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Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Revealed: Where to find Victoria's best lifestyle suburbs
Victoria's best lifestyle suburbs have been revealed, from beachside bargains to up-and-coming Melbourne pockets. And with some of the best areas for families to get the right mix of transport, schools, childcare and beach or park access currently below their price peak, there's a rare chance to bag a bargain in an idyllic spot. Areas such as Armstrong Creek in Greater Geelong and Winchelsea on the Surf Coast topped the list. RELATED: Downsizers flock to beach suburbs as Baby Boomers gain access to superannuation Newport: AFL dynasty's renovated family home seeks $2m+ Revealed: Australia's 50 supercharged suburbs for price growth With median house prices in the low-to-mid $600,000s, the Geelong suburb and town with a population of 2400-plus are cheaper today compared to a few years ago. Newtown, also in Geelong, as well as nearby Barwon Heads and Torquay also made the list — but come with seven-figure median house prices. In Melbourne, south eastern suburbs were highly-ranked alongside inner city Port Melbourne and Williamstown, as well as Newport in the west, all with typical house values above $1m. The research was commissioned by MCG Quantity Surveyors using data from real estate analytics company SuburbTrends. MCG Quantity Surveyors director Mike Mortlock said the report aimed to uncover Australian suburbs with the best long-term growth potential and lifestyle offerings, based on factors such as access to amenities such as childcare, schools, beaches and open space,and 10-year median price growth. 'They're attributes that help markets outperform over the long haul – we know buyers will pay a premium to have them,' Mr Mortlock said. According to PropTrack, Armstrong Creek is now tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than when its median house price hit $728,000 in 2022. And Winchelsea's typical house price hit a five-year peak of $720,000 just 12 months ago. Despite the chance for a bargain, Melbourne-based buyers' advocate and Property Investment Professionals of Australia board member, Cate Bakos, cautioned buyers thinking of relocating and commuting to Melbourne would add hours of travel time to their week. But places like Newtown and Geelong West could be ideal for people wanting to work from home while enjoying lifestyle benefits and proximity to a train station, Ms Bakos noted. 'Geelong as a city, it's diverse – it's got a good economy, and there's lots going on there, it's food and wine scene and its weekender appeal is growing,' she added. Armstrong Real Estate director Megan Rovers, who also co-hosts the property industry podcast Built For This, said working from home allowed many buyers in the region 'to have the best of both worlds' while commuting to Melbourne for part of the week. 'They can have the house with the backyard to enjoy and the lifestyle to enjoy on the weekend,' she said. Ms Rovers said a wide range of buyers were attracted to Armstrong Creek for its schools, shopping centres and access the beach, nearby train stations to travel to Geelong or Melbourne and the Geelong Ring Road. 'What we find is first-time buyers are buying because it's affordable, downsizers are coming and following families,' Ms Rovers said. 'So if there's a family that are choosing because of the schools or the lifestyle that it offers, then the grandparents or parents will come and try and live close by.' Closer to Melbourne, Newport has a $1.205m median house price and Williamstown $1.52m. Real Estate Institute of Victoria director and Compton Green Inner West director Adrian Butera said Newport featured the 33ha Newport Lakes Reserve and two train lines running through its station. He said while Newport was not as highly-regarded as some of Melbourne's other inner western suburbs, plenty of buyers were now starting to cotton on. 'If you pull out a calculator and pull out the per square metre rate of Newport versus, say, Yarraville or Williamstown, Newport is so beautifully positioned yet is reasonably affordable,' Mr Butera said. 