With the rising cost of living and decreasing housing affordability, finding a home you love in a location that ticks all the boxes can feel impossible—especially if you want to stay remotely close to the buzz of city life.
A move to the suburbs—offering more space and better affordability—is often the answer. But instead of settling for a red brick house and Hills Hoist, today’s switched-on buyers are opting for a new take on suburban living, in the form of master-planned communities created by developers like Stockland—a leading residential developer that's been creating places Australians love to live since 1952.
In short, the suburbs are back and they’ve had a major glow-up, blending state-of-the-art design, liveability, affordability, and modern convenience like never before.
Here’s our take on what makes these next-level ‘burbs so irresistible.
Design Your Own Home
Buying an existing home with original features or retro charm is great when you're relieved to be on the property ladder, and renovations can wait. But once the novelty wears off and you see the quotes for the cost of a minor improvement, your fuzzy feelings towards that vintage bathroom might sour.
Choosing a master-planned community means you'll score a brand-new home tailored to your budget and style, and creative input into its design. If you're keen to shape the look and feel of your home, you can buy the block and work from the ground up with a builder—or if the idea of starting from scratch breaks you out in hives, you can also purchase something that's ready-built and primed to move in.
Curated Community Connection
When it comes to exchanging Ned Flanders-style greetings with your neighbours, these communities make it easy thanks to amenities like parks, adventure playgrounds, fitness facilities, and shared cultural spaces.
With nearby independent cafés, bars, and restaurants in the mix—along with curated community events like festivals, school holiday activities, outdoor fitness classes, and film screenings—there's no shortage of opportunities to meet and mingle with the locals.
More of an introvert? Stress less—you get to decide how much (or how little) you interact. Think laid-back, holiday resort-style opt-in activities rather than mandated ‘fun’ team-building events.
They’ve Thought Of Everything
The clever clogs behind these developments have thought of everything, putting you within a stone's throw of supermarkets, shopping centres, childcare, schools, and transport links, with some incorporating multiple conveniences on-site.
High-speed broadband is also usually included, making remote work a breeze for those lucky enough to still get WFH days.
Buy Today At Tomorrow’s Prices
A major plus of purchasing a house and land package ‘off the plan’ (before construction kicks off) is the ability to secure your property at today’s prices with just a deposit—typically 5% to 10% of the total value, depending on what state you're in.
That means you can lock in a price, offering financial certainty and breathing room until your home is ready to move into and those lovely mortgage repayments kick in.
Stay Healthy And Well
With a focus on promoting happy, healthy, and stress-free living, many new developments feature open green spaces with exercise equipment, walking and bike paths, and often free fitness classes, like Stockland's national partnership with Live Life Get Active—providing residents with ample opportunities to relax, recharge, and prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Get Your Tax Dollars Back
As a first-home buyer purchasing a house and land package, you could be eligible for government grants and schemes towards your purchase costs. Finally, a chance to get back some of that tax you’ve paid.
In addition to federal programs, states and territories may also offer their own incentives—so do your research before buying and seek professional advice if needed.
Peace Of Mind For The Eco-Conscious
Forget older-style suburban homes with chilly draughts and sub-par insulation delivering a too-hot/too-cold scenario. Newly built homes are designed to meet the latest sustainability requirements, like quality insulation, ventilation, shading, or solar panels, helping to keep your eco-anxiety, costs, and comfort, at agreeable levels year-round.
Your Future Best Friend Could Be Just Next Door
Humans are naturally social creatures, and strong connections—especially with those living nearby—have always been essential for our wellbeing and survival. Just like the first day at uni, master-planned communities have the perfect setup for making lots of new, lasting friendships, especially with people at a similar life stage.
Ready to purchase your own home or learn more about new developments in your area? Discover endless possibilities with Stockland here.
Editor's note: This article is sponsored by Stockland and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Urban List