Townhouse vs Apartment Living | Gold Coast Buyer Guide

What to consider about privacy, layout, and lifestyle before making your next property move.

Choosing between a townhouse and an apartment is one of the most common decisions Gold Coast buyers face — and it’s rarely a simple one. Both options offer modern living, convenient locations, and lower maintenance than traditional houses, but the lived experience can be very different.

Whether you’re a family buyer, downsizer, or investor, understanding how townhouses and apartments compare across space, privacy, ongoing costs, resale value, and lifestyle can help you choose a property that genuinely suits how you want to live.

This guide breaks down the key differences so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Space and Layout: How You Live Matters

One of the biggest distinctions between townhouses and apartments is how space is designed and used.

Apartments typically offer single-level living with open-plan layouts. While modern apartments can feel spacious, they often prioritise compact efficiency over flexibility. Storage is usually limited, and outdoor space may be confined to a balcony.

Townhouses, by contrast, usually span multiple levels. Bedrooms are often separated from living areas, creating a clearer sense of zoning between rest, work, and entertaining. This layout can feel more like a traditional home, especially for families or buyers who want distinct spaces rather than one shared living zone.

For buyers who work from home, have children, or value separation between living and sleeping areas, townhouses often provide a more adaptable floorplan.

Privacy and Noise: Day-to-Day Comfort

Privacy is another key factor that influences long-term satisfaction.

Apartments tend to have neighbours above, below, and beside you. Even in well-constructed buildings, shared walls, lifts, and common areas can mean more exposure to everyday noise and foot traffic. For some buyers, this isn’t an issue, but for others it becomes noticeable over time.

Townhouses usually share walls only on one or two sides and don’t have neighbours above or below. This often results in reduced noise transfer and a greater sense of personal space. Private entries, garages, and courtyards can further enhance that feeling of separation.

If quiet enjoyment and privacy are high on your priority list, townhouses often strike a better balance than apartment living.

Body Corporate Fees and Ongoing Costs

Body corporate fees are an important consideration for both property types, but they can differ significantly.

Apartment buildings generally have higher body corporate fees due to shared facilities such as lifts, pools, gyms, basements, and extensive common areas. These amenities can add lifestyle value, but they also increase ongoing costs.

Townhouse developments typically have fewer shared facilities. While body corporate fees still apply, they are often lower because maintenance is focused on shared driveways, landscaping, and limited communal spaces rather than high-cost infrastructure.

For buyers looking to keep ongoing expenses predictable and manageable, townhouses can offer a more cost-efficient ownership structure.

Lifestyle and Day-to-Day Living

Lifestyle preferences play a major role in choosing between a townhouse and an apartment.

Apartment living suits buyers who value proximity to cafés, dining, beaches, and urban centres, and who prefer a lock-and-leave lifestyle with minimal responsibility outside their front door.

Townhouses often appeal to buyers who want a balance between low-maintenance living and a sense of home ownership. Private outdoor areas, garages, and multiple living zones allow for entertaining, pets, and family life without the upkeep of a standalone house.

For downsizers, townhouses can offer space without excess. For families, they provide room to grow. For investors, they often attract long-term tenants seeking stability rather than short-term convenience.

Resale Value and Long-Term Appeal

When thinking long term, resale performance matters.

Apartments can be more sensitive to market fluctuations, particularly in areas with high supply. Large apartment developments may also compete directly with newer buildings entering the market, which can affect resale pricing.

Townhouses tend to hold their value well due to limited supply, broader buyer appeal, and their hybrid position between apartments and houses. Buyers often see townhouses as a step up from apartment living, which can support steady demand over time.

For investors and owner-occupiers alike, this balance can translate into stronger long-term appeal and resale confidence.

Which Option Suits Each Best

Apartments may suit:

• Singles or couples seeking inner-urban convenience
  
  
• Buyers prioritising amenities and location over space
  
  
• Investors targeting short-term or high-density rental markets
  
  

Townhouses may suit:

• Families wanting separation and functionality
  
  
• Downsizers seeking space without high maintenance
  
  
• Investors focused on long-term tenants and lower turnover
  
  

Many buyers find that townhouses offer the best of both worlds — combining the practicality of apartment living with the comfort and privacy of a home.

Finding the Right Fit on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast property market offers a wide range of options, and no single choice suits everyone. What matters most is how a property supports your lifestyle now and into the future.

Developments delivered by experienced, design-led teams like BOS Property are increasingly focused on creating townhome communities that prioritise liveability, privacy, and long-term value — offering buyers a compelling alternative to traditional apartment living.