Chatswood Suburb Review

Summary: A highly-convenient North Shore suburb that’s diverse with an extremely strong Asian influence, Chatswood is teeming with quality multicultural dining and shopping opportunities, has several good schools nearby, and is well-connected via public transport. High housing prices and a busy/crowded central area, as well as some significant traffic issues let it down somewhat, however it’s a solid all-rounder for those who like a balance of city life and greenery with a hint of the exotic.

Key stats

Located at around the upper portion of what could be considered the Sydney Lower North Shore, Chatswood and its area around its main station complex has developed into something of a “mini-CBD” in recent years, offering all the good and bad which that entails.

On the one hand, it’s eminently convenient – trains and buses are connected to a wide array of line services granting access to most of the city, and there are countless restaurants, stores and highrise and office buildings continually popping up. On the other, it’s become increasingly hectic and chaotic, with people both local and from elsewhere in Sydney drawn to its Asian dining opportunities.

Head just a bit further out on foot from this main “Chatswood Interchange” hub, however, and you’ll soon discover plenty of old houses and tree-lined streets that reflect a little of “old Sydney” as well. In many ways, this balance works in Chatswood’s favour, as it’s got a ton of amenities (and basically every store one could want courtesy of its dual complexes of Westfield and Chatswood Chase) while still remaining quite leafy in its back street areas.

Asian Influences

The suburb is highly Chinese-dominated (reflected in its census data), bringing along the pluses and minuses which come along with it. Heavy doses of Chinese investment and construction have resulted in a changing cityscape, and in many ways Chatswood resembles something of a “posh Chinatown” with more of a focus on newer and higher-end brand stores, pop-up highrise apartment buildings, and increasingly more commercial businesses as opposed to older mum-and-dad Chinese restaurants.

If you’re after quality Asian food, Chatswood does not disappoint; it’s home to some of the best Asian restaurants in all of Sydney, with not only Chinese but also Malaysian and Korean featuring prominently as well.

Chatswood Interchange is a hub for dining

Property & Prices

Its train station’s prominence as a transport hub means you can expect a less-than-20-minute train ride into Sydney city, while the Northern Beaches are also not too far away for those after a dose of seaside air.

The suburb boasts a relatively low crime rate and is largely safe for families, while several quality schools and higher education bodies also call Chatswood home.

Chatswood does lack a little in the “attractions/things to do” category outside of dining and shopping however, and is missing any real notable landmarks, flagship parks or other forms of entertainment outside of retail therapy. In some sense it does lack a bit of soul, especially with the increasing rate of generic mass-produced concrete construction which is happening.

Transport & Traffic

The driving and road situation here ranks toward the lower end of the scale; it’s home to some of the highest figures of common road accidents of any suburb in Sydney, while Chatswood’s slice of the Pacific Highway also ranks as one of the worst roads in the region for congestion and peak hour delays. Its recent Metro construction aims to alleviate some of these concerns, however its overall impact remains to be seen.

“Chatswood does lack a little in the “attractions/things to do” category outside of dining and shopping however.”

Accommodation-wise, Chatswood delivers a decent mix of apartment living and larger, older homes which average upwards of 2 million dollars for purchase; as a result, those considering living here may first wish to rent and judge the lifestyle before committing to a long-term investment.

The Verdict

In all, Chatswood is one of the most unique suburbs in Sydney; it’s propped up by “new Asian money” but offers so many pluses in terms of a balance between lifestyle, multicultural opportunities and encounters, and convenience that it’s easy to see why it continues to grow so quickly.

Xenophobes may want to stay away, but the unbiased may find the exotic aura it offers to be a perfect fit – while shopaholics will find few better places in all of Sydney to whet their whistle.