Question 1

Is Malabar a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Malabar is a compact coastal suburb centred on Malabar Beach and the adjoining headland reserve. It has a quietly residential feel, with weatherboard cottages and postwar houses beside low-rise apartments and open parkland that together create a windswept seaside character. The community of 4,714 has a median age of 46, and families are prominent while most homes are owner-occupied (64.5%).

Daily life revolves around beach swimming, coastal walks and rock fishing, with a small village shopping strip and regular buses along Anzac Parade for errands and connections; neighbouring La Perouse and Maroubra add extra services. Several council-led upgrades are planned or under way, and Malabar Community Library remains the local library. The suburb suits families, retirees and professionals seeking a relaxed beachside neighbourhood, though whether it fits you depends on what you value in a home and location.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Malabar?

Accepted Answer

House rents in Malabar are large compared with local incomes. At $1,750 a week, renting a house would take about 97.8% of a typical local household's weekly income as recorded at the most recent Census (household income $1,790 a week), which is a large share of income. If you are renting rather than buying, that rent share is the number that matters and will be most relevant to your decision.

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 Malabar a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

In Malabar over the past 12 months, house values rose 2.2%, a modest increase, while house rents climbed 9.4%, a solid rise. In other words, the rent a house earns increased markedly faster than its price during the year.

If rental income is your priority, the house-side rent movement is the most relevant figure; if you are focused on capital growth, the more modest value rise is the number to consider. Whether that pattern suits you depends on your goals and circumstances.

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	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	2.2%	N/A
Sold Past 3 months	4	N/A
Median days on market Past 12 months	N/A	N/A
Average rent Past 12 months	$1750	N/A
Change in rent Past 12 months	9.4%	N/A

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