Invest
Do you live in one of the top 7 retirement destinations?
As health standards in old age improve, where we spend our golden years becomes more important. According to a property research firm, these are the top spots.
Do you live in one of the top 7 retirement destinations?
As health standards in old age improve, where we spend our golden years becomes more important. According to a property research firm, these are the top spots.
RiskWise Property Research has revealed the seven hottest regions for retirees in terms of lifestyle, value for money and capital growth potential.
“The decision where to retire is a big one and definitely requires careful consideration,” RiskWise CEO Doron Peleg said.
“Typically, the top three factors in retirees’ decisions are the area must suit their (new) lifestyle and passions, it must be affordable for them and it also needs to deliver long-term capital growth, so they’ll be able to leave something for the children.”
With these specifications in mind, RiskWise identified these as the top seven areas for retirees looking to buy a house.
1. Sunshine Coast, Queensland
With an idyllic climate, this spot 100 kilometres from Brisbane means retirees have both the calm of regional living, while being an hour’s drive of the city, RiskWise said.
While properties in Noosa tend to be around $1 million, neighbouring suburbs like Kenilworth, Eumundi and Peregian Beach have more accessible prices.
Peregian Beach and Coolum Beach have particularly solid capital growth, with median prices of $764,000 and $638,000 respectively.
2. Gold Coast, Queensland
Once nicknamed God’s Waiting Room, the Gold Coast is also an hour’s drive from Brisbane and is the sixth largest Australian city.
RiskWise said this city appeals to retirees interested in enjoying its natural beauty and cultural pursuits, while connecting with like-minded retirees.
The Gold Coast has a stable market that offers “relatively affordable” beachside suburbs, like Miami, which has an average house price of $749,000 and provides solid long-term capital growth.
3. Central Coast, NSW
With reasonable access to Sydney, but a more affordable price point, the Central Coast also offers coastline, beaches, national parks and waterfalls.
This region is home to suburbs like North Avoca, Terrigal and Wamberal, which are all likely to have solid long-term capital growth, with price points on $1 million, $919,000 and $994,000, respectively.
4. Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
A solid property market with median house prices of $742,000 means this popular tourist destination is also high on the list for retirees.
Houses in the Mornington Peninsula have seen capital growth of 48 per cent in the last five years.
The region is home to wineries, national parks, golf courses and beaches.
5. Byron Bay, NSW
The town once eponymous with “hippy” is now also a retirement hot spot.
With capital growth of 90 per cent over the past five years, Byron Bay is a destination for “cashed-up buyers who love true beachside living”, RiskWise said.
The median house price in Byron Bay is $1.37 million – so requires strong equity, the property research firm noted.
Nevertheless, it is a charming place for retirement, they added, noting that it’s hippy roots are transforming into a more mature town with plenty to offer retirees.
6. Hobart, Tasmania
Despite a colder climate, the historic city is a popular retiree destination. Known for its arts and culture scene, it’s also home to the scenery of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River.
Hobart has a median house price of $402,000 as well as strong capital growth and positive long-term outlook.
The added bonus is that its affordability means many suburbs are less than two kilometres away from the CBD, like North Hobart and South Hobart, with median prices of $582,000 and $631,000 respectively.
7. Hunter Valley, NSW
For the wine lovers, this region 120 kilometres north of Sydney is also growing in appeal for retirees.
It offers a diversity of price points, from $400,000 to multimillion-dollar properties, with many suburbs enjoying relatively strong capital growth recently, RiskWise said.
The firm pointed to Louth Park, which has a median house price of $889,000 and solid capital growth in recent years.
