What do you think makes a great family suburb?
Good size homes on decent blocks, great schools, easy transport to the CBD. Lots of parks, wide leafy streets, a nice big shopping centre. And of course, low crime and plenty of services such as hospitals and child care.
Independent RP Data researchers have put together lists of the Top 20 family friendly suburbs in every state and it’s great reading – especially for people moving interstate who don’t know where to start.
We’re currently seeing a bit of a trend in Sydney and Melbourne families heading north to Queensland, where there is better weather and so much more value for money in property. Maybe the QLD list will give you some ideas!
Across most capital cities, RP Data’s research shows it is the middle to outer ring suburbs that are most suitable for family living. They based their determinations on the following factors:
- House prices
- Typical block size
- Average number of bedrooms
- Historical capital gains
- Proximity to amenities such as schools, health care, child care and shops
- Socio-economic wellbeing, based on the Bureau of Statistics’ SEIFA index
- Other surveys by RP Data and Aussie Home Loans regarding what families value most
Here are the results.
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Sydney
- Forestville – median house price $910,000
- North Rocks – $751,000
- Beecroft – $1,041,250
- Castle Hill – $874,000
- Blaxland – $457,250
- West Pennant Hills – $941,500
- Carlingford – $797,000
- West Pymble – $965,000
- Turramurra – $1,118,500
- Katoomba – $350,000
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Melbourne
- Taylors Lakes – median house price $495,000
- Diamond Creek – $498,000
- Cockatoo – $335,000
- Ringwood North – $602,000
- Greenvale – $540,000
- Upwey – $415,000
- Mooroolbark – $430,000
- Beaconsfield – $480,250
- Chirnside Park – $450,000
- Langwarrin – $384,500
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Brisbane
- Morayfield – median house price $310,000
- The Gap – $569,000
- Kenmore – $558,000
- Albany Creek – $487,500
- Eatons Hill – $529,500
- Bray Park – $344,250
- Redbank Plains – $286,000
- Alexandra Hills – $392,500
- Narangba – $430,000
- Collingwood Park – $295,000
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Adelaide
- Aberfoyle Park – median house price $369,000
- Belair – $480,000
- Banksia Park – $340,500
- Flagstaff Hill – $436,000
- Highbury – $385,000
- McLaren Vale – $375,000
- Pooraka – $303,500
- Happy Valley – $352,500
- Aldgate – $605,000
- Modbury North – $330,000
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Perth
- Byford – median house price $439,000
- Floreat – $1.201M
- Forrestfield – $420,000
- Wanneroo – $454,500
- Thornlie – $435,000
- Kalamunda – $622,500
- Canning Vale – $580,000
- Lesmurdie – $593,000
- Atwell – $550,000
- Kelmscott – $360,000
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Hobart
- Kingston – median house price $350,000
- Lauderdale – $330,000
- Lenah Valley – $370,000
- Sandy Bay – $588,600
- Claremont – $240,000
- Lindisfarne – $359,000
- Geilston Bay – $344,000
- Blackmans Bay – $405,000
- South Arm – $330,000
- Glenorchy – $230,000
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Darwin
- Bellamack – median house price $282,500
- Howard Springs – $620,000
- Jingili – $596,500
- Leanyer – $635,000
- Humpty Doo – $630,000
- Stuart Park – $775,000
- Nakara – $605,000
- Rapid Creek – $707,500
- Wulagi – $585,000
- Tiwi – $557,500
Top 10 family-friendly suburbs in Canberra
- Deakin – median house price $830,000
- Kaleen – $549,950
- Curtin – $682,500
- Evatt – $470,000
- Kambah – 485,000
- Campbell – $887,000
- Aranda – $761,500
- Fadden – $612,000
- Nicholls – $704,750
- Wanniassa – $510,000
Top 10 regional family-friendly suburbs
Across Australia, the research shows more family friendly regional towns in NSW, with 39% of suburbs in the Top 100, followed by VIC with 32% and QLD with 15%.
The best regional suburb in Australia for family friendly living is Orange in NSW. Orange is a gorgeous regional town with a highly diverse local economy that includes wine-making.
It came in at No 1 due to its relatively low median house price, a high average block size of 851 sqm; and an average of three or more bedrooms per house. It also has plenty of facilities important to families, such as schools, shops and health care.
- Orange, NSW – median house price $333,500
- Wallan, VIC – $322,500
- Bacchus Marsh, VIC – $332,000
- Dubbo, NSW – $280,000
- Warragul, VIC – $306,000
- Muswellbrook, NSW – $334,000
- Roma, QLD – $330,000
- Goulburn, NSW – $295,000
- Scone, NSW – $350,000
- Leongatha, VIC – $300,000
To download a full copy of the report free, click here.
Image Credit: duncraignow.com.au
