Peter and Roz Horsfield have also up-sized in the city, moving from a one-bedroom to a three-bedroom apartment in Cairns.

“Both of us work full-time, love to travel, dine out with friends or just ourselves, however we found it challenging to unwind and have our own space in a one-bedroom apartment, even when the apartment complex we were living in had nine swimming pools, a gym, tennis count and library!” Mr Horsfield says.

In their new apartment, the couple have their own bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes.

The Horsfields aren’t ruling out downsizing in the future, but if it won’t be for the traditional reasons.

“We eventually hope to house swap with people overseas. We believe a two-bed[room] apartment would broaden our choice of swap opportunities more than a one-bedroom or studio,” Mr Horsfield says.