There was a time when most buyers had a fairly tight idea of where they wanted to live.
Usually it was close to where they grew up, near family, near work, or somewhere that felt familiar enough that they already knew where to get a decent coffee.
But like most things in property, buyer behaviour has started to shift.
With budgets under pressure and prices changing across different markets, more buyers are widening their search and considering locations they may not have looked at a few years ago.
That doesn’t mean people are giving up on lifestyle.
Far from it.
What we’re seeing is buyers becoming more practical about distance, while still holding onto the things that matter day to day — access to shops, schools, parks, transport, medical facilities and a community they can actually see themselves living in.
So this week, we’re looking at how far buyers are prepared to move, and why location is becoming less about distance alone and more about the overall lifestyle equation.
Why Buyers Are Re-Thinking Location
New research from realestate.com.au shows property seekers are becoming more willing to buy further away from where they currently live.
House-and-land buyers are now planning to purchase an average of 32km from their current or previous home, up from 26km in the 2024 survey. Apartment buyers are also widening their search, increasing from 22km to 28km over the same period.
That tells us something important.
Buyers are adapting.
For some, that may mean looking beyond their original suburb list. For others, it may mean considering growth corridors, new communities or areas that offer more value for money while still delivering the lifestyle they want.
But this isn’t simply a case of buyers moving further out and accepting whatever they can get.
The same research found growing interest in the idea of a 20-minute neighbourhood, where most daily needs are accessible within a short walk, bike ride or drive. In other words, buyers may be prepared to move further, but convenience is still very much part of the decision.
That distinction matters.
A buyer might accept being further from their previous home, but they still want everyday life to feel manageable. Grocery stores, medical facilities, parks, cafés, restaurants and retail all continue to play a role in how desirable a community feels.
So the real question is not just:
“How far away is it?”
It’s:
“What does life look like when you get there?”
What Buyers Are Balancing
 Distance Buyers are becoming more open to moving further if the right opportunity presents itself. |  Budget Widening the search can help buyers find options that better align with their borrowing capacity and deposit position. |  Lifestyle Distance matters less when the area still offers the day-to-day convenience buyers are looking for. |
 Connectivity Transport links, road access and commute times remain important, especially for families and working professionals. |  Community Parks, schools, shops and local amenity can make a new area feel more liveable from day one. |  Long-Term Fit Buyers are increasingly considering whether a location can support their lifestyle not just now, but over the next five to ten years. |
This shift is particularly relevant for anyone helping clients navigate new home options.
Many buyers are no longer locked into one narrow location. They are comparing suburbs, estates, communities and lifestyle benefits in a much more considered way.
That can create better conversations.
Instead of focusing only on price or distance, buyers can look at the full picture: what they can afford, what the area offers, how the location supports their lifestyle and whether the finance structure allows them to move forward comfortably.
From a lending perspective, this is where preparation matters.
A wider search can open up more opportunities, but buyers still need to understand their borrowing capacity, total project costs, repayments and buffer. There is no point finding a better-value location if the finance structure does not support the move properly.
The good news is that a broader search can often give buyers more choice.
And with more choice comes the opportunity to make a more considered decision.
Because moving further away does not necessarily mean compromising.
Sometimes it simply means redefining what “close enough” really looks like.
Thanks again for your continued support and partnership. We are proud to work alongside you in helping clients understand their options, compare opportunities and move forward with greater clarity.
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These rates are variable and based on a $500,000 loan with principal and interest payments over 30 years (as of May 2026):
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