Canberra buyers place priority on locations close to parks and nature reserves

Outdoor living has been constantly evolving over the past decade or so, but are we now witnessing an “outsourcing” of recreational options beyond the home?

Justine Burke of Luton Properties Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley says many buyers place a high priority on locations close to parks, nature reserves and playing fields.

“These locations serve two key purposes. They often provide a buffer zone that can enhance a feeling of privacy, but they also offer a connection to nature or recreational options,” she says.

“Parks and playing fields offer families convenient options for children to play or to take part in sport.”

Burke says locations in the Molonglo Valley, such as Denman Prospect, are proving popular with couples and young families.

“There are so many shared public spaces,” she says. “This helps create a real sense of community as well as providing options for exercise, dog walking, play and more.”

Andrew Lonsdale of Ray White Canberra says dwellings such as townhouses and courtyard homes close to outdoor amenities offer the best of both worlds.

“You can create entertaining spaces with real ambience, and outdoor spaces then effectively act as extensions of home living areas,” he says.

Lonsdale says homeowners are getting creative with smaller green spaces around the home.

“I’ve seen vertical gardens for plants and veggies and even mobile vegetable planters,” he says.

“Good design can deliver a really private green sanctuary – with the option to engage with wide-open spaces beyond the front door.”

• Insight. Newer areas often benefit from contemporary planning because it determines those elements that help foster community. These can lead to the development of amenities and public spaces for play, exercise and recreation.
• Expansion. Living next to playing fields, parks, nature reserves and other recreational options effectively expands lifestyle options. Home boundaries, in a sense, extend beyond the four walls into those expansive public spaces.
• Outsourcing. “Outsourcing” outdoor spaces can reduce the need for big gardens. Smaller blocks may mean smaller price tags, and savings can be invested into the creation of boutique entertaining and garden spaces.

Check out our top pick of homes with practical outdoor spaces:

Kambah

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Here’s a perfect gem of a home, set in a quiet loop street next to a rolling spread of playing fields.

This immaculate three-beddie is really going to appeal to buyers who value their privacy and can imagine being tucked into their own sanctuary behind a courtyard wall and surrounded by landscaped gardens. 

The well-designed and maintained grounds provide a clue to the way the house has successfully reimagined the connection between indoor and outdoor living. 

Inside, this contemporary residence sparkles with renovated interiors including kitchen, bathroom and laundry. The kitchen is highlighted by engineered blackbutt timber flooring, a dishwasher and a gas cooktop. The electrics have also been upgraded and the roof replaced.

Full-length, north-facing windows and doors draw in abundant natural winter light that enhances a sense of space and generates warmth in the living and dining areas in the mornings, and in bedrooms in the afternoons.

The latter has built-in wardrobes and garden views.

Outside, the 417-square-metre block is fully landscaped with mature trees providing plenty of summer shade. A paved terrace provides an entertaining venue.

Those with green thumbs will enjoy the raised vegetable garden and the convenience of a garden shed. There’s an irrigation system that services the front and rear lawns and garden.

Vehicle accommodation is provided by a double enclosed carport.

Price guide: $700,000 + 

Auction: 9am, July 10

Agent: Luton Properties Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley, Tim and Justine Burke 0411 878 587

Or try these:

Chapman

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Price guide: $1.25 million +

Private sale

Agent: Wood and Co Living, 0422 271 988

Kingston

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Price guide: $965,000

Auction: 3pm, July 10

Agent: Bastion Property Group, Theo Koutsikamanis 0431 543 649

Red Hill

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Price guide: $1.4 million +

Auction: 10am, July 10

Agent: Ray White Canberra, Andrew Lonsdale 0428 486 692