The Darug people first settled in Parramatta around 60,000 years ago. The Aboriginal name for the region is Burramatta, which translates to “eel creek”. The area is still known for its nutritious soil and rivers — especially where the saltwater of Port Jackson meets the freshwater of the Parramatta River. The Parramatta Eels Rugby League Club chose its name for this reason.

Sydney CBD is just a 25-minute express train ride away. The train station also offers direct access to the Blue Mountains and the Central Coast. For a more scenic route, the ferry runs all the way from the Parramatta River to Circular Quay and Barangaroo. A dedicated Light Rail is currently under construction, too, with stage one planned to open in 2023, taking commuters from Westmead to Carlingford.

There are heaps of good reasons to buy in Parramatta, including the appealing property prices. The median prices ranges from around $566,000 for units and around $1.26-million for houses (according to Realestate.com.au). The area has seen considerable growth in recent years too, with the five-year-sale growth rate currently at 4.1-percent for houses. Check out NAB’s Property Report to learn more, then use its handy Home Loan Calculator to find out how much you can borrow. Or, book an appointment here.

Parramatta is considered Sydney’s second CBD, largely because of its thriving food scene. You can find heaps of sister venues to some of our city’s best restaurants, like CicciaBella, and plenty of homegrown favourites, including laksa king Temasek. That’s not to mention the incredible bar scene, with the opulent vibes at Nick & Nora’s and the inventive cocktails at Uncle Kurt’s taking top prize.