How the quiet suburban house lifestyle can survive rising demand for apartments

Despite Hamilton’s growing population density, married couple Courtney Lockett and Chris McCullough feel it’ll only add to the lifestyle they’ve fostered in their neighbourhood.

The pair have lived in the area for two and a half years with their three year-old daughter, having moved towns after finding a Brisbane house available for purchase online.

“We were actually in Indooroopilly – we were there for quite a few years,” Ms Lockett said. “We moved here, specifically, because we liked the house … we love that it’s close to everything: the city, James St, Racecourse Rd, the ferry, the airport.”

Married couple Courtney Lockett and Chris McCullough are selling their home in Hamilton – but despite its growing density, they plan to buy right back in the area. Picture: Annette Dew

According to analytics firm Informed Decisions, several suburbs near South-East Queensland cities will see a big rise in urban density over the coming years.

With less land for greenfield development, more high-rise apartments are coming to places such as Hamilton, Newstead, Broadbeach, Fortitude Valley, Surfers Paradise and South Brisbane.

Ms Lockett said despite this expected increase, she felt it would mostly affect those seeking a unit in the area: offering more people the opportunity for housing near the city.

“Hamilton Hill is mostly single dwellings,” she said. “I think there’s a pretty good balance … if you go down to Kingsford Smith Dr and walk around the bike path, we’re so close to that high density residential.”

New developments such as GRAYA’s ‘The Gallery’, are coming to Hamilton, with companies hoping Racecourse Rd could become a competitor to James St.

“Even look down at portside, that’s just full of high density areas. And that’s great, because it’s always hustling and bustling.”

While the family are now selling their current home, they’ve fallen in love with the area since moving in, and plan to buy back in the same suburb.

“We really like living here,” Ms Lockett said. “We’ve got our toddler in a really great daycare, and we’ve got a lot of lovely local families.”

Ms Lockett and Mr McCullough said the suburb was big enough for both a dense unit lifestyle and a quieter suburban one, and appreciated what the area offered for their daughter. Picture: Annette Dew

The home at 4 Langside Rd, Hamilton, is now being sold with Ray White Ascot. Agent Nick Roche said he was happy to see high-quality product being built in Hamilton – particularly along the well-known Racecourse Rd.

“I think Racecourse Rd is due for a revitalisation,” he said. “The product that’s being built is extremely high quality.”

“I think it has the opportunity to compete with James St … I think they’ll be very competitive.”

Mr Roche added he felt the development of the main roads in Hamilton was an important step that wouldn’t damage the lifestyle of the nearby houses.

“I think up on Hamilton Hill there’s a massive demand for beautiful luxury homes,” he said, “but I think a lot of the commercial areas portside and on Racecourse Rd still are relatively underdeveloped.”

“All the suburban streets will remain the same – it’ll just mean more amenities.”

The post How the quiet suburban house lifestyle can survive rising demand for apartments appeared first on realestate.com.au.