The townhouse suited for family living near the beach

The Hansens bought a home in a beachside suburb and quickly discovered they had bought more than a house, they had found a community and are keen stay part of it.

The Hansen family bought a townhouse and were bowled over by a kind and loving community.

Christian and Barbara Hansen are auctioning their three-bedroom townhouse in Mona Vale with its own pet and child-friendly garden, but love the area so much they are only moving around the corner.

The couple have discovered village life in Mona Vale and rarely walk out without meeting someone they know and having a chat.

“I love the fact that I can walk into almost any store and nearly all of the shopkeepers know me. That was the most surprising thing about moving here. We thought we just bought a house,” Mrs Hansen said.

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The Pittwater Rd townhouse that steps out to a private courtyard and garden.

The Hansens bought 1/1630 Pittwater Rd, Mona Vale in 2013 coming out of a one-bedroom flat and loved the space, the double garage with internal access and the two bathrooms.

“And to top it off it had a beautiful sunny courtyard for leisurely breakfasts and barbecues with friends and family. It ticked all our boxes and more!” Mrs Hansen said.

The block is small with only eight townhouses in the complex and there are entrances front and back.

“We bought when our daughter was nine months old,” said Mrs Hansen.

“We were a frazzled couple with a young baby and two noisy cats trying our best to squeeze into my husband’s one-bedroom bachelor pad — and failing miserably.

One of the three bedrooms in the Mona Vale townhouse.

The family-sized kitchen.

“We were desperate for a second bedroom for our baby, a real bath we could put her in (instead of a plastic tub on top of the washing machine) and an actual garage for the cars, instead of trying to deal with street parking. When we found this place we couldn’t believe it,” she said.

The couples bedrooms and toilets trebled and their living space quadrupled in the Mona Vale townhouse and with an internal access double garage they could let their baby sleep if she nodded off in the car.

But the real benefit of being in the heart of Mona Vale village soon became apparent. They found they barely needed their cars! They walked to the parks, Bayview, Mona Vale beach, the doctors, the hair dresser, gym and the library. And then later it became an easy walk to kindy, school and the B-line for work.

Under their ownership the townhouse has new curtains and soft carpet. Storage has been added and the garden has been overhauled and made safe for little children.

“But one of the best things we ever did was put in our solar-powered LED skylights downstairs. We managed to flood the place with light and create the bright happy living space that it is now,” Mr Hansen said.

Mrs Hansen particularly loves the sun pouring into the second bedroom and its Juliet balcony and she also likes her workspace looking out over the courtyard.

The courtyard and outdoor eating area.

Mr Hansen favours sitting around the firepit in the garden and enjoying barbecues with friends. He also appreciates his small workshop beside the garage.

The family now comprises of Christian, Barbara, six year old Halle and four year old Zac and all four have connected well into the community.

“We soon realised that we’d actually bought a home that belongs to a village. An urban one, sure. But how many city-dwellers can say that? The people are so lovely here. Genuine, kind and helpful. We never wanted to leave Mona Vale. That’s why we are so grateful to have found another place just around the corner!” Mr Hansen said.

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“I never knew how important that sense of belonging is to the psyche until I discovered it for myself. I love that we stroll to Flying Fox Park for the 9 o’clock fireworks every year, leaving the house at 8:45, while others struggle with parking. I love that we’re right in the heart of everything. Carols By Candlelight on the Village Green at Christmas and never miss the markets when they’re on. We’re also spoiled for choice as far as great coffee, patisseries, sushi and pizza,” Mrs Hansen said.

Their townhouse is within easy reach of both Mona Vale beach and the Narrabeen lagoon and the family have bikes and a double kayak to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle.

Their home goes to auction on Tuesday June 18 through LJ Hooker Mona Vale and it has a $1.195 million price guide.

Originally published as The townhouse suited for family living near the beach