Vertical Villages: Why Australians Are Moving Up in 2026

A dramatic shift in how Australia ages

Retirement living in Australia is changing shape — literally. The PwC–RLC Retirement Census 2024 reveals that more than half of all upcoming retirement village developments are vertical or mid-rise buildings, marking a major shift from traditional sprawling, ground-level communities. The future's looking up at these 13 amazing new vertical retirement villages across Australia

This evolution isn’t just about architecture. It reflects deep changes in lifestyle expectations, affordability pressures, land availability, and care needs — and it aligns closely with the motivations of Downsizing.com.au’s core personas.

Why vertical living is booming

For decades, the stereotypical retirement village was leafy, low-rise and suburban. But in 2026, downsizers increasingly want to remain connected — to family, culture, healthcare, shops and transport. Vertical villages meet this desire perfectly. Infrastructure Australia

Developers are responding with multi-level buildings offering:

• Walkable access to cafés, retail and parks

• Onsite wellness centres and gyms

• Rooftop gardens and communal terraces

• Concierge and hospitality-style services

• Enhanced security and technology

• Efficient land use in high-demand locations

Vertical villages are not a compromise — they are a lifestyle upgrade.

Which personas are driving this shift?

Different motivations across your personas illuminate why vertical communities are surging.

Lifestyle-driven early planners: Sue & Greg

Sue and Greg (57 & 64) are adventurous, financially comfortable, and planning 2–5 years ahead. For them, vertical villages offer the energy and convenience of urban living without maintenance responsibilities.

Their checklist includes:

• A gym close by

• A café culture

• Walkability

• Easy lock-up-and-leave for travel

Vertical villages often sit in vibrant, lifestyle-rich suburbs — exactly what appeals to early researchers who are prioritising enjoyment over downsizing urgency.

“Why would we move somewhere quiet,” Greg says, “when we can move somewhere connected?”

The undecided couple: Lucy & John

Lucy and John (65 & 70) represent a tug-of-war between lifestyle and family priorities. Lucy dreams of a coastal move; John wants to stay close to adult children.

Vertical villages situated in suburban hubs or emerging coastal precincts provide the middle ground: high-amenity living without isolating them from family support networks.

This persona highlights the power of location diversity — something vertical developments can deliver more easily than traditional sites.

The financially-conscious couple: Jenny & Paul

Jenny and Paul (73 & 74), nearing retirement and concerned about long-term affordability, benefit from vertical design in a different way. Vertical developments typically offer:

• Smaller, more affordable footprints

• Energy-efficient features

• Lower maintenance and utilities

• Predictable ongoing fees

“We want security and cost control,” Jenny says — and many vertical villages now offer exactly that.

Their interest underscores how vertical villages often create affordability advantages that help residents protect more equity into retirement.

The researcher-daughter: Anna

For Anna, 55, researching options for her elderly father, the appeal is in safety, accessibility, and care integration.

Vertical villages often incorporate:

• 24/7 emergency response

• Lift access throughout buildings

• Onsite care teams

• Proximity to medical precincts and hospitals

These features give family decision-makers confidence that ageing parent(s) will be supported over time without multiple relocations. Support at Home program | My Aged Care

The cautious solo buyer: Claire

Claire, 68 and recently divorced, finds comfort in the community and security of vertical designs. Multi-resident floors, strong security systems, and staff presence help relieve fears about isolation or safety.

For cautious buyers like Claire, vertical communities offer:

• A sense of belonging

• Residents close by

• Visible support

• More structured social programming

What once felt like “apartment living” now feels like supportive independence.

The care-motivated resident: Ruth

Ruth, 78 and widowed, is losing confidence living alone. Her primary concern: “Will someone be there if I need help?”

PwC data shows 79% of villages offering integrated home care, and vertical villages are emerging as ideal hubs for these services thanks to:

• Centralised care rooms

• Dedicated staff offices

• Shorter distances for support teams

• Secure entry points for carers

For Ruth, vertical living isn’t about lifestyle — it’s about dignity, safety, and continuity of care.

“Vertical villages are no longer the future of retirement living — they are the new normal.”

The design features making vertical living ideal for ageing

Vertical villages are built with universal design at their core:

• Zero-step entries

• Level flooring

• Lift access

• Large corridors

• High acoustic performance

• Assistive technologies

• Excellent lighting

• Smart home integration

These features allow residents to age in place safely.

Community-building: the hidden strength of vertical living

One of the misconceptions is that vertical villages limit social connection. In reality, the opposite is true.

Developments now prioritise:

• Communal lounges

• Rooftop terraces

• Wellness classes

• Hobby studios

• Internal cafés and bars

• Resident-led interest clubs

This structure creates spontaneous interaction — something many ground-level villages struggle to deliver consistently. Levande Cambridge

For personas like Claire or Ruth, this sense of community is essential.

The bottom line: vertical is here to stay

Vertical retirement communities in 2026 provide:

• Better locations

• More amenities

• Stronger community

• Better access to healthcare

• Greater safety

• Higher design quality

• Predictable affordability

They respond to the needs of every persona — from early planners to care-motivated movers.

Australia’s ageing population is urbanising — and vertical villages are leading the way.

It is part of the affordability equation itself.