Looking for the best suburbs in Melbourne for families in 2022?
From well-established locations to more recent developments, family friendly suburbs can be found across Melbourne. Most offer plenty of access to parks and green space, good schools, and convenient shopping. Whatever your family's priorities, it's crucial to research any area thoroughly before you buy and make a shortlist based on your criteria.
To kickstart your search for your next family home, this overview of family friendly suburbs in Melbourne is broken down by suburb and caters to every budget.
Whatever your family's priorities, it is crucial that you research any area thoroughly before you buy and make a shortlist based on your criteria
Best areas for families to live in eastern Melbourne suburbs
Melbourne’s eastern suburbs consistently rank high on liveability indexes - which identifies what suburbs have the best access to services, transport and jobs. The good news is that there are many options to choose from that meet the needs of a family.
Glen Waverley
Glen Waverley offers a slice of old-fashioned suburban living only half an hour from the CBD. One of the safest suburbs in Melbourne, Glen Waverley is a haven of family-friendly houses, great Melbourne schools, and plentiful shopping and recreation options.
With a median house price of $1.6 million, Glen Waverley is pricier than Melbourne’s median of $998,356. Currently, families looking for a 4-bedroom house can expect to pay just under $2 million.
- Median house price: $1.6 million
- Average house rent: $520 per week
- Median unit price: $903,000
- Average unit rent: $465 per week
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Ringwood East
Another blast from the suburban past, leafy Ringwood East boasts a thriving heart of local shops, restaurants, and well-connected public transport.
Families looking to upsize could add Ringwood East to their watch list.
Housing prices in Ringwood East are being pushed up by families seeking access to its high-performing public schools. Currently, 3-bedroom houses list under $1 million, so families looking to upsize could add Ringwood East to their watch list.
- Median house price: $1.5 million
- Average house rent: $450 per week
- Median unit price: $691,000
- Average unit rent: $395 per week
Balwyn
A traditionally prestigious Melbourne suburb, Balwyn has plenty to offer families who can afford the price tag. The hilly, tree-lined streets of period homes, townhouses and apartment complexes sit just 10km east of the city. Families enjoy plenty of green space, quaint local businesses, good schools, and multiple transport lines.
A 4-bedroom house is going to set you back over $2 million in Balwyn, so keep that in mind when saving for a home deposit. Spacious 3-bedroom apartments, on the other hand, can be found for under $1.5 million.
- Median house price: $2.7 million
- Average house rent: $728 per week
- Median unit price: $860,000
- Average unit rent: $415 per week
Best areas for families to live in western Melbourne suburbs
Like Sydney’s western suburbs, Melbourne’s west is also the place to find good value housing.
Caroline Springs
Caroline Springs is a planned community, tailor-made as one of the best suburbs in Melbourne for families. Built on picturesque artificial lakes, Caroline Springs gets families back to nature with lots of parks and walking tracks. Schools, shopping, and transport options complete the family-friendly package, only 22km from Melbourne CBD.
Houses are spacious in Caroline Springs, and a 4-bedder can be found for under $800,000.
- Median house price: $725,000
- Average house rent: $420 per week
- Median unit price: $462,500
- Average unit rent: $390 per week
Point Cook
Famous for its RAAF Base, Point Cook is also a standout family friendly suburb in Melbourne. A spacious suburb boasting designer estates, wetlands, parks, and a marina, Point Cook is emerging as the destination for families seeking a relaxed lifestyle.
Still relatively affordable, Point Cook offers families room to grow with plenty of 3- or 4-bedroom options under $800,000.
- Median house price: $730,000
- Average house rent: $410 per week
- Median unit price: $520,000
- Average unit rent: $380 per week
Roxburgh Park
Roxburgh Park is one of the more affordable family suburbs in Melbourne. Scenic reserves, good schools, shops, and a very convenient location have recently attracted more families to the area, with approximately 25% of the population 0-19 year olds, according to PropertyValue.