Breaking down the numbers
| State | Suburb | Postcode | Median house price | 1-year capital growth (%) | 5-year capital growth (%) |
| QLD | Coolum Beach | 4573 | $638,692 | 14 | 46 |
| Miami | 4220 | $749,117 | 9 | 55 | |
| Peregian | 4573 | $764,272 | 6 | 30 | |
| NSW | Byron Bay | 2481 | $1,374,998 | 26 | 91 |
| Louth Park | 2320 | $889,492 | 7 | 29 | |
| North Avoca | 2260 | $1,001,884 | 14 | 56 | |
| Terrigal | 2260 | $919,486 | 15 | 62 | |
| Wamberal | 2260 | $994, 196 | 19 | 81 | |
| VIC | Mornington | 3931 | $771,233 | 14 | 51 |
| TAS | North Hobart | 7000 | $582,143 | 32 | 56 |
| South Hobart | 7000 | $631,569 | 21 | 46 |
Reflecting on the findings, Mr Peleg said, “Each and every one of these areas delivered solid capital growth in recent years – some, obviously, better than the others – and they are also projected to deliver that in the long-term.
“Each retiree must make their own decisions based on personal preference and budget.”
Property
How to buy house and land packages in Australia
If you’re planning to buy a house and land package, it can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of such deals. Here’s our guide to make this purchase easier for you. ...Read more
Property
How first home buyers can take advantage of the budget
While the 2021 budget included a number of measures relevant to property investors, an expert has questioned whether any of them could yield an impact on rising buyer imbalances and reduced liveabilit...Read more
Property
First home buyers at the frontline of Frydenberg’s charm offensive
There are few surprises to be found in this year’s federal budget, with Australian property investors and first home buyers set to benefit from new and expanded measures. ...Read more
Property
May could be the beginning of the end for housing pricing boom
Experts have suggested that recent growth in prices could mark the peak of the pandemic bounceback for the housing market. ...Read more
Property
Treasurer announces home loan assistance packages for single parents
The federal government has announced a new scheme targeted at helping single parents with limited deposits into the housing market. ...Read more
Property
Australian housing market now valued at $8 trillion
The Australian dwelling market has reached a new record high, with the total value of residential real estate breaking the $8 trillion mark for the first time. ...Read more
Property
A generation of Aussies could be locked out of the housing market as prices boom
A booming property market is set to see a generation of younger Australians priced out of the market, a shadow assistant minister has said, challenging the narrative that younger people are failing...Read more
Property
Is the property market reaching its summit?
While home values continued to rise across the country in April, current trends are pointing to the possibility that the property market has peaked, a new report has revealed. ...Read more
Has the property market reached its peak; Biden’s climate summit and our sharemarket, and the upcoming budget
Listen now
Is the market overheating; should ETFs take your fancy, and what’s happening to the low and middle income tax offset?
Listen now
Home values up 30% (or are they); NFTs taking the world by storm, and why Keating thinks Aussies will be ‘poor’ in retirement
Listen now
Raging floods, the tech stock bubble and the ongoing SG debate
Listen now
Property
How to buy house and land packages in Australia
If you’re planning to buy a house and land package, it can be tricky if you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of such deals. Here’s our guide to make this purchase easier for you. ...Read more
Property
How first home buyers can take advantage of the budget
While the 2021 budget included a number of measures relevant to property investors, an expert has questioned whether any of them could yield an impact on rising buyer imbalances and reduced liveabilit...Read more
Property
First home buyers at the frontline of Frydenberg’s charm offensive
There are few surprises to be found in this year’s federal budget, with Australian property investors and first home buyers set to benefit from new and expanded measures. ...Read more
Property
May could be the beginning of the end for housing pricing boom
Experts have suggested that recent growth in prices could mark the peak of the pandemic bounceback for the housing market. ...Read more
Property
Treasurer announces home loan assistance packages for single parents
The federal government has announced a new scheme targeted at helping single parents with limited deposits into the housing market. ...Read more
Property
Australian housing market now valued at $8 trillion
The Australian dwelling market has reached a new record high, with the total value of residential real estate breaking the $8 trillion mark for the first time. ...Read more
Property
A generation of Aussies could be locked out of the housing market as prices boom
A booming property market is set to see a generation of younger Australians priced out of the market, a shadow assistant minister has said, challenging the narrative that younger people are failing...Read more
Property
Is the property market reaching its summit?
While home values continued to rise across the country in April, current trends are pointing to the possibility that the property market has peaked, a new report has revealed. ...Read more
More articles
Website Notifications
Get notifications in real-time for staying up to date with content that matters to you.
