If you’re looking for a place on the Northern Beaches that offers a laid-back beach vibe but with a bit of bustle to keep life interesting, then Dee Why should be high on your list of options.
At the heart of Dee Why is its coastal playground – 1.7km of beach that stretches from Dee Why to Long Reef with a tiered promenade and rock pool at one end and rugged red rocks and expansive surf at the other.
And, with its multiple shopping precincts and access to the B-Line bus, it’s no wonder Dee Why is popular with families, couples and singles alike.
In this interview, we speak with Angelo Goutzios from Doyle Spillane to find out how Dee Why has changed over the years and what the suburb offers today.
Angelo, let’s start with an overview of the property market of Dee Why
In terms of the property composition in Dee Why, the majority are apartments. Currently, there are approximately 10,600 residences in Dee Why, with around 9,000 of them being apartments. In fact, it is considered the most populated suburb on the beaches.
In terms of the dwellings themselves, most of Dee Why was built between the 1970 and the 1990s. The recent development we’ve seen, particularly along Pittwater Road, has only added about 2,000 properties since that time – accounting for just 20% of the total stock available.
Given the number of apartments, does it follow that a lot of the people who live in Dee Why are renters?
Surprisingly, the ratio of renters to owners in Dee Why is almost evenly split. It stands at 51% owner-occupiers and 49% investors. I’ll admit, I expected there to be a higher rental portion but actually it’s pretty much even.
How has Dee Why changed over the years?
It’s remarkable to see the transformation that Dee Why has undergone in recent years. It has truly been an interesting journey witnessing the redevelopment of this suburb.
The transformation can be attributed to a few key factors, including the development of two significant anchor sites. One of them is where Meriton now stands, which has become the vibrant town centre of Dee Why. The other is the Dee Why Grand Shopping Centre, which was established around 2009, almost a decade earlier.
It was around the same time that the Grand was built that I noticed a significant change in Dee Why owing to the introduction of the first home buyers grant. It was a substantial incentive at the time, offering a saving of around $14,000 for those purchasing a new or second-hand property below a certain price threshold.
It brought a lot of first home buyers to the area, who then began to renovate their properties and improve the area. In turn, this led to higher rents which triggered a shift in the demographic of renters as well.
Why would someone move to Dee Why today?
In my opinion, Dee Why is the hub of the Northern Beaches. It’s a vibrant and thriving urban area.
When comparing its beach to other popular beaches in Sydney, I believe Dee Why is the third best. Of course, Bondi Beach is renowned and Manly Beach is also highly regarded. I think Dee Why also stands out because it offers the unique experience of having a restaurant strip located extremely close to the beach, which is not common among other Sydney beaches.
Moreover, Dee Why provides residents with the convenience of having three major shopping markets, including two Coles supermarkets, a Woolworths and an Aldi. This variety of shopping options contributes to the vibrant culinary scene, with numerous eateries to explore.
Additionally, transportation has improved significantly, as the travel time on the B-Line bus from the city to Dee Why has been reduced by about 20 minutes, now taking approximately 32 to 35 minutes.
What can people expect to pay to live in Dee Why for houses and apartments?
Let’s start with houses. Depending on the location, there are various price ranges in Dee Why.
For instance, on a street like Monash Parade, which runs along the headland and offers direct waterfront views, you can expect to pay a premium. A modern four to five-bedroom house in that prime waterfront area could fetch around eight to nine million dollars. Even an older house in that waterfront location would still command prices upwards of four to five million dollars.
Moving just a street away from the waterfront, prices tend to decrease slightly. You can find properties in the range of two and a half to three million dollars, primarily for the land value in that vicinity. However, if you’re looking for a newer, well-finished property, you can expect prices to be around three to four million dollars.
On the other side of Pittwater Road, which is still considered part of Dee Why, the price range is comparable to neighboring suburbs like Narraweena. In this area, you can find nice houses for around two to two and a half million dollars. The prices may be slightly higher compared to Narraweena, but the difference is not significant.
When it comes to apartments, there are still affordable options available in Dee Why. For around $460,000 to $500,000, you can find studio apartments that provide an entry point into the market. Moving up to one-bedroom apartments, prices start at around $550,000 for more affordable options, while top-end one-bedroom apartments can range up to $800,000.
For two-bedroom apartments, prices typically start from $700,000 to $800,000. In some cases, these apartments may not have all the desired features like a carport or a large floor area, particularly on the East side of Pittwater Road. However, if you’re looking for something more luxurious, such as an apartment in the lighthouse development with water views and an elevated position, prices can reach up to $1.5 million for a two-bedroom apartment.
Want to get in touch with Angelo? Head to www.doylespillane.com.au/team/angelo-goutzios
