Why buyers are making room for lifestyle

Lifestyle property demand is rising, reflected in what buyers consistently prioritise. Across the New Zealand Property Pulse, our 2025 Q4 agent survey, our agents point to preferences such as location, outlook, space, proximity to water and ease of living. Taken together, these are clear lifestyle indicators, helping explain why lifestyle-orientated homes are attracting sustained interest across multiple buyer groups.

In practical terms, today’s lifestyle property is about living well – offering space to breathe, privacy and a stronger connection to nature, while still staying connected to schools, services and community. For many buyers, lifestyle is increasingly seen as adding value beyond price alone, shaping daily life, wellbeing and long-term enjoyment.

Lifestyle homes are defined as much by setting as scale. They include architecturally designed residences on expansive grounds, rural farmlets, and private retreats set among native bush, coastal landscapes, or with river or lake frontage. Often semi-rural or fringe-urban, these properties are typically within commuting distance of cities or regional centres, with lifestyle communities and established enclaves increasingly sought after.

Several broader factors are reinforcing this shift.

City fringe retreat: 78B Glenmore Road, Coatesville - a refined lifestyle sanctuary around 30 km north-west of Auckland, offers privacy, space and easy access to local village amenities. 

Lifestyle is no longer a compromise

For many buyers, lifestyle living is no longer seen as trading convenience for space. Ongoing flexible work patterns, combined with improvements in rural broadband and transport links, are enabling more people to consider lifestyle living without sacrificing connectivity. As a result, the city-to-lifestyle move is becoming a realistic everyday choice, not just a weekend aspiration.

This shift is also supporting more multi-generational living, with buyers seeking properties that can accommodate extended family, guests or flexible living arrangements.

Space, privacy and outlook matter more

Buyers are increasingly drawn to homes that offer breathing room. Larger sites, strong outlooks, outdoor living, established landscaping and a sense of separation from neighbours consistently rank high in buyer priorities.

At the luxury end of the market, privacy and comfort are paramount. Buyers are seeking mature plantings, considered site planning and a sense of seclusion, alongside high-end amenities such as pools and heli-pads.

River views: 1829F Tirau Road, Karapiro is a peaceful lifestyle property just minutes from Cambridge, with plenty of space, privacy and easy access to the Waikato River and village amenities.

Condition and self-sufficiency matter

Agents report that lifestyle homes which are well presented and move-in ready generate stronger engagement than those requiring work. Established homes with mature gardens, completed landscaping and existing infrastructure consistently outperform, as buyers value a ready-made lifestyle rather than a long project.

There is also growing interest in self-sufficiency, particularly at the premium end – including water systems, solar capability, guest accommodation and supporting infrastructure that enhances comfort, resilience and independence.

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Who is driving lifestyle demand

Lifestyle demand is not confined to one buyer type. Instead, it cuts across several active segments, with well-aligned homes attracting interest from multiple buyer groups.

Upsizers seeking space and flexibility

Families trading up are increasingly open to lifestyle properties that offer space for children, work-from-home flexibility and outdoor living, provided they remain connected to schools, employment and community.

Downsizers rethinking location

Some downsizers are broadening their search beyond traditional urban settings, favouring lifestyle locations that still offer convenience. Single-level homes or modern builds that combine ease of living with outlook and privacy are particularly appealing, with low-maintenance grounds a key consideration.

Lifestyle-first buyers

A growing cohort of buyers is leading with lifestyle rather than property type. For these purchasers, daily quality of life, environment and outlook outweigh proximity to traditional urban centres.

Iconic Otago lifestyle: 272A Ballantyne Road, Wanaka - a serene retreat in one of NZ’s best lifestyle regions, offering unrivalled views, space and effortless access to lake and alpine living.

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What lifestyle buyers value

While lifestyle properties vary widely, buyer preferences are remarkably consistent:

• Space, privacy and connection to the outdoors, including views or proximity to water

• Ease of living, with low-maintenance homes and grounds strongly preferred

• Flexible layouts that support home offices, guests or multi-generational living

• Strong presentation, with turnkey or near-turnkey condition

• At the luxury end, amenities such as pools, guest houses, self-sufficiency infrastructure and established planting for privacy

Lifestyle alone is not enough. Buyers remain selective, and homes still need to function well for modern living.

Nelson lifestyle retreat: Clover Road, Hope is a spacious lifestyle property in one of the Nelson region’s most sought-after rural enclaves, offering privacy, space and easy access to Richmond and Nelson city.

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Lifestyle no longer a niche

Lifestyle property is no longer a niche category reserved for a small subset of buyers. It has become a meaningful market driver, influencing buyer expectations across regions and price points.

If you would like to understand how lifestyle demand is playing out in your area, speak to your local New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty lifestyle specialist.

28A Greenvale Close, Tamahere: a modern lifestyle sanctuary set on two paddocks in a quiet Tamahere enclave, offering space, privacy and coveted proximity to excellent schools and village conveniences.