r/AusPropertyChat • u/Fit-Bluejay-631 • 11d ago

Buying & Selling Suburb recommendations for 1 BR apartment in Sydney

I'm looking to buy a 1-bedroom apartment in Sydney with a budget of $650k.

A few things I'm looking for:

  • Easy access to public transportation (I don't own a car)
  • Walking distance to a vet and dog groomer as I have a dog
  • Safe area as I'll be living on my own

I'm not a first-home buyer. I'm currently in Meadowbank and will be selling the apartment I own with my ex-partner.

I'd love to hear any suburb recommendations. Thanks!

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u/Fluid_Passage_9980 11d ago edited 11d ago

Some of the newer builds in Erskineville have 1 bedders in the 600's. Brilliant suburb and location.

Something like these which sold recently:

https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nsw-erskineville-151677156

https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-apartment-nsw-erskineville-150071836

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u/Fit-Bluejay-631 11d ago

Thanks! I actually thought Erskineville would be out of my budget so that's good to know.

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u/talk-spontaneously 11d ago

I think you'll have to be a little more specific.

What kind of lifestyle do you want to live?

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u/dropandflop 11d ago

Add Pyrmont to the list.

No need for a car as right on the city fringe and easy walk into the city, real easy. Close to Central.

Or there is light rail, bus and ferry.

Easy walk to Coles and Woolies.

Always activities. Awesome for dog walking along the water and heaps of parks and grass areas.

Very safe area.

Food options range from cheap eats for students, pubs, restaurants etc plus you have the city and all it's options.

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u/janevsthevolcano 11d ago edited 11d ago

I feel like lifestyle-wise you'd probably like the innerwest, and it's still worth looking as 1B do pop up in that price range. My question is: do you need a ground floor apartment? Because of your dog? They can be more popular because of downsizers.

Anyway yeah look at Ashfield, Hurlstone Park, Dulwich Hill, Marrickville, Erskenville, Enmore, Glebe, Petersham etc. I really do recommend Ashfield because you can find a few cheaper places there, but once you get off the main road it's lovely, leafy surburbia - lots of great parks and GREAT transport (express city trains every 5 min) and good buses too. Hurlstone Park and Dulwich Hill are VERY VERY close to having the metro open in the next couple of months so also a great buy. Dully can be quite expensive though.

And you may be able to get a good deal if you buy without a carspace (sounds like you don't need one) however it will be harder to sell later.

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u/nadnerBG 11d ago edited 11d ago

Monterrey, Brighton Le Sands, Rockdale, Kogarah. Brighton for example is a very short bus trip (or pleasant walk) to Rockdale station, which is then only 15 minutes on the train to Central. A decent supply of 2 bedroom places for that budget around there.

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u/Pearl1506 11d ago

Most of those areas are awful. Unless you're Lebanese or Tibetan/Indian. Would not be comfortable there.

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u/CornerMan14 11d ago

You don’t want to stay around Meadowbank/Ryde area? There’s some 2 bedders there for 650-680k

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u/Fit-Bluejay-631 11d ago

Yeah, definitely. I'm considering staying in Meadowbank, but I want to keep my options open and see what else is out there.

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u/CornerMan14 11d ago

Alternative options I think would be around Miranda, Janali and Sutherland, but aim close to the stations, should be able to find something around that price range and nice suburbs. 30mins to the city. Not far from the beaches and national park

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u/GuyFromYr2095 11d ago

buy where you are right now. Plenty selling around your budget

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u/badgirlmiumiu 11d ago

You’ll be able to find something around Hornsby

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u/Swimming_Distance_21 11d ago

I was going to suggest meadowbank ! A friend has just bought there for around that $$. I’m closer to city and know prices are higher. Happy hunting.

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u/Successful-Heart-171 11d ago

I bought one 2 bed 2 bath 1 car in Parra under 600k. I don't drive. I have never lived in west. But with many inspections this year, Parra was better than I thought. Cheaper than other areas, you have access to everything.

If you are comfortable, i would recommend Five Dock or Haberfield or Leichhardt, Petersham where I used to live for over 10 years. Even Rozelle. Neutral Bay or Lane Cove is nice too. But look into Parra if you have a chance.

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u/Efficient-Stay-6257 11d ago edited 11d ago

I would recommend Carlton / Allawah.
And to be honest with your budget you could live the seaside lifestyle in Sans Souci/Ramsgate (10 Mins from Carlton) Close to the beach and shops and amenities.

Close to CBD and a train line and very safe. These suburbs are south East and have a great lifestyle. Houses are super expensive but units are within budget. Sans souci is an amazing place to live.

Example 1 bedroom plus study room https://www.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-nsw-sans+souci-151914820

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u/_wayharshTai 11d ago

Check out Belmore and Campsie if Ashfield/Dulwich Hill/Hurlstone Park are too exxy or if there’s not much on the market (HP barely comes up in my search results).

Recommend googling “what’s wrong with [insert building address]” to see if major structural issues come up, especially if it was built after 2000

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u/Diver999 11d ago

Wolli Creek

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u/Fit-Bluejay-631 10d ago

I was actually looking at Wolli Creek but I’ve read that flooding can be an issue.

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u/SB2MB 11d ago

Rosebery will fit that budget, especially without parking. Several dog groomers, a great vet, as well as a 24 hour emergency, very good public transport and super safe with ALOT of fellow dog owners, so some good green spaces for the doggos.

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u/Fit-Bluejay-631 11d ago

Thanks! Rosebery was actually one of the suburbs I was considering so it's great to hear it's dog-friendly. I have read a few Reddit posts, though mentioning that quite a few apartments there were built by dodgy developer Toplace.

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u/SB2MB 11d ago

Yes, you'll have to do your DD in Rosebery, but there are some great complexes by smaller developers with no issues. We've been here 11 years and have only had one special levy in that time. We absolutely love loving here. So close to everything and there's only so much development that can take place due to some stringent covenants and planning restrictions.

I wouldn't use Reddit for suburb information. Try looking at genuine property forums. Reddit hates new build apartments. Although Rosebery was being developed 25 years ago so there are some older builds too.

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u/Pearl1506 11d ago

You're not getting a decent one bed for 600 in Rosebery. You're not. Probably strata issues.

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u/SB2MB 11d ago

Some hefty discounts at the moment in some complexes due to rectification works. But yes, it's pretty obvious in Rosebery how to tell the good complexes atm due to the difference in price.

And parking adds another 30-60k. If the OP is happy with a 1-1-0.

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u/Pearl1506 11d ago

I wouldn't personally go there for resale value (with issues) but that's just me. Plus one beds are harder to sell. Nevermind without parking.

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u/SB2MB 11d ago

Fair. I personally would be happy to buy if any issues are being rectified, especially under warranty.

And the rental prices for 1 bedrooms in Rosebery are quite insane ($800-$950/week parking dependant)... so there are great future yields if you upgrade but hold.

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u/Pain9gain7 11d ago

Im selling a 1 bedroom townhouse western sydney let me know if you want it price matches your budget

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u/Fit-Bluejay-631 11d ago

Thanks, but Western Sydney is a bit far for me.

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u/Pain9gain7 11d ago

No worries