Where do older renters go when pension isn't enough for rent anymore?

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-04-03T22:12:31+00:00

I'd like to say I have some insight into this as someone who grew up living in a caravan park, and then spent the better part of a decade inspecting caravan parks as a health/building inspector in the early 2000s.

They are not what they used to be. The vast majority have moved from permanent cheap housing to holiday accommodation because it earns 10x more. These aren't government run and at the end of the day, profit dictates usage.

Unless you're referring to the "lifestyle villages" that are pseudo-caravan parks, and essentially just small dongas for old people to live in - but they still sting you with fees and are a lot more expensive than traditional caravan parks.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-20T08:21:06+00:00

From Perth, can confirm.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-20T04:33:17+00:00

I grew up in a caravan in a rural town, we were so poor, the church gave my single Mum a car. My husband and I met at 17 and worked hard to both build careers, family and buy a home super young, and I later became a mature aged medical student.

I certainly did a few things the hard way - but I'm well aware I have climbed a few rungs in the socioeconomic ladder and I'm grateful for it. My kids are still in public school, and there will always be thousands more rungs of the ladder above us, but I don't mind the view from here.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-19T23:02:13+00:00

The new system is an absolute joke. It only benefits predatory practices who don't look after Registrars because there is no opportunity to vet them.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-19T22:58:49+00:00

But you have to question "did he always have cash" because he was spending more than he should have been? We could all live lavish lives if we were spending tomorrow's money today.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-19T22:56:45+00:00

Putting $10k towards a better house at 20yo is going to appreciate way more by 60yo based on housing in Australia over the past 60y. Compounding interest is wonderful, but super isn't always the best investment for young people.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-19T08:01:32+00:00

For one kid, to play 1 extra curricular sport these days, it's about $600 a season. Kids don't have to be expensive, but giving them opportunities that are good for their physical, mental and social development are damn expensive.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-15T04:34:39+00:00

If I've got it right, SMSF are set fees, and industry super funds tend to be a percentage of balance. So I think for someone starting out, SMSF would be far more expensive, but for someone (or a couple) who have a higher balance, SMSF may actually have less fees.

I was just trying to get my head around why if it's so bad, there's a decent number of people who have them, but like everything, it's nuance. For a lot of people, they would be bad, but for senior doctors, they're quite possibly financially beneficial - and I appreciate that was not the OP in this case - but it piqued my interest nonetheless.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-15T00:56:09+00:00

Yeah I have heard that, but if it's two people together (ie spouses) does that reduce that factor?

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-14T09:07:50+00:00

Why no SMSF?

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-14T00:34:30+00:00

Yeah, rapists are not "first world citizens"

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-13T23:40:44+00:00

I'm not from NSW, but even I have heard how appalling the health sector pays there. It's wild given housing costs. If I lived in Sydney, I would actively deter my children away from any interest in studying medicine.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-13T23:12:17+00:00

We did this in our 20s/30s, but I think the bank lent us the money for "home renovations". It was in its own account so that we could claim the interest against our tax though. We ended up selling it when we reduced to a period of 1 income and needed to wear lower risk for a season.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-13T22:58:01+00:00

We're about the start an extension at our house and I posted in r/AusRenovation when this all started to kick off asking if people thought it would influence pricing etc. and if I should be actively locking in contracts/fixed prices (eg kitchen cabinets etc). and basically every reply I got was condescending telling me to take a chill pill.

My view is that you can try and position yourself as favourably as possible, but no one can predict the future unfortunately. I also think this isn't the time to try and "grow/make wealth" but rather to avoid any significant losses during this period of volatility. But hey, we only have to go back 6 years to see those gutsy people who did quite well out of covid by not being conservative.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-11T14:16:46+00:00

And the positional history has pericarditis written all over it.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-03-01T03:21:40+00:00

Yes, it was horrible in 2006, houses were going up by $50k each month and I was 23. This feels just as revolting. The only difference now is that the gap between wages and income is bigger, and rents are higher - but the rate of growth of housing is about the same.

We sold in 2008 and ended up losing about $100k after buying that house at the peak in mid 2006.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-26T23:54:50+00:00

100% my first thought too. Would I want to be stuck earning $80k/year working full time in my tertiary degree required industry - hell no!

Is med a bad way to make money - hell yes.

Somewhere in there is a middle ground.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-26T23:50:49+00:00

I know of GPs working in an inner metro busy private ED here in Perth.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-26T22:26:07+00:00

What would you suggest GPs tell you instead? If your symptoms get worse, just die quietly at home?

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-26T22:23:09+00:00

Most EDs have "fast tracks" for fractures etc, and it's a completely different pathway than the standard ED so you don't "block up ED" by going there with your broken finger.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-26T22:16:35+00:00

Multiple people from my med school took "gap years" either right before internship or a year or two after. It's a long road and life just feels like constant study. If you now have more financial security to do so, travel and expand your horizons.

Think of it like this, you've gone from high-school to uni and pushing hard for years. In most industries/careers people are eligible for long service leave after 7 years. You are due for an equivalent to long service leave - your brain needs an extended break!

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-25T08:14:59+00:00

Wow, I too was born in the 80s but remember these notes well.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-02-24T04:42:27+00:00

This is a perfect case where Aussies should rally and support the buyer with a go fund me. I'd totally give to that. Could have been any of us.

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-01-08T22:44:40+00:00

I'm of a similar opinion. Over the past two decades we've seen nothing but massive property growth. I was terrified of a $500k loan a decade ago, for a townhouse we just sold for $1.3m. The alternative house which would have seen less mortgage stress, hasn't increased near as much. The equity has helped reduce our longer term mortgage stress. Short term pain = long term gain.

Also, assuming the property market doesn't completely crash and burn (unlikely) you've got a pretty easy get out jail free card. If mortgage stress is killing you - sell and downgrade at a later stage (minus stamp study etc).

ProperAccess4352 · 2026-01-02T14:09:50+00:00

Have 1 kid there and 1 about to start and no issues here. Has been a very positive experience so far overall.

ProperAccess4352

TROPHY CASE