Outpriced from metropolitan housing markets and retirement villages, many retirees are winding up in regional caravan parks. Pam and John Bond have been living in their two-and-a-half-bedroom demountable house on the outskirts of Bendigo for the past 12 months.

The retired welfare officers previously lived in a three-bedroom house in Bundoora, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, but could not sustain their large mortgage repayments, and sold up.

After extensive research throughout Melbourne, they widened their search for housing to Bendigo, but were priced out of both regions.

“When we looked at buying a house we would’ve had to have a house under $200,000, but then when we looked at the rates and the water … to pay the rent here is cheaper,” Ms Bond said.

Their search also included retirement villages in Bendigo, and while they acknowledged the “wonderful facilities”, they said the costs were too high.

“We couldn’t afford it, simple as that. The rent is a lot higher and their extra fees are a lot higher,” Ms Bond said.

The couple had their home custom-built in a caravan park in Epsom for $205,000, adding a garage and garden at extra cost.

Article courtesy of ABC Central Victoria By Larissa Romensky

Posted 14 September 2016

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