Buying a Townhouse or Apartment: Which One Should You Buy?

What is a townhouse? Is it a better buy than an apartment? Let’s look at all the advantages of owning your own.

First of all, townhouses are usually separate multi-level residences (single story townhouses are usually called Villas) with their own private entrance. Even though it may share walls with neighbouring buildings, you own the building and usually all the land beneath. An apartment, by contrast, is a single level unit within a larger building with much less land content. Whichever way you look at it, the building—including entrances, lifts, car parking arrangements and hallways—and the land beneath are shared. 

Townhouse vs Apartment: Key Differences

On paper, townhouse living offers a degree of independence for young families and downsizers who enjoy a bit of space. But is it worth the extra investment? Here are all the major benefits of owning a townhouse vs apartment:

Size and Space

Unquestionably, buying a townhouse with your own small, private courtyard/garden and your own direct-access garage is a significant advantage from a lifestyle point of view. In addition, most townhouses offer multi-level living which means you have a lot more options for separating living areas. Bedrooms, for example, can be styled as quiet little nooks upstairs for sleeping and reading while common areas like kitchen and dining areas can be hubs for socialising and watching TV.

Apartments don’t offer the same separation, even when they’re quite large. And there’s much less freedom to mix up your colours and design choices when everything’s on the same level. Plus parking may be in the open which is subject to weather, or even a shared basement garage with your neighbours, offering little or no security for stored possessions.

Privacy and Lifestyle

In terms of privacy, there’s no comparison having your own dedicated entrance to the hassle of negotiating common doorways, hallways, stairwells, driveways and lifts. And it’s not just the freedom from always bumping into your neighbours and their guests coming and going. The level of noise and household smells is significantly less with a townhouse as is the improvement in security.

Townhouse living offers greater lifestyle choices too. A small garden or courtyard offers a nice change of scenery for relaxing, gardening or entertaining, and means you can keep pets and small children safe and more comfortably.

All in all, buying a townhouse offers all the convenience of a smaller, low maintenance dwelling combined with the comfort and relative freedom of a standalone home.  

Investment Potential

Townhouses have a superior long term value over time, and the big driver is land value. Over the past 50 years, townhouses have significantly outperformed apartments in Australia for capital growth. That’s because land values, especially in urban areas, tend to rise over time. And the broad appeal of townhouses for all kinds of homebuyers means their resale value and rental demand has stayed high.

Apartments, on the other hand, offer lower entry costs. Many even offer strong rental yields. But the capital growth of apartments has been slower, especially when newer apartments are built around them. For long-term value, buying a townhouse would seem to be the more promising option. 

Why a Townhouse is a Better Investment

Townhouses offer an excellent investment, especially in suburbs with good access to quality schools, shops and infrastructure. The benefits below demonstrate just how much townhouses have become the preferred option for homebuyers over many years.

Capital Growth and Long Term Value

• Higher Gains – Historically, long-term capital gains have been stronger for townhouses compared to apartments.  
• Higher Land Component – Townhouses include land, which appreciates in value over time. 
• Stronger Demand – The greater space and privacy offered by townhouses makes them attractive to both homebuyers and tenants. In addition, as the majority of apartments follow the 2 bedroom formula, offering 3 (or even 4) bedrooms and their limited availability relative to apartments means they enjoy stronger demand.
• Lower Strata Fees – Fewer shared amenities means lower ongoing and maintenance costs, especially when compared to large apartment complexes.  
• Better Resale opportunities – Townhouses appeal to both investors and owner-occupiers, broadening resale opportunities.
• Less competition – Townhouses experience less competition from other rental properties when reselling or renting eg when an apartment block is finished, then all rental properties can become available at once resulting in competition by landlords and usually lower rental yields. Townhouses also tend to have more unique selling points compared to apartments.  
• Lower Risk – Townhouses are significantly simpler and more cost-effective to repair and maintain than apartment buildings. This is largely due to their smaller scale, simpler construction methods and lower reliance on complex shared infrastructure. This risk is highlighted by the widespread structural defects in NSW apartment complexes and external cladding issues in Victoria.

More Flexibility for Families and Investors

• Peace and Quiet – Fewer shared walls and no common hallways means you experience less noise and more light, giving the impression of brighter, larger living spaces.  
• More Space – Townhouses have the space to accommodate a variety of uses, including remote work and room for growing families.
• Outdoor Amenity – Private courtyards and gardens add lifestyle appeal and property value, particularly when they offer alfresco dining and spaces for gardening. 
• House-Like Living – Townhouse living provides the freedom and independence of owning your own home but requires lower maintenance than a freestanding property. Also, most offer direct internal access from their private garage, enhancing privacy and security.
• Broader Demand – Townhouses attract a wide variety of buyers and tenants – including families, professionals, and downsizers – while apartments tend to have a more limited appeal.  
• Longer Leases – Because of their uniqueness (especially in terms of number of bedrooms), townhouses tend to enjoy longer leases, attracting reliable, long-term tenants.

Townhouse Living: The Perfect Fit for the Modern Buyer

Combining comfort, convenience, and economical design, the townhouse offers the ideal setting for modern living. Residents enjoy the privacy of separate entrances and garages, spacious multi-level layouts, and their own outdoor retreat – all with the low-maintenance ease of a compact footprint. A townhouse in a thoughtfully planned community, complete with green spaces and walkable amenities, offers the perfect balance between personal independence and a strong sense of neighbourly connection.

A Quiet and Comfortable Community

Shared spaces, medium density living and the relative privacy of a townhouse community naturally foster a calm, more peaceful atmosphere. They tend to be much quieter and family-oriented than apartment blocks. In addition, communal areas and private yards offer room for children to meet up and play. Private entrances and separate living areas only enhance the appeal as residents enjoy a close connection to their community without the feeling of being stacked on top of each other.

Why Eynesbury’s Townhouses Are the Perfect Choice

Eynesbury Townhouses are situated in some of the township’s most sought after locations, right at the heart of the community and a short stroll from the emerging town centre. Each home is thoughtfully positioned within Eynesbury’s lush natural reserves, adjacent to generous parkland and a children’s playground – with attractive wetlands to the North and South. This extraordinary design collaboration between Resimax Group, Tick Homes and Archtek has produced a collection of exceptional homes in a stunning urban enclave built for maximum lifestyle and affordability.

A Family-Friendly Environment at Eynesbury

Looking for a safe place to build your dreams? Eynesbury townhouses offer all the advantages of a connected urban setting with beautiful parkland views and natural features in abundance. An emerging town centre with brand new primary school and kindergarten is perfect for young families craving space and amenity, while established homeowners will appreciate the cleanliness and calm of a township designed with investment value top of mind.

Make the Smart Choice with a Townhouse at Eynesbury

Discover the comfort and convenience of townhouse living within this beautiful, visionary new community today. Contact Eynesbury or come to explore our series of private townhouses for yourself. You’ll find all the advantages of lower density living – like a personal entrance, multi-level living, long-term investment value, and plenty of personal space – all set within a connected, vibrant community that’s close to everything you need. 

Start your Eynesbury life today.