Renter profile: Kymba's creative oasis in Brunswick Heads

Introducing...

Name: Kymba Burrows
Occupation: Artist, Illustrator, Designer
Family: Son, Luca (8 years old) & daughter, Amelie (7 years old)
Hometown: Northern Rivers, NSW
Current address: Brunswick Heads, NSW

My RentPay experience

Why did you start using RentPay?

Our real estate agent introduced us to RentPay.

What do you like about using RentPay?

I've found it really easy to use. I like the positive messages that I get sent – they are a nice touch.

Which payment method do you use for your RentPay wallet?

Direct debit.

What are your finance tips and hacks for saving money and managing budgets, rent and bills?

Don't take any advice from me – budgets, rents and bills aren't my strong suit (I'm a creative)!

About my home and renting

What's good about renting for you at this time in your life?

I get to live in this beautiful area and be part of the "Bruns" (Brunswick Heads) community. Renting means we can stay in an area where I’d otherwise not be able to buy, so we can enjoy a great life in this little seaside village which is such a great place for kids to grow up.

What do you look for in a rental property?

In a rental, I look for a place that can be a great base for working from home and doing art. Somewhere I love to be, with connection to the natural world, a peaceful and quiet sanctuary when we need it, but is also a great place to entertain in the garden, and lots of space for children to play and climb trees.

I moved in here when I was 6 months pregnant with my first child. I was looking for a good spot for kids and a place that was practical for me to work from home doing design, illustration and art. I wanted a place that was practical and had a great community around us, and a backyard and garden.

How would you describe your home design style?

I would describe our place as an eclectic and creative space. There's a constant stream of friends and kids coming to play and doing art with us on a big long trestle out the back. Between myself and the kids, we usually have some creative projects on the go.

We also love gardening, so we've created two little backyard ponds which are frog habitats for green tree frogs and striped marsh frogs. We also grow our own food as much as possible. 

What's your most unique, quirky or prized possession?

Our most loved things at our place would be quirky arty pieces around our home, like handmade misshapen clay teapots and paintings.

What are your home aspirations or dreams?

We’d love one day to have a block of land nearby (even if we lived in a big shed on it) to grow our own food, and have chooks and goats. But, we’re not ready yet to move away from this town and community that we love.

What's something that you wish you knew earlier as a renter?

To save more money somehow to save for a house, so I don't have to rent all my life.

Curious to read more?

Check out our other renter stories to hear their perspectives on using RentPay and navigating renting in Australia.

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