'In perspective, you get more bang for your buck in Newport than you do most other suburbs in the inner west.' White Fox associate director Cheyne Fox said Port Melbourne's parks, schools, shops, restaurants, friendly community and nearness to Melbourne's CBD meant many locals looked to upsize or downsize within the suburb. Ms Fox said the 'slightly softer' market was now allowing buyers to purchase homes in the suburb they might not have been able to afford three to four years ago. 'So whereas something might have been sitting on $3m or just above a few years ago, it's now dipping down to $2.6m, $2.7m and it's making it more achievable for those people,' she said. 'And I'm seeing some savvy purchases who are aware of that fact snapping up some really good properties at very reasonable prices given what they were a few years back.' Port Melbourne's median house price is $1.55m, according to PropTrack. VICTORIA'S TOP LIFESTYLE AREAS Armstrong Creek, Barwon Heads: median house prices from $653,250 to $1.49m Winchelsea: median house price $600,000 Newtown: median house price $1.085m Cheltenham, Highett: median house prices from $1.19m to $1.425m Mentone: median house price $1.325m Newport: median house price $1.205m Port Melbourne: median house price $1.55m Beaumaris: median house price $2.05m Torquay: median house price $1.175m Williamstown: median house price $1.52m Areas listed are regional statistical area level 3s, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. They are home to between 30,000 to 130,000 residents each. Source: MCG Top Suburb Lifestyle Index July 2025, MCG Quantity Surveyors, SuburbTrends, and PropTrack. Additional reporting by Aidan Devine Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Expert reveals blast risk for new 15,000-home Melbourne suburb Melbourne tipped to lead 2026 property boom | KPMG Young Melb family's clever move pays off
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Townsville punching above its weight in lifestyle stakes
Townsville has been named one of the country's top property markets for lifestyle and price growth potential, beating out all other Queensland regions. Townsville was ranked No. 6 on the MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index, while Southport, the only other Queensland region to make the list, came in at No. 9. When the top 10 was ranked by price, Townsville was in first place with a median house price of $567,000. The research, commissioned by MCG Quantity Surveyors using SuburbTrends data, analysed Australian markets using four key lifestyle factors of beach access, natural environment, urban amenities and family-friendliness, overlayed with long-run price metrics. The ten 'all-rounder' regions in the Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index marry strong lifestyle appeal with some of Australia's most resilient price growth. MCG Quantity Surveyors director Mike Mortlock said this was because markets with more consistent growth had lifestyle components baked in. New South Wales dominated the 'all-rounder' list with Warringah, NSW, first, followed by Stirling, NSW, Wanneroo, WA, Wollongong, NSW, and Easter Suburbs – South, NSW. Townsville was sixth, followed by Shoalhaven, NSW, Easter Suburbs – North, NSW, Southport, QLD, and Newcastle, NSW. 'Gloriously neglected' worst house has roof (mostly intact) Townsville leads property boom as home prices hit shock high Mr Mortlock said Townsville not only emerged as one of the best lifestyle locations in the country, it offered something rarely seen among the other markets that ranked highly – affordable prices. 'A lot of the areas nationally with the best lifestyle are expensive Sydney areas,' he said. 'And in some ways, it's understandable. They are expensive for a reason. 'Townsville offers a much more approachable price point, but it still scores well on all the same metrics.' The report found Townsville was NQ's most balanced housing market, with a $567,000 median house price, reflecting an average 8 per cent annual gain over the past decade and a further 5 per cent lift in the past six months. 'Current values sit roughly 50 per cent above the level implied by the pre-2020 trajectory, underscoring a structural re-rating rather than a cyclical spike,' the report said. 'Lifestyle breadth explains the momentum. 'The palm-lined Strand delivers daily waterfront recreation, while Castle Hill, Jezzine Barracks and Riverway lagoons provide nature trails and shaded parklands.' Jools Munro of Explore Property Munro & Co said buyers making the move to Townsville weren't only chasing bigger homes with smaller mortgages, but looking to regain hours in the day lost to long commutes and peak hour traffic. 