Why downsizers are thinking bigger

Advertorial for GemLifeSimon WebsterSeptember 7, 2026 — 10:53amA growing number of over-50s are downsizing to larger homes to take advantage of resort-style living. For many empty nesters considering their next move, the thought of moving into the smallest property possible simply doesn’t appeal.“People aren’t necessarily looking to slow down or simply move into a smaller home,” says Craig Dixon, sales manager at the over-50s lifestyle community GemLife Rainbow Beach.“We’re seeing over-50s think much more about how they want to spend the next stage of their lives. They want less maintenance, but they still value space, quality, independence and the freedom to do the things they enjoy.“Rightsizing is about finding the home that fits the life you want now. It doesn’t mean automatically choosing the smallest home possible.”At GemLife Rainbow Beach, at Lake Cathie, south of Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast, the final release of new two-storey homes with up to 338 square metres of floor space, larger than the average Australian home, gives homeowners plenty of options.GemLife Rainbow Beach offers light-filled spaces made for relaxed coastal living. “There’s room for visiting family, entertaining and hobbies, but buyers also have the benefits of a resort-style community,” Dixon says. “It challenges the idea that moving at this stage of life means giving up space.”Lifestyle and communityFor many over-50s, a resort community serves as a secure home base, providing facilities and social connection when needed, along with the peace of mind to lock up and travel.“Lifestyle, wellbeing and connection are increasingly important,” Dixon says. “People want opportunities to stay active, spend time with friends and family, travel and enjoy their interests, while having the privacy and independence of their own home.”GemLife Rainbow Beach delivers on that promise with two summer houses featuring outdoor swimming pools and barbecue areas, alongside a two-storey Country Club complete with a ballroom, coffee lounge and bar, tenpin bowling, cinema and billiards room.The Villa Cafe has been set up and is operated by homeowners themselves. “And that says a lot about the community here,” Dixon says. “It’s not simply about providing facilities. It’s about giving people places and opportunities to connect, get involved and make the community their own.”GemLife resort-style facilities are designed for an active, low-maintenance lifestyle.It’s all designed to give people choice about how they spend their time. “You might have a swim in the morning, meet friends for coffee, head to the beach or simply enjoy your own home. There’s plenty happening when you want it, but no expectation that you have to join in.”The natural beauty of the Mid North Coast is also a lure for city dwellers. Lake Cathie’s signature coastal lagoon lies minutes away, alongside pristine beaches and coastal rainforest trails. Nearby boutique wineries and Port Macquarie’s vibrant dining scene offer plenty to enjoy beyond the resort’s gates. The region feels like a world away from the traffic jams of the city, but it’s all within easy reach of Sydney – just a four-hour drive or 70-minute flight away.Financial transparencyAfter decades of working and paying off mortgages, rightsizing can be a good way to free up cash to fund a better lifestyle, help out your kids, or pay for some international travel.Rightsizing also comes with a financial dimension, allowing buyers to decide how much equity is needed to reinvest in their home and how much to free up for other priorities.GemLife Rainbow Beach operates on a land lease model that enables this flexibility. That means you own your home and lease the land it sits on. At GemLife there’s no stamp duty when you buy, no council rates, and no exit or capital gains fees if you sell. Homeowners also pay a weekly site fee for running and maintaining the resort and facilities, so the structure and ongoing costs are clear from the outset.“Financial transparency matters because people want to understand what they’re paying for and what happens when they eventually sell,” Dixon says. “That clarity can give people greater confidence when they’re making a significant financial and lifestyle decision.”“For someone selling a higher-value family home, choosing a home that better suits their needs may mean they don’t have to put all of the equity from their previous property into their next home,” Dixon says. “That can leave capital available for other priorities, depending on their individual circumstances.”It’s not hard to see the appeal of rightsizing. The goal is about choosing the home and lifestyle that fit the way you want to live today. For empty nesters ready to trade high-maintenance metropolitan living for low-maintenance coastal luxury, GemLife Rainbow Beach has all the right moves.GemLife is one of Australia’s fastest-growing land lease operators, with a national portfolio that includes 33 communities and pipeline projects across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. For more information, visit gemlife.com.auFrom our partners