Inner Belconnen's easygoing lifestyle turning younger buyers' heads

The inner suburbs of Belconnen are making a splash: cool shops, the great outdoors, and community at an accessible price.

As prices soar in the popular inner north suburbs around the city centre, we’re noticing an interesting trend as savvy young buyers shift their focus to the inner suburbs of Belconnen.

With local shops at Aranda and Cook now offering incredible coffee, locally brewed beer and a cool Braddon-like hipster vibe, this change in the market has us thinking inner Belconnen is fast becoming Canberra’s new inner north.

To me it’s no surprise; Belconnen has always been a favourite place. It’s heartland Canberra, unpretentious and accessible both physically and financially. Inner Belconnen’s position at the foothills of Black Mountain and Mt Painter combined with multiple great local shopping spots offer residents the best of both worlds.

Foodies will delight in amazing coffee at 2before10, bacon and egg rolls at Little Oink, pizza and local brews at To All My Friends, indulgent pastries at Ricardo’s and fresh, tasty Vietnamese at Kihn Do. Whatever you fancy, this hood has you covered. With the added bonus of fresh produce at Belconnen Markets and all the major supermarkets at Belconnen Mall you literally never have to leave.

Lovers of the outdoors have a multitude of options with walking tracks and mountain biking trails aplenty through the Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve, Black Mountain Reserve and the Pinnacle Nature Reserve.

Aranda Primary, Canberra College and close proximity to Radford and University of Canberra are among the drawcards for families.

Aranda tends to steal the show, the epitome of our bush capital with interesting homes on large land allotments integrated beautifully into the surrounding native bushland. The rejuvenation of the local shops has definitely contributed to the community spirit and love of supporting local.

I chatted with long-term residents Neale and Julie about their favourite things about living in the area. Julie answered: “We have Canberra’s best cafe just five minutes’ walk away. It’s a wonderful place to go for breakfast or a coffee.”

Neale’s response was about the caring and supportive community: “We are living in an area where your neighbours are truly your neighbours, they’ll do anything for you.”