'What you can buy in Brisbane for $800,000 you can buy in Townsville for $550,000 and you don't miss out on life in Townsville,' she said. 'Our community is very welcoming, but I also think our lifestyle is more affordable. 'The lifestyle isn't just about the ocean, it's also the bush and those little country towns 35 minutes away. 'But, yes, we also have the ocean, sailing, beautiful golf courses, barra farms and fresh lakes. 'I know people who talk about going to Maggie Island for three hours just to hop on the ferry and leave the mainland behind for less than the price of a steak.' Ms Munro said people came to Townsville chasing affordability as they were priced out of southern markets, but stayed for the community. 'It's not hard to find your vibration, your tribe in Townsville, whether you want to participate in a choral society or an orchid society, whether you want to play lawn bowls, study at the university or take up dragon boat racing,' she said. 'Plus there is work for everybody. Employers are crying out for skilled, trade and professional workers. 'Large industries thrive because staff can get housing for a better price, without a long commute or flying in and out.' Ms Munro said the tight property market, high demand and increasing population would ensure home prices continued to trend up. 'That shortage in the workforce is not allowing us to build the (housing) capacity we need,' she said. Mr Mortlock said the Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index differed from the recent string of buyer's agents' reports swirling the internet. He said many of these reports were shortsighted, uncovering 'spreadsheet darlings': locations that looked good on paper, but were not always sustainable places to own property over decades. 'These reports normally look at short-term, available data,' he said. 'This often gives a range of short-term predictors but they don't always indicate what a good long-term play will be. 'And, given the high costs of transacting in real estate, that's usually what a property purchase is, whether it's a home or an investment. 'It's a very long-term play.' Mr Mortlock said the MCG report considered a range of metrics that had long-term, positive influences on property values, but were factors unlikely to be changed by short-term forces. 'We looked at factors that are always in demand,' he said. 'They're attributes that help markets outperform over the long haul. 'We know buyers will pay a premium to have them.' Features sought out by home seekers year after year included easy access to beaches, amenities, jobs hubs and top schools. 'All the pillars we looked at were attributes that real estate agents have historically highlighted as the most pertinent points for homebuyers,' Mr Mortlock said. MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index Rank SA3 zone Median price 1 Warringah (NSW) $2.56m 2 Stirling (WA) $1.07m 3 Wanneroo (WA) $760,000 4 Wollongong (NSW) $1.28m 5 Eastern Subs – South (NSW) $3m 6 Townsville (QLD) $570,000 7 Shoalhaven (NSW) $840,000 8 Eastern Subs – North (NSW) $3.75m 9 Southport (QLD) $1.14m 10 Newcastle (NSW) $960,000
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Revealed: Where to find Victoria's best lifestyle suburbs
Victoria's best lifestyle suburbs have been revealed, from beachside bargains to up-and-coming Melbourne pockets. And with some of the best areas for families to get the right mix of transport, schools, childcare and beach or park access currently below their price peak, there's a rare chance to bag a bargain in an idyllic spot. Areas such as Armstrong Creek in Greater Geelong and Winchelsea on the Surf Coast topped the list. With median house prices in the low-to-mid $600,000s, the Geelong suburb and town with a population of 2400-plus are cheaper today compared to a few years ago. Newtown, also in Geelong, as well as nearby Barwon Heads and Torquay also made the list — but come with seven-figure median house prices. In Melbourne, south eastern suburbs were highly-ranked alongside inner city Port Melbourne and Williamstown, as well as Newport in the west, all with typical house values above $1m. The research was commissioned by MCG Quantity Surveyors using data from real estate analytics company SuburbTrends. MCG Quantity Surveyors director Mike Mortlock said the report aimed to uncover Australian suburbs with the best long-term growth potential and lifestyle offerings, based on factors such as access to amenities such as childcare, schools, beaches and open space,and 10-year median price growth. 