New ABS statistics reveal that nearly three in four Western Australians plan to move into a different property soon – mostly within their state.
The figures amount to an estimated 491,000 adults living in Western Australia, who plan to make the move over the next three years.
The results were pulled from the ABS’ WA Housing Motivations and Intentions Survey, which collected information about current and future housing intentions among adults living in WA.
Director of WA State and Territory Statistical Services David Waymouth said the results show the lifestyle that most Western Australians want.
“Most Western Australians would like to live in a separate house, with 73% of those planning to move within WA in the next three years preferring a separate home to a townhouse, flat, unit, or apartment,” Waymouth said.
“Home ownership is also important, with 65% of Western Australians who plan to move within WA over the next three years showing a preference to own their home rather than rent.”
The survey also looked at 'future movers': adults indicating a plan to move in the next three years.
Just under half of all future movers had lived in their current home for less than two years. A further 24% had lived in their current home for between two and five years.
While 87% of future movers planned to stay within WA, a small proportion (9%) planned to move interstate or overseas.
Waymouth said the survey also looked at what may influence people when choosing a future house.
"When choosing their future home, just under half of future movers within WA said appearance and layout were factors influencing their decision. A better quality residence was important to 44%. Forty-two per cent of future movers within WA indicated familiarity with an area as a strong influence… being close to family or friends and access to facilities and services such as shops or schools mattered to 38%.”
The results also show that people’s priorities when moving home reflect their different stages of life. People in senior households were more likely to choose a home that was smaller (34%) or on a smaller block (27%). People in senior households were more likely than those in non-senior households to indicate being close to family or friends as important (56% compared with 36%).
