The Australian home ownership dream of a quarter-acre block in the suburbs on a single income was realistic in the 1950s but, today, many property buyers are priced out of the market.

With work hours increasing, the number of people wishing to spend their weekends mowing lawns and fishing dead leaves out of the pool is dwindling. It’s no wonder people are choosing apartment living in record numbers all over Queensland. High-rise apartments are more popular than ever, and more people living in apartments all up and down the coast, not just in Brisbane. In fact, some of the highest proportions of people living in apartments are in Far North Queensland. Here are 10 ways living in an apartment beats living in a house:

1. Affordability
Apartments are usually cheaper than houses with land, which means you can live in a more desirable location more affordably or get on the property ownership ladder sooner.

2. Size
Unless you have a large family, living in a smaller space just makes sense given today’s fast-paced lifestyle. No one wants to spend their entire weekend cleaning their home. An apartment takes less time to maintain so you can spend more time enjoying life.

3. Safety
Apartment blocks tend to have safety features built in, including security front doors and cameras. Houses, by contrast, rely on individual door locks and sometimes an alarm. This makes apartment living a safer choice.

4. Sustainability
Houses are inherently larger than apartments so they naturally consume more energy. This doesn’t just increase your power bills, it also has a detrimental effect on the environment. Many
new apartments have solar power and other sustainable features, making them an even better environmental prospect.

5. Accessibility
If you have accessibility requirements then an apartment maybe more suited to your needs. Houses tend not to have flexible options for those with mobility needs and often include hazards such
as steps or stairs. Apartment blocks tend to have wide entrances and elevators, with the apartment itself usually on a single level, making them perfect option for people with mobility requirements.

6. Amenities
Living in an apartment often gives you access to facilities you’d otherwise have to pay a pretty penny for. Amenities like swimming pools, gyms and more are right there in the building. Because you share the cost with the other apartment owners, it’s often a lot cheaper and more convenient than maintaining a facility just for your personal use.

7. Community living
Living in an apartment complex puts you in the centre of a community of people who, often, share similar interests. For example, if you choose to live in the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, you’re most likely surrounded by others who like to scope out the latest bars and restaurants after work on a Friday night. Likewise, if you live in an apartment near the beach on the Sunshine Coast, you may be surrounded by people who enjoy surfing and swimming. Being surrounded by people, regardless of their interests, simply adds to the texture of the community living experience.

8. Maintenance
Maintaining a house and garden is time consuming, can be hard work, and can require a level of skill you’re just not interested in developing. With no lawns to mow, pools to clean, or retaining walls to fix, you can sleep easy knowing your property will be maintained as part of your body corporate fees.

9. Lifestyle
Since you’re not spending much time cleaning and maintaining your home, you’ll have more time to live the life you want. Whether that means going to the movies every Saturday night, heading to the beach every Sunday morning, or running in the park every day after work, living in an apartment frees you from home-based drudgery.

10. Location
As apartments tend to be more affordable than houses, choosing an apartment is a great way to be able to afford to live in your preferred suburb. When exciting activities are on your doorstep, you’ll be more likely to get out and enjoy them, leading to a better quality of life overall.

PICA Group tip: Generally exterior maintenance is a body corporate responsibility, however this is not the case if it is a standard format plan of development.