Top 3 Affordable Suburbs to Live In Near Sydney

We don’t have to sell you on how much Sydney has to offer, and why it’s such a great place to live. But we also don’t feel the need to remind you of how expensive it is to live here, with housing taking a good chunk out of most residents’ paychecks.

So, in order to be close to all of its amenities and opportunities, you ought to consider moving to a nearby suburb. If you’re on a budget and want to make a shortlist of the best, affordable Sydney suburbs — keep reading.

 

Best Places to Live Near Sydney Pyrmont

Population: 12,813 (2016 census)

This inner-city Sydney suburb sits only 2km from the CBD and is known for having one of the most diverse, hard-working communities in NSW. 

Nowadays, the suburb is continuously developing and growing and consists of a close, harmonious multicultural community. Renters seem to show the most interest in the area, but there are also quite a few house-hunters as well, looking to find a great home at a low price.

In regards to rent, the suburb has seen an incredible decrease as far as asking prices go — up to 20.1% in the last year. This constitutes a price decline in the double digits, allowing people from all sorts of backgrounds to call Pyrmont home.

 

Best Places to Live Near Sydney Pyrmont

Population: 9,209 (2016 census)

Plumpton is a mere 40-minute drive away from the Sydney CBD. Thus putting you close enough to the city hustle, but far enough to where you can enjoy the calm of the suburb. It’s best known for its rolling vistas and native wildlife, so it often attracts nature lovers from all over NSW and Australia. 

On the other hand, Plumpton is also home to great schools, such as Plumpton Primary and Plumpton High School, which are next to each other. There’s also a church-operated primary School (The Good Shepherd), as well as government-run school (Plumpton House).

The greatest part of Plumpton’s appeal is its affordable real estate. There are gorgeous houses and apartments for both rent and purchase, and they fit into most people’s budgets. However, if you’re looking for the most affordable, and easy way to move into a property, we recommend checking out house and land packages Plumpton.

 

Oxley Park

Population: 3,112 (2016 census)

This quiet residential suburb is located 43km from Sydney CBD. It’s one of the oldest suburbs in the area and features a lot of large-lot homes. Nowadays, it’s become popular with both renters looking to downsize and first-time homeowners.

Arguably the greatest part of Oxley Park’s appeal is how affordable the real estate is. Moreover, you can purchase a three-bedroom apartment for as little as £265,000, and a four-bedroom house for around £325,000. Thus, the real estate in Oxley Park is within most people’s reach.

Among the residential suburb, amenities are sporting fields, Oxley Park Primary School, as well as the well-regarded Oxley Park Health and Rehabilitation Home. Not to mention, you’ll be in close driving distance to all of Sydney’s amenities.

 

Final Thoughts

These amazing little suburbs allow you to have great access to Sydney while living in a quiet, affordable place. Should you decide to make the move, we’re sure you’ll be happy to call any of them home.

What Are the Best Places to Live in Newcastle, Australia?

Newcastle, or “Newie” as the locals call it, is known for its gorgeous beaches and nature, and plenty of great cafes and restaurants. The harbour city is also home to some great schools and universities while being close to the CBD. Not to mention, house and land packages in Newcastle are still relatively inexpensive, so people are flocking here while the prices are still low.

So, it comes as no surprise that so many people, young and old are considering making the move here, and calling Newcastle their home. That being said, there are some great, and some not so great areas of the city. To make sure you choose the one that suits you best — here are our top four picks for places to move to Newcastle.

 

Top Four Places to Live in Newcastle

 

Mayfield

Mayfield is perfect for both working professionals and families alike. Additionally, it’s very popular with people who look for inexpensive, soundly built houses they can renovate and call home.

The city used to be an industrial hub, so it has a solid infrastructure that still serves its citizens well to this day. There are plenty of pubs, schools, parks, as well as a train station nearby if you need to commute or are simply weary. However, you’ll probably never tire of this lively city, and you’ll also be within the driving distance of the beach.

 

Charlestown

The quiet suburb of Charlestown sits closely to the southern beaches and the Lake Macquarie shores. It’s in no shortage of stores and cafes, great schools and there’s even a big shopping centre nearby. So, it’s perfect for young families with children, retirees, as well as young and old working professionals.

 

Merewether

If you want to have the best of both worlds — look no further than Merewether. The coastal suburb is minutes away from the CBD, offers great schools, as well as miles of clean beaches. It’s pretty quiet in general, but also offers plenty of entertainment for those looking for a more outgoing lifestyle.

All that being said, Merewether is very popular for young families and people who want to have a good work-life balance. So, if you dream of taking a quick dip in the ocean before or after work, Merewether may be the place for you.

 

Waterford

Waterford is part of the greater Newcastle area and has an incredibly diverse group of people populating its streets. From young to the old, everyone can take advantage of the suburb’s green spaces, local wildlife and wonderful climate.