'They're attributes that help markets outperform over the long haul – we know buyers will pay a premium to have them,' Mr Mortlock said. According to PropTrack, Armstrong Creek is now tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than when its median house price hit $728,000 in 2022. And Winchelsea's typical house price hit a five-year peak of $720,000 just 12 months ago. Despite the chance for a bargain, Melbourne-based buyers' advocate and Property Investment Professionals of Australia board member, Cate Bakos, cautioned buyers thinking of relocating and commuting to Melbourne would add hours of travel time to their week. But places like Newtown and Geelong West could be ideal for people wanting to work from home while enjoying lifestyle benefits and proximity to a train station, Ms Bakos noted. 'Geelong as a city, it's diverse – it's got a good economy, and there's lots going on there, it's food and wine scene and its weekender appeal is growing,' she added. Armstrong Real Estate director Megan Rovers, who also co-hosts the property industry podcast Built For This, said working from home allowed many buyers in the region 'to have the best of both worlds' while commuting to Melbourne for part of the week. 'They can have the house with the backyard to enjoy and the lifestyle to enjoy on the weekend,' she said. Ms Rovers said a wide range of buyers were attracted to Armstrong Creek for its schools, shopping centres and access the beach, nearby train stations to travel to Geelong or Melbourne and the Geelong Ring Road. 'What we find is first-time buyers are buying because it's affordable, downsizers are coming and following families,' Ms Rovers said. 'So if there's a family that are choosing because of the schools or the lifestyle that it offers, then the grandparents or parents will come and try and live close by.' Closer to Melbourne, Newport has a $1.205m median house price and Williamstown $1.52m. Real Estate Institute of Victoria director and Compton Green Inner West director Adrian Butera said Newport featured the 33ha Newport Lakes Reserve and two train lines running through its station. He said while Newport was not as highly-regarded as some of Melbourne's other inner western suburbs, plenty of buyers were now starting to cotton on. 'If you pull out a calculator and pull out the per square metre rate of Newport versus, say, Yarraville or Williamstown, Newport is so beautifully positioned yet is reasonably affordable,' Mr Butera said. 'In perspective, you get more bang for your buck in Newport than you do most other suburbs in the inner west.' White Fox associate director Cheyne Fox said Port Melbourne's parks, schools, shops, restaurants, friendly community and nearness to Melbourne's CBD meant many locals looked to upsize or downsize within the suburb. Ms Fox said the 'slightly softer' market was now allowing buyers to purchase homes in the suburb they might not have been able to afford three to four years ago. 'So whereas something might have been sitting on $3m or just above a few years ago, it's now dipping down to $2.6m, $2.7m and it's making it more achievable for those people,' she said. 'And I'm seeing some savvy purchases who are aware of that fact snapping up some really good properties at very reasonable prices given what they were a few years back.' Port Melbourne's median house price is $1.55m, according to PropTrack. VICTORIA'S TOP LIFESTYLE AREAS Armstrong Creek, Barwon Heads: median house prices from $653,250 to $1.49m Winchelsea: median house price $600,000 Newtown: median house price $1.085m Cheltenham, Highett: median house prices from $1.19m to $1.425m Mentone: median house price $1.325m Newport: median house price $1.205m Port Melbourne: median house price $1.55m Beaumaris: median house price $2.05m Torquay: median house price $1.175m Williamstown: median house price $1.52m Areas listed are regional statistical area level 3s, as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. They are home to between 30,000 to 130,000 residents each. Source: MCG Top Suburb Lifestyle Index July 2025, MCG Quantity Surveyors, SuburbTrends, and PropTrack.
