‘Bin Day’s PTSD’: why one family traded suburban home for unitary living – realestate.com.au

Brisbane couple Anthony and Maree Sorensen haven’t looked back since selling their five-bedroom home in the suburbs four years ago.

Their teenage daughter, Lucinda, was in high school, their son, Sebastian, had just finished elementary school, and Mr. Sorensen was tired of “keeping up with the Jones’s.”

“I never thought we would move into an apartment before, but it was actually a very easy decision,” Mr. Sorensen said.

This four-bedroom unit at 1504/20 Wyandra St, Newstead, is for sale. Look at that view!

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“The house we had was a big block, with a big swimming pool, and it was a lot of work as busy people. I didn’t want to maintain an 800m2 block anymore.”

The Sorensens love their four-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at ‘Le Bain’ at 1504/20 Wyandra St in Newstead, and have found it has enhanced their lifestyle and sense of community.

“We wanted to streamline our lives,” Sorensen said. “Now we walk to wine bars, restaurants and the river. The kids walk to school. The dogs know all the dogs in the neighborhood. It’s more community spirit than ever before.”

In the penthouse at 1504/20 Wyandra St, Newstead, which has just hit the market.

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However, there are some disadvantages to living in a unit as a family.

“Sunday afternoons can be a little tricky (trying to get a spot at the rooftop pool), but during the week I sneak over,” Mr Sorensen said. “And there’s less storage space, but who needs all that stuff?!”

One thing he certainly doesn’t miss about living in a house is ‘bin day’.

“I still have PTSD when I hear the garbage trucks.”

The Sorensens love the unit life so much that they are moving to another house around the corner and have put their apartment up for sale with John Allen and Pat McKinnon of Place Ascot.

One of the bathrooms in the unit at 1504/20 Wyandra St, Newstead, which is for sale.

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Mr Allen said he had noticed more and more families swapping their homes for apartment living, especially as their children got older and the pool and garden were used less.

“There’s something to be said about not having to mow the lawn!” he said.

He said it has also become increasingly common for young couples to prefer to continue living in inner-city suburbs even after having children, and that a home is simply not an option due to affordability.

“I think a lot of people start in a suburb like Newstead, then they meet their partner, and when they have babies it’s no longer a mad dash to a house in the suburbs,” he said.

Anthony Sorensen, with dog Winston, and his teenage children, Lucinda and Sebastian, in their Newstead apartment, which they bought four years ago after selling their house in the suburbs. Photo: Liam Kidston.

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“Instead it’s ‘Let’s stay and enjoy life here.’

“You could have a house in New Farm but it’s too expensive, so instead you can have that lifestyle and the proportions of the house but at the top of a building rather than on a street.”

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FAMILY LIVING IN ONE UNIT

Pros:

Less maintenance

Greater safety

Often closer to more dining options and amenities

It is not necessary to put the bins outside

Sense of community within the building

Disadvantages:

Close to neighbors

Less space for storage

Facilities must be shared

Less outdoor space