‘PTSD from bin day’: Why one family swapped the house in the suburbs for unit life

Anthony Sorensen with dogs, Winston and Phoebe, teenage children, Lucinda and Sebastian, and his wife, Maree, in their unit at 1504/20 Wyandra St, Newstead. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Brisbane couple Anthony and Maree Sorensen have not looked back once since selling their five-bedroom house in the suburbs four years ago.

Their teenage daughter, Lucinda, was in secondary school, their son, Sebastian, had just finished primary school, and Mr Sorensen was sick of trying to ‘keep up with the Jones’s’.

“I would have never thought we’d move to an apartment previously, but it was actually a really easy decision,” Mr Sorensen said.

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

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

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

“We wanted to streamline our lives,” Mr 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 neighbourhood. It’s more community than we ever had before.”

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

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There are some downsides to living in a unit as a family though.

“Sunday afternoon can be a bit tricky (trying to get a spot by the rooftop pool), but I sneak up their during the week,” Mr Sorensen said. “And, there’s less storage, but who needs all that stuff?!”

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

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

The Sorensens love the unit life so much, they are moving to another one around the corner, and have listed their apartment 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.

Mr Allen said he had noticed more families swapping the house for apartment living, especially once their children got older and the pool and yard were being used less.

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

He said it had also become more common for young couples to prefer to stay living in an inner-city suburb even after having children, and a house was just not an option because of affordability.

“I think a lot of people start off 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 unit at Newstead, which they bought four years ago after selling their house in the suburbs. Picture: Liam Kidston.

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

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

PROS AND CONS OF FAMILY LIVING IN A UNIT

PROS:

Less maintenance

Greater security

Often closer to more dining options and amenities

Not having to take the bins out

Sense of community within building

CONS:

Close to neighbours

Less room for storage

Having to share amenities

Less outdoor space

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