Humans of BuxtonMarket Forecast7 Jul 2026
Buxton’s State of Living Index: 6 Trends Reshaping Victoria
by Buxton Marketing
The Great Australian Dream is evolving. What it means to live well is shifting — and the homes we choose are changing with it.
Across Victoria, people are rethinking how they live. Sharing space. Multigenerational living. Choosing flexibility, time, and connection over convention.
As Buxton celebrates 165 years as Victoria’s original property partner, we turned to the people shaping this shift every day: Victorians. The State of Living Index captures what matters now — in real terms, not assumptions.
Here's what we found.
Time is the new currency
74% of Victorians say time and lifestyle freedom matter more than space. A shorter commute beats a bigger home (54% vs 46%) and for people in shared housing, it matters even more (83%). The quarter-acre dream has been overtaken by the clock.
New ways to buy
People are open to new ways to buy. 71% of people would consider buying a home with friends or family. Unsurprisingly, in the under 35s category, that percentage jumps to a whopping 80%. Nuclear family is slowly becoming chosen family.
Renting and other necessities
In today’s landscape, 45% see renting as a necessity, not a choice. Interestingly, 15% call it a long-term lifestyle choice, and 14% say it’s a financial strategy for them. Homeowners are more likely to see renting as a “short-term step before buying” (48%).
Rich with experience
It’s confirmed, the meaning of living well has shifted in recent years (85%). The responses were rich with language about wellbeing, balance, and financial pressure, knocking the old guard over when it comes to markers of success.
Closer beats bigger
When it comes to improving quality of life, people consistently chose closeness to family, friends, and work over extra square metres. A shorter commute came first (29%), living closer to family was second (26%), followed by a larger home (25%) and closer to nature (20%)
Family matters
57% of Victorians are open to multigenerational living. 8% already do it. And it's not just a young person's workaround: every age group sat between 50% and 66%. The most interesting part is who's most keen: 18–24s (66%) and 55–64s (65%). One group can't get into the market. The other wants family close as they get older. Different reasons, same front door.
Living well isn’t one thing anymore — it’s personal, and it’s changing.
More people at the table. More time in the day. A better balance between space and connection.
There’s no single right way forward. Just the one that fits you.
With 40 offices across Victoria and counting, Buxton is the property partner for every generation. From Bayside to Ballarat, the Mornington Peninsula to Geelong, we’ve helped thousands find their place and watched generations grow.
Founded in 1861, our heritage is a blueprint for progress and we look forward to building the next chapter with you.
We’ll meet you where you are.
Find your local Buxton.
About the Survey
The State of Living survey was conducted among 364 Victorians living across 57 local government areas in Victoria, spanning both metropolitan and regional communities, and included respondents aged between 18 and 65+ years. The research captured a broad cross-section of life stages, household types, and housing situations to better understand how attitudes toward home, lifestyle, and "living well" are evolving in contemporary Australia.