The 14 Best Suburbs to Live in Melbourne

From growing families to students and ambitious young professionals, there’s a Melbourne suburb to suit every type of lifestyle. Whether you’re looking in the city fringe, inner east, north of the river or bayside, each neighbourhood has its own colour and unique personality.

Keeping in mind walkability, café culture, job opportunities, public transport and local amenities, these are the best places to live in Melbourne in 2024.

Berwick

Berwick in Melbourne offers the essence of great suburban living with its picturesque streets, lush parks, and tranquil ambiance. Families are drawn to the area for its excellent schools, recreational facilities, and safe environment, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Residents enjoy convenient access to amenities such as large shopping centres (hey, Fountain Gate!), dining options, and healthcare services, helping to enhance the overall quality of life.

Beyond its practical appeal, Berwick offers a vibrant lifestyle with opportunities for leisure and recreation. From scenic walks along the leafy trails of Wilson Botanic Park to morning coffees at one of the many sweet cafes that line the village-esque main drag to a wealth of cultural events and community gatherings, there's always something happening to engage residents of all ages. With its combination of natural beauty, family-friendly amenities, and strong community spirit, Berwick stands as a true testament to the appeal of suburban living. There's a reason why it's one of the best suburbs to live in Melbourne right now. 

Sitchu Picks: Seeing a performance at Bluestone Amphitheatre in Wilson Botanic Park before drinks at The Courthouse Circa 1884. 

Mentone

Just 22 kilometres from central Melbourne, this idyllic seaside suburb feels a universe away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Known for its tight-knit community feel, beachy vibes and prestigious schools, Mentone is particularly popular with ambitious young families and those looking to settle in for the long haul. Plus, with detour-worthy new cafés and shops regularly cropping up on their vibrant main strip, this blissful suburb’s stocks are only going to rise, making it one to make a move to, pronto, in 2024.

It's a real residential haven that appeals equally to ocean-loving millennials, growing families and comfortable retirees. An abundance of sporting groups, parks and playgrounds – not to mention the beach – mean the outdoors are a way of life here, while its lively main strip caters to all. 

Whenever you need it, you’ll find peace and quiet here, but there are also sparks of nightlife...you just need to know where to look. Either way, Mentone’s direct neighbours of Cheltenham and Mordialloc mean that a huge, multi-storey shopping centre and a buzzy bar are never far away, either. 

Sitchu Picks: A lush slice of NYC-style pizza from Sunnyside Sliced never goes out of style. 

Point Cook

Looking to buy your first home in Melbourne? Add Point Cook to your list.

Point Cook stands out as a highly liveable suburb due to several key factors. Firstly, it boasts a diverse range of housing options, from family homes to modern apartments, which catering to various lifestyles and preferences.

Secondly, it has excellent amenities and infrastructure, including schools, shopping centres, recreational facilities, and healthcare services. Residents enjoy convenient access to everyday necessities and leisure activities, and the suburb's well-connected transportation networks, including public transport and major roadways, further enhance its connectivity to other parts of Melbourne.

Beyond practicalities, Point Cook's natural beauty adds to its allure, with scenic parks, landscaped reserves, and coastal vistas providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

The suburb's strong sense of community is also evident through its diverse cultural offerings, local events, and community initiatives, fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for residents. It's also on the more affordable end of the scale when it comes to buying a home here in Melbourne. All in all, what's not to love?! 

Sitchu Picks: A walk along Point Cook Coastal Park is a winning way to start or end the day. 

Moonee Ponds 

A thriving metropolitan enclave with a distinctly suburban feel, Moonee Ponds has been steadily increasing in bravura and popularity in recent years. With trendy eateries, bars, and retail, a given in Melbourne’s inner north, this once overlooked suburb maintains an inherently green edge against its trendy counterparts. Suited to families and millennials in equal measure, Moonee Ponds is a breath of fresh air right on the city’s fringe.

With a notable school catchment area, expansive family homes, and lush green spaces, it’s a no-brainer for families. Young professionals are drawn to the easy commute to the city, fair rental prices, and every convenience within arm’s reach.

Outdoor enthusiasts do not be deterred by its proximity to the city. With the beautiful Maribyrnong River and iconic Queens Park within its borders, the fresh air hits different here. 

It's also something of a mini entertainment and lifestyle metropolis, with an abundance of city amenities within easy reach. Keep yourself fed and watered along Puckle Street with its eclectic band of eateries ready to satisfy every craving.

