Generation Y (those aged about 13 to 28) are more interested in entertainment and technology than suburbia and mortgages, says Dion Appel of Melbourne based Lifelounge Urban Market Research, whose research shows the Ys would rather pursue a hedonistic lifestyle as opposed to "settling down". "We came out with a figure of $A48 billion per year being spent on hedonistic pursuits." Appel says youth consumption is focused around ... Read full entry

Stress and debt make Sydney a violent city. Ironically the problems we now find ourselves faced with were partially occasioned by the period of relatively low interest rates that has now passed us by. People began borrowing money to purchase property (sometimes several), sometimes committing themselves to the hilt, but made little allowance for possible interest rate rises. Sydney is an angry city with longer working hours, climbing levels of debt ... Read full entry