17.10.2025 (The Upside of Downsizing)
The Upside of Downsizing: Community
Study 4. Desired Amenities and Community Features
Amenities and community aspects significantly influence a downsizer’s decision and satisfaction.
A new found family.
Pools, gyms, lifts, and communal areas make a big impact. A welcoming foyer, greenery, and even an on-site café add comfort and character to everyday life.
Community:
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- Downsizers often find themselves establishing equal or greater relationships within their new community, both within the complex and the local village. This includes having good neighbours of different ages who help each other
Complex Amenities:
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- A pool in the complex is desired by many
- Communal spaces are valued and used
- A welcoming foyer with greenery is important for both residents and guests
- For those in built-up developments an on-site café is an amenity many would enjoy
- Access to a gym is important
- Lifts are non-negotiable
Location & Proximity:
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- Walking distance to parks, cafes, restaurants, and bars
- Close to facilities, shopping centres, and hospitals
- Most prefer being close to the city, or coastal
- Not wanting to move far from friends and family
The most successful downsizing decisions come from focusing on personal needs. Developers can support this by deigning homes that reflect current lifestyles, not past obligations.