The way Australian families live is shifting before our eyes.
I’m seeing more of my clients embrace multigenerational living, adjusting their homes to accommodate adult children staying longer or welcoming elderly parents back home.
Through my work helping families find their ideal properties, I’ve noticed this movement is transforming how we think about our living spaces.
The traditional family home setup is giving way to more flexible, inclusive arrangements that bring multiple generations together under one roof. It’s creating stronger family bonds and practical support systems that work for everyone involved.
The property market is being reshaped by this change, influencing how families decide where to live. It reflects the realities of modern family life and the importance of designing homes that truly meet evolving needs.
The Reality of Modern Family Living
Young adults are living at home longer and are primarily focused on saving money. In cases where they do move out, many opt to rent houses with friends, splitting the costs to make it more manageable.
The rental market has adapted to this shift, with more properties becoming available that suit shared living arrangements.
Simultaneously, I’m observing more families modifying their homes to welcome older generations back, creating spaces that accommodate everyone’s needs while maintaining privacy and independence.
What makes this shift remarkable is how it blends practicality with emotional connections.
One family I worked with brilliantly demonstrates how well this arrangement can work. The grandparents have become integral to daily family life, helping with school pickups and childcare while maintaining their independence.
Their house is thoughtfully designed, with the grandparents having their own kitchenette, bedroom and lounge area downstairs.
It’s interesting how multigenerational living naturally creates shared spaces, even in homes designed for independence. The grandparents occupy the smaller part of the house, yet their space has become the family’s favourite gathering spot.
This organic development of shared spaces while maintaining private areas seems to be a key factor in successful multigenerational living. These changing living arrangements are pushing us to think differently about home design.
Rethinking Home Design for Multiple Generations
The usual layout of Australian homes will need to evolve.
We might see larger living spaces dedicated to grandparents. These changes will need to consider everyone’s comfort and safety.
My Italian background gives me a unique perspective on this shift.
In Italy, it’s common for extended families to live in close proximity. In my own family’s experience, my grandfather lived in his own apartment until he was 103.
Despite the simplicity of his setup—two small apartments, one for sleeping and one for cooking and entertaining—it allowed him to stay independent and mobile while staying close to family.
This European lifestyle challenges the common Australian belief that families need big houses with yards for children.
The reality is different.
Kids spend most of their day at school. They might play outside for half an hour after school before dinner, homework and bedtime. A backyard often sits unused.
Multigenerational living focuses more on creating meaningful connections.
For Italian families like mine, life revolves around the kitchen table. Food brings everyone together. The kitchen truly becomes the heart of the home, sometimes even including a small desk for everyday activities.
Location Matters More Than Ever
When I’m helping families find suitable properties for multigenerational living, location becomes a major factor to consider. The priorities change depending on family needs.
I’ve noticed an interesting pattern in my clients’ preferences.
While young families typically focus on school zones, multigenerational households have different requirements.
Hospital proximity ranks high on the list, especially for families with older parents.
I helped a client find a home near Royal North Shore Hospital. He still travelled frequently but wanted that peace of mind. His daughter visited from London and specifically mentioned her relief about the hospital’s proximity.
Seeing how adult children worry about their parent’s well-being is heartwarming. They think about practical questions.
Which hospital would their parents go to in an emergency? How would they get there if something happened while the children were at work?
Creative Housing Solutions
Families are finding innovative ways to create shared living spaces, with granny flats becoming increasingly popular.
Several of my clients have built granny flats in their backyards before their children’s marriages.
In one case, the parents kept the main house while the young couple moved into the granny flat. Interestingly, even with separate spaces, the young family spends most of their time in the main house.
Another popular approach I’m seeing is duplex arrangements.
Builders now regularly buy sites specifically for duplex development.
I’m currently working with two brothers who took an innovative approach. Their parents helped them buy a block with an existing house, and being an architect, one brother is planning a duplex development.
They later realised they might have structured it differently – perhaps having one brother in the original house and their parents in one of the duplex units.
It shows how these arrangements need careful planning.
Getting the Structure Right
Once you’ve found the right property and design solution, there’s another vital aspect to consider. The legal and financial aspects of multigenerational living need careful consideration.
My advice to clients is simple.
Talk to an estate lawyer before making any property decisions.
These conversations should happen well before signing contracts. There are many questions to consider.
How will you structure the ownership? Will the property be under one person’s name? Should you opt for tenants in common?
Some families might benefit from trust structures. Others might prefer different ownership arrangements. Each option comes with its own implications for taxes and estate planning.
I’ve seen how proper planning helps families hold onto their properties long-term. It can prevent complications with taxes and make future transitions smoother.
Your financial advisor or accountant should also be part of these discussions. They can help you understand the long-term implications of different arrangements.
The right structure depends on your family’s specific situation.
Are the parents downsizing and buying another property?
Will adult children contribute to the mortgage?
These decisions affect both current living arrangements and future inheritances.
Conclusion
The shift toward multigenerational living is transforming Australian families and the property market. We’re not just talking about financial savings. We’re discussing creating homes that work for everyone, from young adults to ageing parents.
The benefits include shared childcare responsibilities, reduced living costs and stronger intergenerational bonds.
I’d love to help you explore your options if you’re considering this lifestyle change. Book a free consultation, and let’s find the perfect property for your extended family’s needs.
