Despite the resistance by coastal suburbs to welcome apartment living into their community – the research from the WA Apartment Advocacy has clearly shown that this status is going to have to change – and soon.
Of the 155 apartment owner occupiers surveyed, 15% had been living in a coastal location before then moving into their apartment (19% living on the coast). However when asked where they would choose to live next time – 70% stated an apartment and 49% stated a coastal location. 44% also indicated they would choose riverside. This was evenly dispersed across all age groups.
Of the 113 renters interviewed, 11% had been living on the coast and 14% moved into a coastal apartment. But when asked where they would choose to live next 73% stated an apartment and 47% demonstrated a preference to coastal locations.
Of those living in the inner city – the owner occupiers showed a movement away from this address with a drop of 61% to 50% as this being their preferred location.
With Perth’s apartment market still very young, and limited supply in restricted locations, Perth apartment livers have chosen the best from what is on offer.
But ultimately what they want is access to the coast – which up until now has only been available to the privileged.
Councils that have therefore chosen to listen to the 5% of their population who reject apartment living have quite obviously chosen to ignore the majority who want this choice (and rightly so) for their home.
It is a message that Councils and Government will now need to start listening to.
At PropertyESP we are glad for this intelligence which raises the argument for permitting apartment living in key locations such as Trigg, Scarborough, Cottesloe and so forth. Because without it – all we hear are the nay sayers. But now there is a larger voice speaking up – and they are saying yay for choice!
PropertyESP 