Stepney – History, Amenities and Sales Stats

STEPNEY puts inner suburban living in sharp focus, and is less than a 10 minute drive from the city.

Its proximity to Norwood’s trendy shopping, cafe and restaurant strip on The Parade and prime schools also makes it a natural magnet for buyers.

Wendy Heath knows its value well, having grown up there, and is now helping her 95 year-old mum Elsie sell her beloved family home of 68 years – a three-bedroom villa in Loch St.

“It just got too big for her to manage at her age but it brought her and my father Max so many happy memories,” she says.

“Stepney is small compared with a few other suburbs but it’s so handy to just about everything including bus transport that let’s you get into the city centre in 10 minutes. You can walk to The Parade in about 15 minutes and it’s just three minutes to the Avenues Shopping Centre on Nelson St.”

According to CoreLogic, its median house price has jumped almost 40 per cent in the last three years.

Ms Heath says Stepney still retains a lot of the close community feel it had.

“But obviously people are busier and drive rather than walk everywhere like we did growing up, so they don’t know each other quite as well,” she says.

“But at local auctions, all the neighbours still show up and they know who everyone is.”

For her, Stepney is also attractive as it has lots of parks and walking spots and the East Parklands on its doorstep.

“It’s still got great potential for families due its proximity to the city centre and lots of quality schools, like East Adelaide Primary that my sister and I attended,” Ms Heath says.

“My mum’s father had the chance to buy either this property or one at Kensington Gardens but he chose this one as a gift to my parents as it was closer to the city. He paid about 700 pounds for it just after the Second World War.”

Sales agent Mark Bressington of Ouwens Casserly says Stepney retains its value close to the city, the Norwood Parade retail and dining precinct, and nearby shops on Magill Rd.

“It doesn’t come up on buyers’ radar as much as Norwood or St Peters because not much stock comes onto the market,’’ he says.

“But that cycle is changing with generations giving way and people realise it’s a hidden gem, so close to the city.”

Credit: Realestate