Where families are finding space and value in Sydney’s south-west

With affordability in focus, buyers are on the lookout for homes that offer not only value, but also the space they need to help their families grow.

While Australians have always prioritised size when it comes to their homes, in the past few years, several factors have aligned to make this an even greater priority. 

“We’ve seen a big shift towards larger homes since the pandemic,” said Angus Moore, Executive Manager of Economics at REA Group, during a recent panel discussion examining Sydney’s new-home builder habits.

“And that makes sense if we think about it: people are working from home more and spending more time at home.”  

Looking for homes that balance space and affordability, Sydney buyers are increasingly searching away from the CBD and towards communities in outlying areas like the south-west.

A new neighbourhood in south-west Sydney

At Stockland Figtree Hill in south-west Sydney’s Macarthur region – the site of the recent panel – commentators shared thoughts on the appeal of new masterplanned communities where space and affordability meet.

“At Figtree Hill, we’re selling quite strongly at the moment,” said Stockland Project Director Mike Milligan. 

“We’ve got releases every fortnight, so we’re seeing very strong demand. In fact, Figtree Hill probably has the highest level of inquiry [for Stockland] across the state.” 

Only 8km away from the thriving centre of Campbelltown, Figtree Hill is also a cohesive and village-like community set among green spaces and natural bushland.

“Figtree Hill is pretty much an enclave, an affordable one. It’s surrounded by bush and has its own place, its own identity,” said Mr Milligan.

“By having parks every 400m, we’ve got a beautiful natural environment here.”

Sydney's south-west is becoming an appealing prospect for families looking for more affordable homes.

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The lifestyle buyers are looking for 

While Figtree Hill is only a short drive away from the shops, cafes, and services at Campbelltown’s Macarthur Square, it’s also been designed with the walkability and convenience that today’s buyers expect. 

A proposed village centre for retail and dining, as well as proposed educational facilities, are part of Figtree Hill’s masterplan to bring the community to life. 

“When you come home, you can park your car and walk or ride to all the things you want to do as a family,” said Mr Milligan. 

“That’s why we build all those elements into every community to make sure that once you’re home, you should be able to just live the life that you want.” 

Buyers are also looking for homes that are prepared for the future, with realestate.com.au search data showing increasing interest from NSW property seekers in features like climate control and solar power. 

Stockland Figtree Hill itself is an all-electric community, meaning the entire neighbourhood is designed to be powered by clean electricity.

It also means that the builders that Stockland partners with to bring each home to life are also thinking about energy-efficiency and power needs when they are working with buyers. 

“We’ve tailored our inclusions to suit that,” said Justin Brown, Business Development Manager at MOJO Homes, one of Stockland’s expert construction partners. 

“So currently we [offer] your solar, your battery, your inverter, your car charger. We work with Stockland to get that seven-star BASIX rating and that makes it more affordable and more transparent for the buyer.”

Stockland works with builders like MOJO Homes to create neighbourhoods that buyers want to live in.

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Why south-west Sydney is on the rise

It’s no secret that Sydney’s south-west is on the up, with its value growing despite the slower growth seen across Sydney in the past year. 

“We’ve seen stronger price growth in south-west Sydney than we have for Sydney as a whole,” said Mr Moore. 

Demand has also increased, with the population of the south-west region increasing by over 61,000 in the past decade, though it remains one of Sydney’s more attainable markets. 

“Despite the strong growth, the outer south-west remains one of Sydney’s more affordable housing markets, with a median home price of $956,000,” commented REA Group Senior Economist Anne Flaherty.

“This makes it a magnet for first-home buyers, migrants, and families looking to upsize.” 

It’s also the centre of an infrastructure boom, with major projects like the Western Sydney International Airport and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis set to open in 2026. 

With the region only continuing to rise, buying a home in a community like Figtree Hill is a rare chance to not only capitalise on this growth, but also be part of a neighbourhood as it starts to take shape. 

“This is still an emerging corridor, so you’ll see this corridor continue to grow. Where Figtree Hill is, it’s in the sweet spot,” said Mr Milligan. 

“The opportunity to build and be a part of a new community, I think, is a big one. As well as choosing your house, you can really have that say in creating your own lifestyle.”

Disclaimer: 

This article has been prepared without taking into account your financial circumstances or objectives and should not be relied upon for any purpose without consulting financial, legal or professional advisers regarding your individual circumstances and suitability for investment.  

All distance and travel timeframe references are estimates only, refer to distance by car or driving time (unless specified otherwise), and are based on information obtained from Google Maps at the time of publication (March 2026).  

All details, images and statements are based on the intention of, and information available to, Stockland as at the date of this article and may change due to future circumstances. Information and images relating to landscaping are indicative only and may show mature plantings which may not be mature at settlement. This article contains information provided by third parties based on information available as at March 2026 which have not been independently verified by Stockland. The views, opinions and commentary of third parties in this article, may not represent the views, opinions and commentary of Stockland. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Stockland makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of any such statements, and Stockland does not accept any loss or damage arising as a result of any reliance on the views, opinions and commentary of such individuals. Any statements made by Stockland or third parties in this article should not be taken as financial, legal, or professional advice.