6 Things That Make a Good Suburb

February 9, 2024

Location, location, location! Whether you’re buying or building, the suburb you end up living in not only plays a role in your quality of life; it can have a major impact on your financial health. Property in a liveable suburb comes with the potential for gains in equity, so it pays to consider how to choose a good builder and a few key factors, which determine what makes a good suburb. Living in New South Wales, we are lucky to be spoilt for choice in terms of where to settle down. Read on to find out the most common indicators of a liveable suburb according to the Domain Liveable Sydney Study (2016), how some master-planned communities are built around these factors, and consider which are most important to you. 

Educational Options

Whether you’re raising a family or looking for an investment property, living close to education is important. A suburb with high liveability is in close proximity to quality child care through to university; bonus points if it’s zoned for a well-regarded public school.

For example, Waterford is located in the heart of a region with:

• Two of the region’s newest schools located on site including a primary and high school as well as 2 preschools
• Surrounded by over 240 primary schools
• Surrounded by 48 secondary schools
• Surrounded by 25 private schools
• A range of selective and specialist schools
• Many vocational and tertiary institutions – including the University of Newcastle and the Hunter Institute of Technology

A community connected to education indicates opportunity: opportunity for every keen mind to be challenged, nurtured and encouraged.

Transport Infrastructure

What’s a good suburb if you aren’t able to get around? A community with high liveability has ready access to quality transport links, whether that’s trains, trams, buses, ferries or major roads. Road congestion, typical of more urban areas, indicates a lack of livability. Some suburbs have multiple forms of transport on offer, such as Waterford – which has train, bus, bike tracks and quality roads, all to bring you closer to the neighbouring cities of Maitland and Newcastle.

Fast Commutes

Access to employment is considered to be a big plus when it comes to liveability. If the suburb isn’t located in the thick of an employment hub, it should have fast access to one. Living at Waterford, the commute to Newcastle is just 35 minutes drive away and access to the M1 to Sydney is only a 9 minute drive away.

Green Space

When we speak of leafy streets and open space, a pleasant, liveable suburb will come to mind for most. Green space plays a major role in what makes a good suburb, including parks, sporting facilities, and tree cover. For this reason, Waterford sets a new standard in balance, connection and lifestyle. With stylish village living embraced by fresh air, birdsong and miles of reserves, Waterford has all the things a modern and invigorated life requires. Lavished with light, space and natural beauty, its vast views, tree-lined walking and cycle paths and parklands give you much opportunity to get out into nature. 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

A suburb with high liveability will typically have a range of high quality dining, culture, entertainment and shopping, whether that’s local shopping villages or major retail centres.

This includes: 

• Restaurants and cafes focused on bringing communities together, such as The Kitchen at Waterford
• Cultural landmarks and entertainment
• Access to shopping, whether a local shopping village or major shopping centre such as Greenhills Shopping Centre being only a 10 minute drive away

Medical Facilities

When you live close to medical facilities, it grants a certain peace of mind. Regardless of whether you have children, are a young professional or an empty nester retiring, access to medical facilities is a major indicator of a suburb’s livability.

Waterford, for example, is within easy reach of quality health services such as: 

• The new Maitland Hospital (due to be completed in 2022 and only a 5 minute drive away) 
• Maitland Hospital
• Maitland Private Hospital
• The Lower Hunter Community Health Care Centre

Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital and Mater Hospital are just a half hour drive away, offering great medical services and dedicated wings for children and neonatal care.

Water Views and Beach Access

This isn’t a crucial element, but proximity to water is certainly a plus. Living at Waterford, you’re spoilt for choice with a number of beaches in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens.

To answer the question of what makes a good suburb, the answer is this: a suburb with high livability scores highly on all of the above counts. That is the key to balanced, rounded living. If finding your ideal home in a bright, friendly neighbourhood sounds like a fit for you, enquire about Waterford’s house and land packages today. With the state government’s HomeBuilder grant currently available to eligible applicants, you have the opportunity to live in your dream home in a liveable community, all at an affordable price.

Waterford is a community living at its finest. A short drive from Newcastle and nestled into the spacious surrounds and natural escapes of East Maitland, enjoy tranquil parklands, panoramic views and easy access to all the essentials.

At AVID, we create places where people love to belong. To find out more about our developments in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland and how you can invest in the home of your dreams, contact us today.