The Sydney CBD is often overlooked as a place to live in Sydney. This is unlike a large number of other cities in the western world where the most desirable place to live is invariably right in the centre. However, this may be changing and the Sydney CBD offers lifestyle, amenities, high-end luxury and world-class scenery for those who look closely at the Harbour City. The Sydney CBD lifestyle is particularly suited to homebuyers who are busy professionals seeking an end to their daily commute; downsizers who prioritise lifestyle and luxury; and property investors seeking capital growth and solid rental returns.
Here are a few reasons why, as Sydney buyers’ agents, we love the Sydney CBD:
Convenience
You cannot beat the convenience of the CBD. Residents are within footsteps of shopping precincts, cafes, bars, public transport, and work! There is no commute if you work in the city. And if you work out of the city, there is public transport and ferries in every direction. As an example of the ultra-convenience, there is currently an apartment for sale on King St Sydney which is located within 200 metres of St James Station. The apartment is also a short walk to iconic Sydney buildings and King Street Wharf eateries and ferry terminals. Another apartment for sale on York St Sydney is 200 metres distance to Wynyard Station, 500 metres to the new Barangaroo Precinct and walking distance to MidCity Shopping Centre, Pitt Street Mall, and Westfield Sydney. These are only two examples of the lifestyle you can unlock with a Sydney CBD property purchase.
Arts and culture
The Sydney CBD offers a vibrant lifestyle with an extensive choice of venues, theatres, and art galleries. These include the world famous Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art, Australian National Maritime Museum, Art Gallery of New South Wales, and State Theatre to name a few. The Sydney CBD is also a destination for a variety of events and festivals such as Vivid Sydney and the Sydney Film Festival. There are the iconic sights of Sydney only footsteps away including the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and the historic Rocks precinct. Locals also have the benefit of a wide selection of cuisine for every taste and budget including Michelin starred restaurants.
Outdoor lifestyle
The Sydney CBD is not just about high-rise living. Residents of the Sydney CBD are spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor recreation. For example, a short walk will take you to the foot of the Harbour Bridge. You can scale the top of the bridge with the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb or you can experience some of the best sights and scenery in the world by walking across or strolling around the bridge. The Sydney CBD is also near the Royal Botanic Garden, providing a display of beautiful landscapes, exotic plants, and stunning views of Sydney Harbour. Next, locals can visit Hyde Park with its various statues and monuments including the Anzac Memorial. Circular Quay offers the waterfront experience complete with a promenade of retail, eateries and live entertainment. Residents can also enjoy the waterfront park of Barangaroo Reserve for an iconic picnic location.
Low maintenance and amenity
The Sydney CBD offers easy apartment living with a range of options from affordable units to luxury high-rise and multimillion dollar penthouses. Some complexes include an on-site manager or concierge, gyms, swimming pools, communal gardens and BBQ facilities. This convenience living is perfect for the busy professional or the frequent flyers who want to secure hassle-free accommodation.
The new blueprint for the Sydney CBD’s future
City of Sydney Council has described its long-term strategic plan, “Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050” underlining 10 ambitious projects. These projects include public spaces for all, a thriving cultural and creative life, and a city for walking, cycling and public transport. One of the projects includes linking 3 city squares; Circular Quay, Town Hall and Central Station. The vision is to increase shared public spaces for pedestrian access and ‘greening’ the areas with tree-lined streets. With the plans to enhance the liveability of the CBD, the location will become ever more successful in attracting long-term residents.
While there are several reasons to love living in the CBD, there are aspects of living in the CBD that you should carefully consider. For example, buyers should factor in the cost of strata fees which can be pricey as they will need to cover the cost of building amenities such as pools, lifts, and concierge. Another factor to consider is the availability of parking. If you have a car, it will be essential to search for an apartment with parking, otherwise you should investigate long-term parking arrangements which can also be costly. Buyers will also notice that the sense of community is different in the Sydney CBD compared to residential suburbs. The Sydney CBD can be transient and while the week days and evenings may see the CBD buzzing with bustling restaurants and bars, the vibe will ebb and flow depending on the time of day, day of the week and time of year. For example, you may not feel the holiday spirit in the CBD as much as you would in the residential suburbs.
There is so much to love about the Sydney CBD and it is often an untapped market for buyers seeking a centrally located property to prioritise lifestyle and amenity. If you’re looking for property in or around the CBD or the Sydney inner-ring, reach out to specialist Sydney buyer’s agents, Nick Viner on 0405 134 645.
