Should you retire in Belconnen?

When it comes time to retire, you might be thinking that you're ready to downsize to somewhere a little smaller. In your search for property, you've been through all sorts of places, but none of them are suitable for older residents who have needs quite different to the average Canberran.

You've found just the right Belconnen apartment, but you want to make sure that you'll be able to enjoy your retirement in the local community. So is Belconnen the place for you?

Are you looking for a place to retire?

Establishing the issues

Older people have all sorts of concerns that can sometimes be completely unknown to younger homebuyers. Uneven paths, the need for local health centres and even something as simple as feeling isolated can have a big effect on retirees.

These are the issues that older people face. Uneven pathways make already-difficult foot travel even more hazardous, while poor public transport and roads could make accessing an already-overburdened health system even worse.

Belconnen solutions

Australia is experiencing an aging population, with those over 75 reaching 14.4 per cent of the population by 2060 according to modelling by the Productivity Commission. Keeping this in mind, it is unsurprising that local governments and councils are making efforts to ensure that their suburbs are ready for this influx of those from the older generations.

So what is Belconnen doing? Quite a lot.

Firstly, the district is already undergoing a community consultation and subsequent revamp specifically to improve the age-friendliness of the suburbs of Kaleen and Monash. Suggested improvements include better paving, more places to rest and widened pathways, making these areas far easier to navigate for everyone. 

Secondly, we are soon going to be feeling the benefits of the Light Rail Project passing through Belconnen. In a survey from the Australian National University, it was found that "more frequent, reliable buses" were the most suggested solution to the problem of transport for older people. The light rail presents an even better outcome: faster and more efficient transport for everyone, from retirees to teenagers.

Lastly, we have a new hospital being built right on our doorstep, making health problems far easier to deal with. Reduced wait times, modern equipment and a range of services make Belconnen the place to be for older residents.

There you have it. If you're looking for a place to retire that keeps the needs of older residents at the forefront of the future, Belconnen might be perfect for you. For more information on Belconnen real estate for sale, speak to the team at Ray White Belconnen.