- Median house price: $616,000
- Average house rent: $400 per week
- Median unit price: $421,000
- Average unit rent: $365 per week
Approximately 25% of the population in Roxburgh Park is 0-19 year olds.
Best areas for families to live in northern Melbourne suburbs
There are a number of suburbs that appeal to families in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Coburg
Only 8km from the CBD, Coburg’s village atmosphere is ideal for families seeking vibrant city living. Boasting ample street shopping and restaurants, families can also find pockets of quiet suburbia away from the main centre.
It’s possible to find a 3-bedroom house for under $1 million, but a Melbourne buyer’s agent with local knowledge may be worth considering if you need help finding the best deal.
- Median house price: $1.2 million
- Average house rent: $550 per week
- Median unit price: $577,760
- Average unit rent: $390 per week
Ascot Vale
Bounded by the Maribyrnong River, Ascot Vale is an inner suburb combining the best of urban life with vast parks, trails, and recreation facilities. Once dominated by horse racing, Ascot Vale is now one of the best places to live in Melbourne for families wanting the city and nature on their doorstep.
A 2-bedroom apartment is an entry level option, with these sometimes available under $500,000.
- Median house price: $1.3 million
- Average house rent: $570 per week
- Median unit price: $570,000
- Average unit rent: $370 per week
Epping
The Epping Central Project is transforming Epping into a thriving regional hub with upgraded infrastructure and extensive new housing. Currently, this spacious, family-friendly suburb offers plenty of schools, shopping, green space, and public transport at a more affordable price.
- Median house price: $675,000
- Average house rent: $400 per week
- Median unit price: $450,000
- Average unit rent: $350 per week
Epping is a spacious, family-friendly suburb that offers plenty of schools, shopping, green space, and public transport at a more affordable price.
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Best areas for families to live in southern Melbourne suburbs
Melbourne’s south offers plenty of options for families looking for open space, great schools, and parks.
Heatherton
Tiny Heatherton is a well-kept secret. Boasting lots of open space and low population, Heatherton is increasingly being recognised as a family-friendly suburb of Melbourne with its larger blocks, schools, and proximity to the beach.
Median house price in Heatherton rose +14.38% over the past year to $1.1 million. This trend has continued into 2022, so buyers keen on Heatherton should keep a close eye on the market.
- Median house price: $1.1 million
- Average house rent: $620 per week
- Median unit price: $470,000
- Average unit rent: $338 per week
Cranbourne
An affordable family suburb of Melbourne, Cranbourne is home to the Royal Botanic Gardens, convenient shopping, great schools, and new housing options.
Cranbourne house prices rose +24.4% over the year to November 2021. Prices continue to creep up, with some 4-bedroom houses starting to list at $1 million+. For now, 3-bedroom houses are still available under $600,000.
- Median house price: $620,000
- Average house rent: $380 per week
- Median unit price: $450,000
- Average unit rent: $350 per week
Elsternwick
Elsternwick is a highly liveable suburb close to the beach. It’s within the catchment for highly regarded public schools and is only a 10-minute train ride from the MCG.
Elsternwick is within the catchment for highly regarded public schools.
Apartments dominate the market. The median unit price is $665,000, but recently 2-bedroom apartments have been selling for $800,000+.
- Median house price: $2.1 million
- Average house rent: $790 per week
- Median unit price: $665,000
- Average unit rent: $400 per week
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Things to keep in mind when looking for a family home
When it comes to shopping for a family home, practicality is the name of the game. Family-friendly features to look for in a property include:
- A convenient location with access to parks, local shops, and medical centres
- Quiet streets that are not close to a major road or under a flight path
- Room to grow, especially if you are planning on expanding your brood
- Ample storage in key areas like the kitchen, living areas and children’s bedrooms
- A backyard
- A layout that makes it easy to socialise with privacy for bedrooms
- Convenient and secure parking, preferably close to the house
- Convenient location accessible to public transport
- Proximity to good schools
With all this in mind you can now start your search for a family home in Melbourne, and find a suburb that suits your family's lifestyle.
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