Where to Live: Melbourne’s Top 9 Neighbourhoods for Young Families
These are the best suburbs to raise a family in the world’s second most liveable city, Melbourne.
Searching for the perfect family home? These Melbourne suburbs couple fantastic outdoor facilities with access to great schools and a vibrant café and shopping scene. Here are nine of the most liveable postcodes for young families.
Reservoir
Next door, charming Reservoir is slightly more affordable than Coburg yet is emerging as a family hotspot courtesy of its convenient inner-city location and strong community atmosphere. Its properties are a diverse mix of art deco, mid-century, new developments and cute weatherboards in need of a reno. The suburb is well services by train and tram and is bound by parks, schools and bustling Preston Market.
Bentleigh
Bentleigh has become a sought-after suburb for young families thanks to its relaxed lifestyle and central location between the city and the coast. It’s home to top-notch public schools – including the highly rated McKinnon Secondary College – and moments to gorgeous beaches. Bentleigh is big on community amenities with an abundance of parks and reserves. Centre Road is lined with cafes, bakeries, delis and restaurants, while Westfield Southland is less than 10 minutes’ drive away.
Surrey Hills
The affluent, tree-lined suburb of Surrey Hills gives residents access to high-quality education and fantastic public transport links. It has one of the best-serviced train stations in Melbourne, along with a retail strip of cafes, grocers, delis and boutique shops. The suburb is dotted with pretty green spaces such as South Surrey Park and the English-style Surrey Gardens, with access to abundant community amenities in neighbouring Camberwell.
Doncaster East
The north-east pocket of Doncaster East consistently tops charts of Melbourne’s most family-friendly neighbourhoods. It offers an appealing suburban lifestyle with countless playgrounds and open spaces, fantastic state schools and a close-knit community. There’s a sprinkling of cafes along Jackson Court and Doncaster Road and easy buses to the city.
Kew
The prestigious eastern suburb of Kew sits alongside the Yarra River and is just 5km from the CBD. It’s coveted by families due to its safe and leafy streets, grand properties and elite schools, including Xavier College, Methodist Ladies’ College and Trinity Grammar School. Locals can make the most of the sports clubs, golf course and a flourishing shopping and café strip or simply spread out at idyllic Studley Park.
Altona
Sitting just 13km west the city centre, Altona boasts a beachside address with clear, gentle waters bordered by a long stretch of sand. It offers nature-loving families access to water sports, such as paddle boarding and kite surfing, as well as a cycling and walking trail along the Esplanade. The suburb has great schools, a train station with direct access to the CBD and a weekly local produce and craft market.
Elwood
Favoured by young parents for its local primary school, Elwood sits just 8km from the city, yet feels as though it’s a world away. Backed by Elwood Beach, life here is spent outdoors; be it sprawling on the sand, spinning down bike paths or sipping coffee at Ormond Road’s popular alfresco cafes. For those commuting to the CBD, there are trams from Brighton Road or you can hop on the train from nearby Elsternwick Station.
Coburg
With its quaint village-like feel and close proximity to the CBD, Coburg strikes the perfect balance between family-friendly living and urban convenience. Its streets are lined with a beautiful mix of Victorian and Edwardian homes, flanked by abundant green spaces and excellent schools. It has tram and train connections to the city centre, as well as the picturesque Merri Creek Bike Trail for those who prefer a more scenic ride.
Eltham
There’s a transformation brewing in the city fringe suburb of Eltham, 20km north-east of the CBD. Known for its bushwalking and quieter pace of life, today a string of new cafes and businesses has made the neighbourhood one to watch, and an influx of Melbournians are looking to put down roots. There are bike trails, picnic spots, farmers’ markets and a train station providing a seamless commute to Flinders Street.
