The Western Australian government is so worried about the impact of the next boom on the state’s property prices that they are running an emergency meeting including State government officials and developers to consider how the state is going to avoid a repeat of the last property price bubble in Western Australia.
More on Australian Property Investors – Keep An Eye on WA’s Next Boom
Just released, Mercer’s 2008 Cost of Living Survey makes some interesting reading for those considering a move downunder, that is to Australia or New Zealand.
The Mercer’s survey looks at comparative costs for an expatriate moving to each of 150 world cities. The 2008 survey confirmed Moscow as the world’s most expensive city, the “winner” for three years in a row. Tokyo and London were second and third most expensive respectively The survey is still dominated by Asian and European cities in the top 10 spots but the Australia and Pacific region has been catching up – based, at least in part, on the weakening of the US dollar against most other major currencies.
A Private Park Home Village is a very Australian solution to the baby-boomer problem of how to downsize your home to free up the money you need to enjoy your retirement: without actually compromising your lifestyle.
Although some Australians prefer a permanent seachange or treechange others like to become “gray nomads” moving north for the sun during the cooler southern winter. This lifestyle is particularly popular for Tasmanians and Victorians but there are plenty of gray nomads who head north to avoid the winter weather of Perth or Sydney too.
The setup of the gray nomad lifestyle can easily cost $250,000 once a suitable tow vehicle, van and other gear is bought. So the first problem for the aspiring gray nomad is where to find that amount of cash. The other issue is how to lock up and leave your home for 6 months a year, without concerns about security and maintenance.
A Private Park Home Village is a solution for both issues. Residents of these home villages lease their own home and the village provides grounds maintenance and common facilities such as a pool, spa and additional parking for boats and motor homes. The park homes are typically steel framed low maintenance construction and the option is there to either maintain your own garden or have it done for you. These facilities are modeled on the typical Australian holiday park with one important difference: no temporary holiday makers. This means that a Private Home Park has a stable population and good security and also with less noise as most residents are over 40 or 50 years.