High-rises may be here to stay in Australia’s major cities, but the suburban dream is still alive and well Down Under. Most Aussies still think that kids should be growing up in the suburbs, approaching apartment living as a stepping stone on the way to suburban home ownership.

Apartment living is on the rise, as more young Australians are choosing lifestyle and location over housing affordability. The growth of shared spaces, such as community gardens, in apartment complexes is helping residents develop social relationships in traditionally isolated urban environments.

Rising prices are making it increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder in Australia, with younger generations finding it the hardest. Proptech startups like BrickX are making it possible to own a piece of the Australian Dream through fractional investing.

The number of Australians who live in homes with its own swimming pool has reached nearly 2.7 million in 2018. At a time when money is a top concern for Aussie families, the growth of domestic swimming pools reflects an embrace of home-based leisure over out-of-home spending.