Areas of Sydney where over-65s are scheduled for surgery have been revealed

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Areas of Sydney where over-65s are scheduled for surgery have been revealed

Sydney’s aging population is expected to leave its traditional coastal hideaways for central and outer suburbs, with expected growth extending to over 65s in a surprising variety of locations.

Data from research firm Informed Decisions predicts NSW areas will grow in the 65s and show the largest growing areas by 2046.

Castle Hill leads the states forecast for the elderly population with an increase of 16,113 65s and over by 2046 followed by Austral recording a jump of 7,340 and Leppington with an increase of 6,827.

The next cities are Orange, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Bringelly, Lidcombe, Hurtsville and Auburn.

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25 English Avenue, Castle Hill sold for $2.3m on Jan 28

According to Demographics Group Demographer Simon Kuestenmacher, these emerging areas are influenced by the cost of living in Sydney.

Mr Kuestenmachr said the aging population was more likely to live in large family homes for longer and opt for intergenerational opportunities for affordability.

“It’s a huge market force – if they still want to stay in Sydney that doesn’t look attractive to low-income or low-income households,” he said.

“It makes perfect sense that these 65+ groups are not growing in the most expensive areas in the interior.”

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Simon Kuestenmacher at the Gold Coast Bulletin Future Gold Coast 2025 at the Sea World Resort Conference Centre. Photo, Portia Large for Gold Coast at Large.

Simon Kuestenmacher. Photo, Portia Large for Gold Coast at Large.

Mr Kuestenmacher said the focus on the outer areas for growth is “not surprising” and will be driven mainly by the aging population in this group.

“They may not actually be downsizing at all, but they may be living in their homes and just putting a stamp on it at over 65,” he said.

“You would expect this to be in suburbs populated by families in their 30s.”

Mr Kuestenmacher said the suburbs were also making new developments.

“If there is land that can be broken up, it will end up being eaten and they will build houses there,” he said.

The increase in the elderly population is also driven by those with equity in their homes, using this to downsize and invest.

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Paul Conti of Ray White Castle Hill has been selling real estate in the suburb since 1998 and in his 26+ years on the floor, the veteran agent has seen a clear shift in the area’s aging population.

“This practice continues,” he said.

“Baby boomers are moving out of family homes, opening up equity, and increasingly choosing apartments over houses to get lifestyle benefits and cash out for retirement, often early retirement.”

Mal and Kathy Walker are downsizing their five-bedroom family home in Westleigh.

Their search began on the northern beaches before realizing it was “too expensive”, leading them to buy a unit at The Residences, Wahroonga.

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“It’s very central, minutes from the M1, has access to two different railway lines, and is surrounded by about four stations,” said Mr Walker.

The hikers lived right in the forest and the “real tick” was the unit of observation in the stream.

“If we’re going to bring that down, it’s one thing, but to have a little view and look out over the creek and the forest, that’s really attractive to us,” Mr Walker said.

Ms Walker said certain things that attracted them such as light-filled living spaces and walking paths helped them prepare to leave their home.

“You must feel drawn to the atmosphere in this place, but we realized that we can do the maintenance of the house physically,” he said.

They also appreciate the ability to walk and lock up and go and ask Kathy to work in the garden.

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Although it was fun to downsize, Mr Walker said it was difficult to live close to the suburbs where you live.

“There is not much money left, in fact we will be fighting to escape,” he said.

“You have to pay your bills and you have to pay a lot of stamp duty.

“I think that is something that the state government should look at to alleviate the housing crisis, how to reduce people like us who are in their 60s so that families can get into their own homes.”