Connected at every age: Intergenerational community bonds bloom in Melbourne

As housing affordability pressures and changing family structures continue to reshape how Australians live, one property developer is recognising the value of communities that enable people of all ages and life stages to remain connected.

AVID Property Group (AVID) General Manager Victoria Penny Forrest said while multigenerational living has traditionally been associated with families sharing the same home, the conversation is increasingly shifting towards creating intergenerational communities.

“Australians are recognising the importance of staying connected to family, including ageing parents and growing children,” Ms Forrest said.

“There are significant benefits to creating communities that allow different generations to live close to one another while maintaining their independence, whether that is under one roof or separately.”

Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows households containing three generations increased by approximately 20 per cent between 2016 and 2021, highlighting the growing importance of family support networks.

Ms Forrest said the opportunity for developers was not simply to deliver housing, but to create communities that foster connection across generations.

“The focus should not be on multigenerational housing, but rather on building intergenerational communities,” Ms Forrest said.

“When communities include young families and older residents, everyone can benefit from the diversity of perspectives and social connections they bring.

“This can foster greater community resilience as it encourages meaningful relationships and creates a stronger sense of belonging.”

AVID’s Bloomdale community and neighbouring over-50s community Vantage Bloomdale in Diggers Rest were deliberately planned to complement one another, creating a broader connected community for residents at different stages of life.

Located minutes from AVID’s wider Bloomdale community, which is home to more than 4,000 residents across 143 hectares, Vantage Bloomdale enables over-50s residents to remain close to established family and community networks, while enjoying a lifestyle tailored to their needs.

Ms Forrest said this living model allows for residents to downsize without disconnecting from the communities they have helped shape.

“For many people, remaining close to children and grandchildren is incredibly important. Equally, younger families benefit from having parents or grandparents nearby to share life’s milestones and support when needed,” Ms Forrest said.

For Vantage Bloomdale residents Jill and Keith Miller, their move was prompted when their daughter, a resident in the Bloomdale community down the road, encouraged them to look into starting a new chapter at Vantage to allow them to stay close to family within a connected community.

“Being close to our daughter was one of the things that drew us to Vantage Bloomdale, and it has been wonderful knowing we’re nearby while still enjoying our own independence,” Ms Miller said.

“There’s also a real sense of community here. Whether it’s having a coffee with neighbours or getting together for events, people are always willing to help one another and make everyone feel welcome.”

Ms Forrest said thoughtfully designed communities have an important role to play in supporting social connection and long-term wellbeing of residents.

“When we build communities that encourage interaction across generations, we are creating inclusive environments where people can form lasting relationships and support one another,” Ms Forrest said.

“The most successful communities of the future will be those that bring people of all ages together and give residents the opportunity to thrive at every stage of life.”