Deciding on a Darwin suburb to live in can be a really daunting process, particularly if like a number of our Ray White Bayside real estate clients, you’re completely new to the place and have never been here before. One of the best factors to base your decision on, besides the obvious relating to low crime rates, proximity to schools, etc. is your lifestyle. What do you like to do? What are your priorities when it comes to daily lifestyle?
Here are some tips for those of you with defined lifestyle preferences:
- Using the car minimally or not at all…but wanting the convenience of everything within walking distance: The obvious solution to people in this situation would be to move into the Darwin CBD or possibly the suburbs surrounding the city’s major shopping hub at Casuarina. The CBD and Casuarina both provide people with access to public transport, and the locations themselves also boast an abundance of conveniences, e.g. restaurants, supermarkets, shops and essential services such as medical centres, post offices and the like.
- Getting out and about and enjoying nature and the outdoors: If you enjoy an active lifestyle comprising of morning and/or evening walks, weekend barbeques and fishing, then the suburbs including Fannie Bay and the Gardens are great. Cullen Bay and Larrakeyah are also great options, although these two suburbs are among Darwin’s most expensive and unless you are looking to purchase an apartment, probably not realistic options for first home buyers.
- Restaurant and cafe lifestyle: The Darwin CBD offers a plethora of restaurant and cafe options, however if you’re not keen on living right in the heart of the CBD, other great options include Stuart Park, Fannie Bay, Parap and Cullen Bay. Darwin is a fortunate city, in that there are many really good cafes and restaurants just waiting to be discovered. If you already have your favourites, then the decision on where to live is already pretty much made if cafes and restaurants are high on your priority list.
- Suburban family living: If you’re a family, then you’ll want to be in close proximity to schools and also essential shopping, so you’re not eating too much into your time, driving to these facilities. Bayside suburbs including Fannie Bay, Parap and Coconut Grove are great, as are the suburbs a little further afield including Nightcliff, Anula and the newer suburbs of Lyons and Muirhead. For older homes with character, look around Fannie Bay, Parap, Coconut Grove and Nightcliff. If you are seeking newly built homes, Lyons and Muirhead are suitable options and like the majority of Darwin suburbs, boast an abundance of parks and schools nearby.
Do your research when it comes to deciding on a place to live, regardless of whether you’re looking at buying or renting, and remember as well, the team here at Ray White Bayside real estate are available to help you when it comes to providing you with local information relating to Darwin suburbs.