RECENT MOVERS


Recent movers are those people who had moved into their current dwelling less than ten years ago. The size and composition of the recent movers population is linked with changes in demand and supply in the housing market. Population flows in and out of the state are also closely tied with internal and external economic conditions, in particular labour market needs. Information on the motivations and preferences of recent movers helps with planning and maintaining adequate stocks of residential and industrial land, as well as planning for land use and infrastructure requirements for public transport. Information on the choices that recent movers have made can assist with the development of the State Planning Strategy (Government of Western Australia, Department of Planning, 2012).

In 2012, two thirds (67%) of all Western Australian adults were recent movers. This proportion was similar to the proportion of recent movers in 2005 (65%). In 2012, most recent movers had moved from within WA (87%) and 41% of recent movers had moved within the last two years (Tables 1 and 8).

Moving within WA

The majority of recent movers (62%) moved within the Greater Perth area. Of those who moved within Greater Perth, 29% remained in the same suburb, town or locality and 71% moved elsewhere within Greater Perth. The number of recent movers moving from the Greater Perth area to the Rest of WA (52,000) was similar to the number moving in the opposite direction, from the Rest of WA to Greater Perth (50,000) (Table 9).

Housing transitions within WA

Just over half of the recent movers who moved within WA previously rented their dwelling (550,000 adults). Of these, just over half (51%) went from one rental property to another. Around 39% transitioned to purchasing their next dwelling with a mortgage and 7% went from renting to owning their dwelling outright (Table 10).

Around 29% of recent movers within WA had previously lived in a dwelling which was being purchased. The majority of these had moved to another dwelling that was also being purchased (70%). A further 16% were now renting their current dwelling (Table 10).

Moving from interstate/overseas

Of the 144,000 recent movers from interstate or overseas, the majority (58%) had arrived within the last two years. Most recent movers from interstate or overseas (83%) had moved to the Greater Perth area (Tables 8 and 9).

Choice of current dwelling

Of the 1.2 million recent movers, 39% indicated appearance and layout were factors that had influenced their decision to choose their current dwelling. Around 32% indicated it was a better quality residence (Table 14).

The reasons people chose their current dwelling varied according to the family composition of their household. People living alone or in couple only families were more likely to indicate low maintenance of the dwelling (32% and 29% respectively) as being important when choosing their current home than couple families with dependent children (20%). On the other hand, people living in couple families with dependent children were more likely to indicate the suitability of the dwelling for children (47%) as a reason for choosing their current dwelling than any other household group (Table 14 and Graph 2).



Choice of current location

When it came to choosing their current location, being close to family or friends was important to 41% of recent movers. Other influencing factors included familiarity with the area, access to facilities and services such as shops or schools, and central location (33% each) (Table 15).

People's location choices also reflected the family composition of their household. People living in couple only families or living alone were more likely to indicate that a central location (39% and 38% respectively) was an important consideration when moving to their current location than people living in a couple family with dependent children (30%). Access to facilities such as shops and schools was more important to people living in couple families with dependent children (41%) than people living alone (33%) and people living in couple only households (27%) (Table 15 and Graph 3).