For twenty years, the story of Australian housing was apartments. Cranes over the CBD, young professionals in one-bedroom towers, cafes on every corner.
Today, that story is quietly ending, and almost nobody in property or planning has caught up with it yet.
The generation that built the apartment boom is now the generation walking away from it, and where they go next is going to reshape entire suburbs.
Australia's largest generation is entering a new stage of life, and that is going to change what millions of people want from their homes.
In this episode Simon Kuestenmacher and I explain how Australia's largest generation is reshaping housing demand.
By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly which property types are about to come into serious demand, and which ones risk being left behind.
We explore why millennials are moving from inner-city apartments towards larger homes with bedrooms, storage, outdoor space and room for hybrid work.
We discuss how the "Millennial Mountain" is influencing consumer behaviour, family formation, property preferences and future urban development.
We examine why Australia's missing middle remains difficult to deliver, despite growing demand for townhouses, duplexes and medium-density housing.
We consider what demographic change, intergenerational wealth transfers and shifting suburb preferences could mean for property investors over the coming decades.
Takeaways
• Millennials are reshaping demand for family-sized housing
• Hybrid work increases demand for additional bedrooms
• Family formation is reducing apartment-only preferences
• Quality apartments still require practical family layouts
• Inner-city apartments may become increasingly commoditised
• Australia struggles to deliver medium-density housing
• Urban fringe development remains cheaper than infill
• Demographics influence spending throughout people's lives
• Parental wealth increasingly affects home ownership access
• Middle suburbs may face future density pressure
Chapters
• 02:42 - How big the millennial generation actually is
• 05:47 - The millennial mountain and the pig in the python
• 08:38 - Why apartments stop working once the kids arrive
• 17:53 - The missing middle and why cities can't be retrofitted
• 29:38 - What our cities will look like by 2046
About Simon Kuestenmacher
Simon Kuestenmacher is co-founder and Director – The Demographics Group.
Simon is a prolific media commentator on demographic and data matters and a columnist for The New Daily and The Australian newspapers.
He ranks as one of the world's Top 10 influencers in data visualisation. If you can't get enough of the kind of data that explains how the world works, make sure to follow Simon on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) or any of his other social channels.
Click here for a media enquiry or if you would like to book Simon Kuestenmacher for a speaking engagement. His presentations and quirky observations are enjoyed by audiences from the financial services, property, government, education, technology, retail and professional services industries, among others.
About Michael Yardney
Michael Yardney - founder Metropole Property Strategists has been voted one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders.
While he is best known as a property expert, Michael is also Australia's leading expert in the psychology of success and wealth creation.
Michael is a #1 best selling author of 9 books and frequently challenges traditional finance advice with innovative ideas on property investment, personal finance and wealth creation.
Follow Michael on LinkedIn or Instagram
Are you interested in property investment - let the team at Metropole build you a Strategic Property Plan to help give you clarity, direction and wealth - producing results.
Also, please subscribe to my other podcast, Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast. Just look for it wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.
About Demographics Decoded
Demographics drive economic performance, workforce participation and long-term prosperity.
Demographics Decoded explores:
• Workforce participation trends in Australia
• Labour shortages and skills gaps
• Productivity and economic growth
• Urbanisation and employment hubs
• Small business and demographic demand
• The future of work in Australia
• Education, skills and economic mobility
• Regional economic development
If you're a business owner, investor or decision maker who wants to anticipate structural change rather than react to headlines, this podcast gives you the demographic intelligence to stay ahead.
Explore more insights at:
https://demographicsdecoded.com.au
