A new survey has shown that basic factors such as public transport and proximity to hospital and shops are still the top considerations for retirees looking to downsize.

The survey of 514 seniors by Ellivo Architects showed that older respondents were more likely to want to stay in their current neighbourhood, with the highest ranked factors being:

• Close to public transport (84 per cent rated as high or moderate importance);
• Near a hospital or healthcare setting (83 per cent);
• Lovely landscape setting (77 per cent); and
• Close to local shops (75 per cent).

The research also found 27 per cent of retirees were turning to inner-city locations, the same number that were looking to move to rural areas.

The average age of entry for retirement village residents is now 72, according to an Urbis report last year.

With the average age of the “baby boomer” generation now 71, could we see a new wave of retirement village developments?

Picture: Scott Whiteoak, director of Ellivo Architects. Credit: Darren England