Your neighbourhood could help protect your memory as you age

Where you live might do more than provide a roof over your head — it could play a vital role in keeping your brain healthy.

A major 13-year Australian study has found that older people living in greener, more walkable neighbourhoods with good transport links and access to parks or coastal areas are less likely to experience memory loss or dementia.

Researchers from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney, working with the Australian Catholic University (ACU), say supportive neighbourhoods can even help people recover from early signs of cognitive decline.

The findings, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, are based on the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, which has tracked more than 1,000 adults aged 70 and over since 2005. Participants were followed for almost 14 years to understand better the factors that help protect memory and thinking skills in later life.

Green, connected neighbourhoods linked to better brain health

The study found that older adults living in areas with more greenery, higher population density, and easy access to shops and services were less likely to develop dementia. In contrast, those exposed to higher levels of air pollution — especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) — faced a greater risk of decline.

“The environment you live in isn’t just a backdrop to healthy ageing — it’s a key ingredient,” said Professor Ester Cerin from ACU, lead author and founder of the International Cognitive Health and the Environment Network (ICHEN). “Neighbourhoods that encourage activity, reduce stress and provide better air quality seem to offer real protection for the ageing brain.”

For families and carers, this research highlights the importance of considering surroundings when making decisions about housing and aged care. Being close to parks, public transport, and community facilities could make a difference not only to physical health but also to mental sharpness.

A second chance for brain health

Notably, the researchers found that living in the right environment was linked to recovery from mild cognitive impairment — often an early warning sign of dementia.

“This is a hopeful message,” said Dr Annabel Matison, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at CHeBA. “Even in later life, the right surroundings can support cognitive improvement, not just slow down decline.”

Practical tips for choosing a brain-healthy neighbourhood

Research from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study suggests that where you live can affect how well your brain ages. If you or a loved one are thinking about moving, here are some things to look for:

Green space nearby

Parks, gardens and tree-lined streets can reduce stress and encourage regular walking.

Good public transport

Easy access to buses, trains or ferries can help you stay active, independent and socially connected.

Shops and services within walking distance

Having grocery stores, cafes, pharmacies and community centres close by supports both convenience and daily movement.

Safe, walkable streets

Footpaths, pedestrian crossings and good lighting make it easier to get around safely.

Clean air

If possible, choose an area with low traffic congestion and away from heavy industrial zones to reduce exposure to air pollution

Access to blue spaces

Proximity to water — whether a river, lake or beach — has been linked to better mental wellbeing.

Planning for better ageing

The results underline how urban design and environmental planning can influence brain health at a community level.

Professor Perminder Sachdev and Professor Henry Brodaty, Co-Directors of CHeBA and founding investigators of the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, say this milestone research is the result of nearly two decades of work.

“When we started in 2005, we wanted to know why some people’s thinking skills stay strong and others decline,” said Prof. Sachdev. “Now we know the built and natural environments are part of that story.”

A follow-up project, MAS2, began in 2023 to study a new group of older Australians, taking into account social changes such as higher education levels, better healthcare, and greater cultural diversity.

“MAS2 will help us see how life experiences and surroundings influence ageing today,” said Prof. Brodaty.

With over 200 scientific papers already produced from the original study, the message is clear: healthy ageing isn’t just about lifestyle and genetics — it’s also about where you live. For older Australians and their families, that could be a reason to think carefully about the neighbourhood as well as the home.