Courier-Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Courier-Mail
The surprise Brisbane suburb ranked best for lifestyle buying
One lone Brisbane suburb is holding its own against the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, being named among the best markets for lifestyle and growth in Southeast Queensland. The MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index ranked four Gold Coast and five Sunshine Coast suburbs in the SEQ top 10, with Deagon, the only Brisbane suburb to make the list, coming in at eighth. The research, commissioned by MCG Quantity Surveyors using SuburbTrends data, analysed Australian markets using four key lifestyle factors of beach access, natural environment, urban amenities and family-friendliness, overlayed with long-run price metrics. MORE: Billionaire neighbour spat ends in mega sell-out Named: Two Aus banks drop rates to 4pc range The ten 'all-rounder' regions marry strong lifestyle appeal with some of Australia's most resilient price growth. MCG Quantity Surveyors director Mike Mortlock said the purpose of the research was to uncover the suburbs across Australia with the lifestyle offerings plus long-term growth potential. 'The markets that have proved to have more consistent growth have lifestyle components baked in,' he said. Deagon, with a median listing price of $650,000, made the cut for offering affordable property one suburb back from Moreton Bay and a 30-minute commute from the CBD. Jacqui McKeering of McKeering Real Estate said Deagon had long been 'a bit of a secret' in the Brisbane property market. 'No one really goes looking for Deagon – they discover it,' she said. MORE: Display home makes new owner $182k a year No longer affordable': Brisbane property boom hits the skids 'When people come to the bayside suburbs, they relate to Brighton, because so many nice seaside towns around the world are named Brighton.' 'Then they find Deagon and they can see the real benefits with the railway line there, good school catchments and proximity to private schools in the area.' 'What buyers also love is that it can be closer to the Sandgate city centre and the water than some parts of Sandgate.' Ms McKeering said Deagon was popular with families and downsizers, though first homebuyers were being priced out of the market as property values rose. 'It is much more affordable than its wealthier neighbours, including Shorncliffe and Sandgate, but still walking distance to all the lifestyle attractions,' she said. 'A lot of young families like Deagon because they can get more bang for buck. MORE: Revealed: Where Townsville buyers are flocking Buy the Outback Wrangler's house – get a pet croc 'There are lot of newer homes compared to Shorncliffe and Sandgate and a lot of lowsets that suit the downsizers. 'As an investment suburb, it does tick a lot of boxes as well.' Ms McKeering said Deagon had good opportunity for future development and price growth. 'Being close to the bay and public transport, you can see it going ahead,' she said. Mudgeeraba-Bonogin took out top spot thanks to its balance of acreage and city access plus its proximity to amenities, Burleigh Beach and Tallebudgera Creek. The report deemed the area to be in a mid-range price bracket with homes listed for $1.295m on average. Kahlee Townsend of Ray White Robina said she couldn't agree more with her patch of Mudgeeraba – Bonogin being named number one. 'I believe it's very undervalued for what you get,' she said. 'It has that mix of acreage and residential, proximity to transports and school, and you're 15 minutes to the beach, hospitals and shopping centres.' MORE: Aussie Lotto winner to spend $1.4m on her cat Shock price reveal for insane Aussie property 'There is an old school community feel, with new age accessibility.' Ms Townsend said post-Covid, buyers were gravitating more towards hinterland living in search of more land and simpler lives. 'Because of the volume of people moving to the Gold Coat, it's quite busy, so the hinterland is giving that slower paced, calming environment that a lot of people are really searching for,' she said. 'To get into beachside suburbs now, you need to compromise yet prices are going through the roof. 'Buyers want land. 'The need for dual living is becoming more and more apparent, with affordability and availability tightening. 