Should I buy in Willoughby?
Suburb Report – Willoughby, NSW, 2068
Location
Willoughby is a suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney. It is eight kilometres north of Sydney’s CBD and is in the local government area of the Municipality of Willoughby. Willoughby lies adjacent to Chatswood, the major commercial centre of the area.
Household Occupancy
The predominant age group in Willoughby falls between 30-39 years. In relation to demographics, couples with children make up the largest group of residents, occupying 34% of households. Single parents make up 25% of the population and childless couples 21%. 34% of residents in Willoughby are purchasing their homes, 32% own their homes outright and 30% are renters. Those who are purchasing their homes would be paying more than $2,000 a month in mortgage repayments. The majority of residents in Willoughby are employed in professional occupations, earning salaries of greater than $103k per annum.
Average Prices
In 2010, the average sale price of houses in the area is $1,249,426. On average, this price tag will purchase a three to four bedroom, one to two bathroom home with a garage. In comparison, the average sale price of a two to three bedroom, one bathroom unit with car parking facilities is $538,891 – although there were no units in this price bracket at the time of publishing. Top sale prices for each category of $2,515,000 and $820,000, respectively, have been recorded in the last six months. 23 units and 41 houses were sold in Willoughby in 2010. 
The Properties
159 High Street is a recently renovated single level home. The four bedroom, two bathroom home has been transformed into a contemporary masterpiece, perfect for the modern family. The property is not short on space, boasting large open plan living and dining areas with a separate formal lounge area. The outdoor alfresco setting is perfect for entertaining guests and the large grassed area is ideal for young children. The home offers a carport, driveway and an abundance of street parking. Local cafes, restaurants and shops are only seconds away.
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The Neighbourhood
Bicentennial Reserve is a popular local recreation area. It features a soccer field, T Ball and softball fields, a children’s playground and family picnic area. Locals also enjoy the two bush walking tracks from Flat Rock Gulley to Long Bay, admiring the untamed bush surroundings. Willoughby Leisure Centre features a 25 metre lap pool, spas, a children’s pool, gym, basketball courts, netball courts and a netball field. Senior representative teams from the Northern Suburbs Netball Association train here during the winter months. The suburb is very family friendly, offering three well sought-after schools including St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, Willoughby Public School and Willoughby Girls High School.
Transport
Willoughby is not serviced by the City Rail network, but is close to St. Leonards, Artarmon and Chatswood railway stations. These stations are on the North Shore and Northern Lines of the City Rail network. Services run north to Hornsby before continuing west to Burwood, Parramatta and Penrith. The Gore Hill Freeway runs along the southern border of Willoughby and is the main route into the Sydney CBD. A number of Sydney Buses services run to the CBD and the nearby suburbs of Chatswood, Balmoral, Neutral Bay and North Sydney.
Restaurants, Accommodation, Amenities
A number of restaurants of international cuisines line Penshurst Street in Willoughby. Some local favourites include Changton Thai, La Fiamma Ribs and Pizza and Chiquita Café which becomes packed on weekends with locals enjoying the famous breakfast menu. Willoughby Road is also filled with a diverse range of restaurants including the vegetarian One Earth Café and La Botte Da Ercole Italian Restaurant. The Bridgeview Hotel is an award winning local hotspot that offers a pub, bistro and multiple function rooms perfect for weddings, birthdays and corporate events. There is limited accommodation in Willoughby, but the nearby suburb of Chatswood is home to two stylish hotels. The Mantra is very close to the railway station, whilst the Sebel is walking distance from Westfields.
Want help?
Contact your local Mortgageport team consultant for further information on buying in Willoughby and what loan best suits your needs.
