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First Home Buyer Guide

Best Suburbs for First Home Buyers in St George

Expert shortlist of the most affordable, liveable, and growth-oriented suburbs for first home buyers in Sydney's St George district.

$480K

Lowest Entry Price

6

Suburbs Analysed

+4.2%

Avg Annual Growth

25 min

Avg CBD Commute

Top 6 Suburbs for First Home Buyers

Ranked by affordability, growth potential, and liveability

1

Hurstville

Entry Price

$520,000

Unit Median

$680,000

12M Growth

+4.2%

Train to CBD

25 mins

Top pick for first home buyers seeking urban lifestyle with excellent public transport. Entry-level units offer great value.

Best for: Young professionals wanting convenienceExpress trains to CBDMajor shopping centreMulticultural dining
View Full Hurstville Guide
2

Kogarah

Entry Price

$550,000

Unit Median

$720,000

12M Growth

+3.8%

Train to CBD

22 mins

Excellent long-term investment with hospital precinct driving demand. Strong rental yields if plans change.

Best for: Healthcare workers & familiesHospital nearbyStrong infrastructureGood schools
View Full Kogarah Guide
3

Penshurst

Entry Price

$480,000

Unit Median

$620,000

12M Growth

+5.1%

Train to CBD

28 mins

Hidden gem with lower entry prices and strong growth. Great stepping stone suburb.

Best for: Buyers wanting value + characterVillage atmosphereLocal cafesParks nearby
View Full Penshurst Guide
4

Allawah

Entry Price

$490,000

Unit Median

$630,000

12M Growth

+4.5%

Train to CBD

24 mins

One of the most affordable suburbs with a train station. Benefits from Hurstville's amenities next door.

Best for: Budget-conscious first home buyersAffordable entryTrain stationNear Hurstville
View Full Allawah Guide
5

Carlton

Entry Price

$510,000

Unit Median

$650,000

12M Growth

+4.0%

Train to CBD

26 mins

Solid family suburb with room to grow. Good mix of houses and units available.

Best for: Young families starting outFamily-friendlyGood schoolsParks & reserves
View Full Carlton Guide
6

Rockdale

Entry Price

$530,000

Unit Median

$670,000

12M Growth

+3.5%

Train to CBD

20 mins

Excellent transport links and improving streetscape. Good capital growth potential.

Best for: Frequent travellers & commutersClose to airportDiverse communityShopping strip
View Full Rockdale Guide

First Home Buyer Incentives

Government schemes that can help you get into the market sooner

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

NSW offers $10,000 for new homes under $600,000. Check eligibility at revenue.nsw.gov.au.

Stamp Duty Exemptions

Full exemption for existing homes under $800,000. Concessions up to $1,000,000. New homes have different thresholds.

First Home Guarantee

Federal scheme allowing 5% deposit with no LMI. Limited places available each year.

First Home Super Saver

Withdraw voluntary super contributions (up to $50,000) for your first home deposit.

* Eligibility criteria apply. Visit revenue.nsw.gov.au or consult a mortgage broker for current details.

Smart Buying Tips

What I tell every first home buyer client

Budget Realistically

  • Factor in stamp duty, legal fees, inspections ($15-20k on top of purchase)
  • Keep 3-6 months expenses as emergency buffer
  • Consider ongoing costs: rates, strata, maintenance

Location vs Size

  • A smaller property in a better location often grows faster
  • Train line access adds 5-10% to property values
  • Walk the suburb at night before committing

Unit vs House

  • Units are more affordable but check strata costs
  • Townhouses offer middle ground with less maintenance
  • Consider future resale - who's your buyer?

Growth Potential

  • Look for infrastructure projects in pipeline
  • Suburbs "next to" established areas often perform well
  • Check development applications in the area

Plan Your Purchase

Use our free calculators to understand your position

Ready to Find Your First Home?

I've helped hundreds of first home buyers navigate the St George market. Let me help you find the right property at the right price.

Cite This Guide

Journalists and content creators are welcome to reference this guide with attribution.

Kalinovski, M. (2026). Best Suburbs for First Home Buyers in St George Sydney. michaelkalinovski.com. Retrieved from https://michaelkalinovski.com/guides/best-suburbs-first-home-buyers