Downsizing is often associated with tiny apartments, retirement villages and grandkids having to sleep on the living room floor.
But for an increasing number of Canberrans, their experiences are anything else.
These retirees have lived large in "lock and leave" apartments in the outer suburbs.
With apartments the size of houses but requiring less upkeep, it is easy to see what they love about high-rise living.
Now, these residents are moving on from their homes to new adventures, and they invited The Canberra Times in for a look.
'Not a trade-off'
Peter May and his wife, Jenny, moved into a top floor apartment in Gungahlin three years ago.
The Lumi Collection, at 100 Swain Street, was built to maximalise apartment living and connect residents to the outdoors.
"It looks over the [Yerrabi] lake so it will never get built out," Mr May said.
"It is a different perspective to Kingston or Campbell or any of those. We looked at all of those. [This is] in a way nicer," he said.
After running 40 acres, the Mays knew what it was like to be connected with land.
They also knew it was time for a change.
Unlike many downsizers, they opted to move into an intergenerational home with their daughter and mother.
But an apartment - and one some way from the city - was not "seen as a trade-off".
"We went around Australia for four-and-a-half months; just locked it up. Our daughters watered the garden and that was the only thing that happened," Mr May said.
He is now hoping another family will enjoy the Lumi penthouse as they have.
Selling agent Andy Greenberger, of LJ Hooker Gungahlin, said he had seen increased demand among downsizers for spacious apartments out of the city.
New developments increasingly prioritise one- and two-bedroom homes; they are cheaper to build and often easier to have approved.
So when a three- or more-bedroom apartment - particularly one with a large floor plan - comes on the market, it is likely to impress.
The outer suburbs were places where buyers had a particular appetite for this.
CoreLogic data from early October revealed all 10 of Canberra's suburbs with the shortest median time on market were in the far north and far south, and in some places, apartments were leading the fast sale times.
Mr Greenberger said this was in part because the suburbs offered large, well-built apartments that could rarely be found in the city.
With sleek wood flooring, large living areas and light-filled balconies, the Lumi penthouse was a particular standout.
"We haven't seen anything like this in [Gungahlin] before, and I don't think we will see anything like it again," Mr Greenberger said.
It will soon be reintroduced to the market, with an asking price just over $2 million.
'Good for heaps and heaps of parties'
When Lynne Vanduren was looking for a smaller home, she did not want to compromise on her thriving social life.
"I wanted to downsize and get rid of a pool, a big yard and a big house, but still have an apartment that was as big as a big house," she said.
So when 41/2 Eileen Street, Greenway, came to market 13 year ago, Ms Vanduren knew she had found home.
The apartment has views over Lake Tuggeranong, a private pool, a large dining area and spacious bedrooms.
"I wanted a place where I could still have a family come for dinner and where we could entertain. We entertain a lot and this was perfect for that," Ms Vanduren said.
"It is good for heaps and heaps of parties."
She is now looking for somewhere smaller, but she said her current home offered a lot of longevity for anyone wishing to retire.
"I love all the facilities around it," Ms Vanduren said. "It has everything for young people and for downsizers - shops, restaurants, clubs, a library, a bus interchange. It's got everything."
The apartment is unusual because it is both residentially and commercially zoned.
Selling agent Campbell Jones, of Blackshaw Manuka, said someone could operate a small business, gallery, or studio from this top-floor abode.
It is set to be auctioned on November 9 with a price guide of over $1 million.
