Youth prefer city centers, older adults choose nature

Living preferences change with age – young people aged 18-24 prefer city centers close to their studies or work, while slightly older individuals aged 30-35 prioritize nature when selecting a home, according to a survey for Finans Denmark. Peter Jayaswal, director of mortgage and property financing, explains that proximity to study and social networks is crucial for younger people. As they approach their 30s, a central location becomes less important, and the appeal of nature and the need for more space becomes more significant. Interest in owning a home also grows with age; 40% of young adults dream of homeownership, versus 60% of those over 30. Despite these aspirations, finding affordable housing is challenging, especially in Copenhagen, where the ‘housing burden’ reached 34.5% of the average couple’s disposable income at the end of 2022, an 8% increase from 2020. The survey included over 1,000 young participants and was conducted in the last quarter of 2023.