Is the Central Coast the Best Place to Buy Property Outside of Sydney?

First published 08 May 2019, 08:27 AM

For those willing to commute there are plenty of property options outside of Sydney, we take a look at the top three: The Central Coast, Southern Highlands and Illawarra.

While the Sydney Property market might be unattainable for some, there are still plenty of options outside the capital close enough for those willing to commute. Of the top three, the Central Coast is projected to grow the fastest.

Total Projected Population	2016	2036	Percentage Increase
Central Coast	339,550	415,050	22.2%
Illawarra	404,650	471,700	16.6%
Southern Highlands	275,650	321,050	16.4%

Source: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Research-and-Demography/Demography/Population-projections

Central Coast Property Market

For years the Central Coast has been a favourite spot for people looking to escape Sydney for the weekend, and now, it’s also a great place for those looking for better value and willing to commute.

If you’re working in Macquarie Park, the coastal suburb of Wamberal is just an hour away – and with the median house price just over a $1 million it is a bargain compared to Sydney where the median house price for coastal suburbs is often in excess of $2 million.

The region is also poised to benefit from improved transport links thanks to NorthConnex, a tunnel between the M1 and M2 which is expected to open in 2020.

Top Beachside Suburbs on the Central Coast

Wamberal
Avoca
Copacabana

Speak with a Central Coast Mortgage Broker today.

The Illawarra Property Market

Down south the population isn’t expected to grow as fast, but there is still great value even in the regions most popular suburbs. One of those is Thirroul, which is a little over an hour from Sydney’s CBD.

At present the median house price in Thirroul is $1.2 million – a bargain compared to Bondi where a house will set you back $2.2 million. The area also has great access to public transport with train stations littered along the coast.

Top Beachside Suburbs in the Illawarra

Thirroul
Austinmer
Bulli

Speak with a Wollongong Mortgage Broker today.

Southern Highlands Property Market

If the beach isn’t for you, then the Southern Highlands could be just the place you’re looking for with its historic towns and lush countryside just over an hour from the city.

Bowral, the heart of the Southern Highlands with its cosmopolitan town centre, is also the areas most popular town with a median house price of $921,500.

For those looking for better value, the nearby towns of Mittagong and Moss Vale are worth close inspection.