Older Essendon Residents Flock to Single-Level Homes Near Lincoln Road

Forty-two properties changed hands to downsizers in Essendon between January and June this year, with the largest cluster occurring along the eastern stretch of Lincoln Road and in the blocks surrounding Strathnaver Reserve.

Global market jitters following the NATO summit in Turkey have kept some investors on the sidelines, yet local demand for compact homes with ground-floor access has held steady. Essendon agents report that retirees now account for nearly one in three buyer inquiries, up from one in five at the same point in 2025.

Preferred pockets

Downsizers have favoured the northern end of Fletcher Street, where 1970s brick villas sit within 400 metres of the Essendon Community Hub on Mount Alexander Road. Several sales closed in April and May at prices between $1.05 million and $1.18 million, each featuring single-level layouts and small rear courtyards. A further group of buyers settled on Napier Crescent properties adjacent to the reserve, citing direct pedestrian access to the bowling club and the weekly produce stalls at the Essendon Market.

Both locations sit on flat terrain and within 800 metres of Essendon Station, removing the need for steep drives or multiple bus changes. Local planning records show four recent approvals for internal ramps and widened doorways on these streets, confirming the pattern of modifications requested by incoming owners.

Price evidence and timing

CoreLogic suburb data released last week placed Essendon’s median unit price at $785,000 for the June quarter, a 6 per cent rise on the December 2025 figure. Detached houses in the same period averaged $1.39 million. The strongest growth appeared in the two-bedroom townhouse segment, which recorded 19 transactions to downsizers at a median of $925,000. Settlement dates clustered around the end of financial year, with 11 contracts exchanged in the final fortnight of June.

Buyers should inspect listings through the Essendon branch of Barry Plant and cross-check strata reports for any upcoming special levies at the community hub site. Early inspection of properties on Lincoln Road and Napier Crescent remains the most direct route to securing ground-floor access before the spring listing surge.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.