Bankstown

With a focus on urban renewal and attracting new businesses into the area, this multicultural suburb is well-placed to be one of the state government’s strategic centres. A key goal is to promote nearby Bankstown Airport as an aviation centre for Sydney which in turn could generate employment opportunities.

Home to two homemaker centres plus the bustling Centro Bankstown shopping centre, the suburb also offers an impressive new library, a dedicated arts centre, a hospital, several schools and a number of sporting fields.

It’s only a half hour train trip into the city making it a great choice for families and city commuters priced out of the inner-ring suburbs, although price hikes in recent years have lifted the entry level price for a house to around $500,000 and for units there aren’t too many choices under $300,000. Townhouses in more modern complexes start at $550,000.