Question 1

Is Forrest a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Forrest is an inner-south Canberra suburb characterised by leafy, tree-lined streets and a quiet, residential atmosphere. It has predominantly detached houses on generous garden blocks, many with period charm and mature plantings that give the area a low-rise, established feel. The community of 1,827 people has a median age of 47 and is weighted towards couple families, with couple families without children 56.0% and with children 35.7%. Homes are predominantly owner-occupied, about 68.6% owned and 31.3% rented. Daily needs and leisure are met by nearby village precincts such as Manuka and Kingston, local parkland and walking routes, and the area is well connected by main roads and regular bus services.

There is active government-led planning and local upgrades, from the Southern Gateway planning framework and the Forrest Housing Precinct heritage listing to light rail planning near State Circle, cycleway and path works, nbn full-fibre upgrades and small infrastructure support for Forrest Primary School. Taken together, Forrest suits people after an established, garden-lined inner-south location close to the parliamentary precinct and the city; whether that suits you depends on what you want from a suburb.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Forrest?

Accepted Answer

Rents in Forrest (ACT 2603) tell a mixed story. The average house rent of $1,350 a week would take about 40.2% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a large share of income. By comparison the average unit rent of $698 a week would take about 20.8% of that weekly income, a moderate share. The median unit price of $660,500 works out to roughly 3.8 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which is under four times a local year's household income. If you're renting rather than buying, the rent shares are the most relevant numbers; if you're looking to buy a unit, 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.

Question 3

Is Forrest a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

Over the past year in Forrest the market moved the other way on values and rents: median house and unit values both fell (houses down 8.7%, units down 8.6%), while rents rose (house rents up 10.2%, unit rents up 9.1%). In plain terms, rental income increased this year while capital values for both houses and units declined; house rents climbed slightly faster than unit rents and the falls in value were almost identical.

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.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	N/A	$661K
Change in value Past 12 months	-8.7%	-8.6%
Sold Past 3 months	8	10
Median days on market Past 12 months	119	61
Average rent Past 12 months	$1350	$698
Change in rent Past 12 months	10.2%	9.1%

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