Young couple's big win in Clyde North
Now, their instincts have paid off, with new PropTrack data revealing the suburb's median house price has grown 23 per cent in the past five years as it has become one of the city's busiest property markets.
The young couple, who run a personal training business from their home while raising two children, Payton (4) and Blair (1) say the area's sense of community, outdoor spaces and family appeal made it the perfect choice.
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'We could picture raising a family here,' Mrs Otten said.
'It just had a really nice feel.'
While the booming values were welcome, she said capital growth wasn't the main driver behind their decision to build in the suburb's thriving southeast corridor.
'We did think it could be a smart move long-term, but mostly we just loved the area,' she said.
The pair now run their fitness business from a fully equipped garage studio, with a mix of local clients and a growing online presence, with Clyde North's connectivity and steady population growth helping them expand as the suburb's number of homes and sales has.
'There are so many families like ours here, and so many good outdoor spaces — the lake, the parks, walking tracks — it's perfect for an active lifestyle,' Mrs Otten said.
Her advice to other young families still trying to break into the suburb was to stay focused on financial goals.
'Make sacrifices where you can,' she said
'Keep going, because it's absolutely worth it once you get there.'
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