5 things to love about compact living

Most of us aren’t quite ready to jump on the tiny home trend; however, more and more Australians are choosing homes with a compact footprint over the traditional quarter-acre dream – and with good reason. Smaller homes often mean smaller mortgages, less time (and money) spent on home upkeep and maintenance, access to desirable neighbourhoods, and the opportunity to experience a new sense of freedom.

While there are plenty of things to love about compact living, here, we look at the 5 biggest benefits of living small(er):

1. Affordability

For many home buyers, the appeal of apartment living is becoming increasingly popular for several reasons. Apartment living provides the flexibility to afford to live in a location you prefer - an opportunity that many home buyers find hard to pass up.

Smaller homes like apartments and townhouses typically deliver on affordability well beyond the purchase price too. Their smaller footprint often means ongoing operating costs (like heating, cooling, lighting, and maintenance) are drastically reduced, as are other less direct expenses (such as savings on transport costs in walkable communities – more on that later).

 “In Cedar Woods communities, we typically offer many lot sizes that cater to different property types and floor plans to suit different buyers’ needs.”

2. A clean slate

Whether you’re downsizing, purchasing your first home, or simply moving to a different neighbourhood, more compact properties like townhouses and apartments lend themselves to a more minimalist lifestyle that is free of clutter – and as the saying goes, a clear space leads to a clear mind.

Moving is the perfect time to embrace your inner Marie Kondo and let go of things that no longer ‘spark joy’, part ways with old inherited furnishings and idle loft or wardrobe possessions. Embracing a more minimalist lifestyle lets you get clever with smart storage solutions and is an opportunity to refresh your décor. Best of all, compact spaces mean you won’t need to spend thousands of dollars furnishing your new abode. Read more about moving into an apartment here.

3. Environmental considerations

The tide is turning away from excessive consumerism in favour of more mindful consumption and ultimately towards living a lifestyle higher on sustainability and environmental awareness. In fact, a recent report found that more than 80% of Australian homebuyers consider sustainable features in a property to be crucial in their decision-making.

Many new developments are being created with sustainability at the heart of the project, and Cedar Woods is leading the charge with master-planned communities such as Bushmead – a truly sustainable community just 16km from the Perth CBD, where a range of different housing options are available.

What’s more, smaller homes like townhouses and apartments are often positioned to leverage local amenities, which means you can leave the car at home more often than not - a win for you, and the environment.

4. Locations to love

Opting for a more petite piece of paradise can come with some sizeable benefits when it comes to location. Often, townhouses and apartments are built within established communities, meaning key amenities, transport, and infrastructure can quite literally be on your doorstep. And the community factor isn’t one to be overlooked either - Australians love to feel connected to neighbours and live close to parks and community green spaces - a perk of all Cedar Woods communities.

Want to hear what current residents of Cedar Woods townhouses and apartments have to say? Here, they share their property journeys.

5. Low maintenance living

Small but perfectly formed properties prioritise living over maintenance. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 70% of couples with dependants have both parents employed, meaning the days of one parent staying home to tend to housework, gardening and sweeping leaves from the driveway are well and truly a thing of the past.

Whether you’re a retiree, working parent or simply someone that wants to spend less time mowing lawns and more time enjoying life, apartments and townhouses are a great choice for lovers of low-maintenance living. Struggling to decide if an apartment or townhouse is more your style? Here’s what you need to consider.

Could a smaller home be right for you?

Compact living provides home buyers – at all different stages in their property journey – with so many benefits. Our guide Apartment building vs townhouse living – what’s right for you? will help you to understand the key differences between these two types of homes, along with what community and location factors you need to take into consideration, tips for downsizing, how to choose the right developer to partner with for your move, and so much more. Read it here.