Living in the Northern Beaches in a Granny Flat: A Complete Guide

Posted on September 27th, 2024

Living in the Northern Beaches

What makes the Northern Beaches unique?

Explore our Northern Beaches granny flats available to rent here.

Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities

Sitting on Australia's Eastern coastline blesses the Northern Beaches with more than twenty beaches, with enough sand for all the ocean loving residents to share. Each beach and headland has its own advantages, whether its close to all amenities, like Collaroy beach is, or tucked away from the world in Turimetta. Turning away from the salt water on the East towards the west of the Northern Beaches boasts vast and lush greenery, and several secret waterfalls. There are walking trails available for all abilities and countless picnic locations.

Living in a granny flat is never boring when outside has so much to offer. With this generous collection of beaches, bays and lakes, the water activities available are endless. Water ski Manly's dam, Paddle board in Bayview, sail through Pittwater, snorkel across Shelly beach or follow the winds to the best surf of the day. There are fifteen beautiful ocean rock pools to choose from for a fresh swim without the waves.

Proximity to Sydney's City

What makes these serene beaches particularly appealing for many is the short distance from Sydney’s city. Public transport options are constantly improving, with the double story B-line buses just an hour or less to the city. The Ferry between Manly and Circular Quay is a beautiful glide pass bays, boats and bush that makes each commute feel like a reward. The live music scene, galleries, job opportunities, universities, restaurants and night life of the city are at your fingertips in the Northern Beaches. To have city life so accessible from peaceful hometowns is unique. Locals can even find peaceful places to watch the New Years Eve Fireworks that enjoy the view over the sea without the crowd.

Community and Lifestyle

The Northern Beaches provides a perfect balance of liveliness and relaxation. Competitive and recreational sports come with teams and clubs that create a welcoming community based on shared interests. Yoga studios, meditation groups and ice baths explore the outer world and inner soul. Join volunteer groups or beach clean-up events to bond over a good cause. Welcoming to all, the Mind Cafe in Narrabeen is exemplary of community values, encouraging charitable systems like ‘pay it forward’ coffee and mental health support, so those in need of some extra generosity have a comfortable place to relax, eat and enjoy a warm drink. 

Everywhere in the beaches is walking distance to quality cafes and restaurants. Zubi’s $10 Bacon, Egg and Relish Roll (or substitute bacon for avo) fills your stomach and heart with joy. Manly is the perfect beach to bar location, with countless ocean options and happy hours to choose from. This vibrant beach and city balance creates a balanced lifestyle and fun communities to find yourself in.

The Appeal of Granny Flat Living

Cost-Effectiveness as an Affordable Housing Solution

Granny flats in the Northern Beaches present a practical solution to the rising cost of living. These compact homes are significantly more affordable than traditional housing, making them an attractive option for young professionals, small families, or retirees looking to downsize without sacrificing comfort. With the increasing demand for housing around Sydney, a granny flat can offer the perfect blend of affordability, desirable location and privacy.

Flexibility and Independence

One main attraction for tenants to rent a granny flat is the blend of house and apartment: private and secure like a house, compact and affordable like an apartment. The independence of Granny flats means tenants don’t need to worry about strata rules and shared walls. Landlords often live in the main house on the shared land, so tenancy relationships can be as close or as distant as you like. It provides great opportunity for neighbourly assistance with bins and gardens, but you have your own entrance to get home.

Space Limitations and Storage Solutions

Granny flats, by nature, tend to be smaller than traditional homes, thus create a smaller footprint. This limited space can encourage minimalism, underconsumption and simple living, but it can be a challenge to store everything without clutter. Many granny flats and tiny house feature smart and hidden storage solutions to make the most of small spaces.

Tips for Maximising Space in a Granny Flat

As a tenant, there are several ways to maximise the potential of your granny flat. Thoughtful design and creativity can elevate your space into an inviting and functional home.

Smart Interior Design

Choosing the right furniture and interior design can make a world of difference. Opt for light, neutral colours to create an illusion of more space by reflecting natural light to brighten the rooms. Strategically placed mirrors can also open a room, create the illusion of another window and make spaces feel larger. Consider separating an open plan space by zoning your furniture, as if invisible walls divide a studio into rooms.

Utilising Outdoor Spaces for Additional Living Area

The beautiful Northern Beaches offer opportunities to extend your living space outdoors. With the right umbrella, any outdoor space can be customised for relaxation and entertaining. Find weather-resistant furniture to create a cozy outdoor lounge. Adding pot plants can enhance the environment and provide a natural privacy screen.

Incorporating Multipurpose Furniture

Multipurpose furniture is a valuable resource in maximising your living space. Consider items like a coffee table with storage, a foldable desk, or a bed with built-in drawers. Select furniture that not only saves space, but increases the functionality of your home. Let your decorations be functional, like a room divider with shelves, and let your belongings be decorative, like hanging a large hat on a wall hook. Consider some of these granny flat friendly purchases to decorate your home.

Loving Your Space

Follow our tips on how to make a rental space feel like home to really settle in. Explore each unique suburb the Northern Beaches has to offer, host a picnic in one of the serene or lively locations near your home, and learn modes of entertainment that require no storage.

Granny Flat Living in the Northern Beaches

Granny flats in the Northern Beaches can range from budget friendly to high end, and whichever option is best for you, quality of life can be high. With the beaches’ environment and Sydney’s entertainment at your fingertips, you don’t need to own a big house to make the Northern Beaches your home.

Choosing to live in a granny flat in the Northern Beaches offers a unique and rewarding experience. This lifestyle combines the serenity of coastal living with the practical benefits of affordable housing with the city at reach. Whether you’re drawn to the beautiful scenery or the welcoming community, there's so much to appreciate.

Living in a granny flat here isn't just about saving money; it's about embracing a lifestyle that lets you enjoy the best of both worlds - nature and city life. If you're considering making the move, the Northern Beaches awaits with open arms.

Explore our Northern Beaches granny flats available to rent here.

Author and posted by Alysha de Ruyter