Chatswood

Buzzing! If you want to live somewhere with convenience for everything and a constant buzz, Chatswood is the place for you. What used to be the North Shore’s shopping plaza is now almost a city in itself.

If you are looking for a little trivia, a former Mayor of Willoughby, Richard Harnett, had a wife called Charlotte who was affectionately known as Chattie. An area that she liked would regularly be called “Chattie’s Wood” due to the woody nature of the area and this was later shortened and named officially Chatswood. It later became home to dairy farms and factories before growing into what we know today.

People gathered in an outdoor area near a Westfield shopping center with a green lawn and large buildings in the background. Some are sitting, while others, including children, are walking or playing.
Busy street market scene with people walking and shopping, lined with market stalls selling various products. Trees and building architecture are visible under a partly cloudy sky.

Inside Chatswood

  • The lifestyle of Chatswood is something that can be a little mixed. Whilst much of Chatswood is busy and bustling, there are still pockets that enjoy a quieter feel and are not only still super convenient, but also near parks and some nature. However, most of the area is focused on convenience and has a very metropolitan feel to it. Think Hong Kong, Singapore and other thriving cities throughout Asia but nowhere near as populated and compact.

  • This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone even remotely looking at Chatswood, but it is a central hub with literally everything you could ever need. It is home to multiple large shopping centres, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and more. If you need something, you’ll find it in Chatswood.

  • Chatswood is one of Sydney’s hubs. There is transport from Chatswood to almost everywhere. Listing the train, metro and bus services available from and to Chatswood is almost a full time job.

  • Chatswood offers some excellent public schools for children in the area. For those in Chatswood West, they may fall into the catchment for Lindfield Learning Village which is an innovative educational establishment that focuses on the individual child’s abilities in different areas. It appears to be a great educational option for many children and its practice is backed by learning theory.

    For Primary School (K-6):

    • Chatswood Public School

    • Lindfield Learning Village

    For High School (7-12):

    • Chatswood High School

    • Lindfield Learning Village

  • Chatswood feels like the kind of place we all know, right? Wrong, there are still some hidden gems for those who haven’t spent that much time here. Obviously, there are the weekly markets for fresh produce, craft and street food and the amazing cultural hub that is The Concourse, but there are also so many Asian eateries that you could never find them all. We love what is available in Lemon Grove as well as in the easy to miss Victoria Plaza and Chatswood Place Shopping Centres.

  • Chatswood has around 70% of households being families with a significant portion of singles and couples as well. It is approximately half owner occupier and half rental.

  • Chatswood is obviously a busy and bustling area so there will be issues with air quality in areas and slightly higher temperatures due to urban heat island effect. However, there are significant strategies in place to reduce waste and offer sustainable practices through Council and state government. There are also plenty of green spaces.

  • Buying in Chatswood is predominantly a convenience decision. If you want nearby public transport and endless amenities, you really can’t do better than Chatswood. It provides the additional bonuses of good schools, good parks and a lot of what living on the North Shore gives you with that additional convenience.