When Michele and her husband decided it was time to move back to Brisbane from the Sunshine Coast, they never imagined they would end up living right next door to her parents. But with a desire to be closer to family, avoid the ever-increasing highway traffic, and embrace a low-maintenance lifestyle, their move to Parqway in Albany Creek turned out to be the perfect choice.
“We knew we wanted to be back near our families,” Michele explains. “With my parents in Aspley and my in-laws in Rothwell, we were looking for a location that was central, well-connected, and had a great community feel. Michele initially searched in Aspley, but as she expanded her search, she realised Albany Creek offered the best of both worlds. “It’s easy to get to the city, head north to see family, or even take a trip back up the coast,” she says. “And unlike Aspley, where traffic and noise have increased over the years, Albany Creek felt quieter and more relaxed.”
However, a major turning point came when Michele and her parents started discussing the benefits of downsizing for their retirement years. ‘We realised that maintaining a large family home required a lot of effort, and it made sense to simplify life now rather than later,’ Kerry says. ‘By moving to a more manageable home, we could focus on enjoying life rather than upkeep and maintenance.
At first, Michele’s father was hesitant to leave the large family home, despite the maintenance it required. But curiosity got the better of her parents, and before Michele had a chance to inspect a display home at Parqway, they had already visited—and loved it.
“When we finally toured the development together, it was an easy decision,” Michele recalls. “The three-bedroom townhome was exactly as advertised—spacious, modern, and ideal for our lifestyle. Even our two little dogs have the perfect outdoor space, with a patio, grassed area, and walking tracks along the river.”
Then came a light bulb moment. While driving back from dropping off her dad’s vintage car for repairs, Michele casually suggested, “Why don’t you buy the townhome next to the one we are buying?” The idea quickly turned into reality.
Now, instead of spending time maintaining large homes or making long trips between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane, Michele and her parents are focusing on what matters most. “Living next door means we can help each other out without sacrificing independence,” she says. “Mum and Dad can watch our dogs when we go away, and we can water their plants if they’re traveling. It’s the perfect balance.”
For her father, an important factor was the garage. “It’s his working space—double car parking, plenty of storage, ideal for tinkering with his vintage car,” Michele laughs.
One of the smartest decisions they made was renting in the development before buying. “It gave us time to transition, move furniture bit by bit, and sell what we didn’t need,” Michele’s mum Kerry explains. “By the time we signed, we knew this was the right move.”
As Parqway’s second stage nears completion, the family is eagerly anticipating their permanent move. “The community here is fantastic. You meet your neighbours but still have privacy,” Kerry says. “The century-old pine trees add to the tranquillity—it’s so different from the noise of our previous home. Birds replace sirens, and the sense of peace is incredible.”
With easy access to shopping centres in Strathpine, Albany Creek, Aspley, and Chermside, as well as nearby hospitals and medical centres, Kerry believes they’ve truly found the perfect place to call home. “I only moved one suburb, but my quality of life has changed so much—I can’t believe we didn’t do it sooner.”
For Michele and her family, Albany Creek isn’t just a new home—it’s a fresh start, a simpler more enjoyable life, and a community where they can thrive together.
