Aside from convenience, walkability and lock-up-and-leave freedom, what does an ideal downsizer property actually offer? Images: Per Se.
Australia needs more downsizer-friendly homes to ease the housing crunch, but for many downsizers, the challenge is finding a move that feels like a step forward, not a step down.
A lack of suitable alternatives has been reported as a key reason why downsizers are holding onto the family home rather than freeing it up for young families.
Canberra downsizer Jeannie says while most downsizers want homes that are low-maintenance, easy to access, and close to the people and places they love, they also want homes designed for the way they want to live — and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for that.
She says contrary to common thought, downsizers aren’t chasing less space; they’re chasing more ease, more comfort and a lifestyle that feels like an upgrade rather than a compromise.
“I’m used to a spacious bedroom with an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe, and I’m a bit of a clothes fanatic. So I was looking for more than the three-by-three bedrooms you see in a lot of new buildings,” she says.
“My other big criterion was more than a tiny balcony in terms of outdoor spaces. I wanted space to host friends al fresco, to keep some potted plants and maybe even have a small spa.”
After her husband passed away about a year ago, Jeannie decided it was time to move away from the family home.
“A 50-year-old house on a 1000 sqm block had become more than I could cope with,” she says.
She found everything she wanted in Ethos, a new development in Belconnen slated for delivery in mid-2026.
The project by Per Se developments will deliver 88 apartments in total, comprising two and three-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom penthouse sky homes.
Every residence will face north, overlooking Lake Ginninderra, the Brindabella ranges and lush surrounds.
“I was visiting a friend in Cirrus, next door to the Ethos site and was impressed. The building was thoughtfully oriented so she had sun in the living room in winter, but not in the summer. It had great amenities and a good use of space; all it was missing was a big outdoor area,” she says.
“Ethos had just opened for sales, and when I saw a unit with a 45 sqm garden terrace, I bought off the plan. I haven’t found anything like it anywhere else.
“The plan for Ethos looks structurally beautiful and simple, with an orientation that seems to invite the sun right through to the back of the kitchen. I’m leaving a house that’s all north-facing, with sliding windows onto a deck. It will be nice to continue in that vein.”
For downsizers looking for a place that feels like a fresh chapter rather than a footnote, it’s important to consider which factors will deliver the lifestyle you’re after.
These factors might include shared amenities, top-notch security, additional parking for visitors, location in a vibrant area or all of the above.
Jeannie says she searched “all over Canberra” before settling on a location that met another critical consideration for downsizers.
“I didn’t want to be anywhere that would require me to use a car when I needed services,” she says.
“Realistically, I know there will be a time, hopefully later rather than sooner, when I won’t want to drive.
“From Ethos, I’ll be able to reach everything I need on foot.”
Jeannie is looking forward to moving into her new home once it is complete.
For her, the benefit of her move will extend to her loved ones.
“My mum stayed in her family home until she was in her 90s, and it was an enormous job to clear her house when she had to move to a nursing home,” she says. “I’m making a concerted effort to declutter. Downsizing will certainly help with that.”
For more information, visit Ethos.
