Rankings revealed: Kingston tops the list of Allhomes' most searched suburbs

There are almost 120 suburbs within Canberra each with their own characteristics and lifestyle. But some suburbs are proving to be more popular than others, with exclusive Allhomes data revealing the top 10 most searched suburbs over 2018 on our site.

Unsurprisingly, the data shows suburbs with a higher-than-average transaction of sales have made the list.

This year, Allhomes’ most searched suburb is Kingston. Purnell Citywide agent Nick Purnell said the combination of location and lifestyle continues to attract people to the suburb.

“The proximity to the Parliamentary Triangle, fabulous restaurants and cafes and the lifestyle that exists next to Lake Burley Griffin all contribute to Kingston’s appeal,” he said.

According to Pricefinder, there have been 167 sales in Kingston this year, mostly units. The median unit price is $515,000, and despite the Inner South recording a 6.5 per cent fall in unit prices, Kingston has bucked the trend, marginally, with an increase of one per cent.

Kingston’s popularity has grown over the past decade with development in the foreshore, but Mr Purnell said “old Kingston” was holding up the growth in the suburb – not just the Kingston Foreshore.

“The Kingston market is a fantastic one, and there was a shift to the foreshore a few years ago, but I think the established side has seen a resurgence,” he said.

“Prices at the foreshore are remaining quite stagnant given the amount of supply, but that’s probably where the growth is coming from in the market. Properties that were selling around the $380,000 mark are now selling for about $450,000.

“People are finding value in buying older-style apartments and doing work to them, they also value the extra living space.”

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The second most searched suburb – closely trailing Kingston – was Kambah. With a population of more than 15,000, the south side suburb is by far Canberra’s largest, which has been attributed to its ranking.

There were a total of 199 sales in Kambah over the year.

Principal Sandy Morris of One Agency Sandy Morris said Kambah had been overlooked in the past, but people were starting to realise its “fabulous location”.

“It’s the northernmost Tuggeranong suburb … it’s a suburb that has been underrated but people are now realising its location sets itself apart from other Tuggeranong suburbs,” she said.

“[There are] beautiful mountains and lovely walking trails, and the shopping centres in the surrounding areas are easily accessible.”

There is a shifting demographic in Kambah, which has created a great demand for the suburb, according to Ms Morris.

“The demographic is changing dramatically, people that moved in the ’70s and ’80s and are now retired are moving out of the suburb and younger people are moving in,” she said.

“The stock has remained steady, but the demand has been so great, particularly at the bottom end of the market where properties are going fairly quickly.”

Rounding out the top five were Griffith, Bruce and Belconnen.

Top ten most searched suburbs on Allhomes in 2018

1. Kingston
2. Kambah
3. Griffith
4. Bruce
5. Belconnen
6. Yarralumla
7. Braddon
8. Narrabundah
9. Ngunnawal
10. Gungahlin