Top 20 areas to invest in residential property

• ME Bank has named the top areas after commissioning research from Ethos Urban
• A range of factors were taken into account - including transport infrastructure
• Queensland areas take the first two places

Australian direct bank, ME Bank, has named its top 20 residential property investment areas after commissioning research from Ethos Urban.

ME compiled the list using Ethos Urban data to determine the best areas for Australians to invest in to optimise returns and make the most of low interest rates and additional savings.

Helping Australians make informed investments

To gain extensive insight into the investment prospects of suburbs, qualitative and quantitative factors were taken into account, including transport infrastructure, average rental yields, recent population growth, median house and average rental prices.

ME CEO Martine Jager said the motivation behind the list was found in helping Australians maximise their financial situation, following the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The ME best places to invest list provides quality information which will help investors narrow their property search and find the ideal investment.”

Martine Jager, ME CEO

Crowned ME’s top pick for residential investment was the Queensland suburb of Woolloongabba, in the inner east of Brisbane and home to the iconic Brisbane Cricket Ground.

Australia’s top 20 best places to invest

Queensland shines with two frontrunners

Ethos Urban’s Chris McNeill said the significant impact new transport infrastructure had on the investment potential of an area was a noticeable trend throughout ME’s list.

“Woolloongabba, for example, is already serviced by two train stations and the new Cross City Rail Project will provide a new line running directly under the suburb, increasing connectivity and changing the way people use the area,” he said.

Mr McNeill added that he expects the infrastructure in the area to continue to strengthen in anticipation of the 2032 Olympics set to be held in Brisbane.

The Sunshine State was home to a quarter of the top 20 suburbs, with two its own topping the charts.

“Add to this the exciting atmosphere in Logan Street, its rapid population growth and steady house price growth, it really does offer a unique opportunity for those looking to invest in the residential property market,” said Mr McNeill.

Variety is best in the West

The ME top 20 list encompasses a variety of investment opportunities ranging from the  apartment-centric areas of Five Dock, South Melbourne and Claremont, to the freestanding home areas of Yanchep and Preston.

One such state known for its diversity is Western Australia. Each of its three suburbs in the top 20 are famed for vastly different reasons, from wine to beaches to leafy-green streets.

According to Mr McNeill Ellenbrook and Yanchep are both set to undergo major rail extensions and Claremont will benefit from a station upgrade, proving the value of transport infrastructure to investment.

“The new growth area of Ellenbrook (#6), with its wineries and masterplan estate took out sixth place thanks to WA’s investment in the Ellenbrook Rail Extension, connecting more than five suburbs.”

Chris McNeill, Ethos Urban

“Yanchep’s beautiful beaches and coastal township is also set to benefit from the Yanchep Rail Extension, making the journey to Joondalup just a 30-minute commute, while Claremont (#16) in Perth’s leafy western suburbs will benefit from the Claremont station upgrade, making it for a perfect residential apartment investment opportunity,” Mr McNeil said.