'Acreage can offer that dual living set up, whether for extra income, elderly parents or helping children get into the market.' MORE NEWS: World bikini champion selling luxury Aus home Revealed: Aus trend helping buyers beat record house prices In second place was 'premium' priced Currumbin Valley – Tallebudgera ($1.62m) on the Gold Coast, for similar reasons to Mudgeeraba – Bonogin. This was followed by nearby 'affordable' Labrador ($785,000) for its proximity to employment opportunities, Griffith University, parklands and the coast. Representing the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra West – Baringa ($734,000) came in fourth, then Aroona – Currimundi ($872,000), Maroochydore – Kuluin ($1.085m) and Caloundra – Kings Beach ($799,000). Rounding out the top 10 were Biggera Waters ($728,000) on the Gold Coast and Peregian Springs ($1.353m) on the Sunshine Coast. In the nationwide Lifestyle Index looking at SA3 markets, two Queensland regions made the top 10. Townsville came in at No. 6 and Southport was ranked No. 9. Mr Mortlock said the Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index differed from the recent string of buyer's agents' reports swirling the internet. He said many of these reports were shortsighted, uncovering 'spreadsheet darlings': locations that looked good on paper but were not always sustainable places to own property over decades. 'These reports normally look at short-term, available data,' he said. 'This often gives a range of short-term predictors but they don't always indicate what a good long-term play will be.' 'And, given the high costs of transacting in real estate, that's usually what a property purchase is, whether it's a home or an investment. It's a very long-term play.' Mr Mortlock said the MCG report considered a range of metrics that had long-term, positive influences on property values, but were factors unlikely to be changed by short-term forces. 'We looked at factors that are always in demand,' he said. 'They're attributes that help markets outperform over the long haul. We know buyers will pay a premium to have them.' Features sought out by home seekers year after year included easy access to beaches, amenities, jobs hubs and top schools. 'All the pillars we looked at were attributes that real estate agents have historically highlighted as the most pertinent points for homebuyers,' Mr Mortlock said. The MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index – SEQ Rank SA2 (suburb area) Median listing price Lifestyle score 1 Mudgeeraba – Bonogin $1,295,000 19 2 Currumbin Valley – Tallebudgera $1,620,000 21 3 Labrador $785,000 17 4 Caloundra West – Baringa $734,000 18 5 Aroona – Currimundi $872,000 18 6 Maroochydore – Kuluin $1,085,000 19 7 Caloundra – Kings Beach $799,000 18 8 Deagon $650,000 17 9 Biggera Waters $728,000 18 10 Peregian Springs $1,353,000 19 SOURCE: MCG Quantity Surveyors MORE REAL ESTATE NEWS
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
The surprise Brisbane suburb ranked best for lifestyle buying
One lone Brisbane suburb is holding its own against the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, being named among the best markets for lifestyle and growth in Southeast Queensland. The MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index ranked four Gold Coast and five Sunshine Coast suburbs in the SEQ top 10, with Deagon, the only Brisbane suburb to make the list, coming in at eighth. The research, commissioned by MCG Quantity Surveyors using SuburbTrends data, analysed Australian markets using four key lifestyle factors of beach access, natural environment, urban amenities and family-friendliness, overlayed with long-run price metrics. The ten 'all-rounder' regions marry strong lifestyle appeal with some of Australia's most resilient price growth. MCG Quantity Surveyors director Mike Mortlock said the purpose of the research was to uncover the suburbs across Australia with the lifestyle offerings plus long-term growth potential. 'The markets that have proved to have more consistent growth have lifestyle components baked in,' he said. Deagon, with a median listing price of $650,000, made the cut for offering affordable property one suburb back from Moreton Bay and a 30-minute commute from the CBD. Jacqui McKeering of McKeering Real Estate said Deagon had long been 'a bit of a secret' in the Brisbane property market. 'No one really goes looking for Deagon – they discover it,' she said. 'When people come to the bayside suburbs, they relate to Brighton, because so many nice seaside towns around the world are named Brighton.' 'Then they find Deagon and they can see the real benefits with the railway line there, good school catchments and proximity to private schools in the area.' 'What buyers also love is that it can be closer to the Sandgate city centre and the water than some parts of Sandgate.' Ms McKeering said Deagon was popular with families and downsizers, though first homebuyers were being priced out of the market as property values rose. 