For the savvy shopper, save yourself the tram ride to neighbouring vintage hotspots because you’ll find a treasure trove of pre-loved goodies on the racks of the area’s primo charity shops. 

There's a little something for everyone in this charmed neighbourhood, which is why Moonee Ponds often tops the list of best suburbs to live in Melbourne. 

Sitchu Picks: Run, don't walk to Convoy, for all things brunch. We also love Holmes Hall for a low-key mid-week dinner and pool playing sesh. They make a mean basil sour. 

Prahran

For those looking to be in the heart of Melbourne’s shopping, dining and entertainment precinct, Prahran is a lively, easy-going neighbourhood that has become a mecca for youth and young singles. It has a vibrant community and is well-connected with quick trams and trains into the CBD.

Prahran also offers a sophisticated dining scene and leafy residential backstreets. Between the shopping mecca of Chapel Street and the low-key cool of Greville Street with its record stores and boutiques, friendly Prahran still manages to possess a village-like feel. 

Sitchu Picks: You can never go wrong with a weekly shop at Prahran Market. Inside, Maker & Maker will soothe your soul with their oozing cheese toasties - the stuff of dairy legend. 

Footscray

Set in the city’s increasingly fashionable west, Footscray is as diverse as it is colourful. Once the somewhat rough and ready domain of the Greek and Italian migrant communities, it’s now home to everyone from Vietnamese to East Africans and a lively student crowd. Nowhere is the influence of this multicultural population more evident than in the awe-inspiring array of food on offer.

Drawn by cheaper rent, a thriving arts and music scene and a growing sense of excitement as to what this exciting locale has in store, new cafés, bars and restaurants have opened in droves, drawing foodies from across the city in search of something new and full of flavour. While gentrification has moved Footscray on in a big way – new developments seemingly pop up overnight – this vibrant neighbourhood has managed to maintain its gritty charm.

Sitchu Picks: Footscray locals will urge you to go to Ras Dashen, a cheap and cheerful Ethiopian restaurant abundant in flavour and friendly atmosphere - and it'll warm you right down to your core. A post-dinner stroll over to Kariton Sorbetes for a large scoop of their Turon flavour (banana gelato with muscovado butterscotch, jackfruit, candied sesame seeds and caramelised spring roll pastry) is another essential. Bar-wise, the legends at Mr West never fail to deliver on good times and good vibes.

East Melbourne

Punctuated by Victorian terraces and Art Deco homes, East Melbourne is a prestigious neighbourhood with the city centre on its doorstep. It’s coveted by young independents and professionals for its culture, cafés and access to public transport. The suburb is effortlessly walkable with tree-lined streets, inspiring architecture and picturesque gardens.

Affluent East Melbourne is home to a very wealthy crowd. Here, the families that reside in the area’s storied terraces and glamorous mansions are as prestigious as the buildings they inhabit. However, due to its prime location right by the CBD, it’s mostly (very) cashed-up young singles and established older couples that call East Melbourne their own.

Sitchu Picks: A walk through Fitzroy Gardens is truly a Melbourne prerequisite. Finish with a delicious sourdough pizza from the amiable team at Roccella. 

Malvern

A quietly affluent enclave long favoured by Melbourne’s well-to-do, Malvern offers up a picture-perfect snapshot of life in the inner suburbs – white picket fences and all. With tree-lined streets, chic cafés and beautiful parks, this idyllic locale are what young families’ dreams are made of.

Gardens are perfectly manicured, café culture reigns supreme, and a pet dog is essential. Nowhere is this more evident than in firm local favourite Central Park, where you’ll find everyone from fitness addicts to latte sippers, weekend cricket clubs and playgroups all enjoying their spot on the grass.

Sitchu Picks: Settle in for a cosy post-work wine and dine at the charming Milton Wine Bar. 

Hawthorn East

The leafy, prosperous suburb of Hawthorn East combines a family-friendly atmosphere with the convenience of the inner-city. It ticks all the boxes in terms of a bustling café scene, shopping strips and quick, convenient transport into the CBD. The suburban gem has seen a steady increase in property prices over the past five years, with a mix of charming Edwardian, Victorian and Art Deco homes.

Sitchu Picks: Anderson Park is the premium picnic spot in all of Melbourne, in our humble opinion. On a warm day, make a beeline for it with a group of friends and spend it kicking a ball around and tucking into sandwiches and cheeky bevs. 

