We Love Our Apartment — But We Wanted an Escape Too

This story is a fictionalised or user-submitted example provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal or investment advice. Outcomes will vary and independent professional advice should be obtained before entering any property arrangement.

Loving City Life — But Wanting Something Different

My partner Alex and I bought our apartment in Wooloowin a few years ago, and overall we really enjoy living here. It’s close to the city, close to work, and the lifestyle suits us.

But every now and then we find ourselves talking about the same thing.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little escape somewhere?

Somewhere quieter. Somewhere green. Somewhere near the coast.

Not necessarily a full-time move — just somewhere we could go for long weekends or holidays.

The problem, of course, is that buying a second property on our own isn’t realistic for us right now.

The Holiday Home Idea

Like a lot of people in Brisbane, we often end up driving up to the Sunshine Coast or into the hinterland for a weekend away.

Every time we go, we have the same conversation:

“What if we had a place up here?”

But when we looked at the numbers, buying a second property by ourselves didn’t really stack up.

Between the purchase price, ongoing costs and the fact that we wouldn’t actually be using it full time, it felt like a lot to take on.

And honestly, it seemed a bit wasteful to own a home that would sit empty most of the time.

Thinking About It Differently

That’s when we started thinking about whether the purchase could be structured differently.

Instead of buying a holiday property alone, we wondered what it might look like to buy it with another couple who were interested in something similar.

People who also wanted a place to escape to occasionally — but didn’t necessarily need to own the entire property themselves.

For us, the idea wasn’t just about making the purchase more manageable. It was also about sharing the costs and responsibilities that come with owning a second property.

How We Imagine It Working

In our ideal scenario, we’d find another couple who are open to co-owning a holiday home somewhere on the Sunshine Coast or in the hinterland.

We’d share ownership of the property and agree upfront on how things would work — including:

• How the property could be used by each owner
• How ongoing costs are shared
• How booking or availability works
• What happens if one party wants to exit in the future

Because we wouldn’t be there all the time, we’ve also talked about the possibility of making the property available as short-term accommodation when it isn’t being used by either owner.

That would obviously depend on local regulations and agreement between everyone involved, but it felt like a practical way to ensure the property isn’t just sitting empty.

A Timeframe That Works for Everyone

For us, this isn’t necessarily a forever plan.

We imagine holding the property for around five to ten years, enjoying it during that time and then revisiting what makes sense for everyone involved.

That could mean selling the property together, or potentially one party buying the other out — depending on circumstances at the time.

The most important thing for us would be making sure everything is clearly documented from the beginning so everyone knows where they stand.

Why This Approach Appeals to Us

For us, the appeal is pretty simple.

We get the opportunity to enjoy a place that feels like an escape from city life — without needing to take on the full responsibility of a second property ourselves.

And hopefully we’d be doing it with people who value the same kind of lifestyle.

It’s not about owning more for the sake of it.

It’s about creating something that actually fits the way we live.

Exploring the Idea

Right now we’re simply exploring whether there are other people out there who might be interested in something similar.

A shared holiday property might not suit everyone — but for us, it feels like a conversation worth having.

Illustrative example only. Property ownership structures involve legal, financial and market risks. Independent professional advice should be obtained before entering any agreement.