Parks and wildlife the new ‘lusthaves’ post coronavirus

FORGET butler’s pantries and all that jazz, if you want to know what Queenslanders want most out of where they live post coronavirus, you’re going to have to get a little wilder.

New research by one of the country’s biggest developers of housing estates Stockland found that Queenslanders were the least satisfied of all Aussies (17 per cent) with the space in their home “after having spent significantly more time there during lockdowns”.

Queenslanders have been fortunate to avoid Melbourne-style coronavirus lockdown, with most against moving interstate now.

Queenslanders were also the most likely to move home in the next 10 years, coming in at 50 per cent compared to the national figure of 43 per cent.

When it came to where Queenslanders’ dream home location was, it was all about parks and wildlife.

A massive 44 per cent said post COVID-19, “I now prefer living somewhere with easy access to parks and green spaces.

One in five Queenslanders said the location did not matter as much now but cost and affordability did, which was also the same for those who now want to live closer to family (20 per cent).

Just 8 per cent want to live in the city now while 15 per cent were after a change living away from the city.

Stockland Communities sales general manager Stephanie Mackenzie said the global pandemic had forced Australians to spend more time in their homes and communities.

“The phrase ‘there’s no place like home’ is ringing true more than ever. This new way of life has seen people think more critically about whether their current home and neighbourhood meets their needs and lifestyles and, importantly, the impact of these on the health and wellbeing of their families,” she said.

“A new trend has emerged, with Australians now wanting the convenience and services of the inner city but the space and community living of the suburbs. People don’t want to settle for one or the other.”

Despite everything, Queenslanders, South Australians and Tasmanians were the least likely to move interstate, with 77 per cent of Queenslanders saying they would not consider it, and 83 per cent of South Australian and Tasmanian respondents.

If a Queenslander did decide to move post COVID-19, it would be for a better lifestyle (65 per cent, for better job opportunities (35 per cent), to be closer to family/ friends (35 per cent), to buy the home I want for less money (21 per cent) or because it’s too busy in my current city/state (8 per cent).

Over half of Queensland respondents said sustainability and environmental features were more important to them now (51 per cent), while 47 per cent said outdoor living was more important to them now, and 35 per cent picked smart technology.

“Connectivity to outdoor space, community and parks remain the preference, more so than before COVID,” according to Stockland, with 73 per cent of Queenslanders preferring a smaller home with little outdoor space but connected to a great community and parks.

Australian social researcher, Dr Rebecca Huntley, said spending months at home and away from family and friends had seen a significant shift in Aussies’ desire for personal space but also closeness and connectedness to the world around us.

“Our homes have always been important to us but they are now our ‘everything’. I anticipate we’ll see a remarkable change in how and where we live in the future, as well as increasing emphasis on looking for communities that meet our changing needs.”