MGill-McGrath

Normanhurst is a suburb full of surprises.

Most visitor pass through Normanhurst on their way up or down Pennant Hills Rd, not realising that the suburb contains some of the best kept secrets in the area.

I walk every street in the entire suburb weekly, and can attest to it having many beautiful, leafy, quiet streets hidden away from the main road which dissects the suburb into northern and southern sectors.

It has the advantage of being a suburb unencumbered with large shopping or entertainment developments which bring traffic, noise and filth - yet it is within a relative stone’s throw to Hornsby for those requiring their regular fix of retail therapy. Many shop at Hornsby for huge variety, although the Woolworths at Thornleigh Market Place (cnr Pennant Hills Rd & Comenarra Parkway) is one of that chains best. A 15-20 minute car trip will also see you in Macquarie Shopping Centre or 25-30 minutes to Chatswood (depending on time of day of course).

However all this aside, it must be noted that the small strip of shops adjacent to the train station are excellent for those last minute items. There is a great eatery, liquor store, newsagent, Laundromat, hair dresser and milk bar to name most, but not all, of those in that handy strip. Medical facilities at the end of the strip include a Doctors Surgery and Dentist. Child care and both public and private schools are in and about the suburb – some of the best in the country.

Sharing a common border with Wahroonga and with Turramurra & Waitara close by, Normanhurst would be an ideal stepping stone for those wishing to move into the North Shore - if they chose to move on (which many don't). Many local residents will attest to having been breed, born and raised in Normanhurst - having never left, or unlikely to unless it’s in a timber box. There are quite a few instances of Gen X children moving back into the suburb where they grew up in order to raise their families. I think this is probably one of the best testaments to Normanhurst being a fantastic suburb for families, retirees and couples,….. and maybe singles that enjoy the quiet life.

Whilst the suburb is affordable for most, demand for property remains relatively high. No doubt this is also partly due to the rail corridor that transverses the suburb (running almost parallel with Pennant Hills Rd) from Hornsby to Epping, then onto Chatswood. There are 8 stops between Normanhurst station and Chatswood - with an "all stations" journey taking just 32 minutes. This gives residents good access to the city via Epping, or Hornsby if going the other way.

The median price for houses in Normanhurst in 2009 (covering 78 sales) was $655,000 whilst at the time of writing this review on 23/06/10 (covering 23 sales) it is now $690,000.