Ms Cranston said the couple was motivated to move from Sydney to Brisbane to escape multiple lockdowns and by the desire for a better lifestyle for their children, including being closer to family.
“The lifestyle in Brisbane is so desirable and I was very aware of that,” she said.
“I wanted us to enjoy everything Queensland has to offer with our kids, including more space. We were living in apartments in Sydney, because it was just so expensive to buy a house there.”
Ms Cranston said when a friend suggested Ellendale, which neighbours South D’Aguilar National Park just 12 kilometres from Brisbane CBD, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I slowly convinced my husband it would be a good idea to look at Ellendale and got in touch with home builder, GJ Gardner last year,” she said.
“As we were unable to leave Sydney at the time, the team at Ellendale and GJ Gardner video called us to show us a few options, and without seeing the community in person we decided to put down an expression of interest, because it was exactly what we were looking for.”
The couple chose to build a Hamptons-style, single-level home.
“We went through the whole design process over video chat and that’s how we selected every detail,” she said.
“We did a completely custom build, so every single aspect is unique to our home.”
Ms Cranston said she was thrilled with the result, particularly the stackable doors opening to the back deck with beautiful uninterrupted views over to the hills and the trees.
“Every time we visit the home build it feels really calm and peaceful,” she said.
“We kept it light, fresh and modern. I couldn’t take the smile off my face when I saw it.”
Ms Cranston said another bonus was having her sister-in-law nearby in Stafford.
“We are close to her so that was really important,” she said.
“For us Upper Kedron seemed like the sweet spot between city life and nature, where we can easily go into the CBD if we want to, while raising our family in a nice peaceful community.
“I want this to be our forever home. We did not build it as an investment, we really made it a home where we plan to live for a really long time.”
Cedar Woods Development Director Peter Starr said Ms Cranston and Mr Cawthorne were part of the wave of purchasers from interstate who have set their sights on Brisbane – and Ellendale – since Covid-19.
"We have seen an uplift in interstate buyers, which account for 10 per cent of purchasers at Ellendale over the past four months, who are migrating predominately from Sydney and Melbourne and are drawn by the fantastic lifestyle on offer,” he said.
“There’s no doubt the pandemic has played a role in more people from interstate deciding to make the move to Brisbane.
“Ellendale is coming out on top of their wish list because it offers the best of both worlds – city life and a green change, surrounded by nature.
“Residents enjoy access to numerous walkways and pathways within Ellendale, with 40 per cent of the land set aside for open space and recreational areas while the popular trails of the South D’Aguilar National Park are a short distance away.
“This lifestyle can’t be found anywhere else in Brisbane.”
Mr Starr said homesites in Ellendale continued to prove popular with buyers seeking a family-friendly community close to desirable schools, parks and shops, within commuting distance of the Brisbane CBD.
“Our two most recent releases are close to a sell-out, and we expect our next releases to be just as popular,” he said.
For more information or to register your interest, please visit the Ellendale Sales Centre, open Saturday to Wednesday from 11am to 4pm at 324 Canvey Road in Upper Kedron, head to ellendale.com.au or call 1300 720 858.