Lifestyle and Amenities in 2026: What Downsizers Now Expect

Lifestyle is no longer an upgrade — it’s the baseline

In 2026, lifestyle has become one of the strongest drivers of downsizing decisions. Retirement living is no longer evaluated purely on location or affordability; it is judged on how well it supports day-to-day enjoyment, independence and wellbeing.

The PwC–RLC Retirement Census 2024 shows that modern retirement villages are evolving into multi-dimensional lifestyle environments, designed to support physical health, social connection and personal fulfilment. For many Australians, the decision to downsize now hinges on one question: What will my life actually look like there? Positive ageing is ageing well | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing 

Early planners are redefining expectations

For early planners like Sue and Greg (57 & 64), lifestyle is the primary motivation. They are still working, financially secure, and researching years ahead — not because they need to move, but because they want to move well.
Their expectations include:

• • Onsite fitness and wellness facilities

  • Café or dining options

  • Walkability to shops and services

  • Spaces for socialising without obligation

  • Lock-up-and-leave convenience for travel

• This cohort does not see retirement living as a scaled-down version of life. Instead, they see it as a way to strip out maintenance and complexity while retaining — or even enhancing — lifestyle quality.
  Villages that promote lifestyle early, rather than waiting until urgency sets in, are increasingly appealing to this group.

Lifestyle as reassurance for hesitant movers

For Lucy and John (65 & 70), lifestyle plays a more nuanced role. One partner may be ready to embrace change; the other may still feel anchored to the family home.
Amenities help bridge this emotional gap. Villages offering:

• Guest accommodation for visiting family

• Flexible dining and entertaining spaces

• Transport services

• Communal areas that don’t feel institutional can make the transition feel less like a loss and more like a gain.

In 2026, villages that allow residents to engage socially on their own terms — without pressure — are particularly attractive to couples navigating different readiness levels.

“Lifestyle amenities are no longer about luxury — they are about easing the emotional transition into a new chapter.”

Wellness becomes a core expectation

Across all personas, wellness has moved from “nice to have” to essential. Retirement living in 2026 increasingly includes:

• Low-impact fitness classes

• Allied health services

• Walking paths and green spaces

• Mindfulness and relaxation programs

For Jenny and Paul (73 & 74), wellness amenities are closely tied to longevity and independence. Staying active reduces future care needs and helps preserve quality of life — a key priority as they transition out of full-time work.
For Claire (68), recently divorced and downsizing alone, wellness programs provide more than physical benefit. They offer routine, confidence and gentle social connection during a period of personal change. Physical activity and exercise guidelines for all Australians

Lifestyle as emotional support

Lifestyle design is also increasingly recognised as a form of emotional infrastructure. Solo downsizers, particularly women, often prioritise environments that feel welcoming rather than overwhelming.
Spaces that encourage casual interaction — such as shared lounges, gardens or small group activities — help reduce isolation without forcing participation.
For Ruth (78), lifestyle amenities may be simpler: a pleasant communal space, organised activities, and a sense of daily rhythm. These elements support wellbeing just as much as formal care services.

Designing for choice, not obligation

A defining feature of successful villages in 2026 is choice. Residents want:

• Activities they can opt into

• Spaces they can use privately or socially

• Amenities that support both quiet and active lifestyles

This flexibility allows villages to cater to diverse personalities and life stages — from highly social early retirees to more reserved, later-life movers.

The bottom line

In 2026, lifestyle amenities are not optional extras. They are central to how Australians evaluate retirement living — emotionally, socially and practically.
Villages that understand lifestyle as a holistic experience, rather than a checklist of features, will continue to attract informed and confident downsizers.

1. Retirement in 2026: A Market at a Crossroads
2. The Affordability Equation in 2026: Why Costs Matter More Than Ever
3. Vertical Villages: Why Australians Are Moving Up in 2026
4. Home Care Will Define Retirement Living in 2026
5. The New Downsizer of 2026: Who’s Moving, and Why It Matters
6. Women, Longevity and the Changing Face of Retirement Living in 2026
7. Lifestyle and Amenities in 2026: What Downsizers Now Expect