'It is much more affordable than its wealthier neighbours, including Shorncliffe and Sandgate, but still walking distance to all the lifestyle attractions,' she said. 'A lot of young families like Deagon because they can get more bang for buck. Buy the Outback Wrangler's house – get a pet croc 'There are lot of newer homes compared to Shorncliffe and Sandgate and a lot of lowsets that suit the downsizers. 'As an investment suburb, it does tick a lot of boxes as well.' Ms McKeering said Deagon had good opportunity for future development and price growth. 'Being close to the bay and public transport, you can see it going ahead,' she said. Mudgeeraba-Bonogin took out top spot thanks to its balance of acreage and city access plus its proximity to amenities, Burleigh Beach and Tallebudgera Creek. The report deemed the area to be in a mid-range price bracket with homes listed for $1.295m on average. Kahlee Townsend of Ray White Robina said she couldn't agree more with her patch of Mudgeeraba – Bonogin being named number one. 'I believe it's very undervalued for what you get,' she said. 'It has that mix of acreage and residential, proximity to transports and school, and you're 15 minutes to the beach, hospitals and shopping centres.' Shock price reveal for insane Aussie property 'There is an old school community feel, with new age accessibility.' Ms Townsend said post-Covid, buyers were gravitating more towards hinterland living in search of more land and simpler lives. 'Because of the volume of people moving to the Gold Coat, it's quite busy, so the hinterland is giving that slower paced, calming environment that a lot of people are really searching for,' she said. 'To get into beachside suburbs now, you need to compromise yet prices are going through the roof. 'Buyers want land. 'The need for dual living is becoming more and more apparent, with affordability and availability tightening. 'Acreage can offer that dual living set up, whether for extra income, elderly parents or helping children get into the market.' In second place was 'premium' priced Currumbin Valley – Tallebudgera ($1.62m) on the Gold Coast, for similar reasons to Mudgeeraba – Bonogin. This was followed by nearby 'affordable' Labrador ($785,000) for its proximity to employment opportunities, Griffith University, parklands and the coast. Representing the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra West – Baringa ($734,000) came in fourth, then Aroona – Currimundi ($872,000), Maroochydore – Kuluin ($1.085m) and Caloundra – Kings Beach ($799,000). Rounding out the top 10 were Biggera Waters ($728,000) on the Gold Coast and Peregian Springs ($1.353m) on the Sunshine Coast. In the nationwide Lifestyle Index looking at SA3 markets, two Queensland regions made the top 10. Townsville came in at No. 6 and Southport was ranked No. 9. Mr Mortlock said the Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index differed from the recent string of buyer's agents' reports swirling the internet. He said many of these reports were shortsighted, uncovering 'spreadsheet darlings': locations that looked good on paper but were not always sustainable places to own property over decades. 'These reports normally look at short-term, available data,' he said. 'This often gives a range of short-term predictors but they don't always indicate what a good long-term play will be.' 'And, given the high costs of transacting in real estate, that's usually what a property purchase is, whether it's a home or an investment. It's a very long-term play.' Mr Mortlock said the MCG report considered a range of metrics that had long-term, positive influences on property values, but were factors unlikely to be changed by short-term forces. 'We looked at factors that are always in demand,' he said. 'They're attributes that help markets outperform over the long haul. We know buyers will pay a premium to have them.' Features sought out by home seekers year after year included easy access to beaches, amenities, jobs hubs and top schools. 'All the pillars we looked at were attributes that real estate agents have historically highlighted as the most pertinent points for homebuyers,' Mr Mortlock said. The MCG Four-Pillar Lifestyle Index – SEQ Rank SA2 (suburb area) Median listing price Lifestyle score 1 Mudgeeraba – Bonogin $1,295,000 19 2 Currumbin Valley – Tallebudgera $1,620,000 21 3 Labrador $785,000 17 4 Caloundra West – Baringa $734,000 18 5 Aroona – Currimundi $872,000 18 6 Maroochydore – Kuluin $1,085,000 19 7 Caloundra – Kings Beach $799,000 18 8 Deagon $650,000 17 9 Biggera Waters $728,000 18 10 Peregian Springs $1,353,000 19