Waterford is also the heart of wine country and offers the perfect balance of calm and adventure. It also has some of the most fairly priced house and land packages in Newcastle. So, we recommend it for anyone that’s looking for a fun, calm green place to live.

 

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, by now you’ve learned all there is to know about Newcastle and its suburbs and feel safe in making an informed decision. We wholeheartedly recommend checking out properties in these cities, as there’s much to look forward to and the area is a great fit for most people.

Real Estate Agent – 5 Steps to Choose the Best!

Buying a house or selling your home are not easy feats at all. It takes a lot of time, patience, and money to find the perfect home for you, and this goes the same with selling your home. The best way to get ahead of the game is to work with a professional broker or real estate agent.

The question now is, how do we find the perfect match in a world full of brokers and real estate agents? Here are the five steps you can follow.

Do Your Research

See the homes with your own two eyes. Talk to an agent directly during an open house and interact with them. Please take note of their personality, the one that stands out, and the one that remembers and accommodates you.

Make a list of these agents and get their contact details. Chances are they’re your perfect match. So, if you buy a home in Hillstowe, you can personally talk to the sales team, assess their skills, and gauge their collective understanding and psychology of the current market.

Your Agent’s Niche Matters

Now that you’ve narrowed down your list, it’s time to dig a little more about the independent agent or broker you’re planning to work with. Both buyers and sellers should know the niche and expertise of your chosen broker.

Studies have shown that niche-specific brokers are high-performing compared to those independent brokers and agencies that spread themselves too thinly. So, choose the right agent and align your preferences, needs, lifestyle, goals, and mission to yours.

Marketing Plan

If you’re looking to sell a house, then most probably you’ll need a marketing plan to put the word out for your property. Work with your broker and ask their approach on selling, finding prospective buyers, and how they’ll make your property stand out.

Yes, it can be a bit tedious to ask for all of these, and it can also be overwhelming. However, you need to understand their point of view in selling your home and, hopefully, add a bit of your personality to it.

Your Expenses Matter

Understanding the niche, expertise, and marketing approach of your chosen broker also allows you to get a realistic number for your expenses. Remember that their approach in all forms and sizes will come with a price. As such, you need to determine your costs even before signing a contract.

However, if you’re buying a home, then working with a house and land packages officer still requires a little spending, though generally less. Spend a little with the right agent and you’ll surely find your dream home!

Offer Full Support

It’s always best to work with a supportive team, especially when making big decisions, such as buying or selling a house. It’s recommended to use a company with a corporate culture parallel to your work ethics.

Do your research, interview people, and make sure that these people are the best in their field. Remember, you’re building a home and a future. It would be best if you worked with a team who are two or three steps ahead and are looking after you and your family.

7
Apr, 2020

Buying a House? Let’s Talk About Money Matters First

You’re excited to buy your first house, but as it turns out, the process is more complicated than you would have ever imagined, especially in the finance department. Buying a house is a huge investment after all. You need to take all the necessary steps to make sure that you’re still financially secure after you seal the deal. 

Pay off your debt and stay debt-free.

Owning a home is undoubtedly expensive—more expensive than renting because you will be responsible for maintenance costs. So before you dive into the home buying process and start looking for properties in Bloomdale, make sure that you pay off all your debt first to avoid digging a deeper hole for yourself. You should also have at least three months’ worth of expenses in an emergency fund so you’ll have money to use for unplanned expenses on top of paying the mortgage. 

Once you’re done paying off the debt, stay debt-free by being mindful about your budget for furnishing and decorating your new home. And if you’re not financially ready to make a purchase yet, don’t be afraid to let go of that house you’ve been eyeing on because there’s always a better house ahead.

Save up for a downpayment.

You don’t have to save up for the full payment of a house if it’s still not possible with your income. But you can at least save up for a downpayment of 20% or more. Aside from lowering down your monthly payments, you can also save a substantial amount by not having to pay for private mortgage insurance, which is 1% of your loan’s total value. 

Re-evaluate your budget.

A lot of first-time homebuyers make the mistake of assuming that they’ll only need to pay for the house and nothing more than that. But you have to remember that once you’re done with the downpayment, you’ll also need to think of other costs like renovating or furnishing your home on top of your usual daily living expenses. 

For this reason, it’s very important to re-evaluate your budget and cut down whenever you can so you’ll have some breathing room for those extra costs after buying your house. Sacrificing your budget for shopping or dining out will reap you bigger rewards in the future. And if you’re struggling with budgeting, you can always seek professional financial advice from companies like Lifestyle Financial Services.  

Be open to adjustments.

Chances are, you already have a vision of how you’d want your home to be. But once you start shopping for properties, you should stick to a home for sale within your price range to avoid spending more than you can afford and end up being in debt after buying your house. You can also check out different locations because some homes are cheaper in other neighbourhoods. 

