Why Sydney families are choosing apartment living over houses

Demand for apartments has surged as many families choose units over houses – for more reason than one.

While the affordability factor has pushed many to look at the apartment market, many families are embracing the convenience, amenity and easy lifestyle apartment living brings with it.

Small business owner and mum of two Liliana Rubiano has lived in an apartment for 11 years, and even as her family has grown she has no desire to move into a house.

“If you gave me the option to buy a house in the eastern suburbs, I would rather buy a small modern apartment than a house,” she said.

“At the beginning it was just my husband and I in a 42 sqm apartment.

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Life in their Chippendale apartment.

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“We rented there until we bought the same size apartment in the same building and we lived there with my little one,” she said.

The family of three lived in the small one bedroom apartment until Ms Rubiano had her second child, which they then upgraded by renting a two-bedroom apartment less than 80 sqm.

“I love living here, I have implemented this lifestyle of minimalism, whenever I get something I get rid of something, I donate or give it to someone else that needs it,” adding it was easier to clean and maintain the smaller space too.

Liliana Rubiano and family for nsw real estate

“I remember one of my friends said you can’t be minimilast with kids, but I’ve found it so much easier.”

Their apartment complex also has a pool and spa that they used regularly to entertain the kids as well as conveniently located playgrounds and parks as well as a 20 minute drive to the beach.

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She also used the storage in the basement of their apartment to store stock for her small beachwear business ‘Tolu,’ saving the family money on a warehouse or separate storage unit.

Willoughby Grounds artist impressions featuring a dedicated children’s playground,

“I look after my kids 24/7 so it’s great because I receive the orders we go downstairs, pack the orders and walk down the street to dispatch them,” she said.

The only negative was the high strata fees on the unit they owned and expensive rent.

“It is expensive, but for me with the convenience and amenities, it is worth it,” she said.

Developers are taking note, at Willoughby Grounds, a new family-focused apartment development on Sydney’s lower north shore with a dedicated playground and spacious four-bedroom layouts to cater to families who can no longer afford freestanding homes in the area.

Ray White agent Tim Abbott says many of the larger apartments are being snapped up by young families eager to stay in well-connected suburbs without sacrificing space or lifestyle.

Families turning to the convenience of apartment living.

Adam Reeves director of sales and marketing at First Quadrant Properties said “the inclusion of larger residences and shared green spaces made the homes an attractive option for families who want the best of both worlds – more space and an outstanding location.”

The first buildings in Willoughby Grounds will be complete in mid-2025.

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