Sydney real estate: Property guru John McGrath’s top suburbs to buy in
These are the Sydney suburbs set to boom in 2022, according to one of Australia’s leading real estate experts.
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With the Sydney and NSW real estate markets experiencing unprecedented price growth and a lack of stock, it’s hard to know where to look for a new home that will give you the lifestyle and capital growth you desire.
Just as well then that John McGrath, who changed property in Australia forever via his eponymous real estate agency, has offered up his selection of the best top suburb picks in the McGrath report 2022.
As we look to put the pandemic behind us next year, Mr McGrath said he expects buyers to continue to put their faith in the Aussie property market.
“Whilst the inner suburbs of metropolitan markets (especially the bigger cities) will remain entrenched at the top end of the market, proximity to the city is becoming less valuable for many over lifestyle,” Mr McGrath said.
“This is because many people have now found that their daily trek in and out of the city is no longer necessary, courtesy of telecommuting, and many have decided to move to their dream location now rather than waiting until they retire.
“Fringe areas are already huge beneficiaries, as many inner city dwellers eye off the enviable lifestyle available 20-30km further afield in areas where value for money compares favourably with the trendy inner urban environment for young families and empty nesters alike. The same can be said for lifestyle locations (read treechange and seachange) within two hours of major hubs.”
JOHN MCGRATH’S TOP REAL ESTATE SUBURBS FOR 2022
AVALON BEACH
Sitting on Sydney’s gorgeous northern beaches, Avalon Beach is 37km north of the Sydney CBD and sits within the Northern Beaches Council area.
Population: 9,905*
Median house price: $2.63m^
Median unit price: $1.205m^
John McGrath says: “COVID-19 has sent Sydneysiders running for the best coastal lifestyle options. Plus the surf, sand and coffee of Avalon Beach makes it front and centre up there with the best. Locals enjoy its charming retail village. Prices are up and they won’t stop any time soon as seachanger telecommuters vie for the best addresses.”
CAMDEN
The historic township and suburb of Camden sits 65km south-west of the Sydney CBD within the Camden Council Local Government Area.
Population: 3,230*
Median house price: $850,000^
Median unit price: $511,000^
John McGrath says: “Fits beautifully into the treechange category as empty nesters and young families alike reprioritise their needs and discover this rural lifestyle with easy access to Sydney’s fastest growth corridors.
There are large parcels of residential land and grand contemporary family homes being built alongside modest cottages yet to be turned over. It’s a 25-minute drive to the new Western Sydney International Airport (due to open in 2026) and the Aerotropolis business park, which will bring 200,000 jobs to the region.”
HOMEBUSH
Best known as the home of the Sydney Olympics, Homebush is 12km west of the Sydney CBD in the Strathfield Municipality.
Population: 7,007*
Median house price: $2.005m^
Median unit price: $650,000^
John McGrath says: When WestConnex is complete, the 14km between Homebush and the CBD will shrink to just a few minutes’ drive. The vast sporting and leisure facilities at Sydney Olympic Park provide a fantastic recreational playground for locals. What was once frowned upon as a residential address is fast becoming a fashionable place to live.
MALABAR
One of the last beaches on the stretch of south-eastern Sydney, Malabar is 12km from Sydney’s CBD in the Randwick LGA.
Population: 5,420*
Median house price: $2.705m^
Median unit price: $n/a^
John McGrath says: “As the eastern beaches from Maroubra to Bondi become unaffordable for most mere mortals, there’s only a few city beach suburbs left that represent relatively affordable value for most Sydneysiders. The peninsula from Malabar to Little Bay is about to become one of the most in demand locations in the country. Malabar also offers plenty of wide open, green spaces that buyers are appreciating much more in today’s world, including the heritage-listed Malabar Headland nature reserve and plenty of golf courses within a stone’s throw.”
BOOKER BAY, CENTRAL COAST
Around 80km north of Sydney, Booker Bay sits south-east of Woy Woy in the Central Coast LGA.
Population: 1,326*
Median house price: $1.266m^
Median unit price: $830,000^
John McGrath says: “This charming, secluded pocket on the Central Coast sits quietly next to her better known neighbour, Ettalong. It’s a 75-minute drive for most Sydneysiders. Prices are still relatively affordable for a gorgeous backwater. With mesmerising views of Brisbane Water, there is an exclusivity to this tiny 0.5 sqkm peninsula suburb. And with great pizza and its own village cinema, what’s not to love!”.
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