The takeaway

As you step into a huge milestone in your adult life, it’s very important to know how to do things right so you can fully enjoy your home without any worries at the back of your mind. 

14
Feb, 2020

The Five Essentials You’ll Need for Your Home

 

Image Source Link: https://unsplash.com/photos/jn7uVeCdf6U

 

It’s one thing to build a house and another to furnish it. After all you’ve been through with the construction process, now it’s time to find the right products to really make your house a home. But here’s the thing: there are at least a million products out there that you can buy. So what do you really need? We have five suggestions:

 

  1. A mattress

 

Before you invest in a couch or chandelier, think about where you’ll be spending most of your time in. That’s right, your bedroom. So if you are to make a splurge for your home, make it on a comfortable mattress, which will actually benefit you more than you know. A good mattress could actually prevent back problems and promote better sleep, which translates to better health. Never cut corners when buying a mattress and you’ll thank yourself for it.

 

  1. Essential oils

 

With everyone needing peace of mind in this chaotic world, essential oils have become such a huge trend for a lot of homeowners. Just imagine the feeling of being in a spa without going to one. Just scatter essential oil diffusers around your home, find the right oils depending on your needs and relax away. 

 

  1. Window treatments

 

Most homes these days have huge windows to encourage the use of natural light. But as much as you’d love to bask in the sun’s rays, there are still days when you’d love complete privacy and in that case, you’ll need the right window treatments for your home. Aside from adding that hint of character to your space, a window treatment also allows you to control the amount of natural light coming in, increase your home’s insulation and even reduce your energy bills in the long run. Now that’s a good investment. 

 

  1. Plants

 

Green thumb or not, it’s good to have a few plants in and around your home. Nature-inspired spaces are such a huge trend these days because they don’t only break the monotony that most modern homes have, but they also help clean the air around your home. The great thing about decorating your house with plants is that you can choose from a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and species. You can also play with different types of plants around your space for added texture.

 

  1. A couch 

 

Finally, you’d want a space in your house that you can really relax in after a busy day. It could be your bedroom, reading nook, or TV room. Whatever that room is, you’ll need a good couch to relax in while you enjoy a book, watch Netflix, drink a cup of coffee or just take a nice weekend nap. You have a lot of options for couches. The trick here is to find a couch that fits your space perfectly, one that speaks to your style and of course, a product that you can enjoy for a long time. 

 

These five essentials are great additions to any home, which also make them a smart investment to truly transform your space into your own. 

17
Jan, 2020
House and Land Waterford

You Should Consider Moving to the Countryside: Here’s Why

There was a time when the concept of “making it” involved moving to the big city and living the life many dream of. But now that cities are already crammed with high-rise buildings, cars, and endless crowds, a lot of us are starting to miss those days when we lived in small towns where everyone knew each other and everything was simple.

There has been a trend towards countryside living in Australia, especially in New South Wales where there’s now a boom in residential developments by AVID and other companies. Here’s why you should start considering a move to the countryside:

You get to enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Life in the city has become so toxic that a beautiful apartment and a high-paying job may not keep you from burning out anymore. Places like New South Wales offer that reprieve that a lot of us have been aching for—clean air, lots of green spaces, less crowds and just a sense of peace that was long gone in the city due to industrialisation. House and land packages near Newcastle are selling like pancakes, which proves that a lot of people are already aching for a healthier lifestyle with less stress and more opportunities to live in the present.

You feel connected. 

Living in the countryside makes you feel connected with nature, your friends, and your family. You don’t need to worry about all the stresses that are associated with living in the city, such as traffic, pollution, and commuting. In the countryside, you can go to your neighbours for a quick talk whenever you like and visit your doctors or dentists without worrying about traffic and pollution.  When you’re living in the countryside, you get to enjoy walking comfortably at night as everybody knows everybody. You can allow your children to play outside and just live your life without worrying too much about safety. 

You get excellent weather for most of the year.

Unlike cities that are hot and cramped, the countryside is known for its good weather. New South Wales especially offers pleasant weather for most of the year where the temperatures are ideal, the summers are just hot enough, and the winters are not too freezing. If you want to experience snowfall, you can choose to live in the higher parts of New South Wales or if you love a more humid climate, you can go north near the border of Queensland.

You get to live your best life.

Finally, living in the countryside allows you to go back to when life was simple yet more fulfilling without taking you completely away from the conveniences of urban life. Just imagine being able to drive through the streets with less traffic and get easy access to natural attractions like caves, falls, and national parks. Countryside living offers that perfect balance between building a modern life and still enjoying the simple pleasures that once gave you the contentment that you’re now craving.

So if you feel burned out, stressed and just wanting to pack up and go somewhere more peaceful, then it’s about time to start considering a move to the countryside.