Northcote

Delightful Northcote has become one of the city’s most stylish neighbourhoods, with notable restaurants, cool wine bars and independent boutiques. It has a bustling village vibe attracting everyone from hip young renters and buyers to growing families. The inner-north suburb is well connected via an easy tram ride to the city and offers great parklands along with the scenic Merri Creek Trail through the northern suburbs.

Sitchu Picks: See a movie at Westgarth Theatre after indulging in the delicious butter paneer pasanda and garlic roti at Base Camp. All Are Welcome and Holy Sugar will keep you pastry and cake cravings suitably in check, and we're big fans of the shared-style dining at Zsa's Bar & Bistroteca. Gray & Gray is next on our list of places to eat - we've heard impressive things. 

Collingwood

Considered one of the best places to live among millennials, Collingwood has transformed from its rough roots into one of the city’s coolest hubs. This creative, inner-city gem is just a quick train ride into the city centre, and is jam-packed with coffee shops, wine bars, galleries and design stores. 

With its relatively small blocks of land and predilection for late-night revelry, Collingwood isn’t quite the place for families. Rather, this trendy postcode is home to young singles and urban workers who can’t get enough of the café culture, buzzing nightlife, impressive drinking and dining scene and close proximity to the city. 

Sitchu Picks: It's impossible to choose favourites in this bar-heavy 'burb, but Gum Bar is a nostalgia-inducing dream. You should also spend the day enjoying Collingwood Yards, where the likes of galleries, furniture designers, radio stations, book shops, bars and record stores unite. A real artist's denizen. Make a beeline for the Stay Soft Markets when they're on, and be sure to devour all the focaccia bread and a natty wine at Hope St Radio. 

Elwood

It can’t be denied – Elwood is a good-looking suburb. From the sunny, toned Art Deco apartments that line its streets to the ample parks and beachfront promenade, this neighbourhood is white-picket fence lovely. With easy access to the city and the ocean – it offers residents a charmed lifestyle by the bay.

Leafy, community-oriented, and very liveable, Elwood is a tightly-knit area. Nearby St Kilda is all about glitzy nightlife. In Elwood, it’s all about the thriving café scene. The neighbourhood excels in all things coffee and breakfast related and draws brunch aficionados from across the city. When they’re not sipping lattes, locals can be found cruising down canal-side bike paths and jogging past the ocean, dogs in tow.

Sitchu Picks: A sunrise or sunset stroll with a pit stop at Point Ormond Lookout thrown in for the vibes, followed by coffee at Plain Sailing or margies and tacos at Repeat Offender. 

Essendon

Essendon, a charming suburb nestled in Melbourne's northwest, has previously flown under the radar but its status is well on the rise. With its stately homes, historical architecture, including grand Victorian homes and Art Deco buildings, a buzzing caféscene, boutique shopping, excellent schools and of course, the sports scene (it's home to the beloved AFL Essendon Football Club), Essendon offers residents an exciting lifestyle while maintaining a serene, residential feel.

Sitchu Picks: We can't help but dream about the caprese toastie at BAM, but you really can't go wrong with anything you try or buy from this adorable corner store and cafe. 

Carlton North

Carlton North stands out as an esteemed suburb in Melbourne, coveted for its blend of urban convenience and residential tranquility. Its prime location just north of the CBD offers residents easy access to Melbourne's bustling CBD while providing a peaceful retreat from its hustle and bustle. The suburb's picturesque streets lined with Victorian and Edwardian homes exude charm and character, creating an inviting ambiance that attracts homebuyers seeking architectural beauty and historical significance.

Beyond its architectural allure, Carlton North offers a rich tapestry of lifestyle amenities, including boutique shops, cafes, bars and restaurants along vibrant streets like Lygon and Rathdowne. Residents enjoy an array of recreational opportunities in nearby parks and gardens, which are a beautiful demonstration of Carlton North's sense of community and well-being. With excellent educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and transport links further enhancing its appeal, Carlton North emerges as a highly desirable suburb for those seeking a harmonious blend of urban living and suburban charm in Melbourne. 

Sitchu Picks: Start with a massage at Ma Saj on Nicholson Street and end with tipples at either Gerald's Bar or Henry Sugar. We're just a little in love with Rathdowne Street's tranquil beauty during golden hour. 

Doing your research on the best suburbs to live in Melbourne and looking for more helpful property advice? Check out our explainer on what you should look out for when buying a house. Then, have a read of our guide on what to look for in a suburb before buying there.