Allambie Heights Archives - Page 2 of 2

Allambie Heights Lands on Top 10 Suburb Choices for First-Time Home Buyers in NSW

First-time home buyers in Australia consider Allambie Heights as a top choice for building a home and starting a family in New South Wales.

In a survey from Realestate.com.au on the most desirable suburbs in the country, Allambie Heights landed on the fifth spot and the second top choice among four NSW suburbs in the Top 10.

The Top 10 list also included five South Australian suburbs and one from the state of Victoria:

Middle Park, Victoria
Millswood, South Australia
Killarney Heights, New South Wales
Crafers West, South Australia
Allambie Heights, New South Wales
Stirling, South Australia
Collaroy Plateau, New South Wales
Birchgrove, New South Wales
Aldgate, South Australia
Belair, South Australia

Families enjoy living in Allambie Heights in the Northern Beaches for its ocean views, its access to schools, and its abundance in parks and nature.

Surrounded by green spaces, such as the FJ McMahon Reserve and the Manly Dam, Allambie Heights feels secluded from the busy main roads going to the north and south of Sydney. However, it has also steadily grown in the last few years with more community facilities, shops and transportation access.

*Photo Credit: Northern Beaches Council*

According to Homesales.com.au, house prices at Allambie Heights have risen to 20.15 per cent in three years. Median house sale price is at $1,636,714 while unit price is at $1,188,935.

Developed as a residential area for war veterans after the Second World War, Allambie Heights has more than 6,700 residents today. Plenty of new families with young children have moved in this suburb but most of the residents belong to multi-generations of families whose parents and grandparents know each other.

Then & Now: The Improvements of FJ Machon Reserve’s Old Playground at Allambie Heights

Photo Credit: Laterjay/Pixabay

FJ Machon Reserve’s playground may be small compared to other children’s recreation site at Allambie Heights, but its facilities have been a big benefit to the community.

Before the Northern Beaches Council decided to set aside a budget to improve the reserve as a recreational facility, the FJ Machon Reserve playground did not use to have anything substantial to offer aside from the greenery.

Five years ago, the FJ Machon Reserve playground had but a two-seater swing. There was nothing else for kids to play at the reserve but this equipment, which was set close to a tree for shade.

*Photo Credit:* *Northern Beaches Council/Facebook*

In 2014, the Council proposed to upgrade the FJ Machon Reserve playground and the project was completed before the end of that year. Five years later, families living near the reserve are still enjoying the playground facilities designed and built by Forpark Australia.

Among the features of the FJ Machon Reserve playground are a children’s swing with strapped seats for toddlers to use and a play structure with rope climbers, double slides, and play panels. These playground sets cater to children of different ages and physical abilities.

Right beside the children’s playground is a table with benches. Parents sit down this area to have snacks while they watch their children. Not far off is a fitness equipment area where older kids, teenagers, and even adults could use for their whole body workout.

After school hours, this place does get busy with children playing and parents mingling with each other. The playground upgrades did not just improve the use of the area but it also promoted community building.

The FJ Machon Reserve playground is on Anzio Avenue.

La Crema Lounge Brings the Modern European Cafe Vibe to Allambie Heights

Photo Credit: La Crema Lounge/Facebook

Among the rows of shops at Allambie Road stands La Crema Lounge, a cafe that brings the modern European vibe to Allambie Heights. Known for its specialty cakes, Parisian pastries, and Italian dishes, this tiny shop has an Italian-born and Paris-trained chef in the kitchen in Jacopo Martelossi.

Martelossi, who has worked with world-renowned chefs like Alain Ducasse and Gordon Ramsay, whips up delectable breakfast and lunch selections such as Taglioni with pistachio pesto, Ragu spaghetti, Pasta Boscaiola, and Porchetta Toscana. He uses ingredients plucked from his farm in Terry Hills.

La Crema Lounge, however, doesn’t have a lot of space or seats for large gatherings, so most locals order out the meals. Yet folks keep coming back to this cafe to indulge in sinfully good pastries or specialty cakes, which are freshly-baked every day. La Crema Lounge also serves roasted and blended coffees from Campos Coffee.

*Photo Credit:* *La Crema Lounge/Facebook*

La Crema Lounge accepts bookings for catering, as well as special orders for tiered cakes for special occasions, parties, and events.

“Absolutely amazing food, friendly service. Jam is homemade and divine. Get space to relax & enjoy coffee.”
~ Massimiliano Ceccarini, via Facebook

“I love this little local in Allambie. I wish I could get the time to eat there more. Superbly made food that is way above what you would expect in a cafe. The brisket sandwich blew my mind and the Chef gave me a sample of a Tagliolini with Pistachio Pesto – just amazing. Their breakfasts are also delish and they make a fantastic coffee. One thing of note – it’s usually packed.”
~ Spooning Australia, via True Local

“I often make a special trip to Allambie Heights to pick up some of their amazing cakes for Dessert. They are the best! Everyone says they have great coffee as well. One day I will not be in too much of a hurry.”
~ Frecklet12014, via TripAdvisor