Propertyguru11

When you are looking for a suburb to invest your hard earned cash into, you really want to do your homework.

Ideally, it should be close to transport and easily accessible, close to good amenities, convenient with diverse shopping options, abundant recreation choices, close to good schools and green space. The list of requirements can be endless however there are few Sydney suburbs that offer all of these things.

Concord has a proven track record of growth and continues to move from strength to strength. Savvy investors have realised this over the years and prices have consistently grown and beaten the average Sydney capital growth rate.

If you look closely at this suburb it will become very obvious why this will be set to continue for the long term.

Position - Geography plays a really important part. If you cut Sydney into four quarters you will see that suburbs like Concord are at the proverbial cross roads. Transport links move residents easily from north, south, east and west. With few opportunities to cross natural geographic boundaries like the Parramatta river, Concord is conveniently placed. Nearby suburbs such as Breakfast Point, Cabarita, Concord West and North Strahfield and Rhodes continue to increase in prices for the same reason. Concord is also only 12km from the Sydney City. Currently 30 minutes by train or car.

Infrastructure – Concord has access to so many transport options. Whether these be by train, bus, river ferry or car. Few suburbs have such a diverse set of choices.
Transport links are also set to improve even more. By 2017 the WestConnex M4 will be widened and a new tunnel taking traffic past Concord through to Haberfield will also be constructed by 2019. This will be further extended to the Airport and Port Botany with connections eventually to the M5. This will be the largest infrastructure project in Australia. It will mean access to the City, Airport, Port Botany and Eastern and Western suburbs will be cut down dramatically. Suburbs like Concord will benefit exponentially from these road improvements. Not only will there be new road links but additionally the added benefit will mean improvements to Parramatta road. This will include new pedestrian walkways, bus routes and cycling routes. Perhaps even the potential for light rail in future.

Green space and schools – The green space offered by Concord is hard to match. It is one of the greenest suburbs of inner Sydney. It has numerous maintained parks, sporting grounds and not to mention three golf courses within close proximity, including the prestigious Concord Golf course. This is one of the oldest in Sydney, and bordered by one of the best tree lined streets, Links avenue. Some other blue-ribbon addresses within the area include Salt street and Sanders Parade with views over Hen and Chicken Bay. However Concord has a multitude of beautiful streets all with lovely post war bungalows to more modern developments. Some houses are still protected by Heritage.
Concord is also close to some of the best private schools in Sydney and some pretty decent public schools. All serviced by easy access transport links.

Retail – Once again you would be hard pressed to find a suburb which is surrounded with so many diverse shopping options. Starting with which it is within close proximity to Majors Bay road. This has been described as one of the most charming villages in Sydney. A wide street separated by a promenade of hedge rows and trees. This nestles a variety of retail shops and cafes which support the local community. Frequently people dine in the alfresco cafes and restaurants soaking up the laid back feel of the suburb. Whether it be the cyclists taking a morning coffee break, families and friends socialising at their leisure, to the busy professionals taking a quick lunch, or the retirees in their steady stride - Concord has something for everyone.
Other options include retail on Concord Road, retail and dining in the Bakehouse Quarter on George street, Strathfield, Burwood, Rhodes and convenient access to Top Ryde and Macquarie Park.

Investment – Concord is on the doorstep of the Olympic Park. World class facilities which are well maintained. Whether these are for sporting events or for the big entertainment occasions. Its convenience cannot be underestimated. No Olympic Park has been so successful post games in becoming economically viable and supporting urban growth. Thriving communities keep springing up around these facilities and it shows by the house price increases in the surrounding areas.
New apartments continue to appear in and around the Olympic Park showing the best design standards and considerations for modern town planning.

New Parramatta Road – The area of Parramatta road nearest Concord is set for major redevelopment. This includes putting new apartments and retail options to replace the many open car lots. Additional development will happen along Burwood and the Kings Bay area. This will bring many new people to the area and have a highly beneficial effect on the house prices in the area if you are looking for investment growth. Concord is close enough to benefit from this re-investment but far enough to maintain its prestige. This is all part of the Government's plans to redevelop and revitalise the main transport route connecting Parramatta and the City between now and 2031.

That X factor – All said and done, it may little to do with economics, amenities, shopping etc. It can simply come down to a feeling. People who move to area usually don't move out. So property is very tightly held and it is not uncommon to see an owner occupier keep their investment for a long time. This means opportunities to buy here are sometimes hard to come by.
Concord is a clean and well kept suburb, however at the end it really comes down to a feeling of community. Concord with its wide leafy streets is safe and people show a decency and respect for one another. This shows when you speak with people in the area who are courteous, helpful and polite. These are the really special things that make a suburb shine. This will also be the reason why the suburb will continue to grow from strength to strength in future.