Buying a property in the best streets of the inner city

By David Servi

Buying a property in the best streets of the inner city is a sensible investment. These properties always re-sell well, and enjoy excellent capital growth. The only difficulty is that these sorts of properties come on to the market less often. And, when they do, they can be expensive. People like to hang on to them, and they like to buy them as well.

These favourite streets might have a combination of sought-after factors. They might have little traffic, or they might be in a secluded nook of the city. They might have look out on a pleasant aspect, or have a good view at hand. They might be a short and pretty walk from the CBD, or they might have a landscape filled with attractive trees and well-kept homes.

The trick is to keep an eagle eye on the market and pounce when properties in these streets come up. Of course, desirability is always a matter of opinion. But here at Spencer & Servi, we particularly like these streets:

SURRY HILLS

Bourke Street

Tree-lined Bourke Street, with the cycle path, the rows of terraces (some of them three-storey), and the wonderful Bourke Street Bakery for a pork and fennel sausage roll, or a lemon curd tart. The new light rail will run just around the corner in Devonshire Street.

Riley Street

A broad avenue with trees and attractive terraces, Riley Street runs from Albion Street to Devonshire Street, with Ward Park just across the street at the end of the road. The light rail, running along Devonshire Street, will be a bonus for commuters.

REDFERN

Great Buckingham Street

This wide and leafy boulevard is the locale of some of Redfern’s grandest Victorian terraces, with the expanse of Redfern Park at one end, and a quick walk to Central station from the other.

Kepos Street

Often described as one of East Redfern's most exclusive streets, it’s a shortish avenue lined with gorgeous trees, and then there’s the Kepos Street Kitchen café for an egg and bacon brioche.

DARLINGHUST

Womerah Avenue

A quiet, one-way street, tree-lined, with good-looking terraces, and the cafes of Victoria Street just a couple of minutes’ walk away. Darlinghurst primary school is at one end of the street – so easy if there are small children in your family.

Taylor Street

A pretty and surprisingly quiet tree-lined street that’s one-way, and so incredibly convenient – Taylor Square is a hop away, and the CBD within easy walking distance.

ALEXANDRIA

Belmont Street

Wide, tree-lined, with pretty terraces and the broad lawns of Alexandria Park at one end, Belmont Street is considered one of the finest in this rapidly gentrifying suburb.

Lawrence Street

Big terraces, cute apartment blocks and the sweeping green of Sydney park just around the corner, Lawrence Street is popular … and priced accordingly.