Nairne tops list of regional towns for first-home buyers in Australia

A quirky little Adelaide town has topped a national list for the most affordable spots for first-home buyers.

Nairne has come out on top as Australia’s best regional town for first-home buyers, according to an MB Bank report.

The financial provider has released its top 20 regional towns for first-home buyers report, which identified lifestyle locations made popular as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These stories will be free for non-subscribers to read until  February 28. Want more? Right now, you can unlock all of our digital stories for just one dollar for the first 28 days. SUBSCRIBE NOW 

A survey conducted by the bank in June found 60 per cent of first-home buyers were drawn to regional centres in a bit to save money and improve their lifestyle.

Nairne ranked most favourable among the survey locations, due to its value for money and liveability.

The Adelaide Hills town has a median house price of $416,000 - almost $80,000 less than the regional average.

There’s no place like Nairne for first-home buyers, according to a new report. Picture: Mount Barker District Council/Mindful Creative

ME’s consulting demographer, Chris McNeill from Ethos Urban said Nairne had deservedly outperformed other regions across Australia.

“Nairne has a vibrant and growing community expected to reach 6200 by the year 2036; good access to hospitals and schools; spectacular surrounds in winegrowing country; and heritage streets that give it a ‘lost to time’ quality,” he said.

“A boom in new property developments in the town also means affordable modern housing is attainable for first home buyers.

“South Australia has deservedly outperformed (and) it’s about time it was recognised.”

But that’s not all. In the same study, Mount Barker scored fourth among first-home buyers, ranking just behind Bungendore, east of Canberra, and Margaret River, in Western Australia’s famous wine region.

Nuriootpa in the Barossa ranked 14th.