Wagga CBD is set to receive more shop-top housing with planned developments

But, how do current tenants rate living on top of a commercial entity and having the main street as their back yard?

Wagga primary school teacher Andrea Juanta shares a two-bedroom, one bathroom property above a retail store on Fitzmaurice Street with one other housemate.

She said the location and the property's fusion of original character and modern amenities were the major draw cards to this site.

"Everything is within a stone's throw ... close proximity to shops adds appeal and convenience to tedious tasks such as grocery shopping," Ms Juanta said.

"Up high in our little haven, our privacy has been maintained despite living in a high traffic area and we have developed a respectful relationship with the store below.

"My housemate and I are often out and about and we both enjoy being amidst the hustle and bustle on the main street of town."

Ms Juanta said this type of housing is perfect for young professionals as well as those relocating to Wagga and are after a smooth transition from city living.

"Safety and security has always been a priority of mine when looking into potential living spaces and the above-ground aspect of the apartment, in addition to the security from the store below, helps for peace of mind," she said.

"The lack of greenery was not an issue for us as we have little time to tend to a garden and have instead filled the apartment with pretty, easy-to-manage indoor plants.

"Certainly, a younger demographic would find this sort of housing appealing for its convenience, as opposed to families or older couples who may prefer a quieter spot."

However, shop-top housing is overrated for some.

Apprentice chef Isaac Endean, 19, has lived in a two-storey shop-top house with his girlfriend and said he would not choose this type of housing in the future.

"At the time, the apartment looked really cool as it was a two-storey place and only $300 a week," Mr Endean said.

"It was cool to start off with ... I look at my front window and see the main street ... and it's convenient because it's situated across the road from both our workplaces.

"We've been there about nine months and there's definitely a lot more cons than pros."

Mr Endean said the nighttime activity on Gurwood Street can be "overwhelming" and there have been times where they have felt unsafe.

"The activity is crazy because our door leads onto the main street ... there's always people outside our front door and often looking through our mail," he said.

"I think it's good for some people, but for a couple it's not very homey."

Fitzpatricks Real Estate director Paul Gooden said Wagga has seen commercial and residential integration since the 1920s and it's making a comeback with new developments.

"A commercial tenant will pay higher rents than residential for central locations ... it allows a bigger footprint for the commercial area," he said.

"We'll see more of this with the Sturt Street and Blake Street developments ... I don't think we'll be strangers to it.

"There are a lot of 10 storey commercial buildings in Canberra, which have a restaurant and grocer on the ground floor, which tenants can use as well as the passing traffic ... it means shops can exist outside the CBD areas."

Mr Gooden said these properties do not just attract young professionals, but also retirees, empty nesters and those not wanting a yard to maintain.

"It does take a particular type ... people use them quite a lot for short-term leasing that is based on location," he said.