Buy into the inner south property market without spending more than Canberra's median

Canberra’s inner south is one of the city’s most sought-after regions but you don’t need big bucks to snag a slice of real estate in a central, southside suburb.

Many a tenant has become familiar with the leafy, lively lifestyle this pocket of the ACT offers.

If you’re reluctant to leave and willing to sacrifice the traditional stand-alone house on a quarter-acre block, you can transition from tenant to owner-occupier without jumping above Canberra’s median unit price of $399,505.

You don’t need to cut back to one bedroom either.

Photo: Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Tuggeranong

Kingston

57/47 Kennedy Street

$399,000+

Who said apartment living was restricted to one shared space? This north-facing, two-bedroom apartment in Kingston features a spacious lounge room plus a separate family and dining space next to the kitchen. Both living rooms open onto separate balconies and both bedrooms feature built-in wardrobes. All of this is a hop, step and a jump from the bustling Kingston shops.

Photo: Maria Selleck Properties

Red Hill

13/14-16 Discovery Street

$399,000+

Balconies are aplenty at this second-floor apartment in Red Hill. The open-plan living and dining area connects to a north-west-facing balcony, while the main bedroom opens to another at the opposite end of the unit. The apartment might not be on the blue-ribbon Mugga Way but it is close to the local shops. Both bedrooms come with built-in wardrobes, and you can soak the day away in the bathroom’s spa bath. One of the two car spaces also comes with a handy storage cage.

Photo: Peter Blackshaw Real Estate Manuka

Yarralumla

13/51 Hampton Circuit

$375,000+

While this two-bedder might not be the lakeside home of your southside dreams it does offer an opportunity to buy into the popular suburb of Yarralumla. It’s located in an embassy belt close to parkland and convenient thoroughfares including Adelaide Avenue and Hopetoun Circuit. The apartment is flooded with natural light and features open-plan living and plenty of built-in storage.

Photo: LJ Hooker Manuka

Narrabundah

34/40 Leahy Close

$389,500

You won’t feel cramped in this apartment’s spacious, open-plan living area with panoramic views across Capital Golf Course and beyond. Light-filled living opens onto a large, covered balcony, perfect for year-round entertaining. The apartment is located at the southern tip of Narrabundah. It features two bedrooms with built-in robes, a built-in bath and two secure car spaces.

Photo: Independent Property Group Gungahlin

Griffith

6/103 Canberra Avenue

$375,000+

A renovation has made what might have felt like a dated apartment shine with fresh interiors and pops of colour. This two-bedroom apartment near the Kingston Oval features two bathrooms, both with showers, and plenty of storage. The open-plan living comes with a study nook and opens onto a balcony. Kingston and Manuka’s retail and restaurant precincts are all within walking distance.

Photo: Luton Properties Manuka

Griffith

2/13-15 Sturt Avenue

$395,000

This terrace-style, double-brick apartment offers peaceful living in a garden-filled complex close to the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets and Canberra Avenue. Stretch out across separate living and dining areas and two balconies. The main bathroom, complete with a built-in bath and separate toilet, segregates the two bedrooms, both with built-in wardrobes. Oh, and there’s a communal swimming pool on your doorstep.