Townsville Doctor Builds First Home in Growing City

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Dr. Junnel Sinajon may not have been born in Townsville, but after a decade in the North Queensland city, he proudly considers it home. With the foundations now laid for his first house in Rasmussen, the medical practitioner says the region’s lifestyle and community made staying an easy choice.

Originally from the Philippines, Dr. Sinajon arrived in Townsville around ten years ago. The familiar tropical climate was an immediate draw, reminding him of home. “I came from a tropical country, the Philippines, and Townsville has similar weather to back home,” he said.

After completing a nursing degree at James Cook University, he returned to study further and qualify as a medical practitioner. Job offers came from the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and even Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, but he turned them down. “It’s very relaxing here and the lifestyle is good,” he explained.

Dr. Sinajon says Townsville offers much of what a major city provides, while retaining a close-knit community feel. Its multicultural makeup has also been a positive factor. “You can connect to people from all different backgrounds,” he said. From dining out to enjoying the waterfront, Townsville’s amenities have kept him engaged. “You can enjoy the Strand, walk and have a coffee in front of the beach, and even go to Magnetic Island easily.”

Now a committed North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Maroons supporter, Dr. Sinajon recalls how the State of Origin spirit influenced him while working at Townsville Hospital. “Everyone would wear maroon for the State of Origin. I didn’t understand the game at first, but I knew Queensland was the best.”

His decision to invest in the local property market was reinforced by the latest MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index, which ranks Townsville as the sixth-best property market in Australia for lifestyle and growth potential. The city also has the lowest median house price among the top-ranked regions.

Dr. Sinajon purchased a block at Urbex’s Somers & Hervey estate in Rasmussen and engaged local firm Keir Constructions for the build. “We compared other estates, but Somers & Hervey captured our attention. As soon as we found a lot, we paid a deposit. The slab has just been poured – it’s very exciting.”

For Dr. Sinajon, Townsville offers the perfect balance of opportunity, affordability, and community spirit – qualities that have transformed the city from a place he once visited to the place he now calls home.