Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Forestville

Forestville is a leafy Northern Beaches suburb with tree-lined streets, established gardens and pockets of native bush close by. Housing leans to detached family homes on established blocks, with some low-rise units and townhouses that suit downsizers and young professionals. A compact shopping strip provides everyday cafes, shops and services, and the town centre includes a community arts centre, library and primary school. Parks, sports fields and walking tracks make it easy to be outdoors.

The local population of 8,659 has a median age of 43 and a family profile strongly weighted towards couples, with 58.0% of families being couple families with children and 28.7% couple families without children. Most homes are owner-occupied (41.1% owned outright, 38.5% with a mortgage, combined 79.6%) while renters make up 20.4%. Forestville is served by about 14 bus routes, lies close to Northern Beaches Hospital and is a short drive from beaches, larger retail centres and the harbour foreshore. The suburb is also identified as a longer-term "centre investigation area" contingent on a future B-Line route, with detailed planning yet to be scheduled.

In Forestville the numbers show a big gap between house prices and local incomes at the last Census. The median house price of $2,515,000 is about 19.3 times a typical local household's annual income (weekly median household income $2,507, annual $130,364), which is a high multiple against local incomes.

Renting paints a different picture. A house rent of $1,250 a week would take about 49.8% of that typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a large share, while a unit at $575 a week would take about 22.9%, a moderate share. If you're renting rather than buying, those rent shares are the most relevant figures; if buying, the price multiple is the key measure.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Over the past 12 months in Forestville, median house values rose 7.4% while house rents increased 9.2%, so for houses rental income grew slightly faster than capital value. Unit rents moved differently, falling a modest 4.2% over the year. If rental income is your priority, the house rent movement is the most relevant figure; if capital growth matters more, the house value change is the one to consider. Whether that balance suits your goals and circumstances is for you to decide.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.