5 reasons the Upper North Shore attracts buyers
Sydney has a distinct collection of urban villages, each offering something to buyers.
The upper north shore, however, which includes the suburbs of Normanhurst, Westleigh, Thornleigh and Pennant Hills, is a perennial favourite. Buyers are drawn to it for very specific reasons that are good to know if you’re in the market to sell in 2024.
Why buyers love the upper north shore
1. Family friendly location
This is probably the main reason why buyers look at suburbs like Thornleigh, Westleigh, Pennant Hills and Normanhurst. If you look at inner city suburbs like St Leonards north of the harbour bridge, around 50 per cent of residents are owner occupiers. In Pennant Hills, to share an example, the figure is more like 81 per cent.
People come to these neighbourhoods to raise their families. They are seeking larger, quality homes they can live in for many years. As a result, the schools in the area are sought after and have fantastic reputations for delivering quality education.
2. Off the beaten track but close to everything
Suburbs like Hornsby, Turramurra and Wahroonga are also popular, but are dissected by the ever-busy Pacific Highway, which is a busy road throughout the week.
Set away from the action, Thornleigh, Westleigh, Pennant Hills and Normanhurst have the advantage of still being a stone’s throw from Hornsby Westfield, the SAN hospital and major transport arteries including the Cumberland Highway and the new NorthConnex, which links the M1 Pacific Motorway at Wahroonga to the Hills M2 Motorway at West Pennant Hills.
This part of Sydney also has the good fortune to be on a rail line. Trains leave Sydney CBD and pass via Redfern before heading directly to Pennant Hills, Thornleigh and Normanhurst. Normanhurst is just one stop away from Hornsby, which then links up to take travellers to Newcastle via the Central Coast.
3. Leafy, green and relaxing
They don’t describe it as Sydney’s ‘leafy upper north shore’ for no reason. These established suburbs have beautiful tree cover and welcoming parks. There are plenty of playgrounds for children as well as access to walking trails and the Cumberland State Forest, which is a treasured haven for locals and visitors to the area.
Online reviews describe Thornleigh as having “all the amenities we need (Woolies, Aldi, Bunnings, Australia Post) but it's very secluded and peaceful.” They add that the neighbors are very friendly and they feel as though it is a safe suburb.
As one Pennant Hills reviewer explains, “ it's quite possible to have a little chat to the wallabies and echidnas in pristine bushland near your place in the morning before taking a straightforward commute by train to the city.”
4. It’s Sydney’s best kept secret
Pennant Hills is described as underrated, but with Sydney property being at a premium, this suburb and its neighbours are unlikely to fly under the radar for much longer.
5. Prices are climbing
The upper north shore settled somewhat in terms of prices during 2023 but most suburbs have reached new peaks in 2024.
To break down some figures:
Comparing home prices in each suburb over the last two rolling 12 month periods we have seen the following increases.
- Normanhurst: Average values $1.93 million, up 13%
- Westleigh: Average values $1.94 million, up 7.2%
- Thornleigh: Average values $1.9 million, up 17.7%
- Pennant Hills: Average value $2.09 million, up 21.2%
With interest rates sitting at uncomfortable levels but expected to drop as we head towards the end of the year, it’s expected prices will continue to heat up.
Ready to sell your Upper North Shore home?
Thornleigh statistics show over 2000 interested buyers for just 16 properties on the market, which demonstrates how strong demand is for this part of Sydney.
If you’re thinking of selling, now is an excellent time. We are always hearing from families who are keen to relocate to the area because they understand its value, especially compared to nearby suburbs.
What’s most important is that you work with a local agent who understands what your home is worth and can expose it to as many interested buyers as possible.
Get in touch with Page&Co for more information today.
