As part of our journey to find the right suburb in Melbourne, we have been looking at different areas and their trade‑offs. We are not living in Blackburn yet, but it is on our radar. Like many places in Melbourne, housing here can be expensive. It is still worth a look, especially for families who value a safe, friendly environment. Here is what we have learned so far about Blackburn.
(Want the steps we use to pick a school zone and suburb? Read: How I Find the Right School District and Suburb for Our Family.)
Renting in Blackburn
When it comes to renting, Blackburn has a range of options, though they are on the pricier side. Most three‑bedroom homes rent between $495 and $675 per week, which stretches our budget. House prices are also steep, well above 1.2 million, so buying is not on the table for us. If you want a well‑connected suburb with a solid community vibe, renting could be a good compromise. If you are new to renting here, this guide covers filters, inspections, and applications: Finding a Rental House in Australia: Our Simple, Real Experience.
Safety First: Crime Rate
One of the key things we research in each suburb is the crime rate. In Blackburn, it is low, around 10/100. That reassures us as a family with kids. If you want to compare suburbs side by side, we use this data‑driven approach: How We Use the RedSuburbs Crime Map to Find a Safe Place for Our Family.
Schools in Blackburn
A major factor for us is school quality. Blackburn stands out here. Blackburn Primary School has an ICSEA of 1139 and NAPLAN Year 3 results around 480, strong for a local primary school. The school has about 439 students, with roughly half from an English‑speaking background.
For secondary, Blackburn High School looks decent on paper with an ICSEA of 1091 and NAPLAN results between 566 and 609. Reviews online are mixed on teaching quality, so it is worth a closer look.
Convenience: Everything Close By
One thing Blackburn has going for it is convenience. Public transport is well covered with buses and trains. Supermarkets, libraries, and fresh markets are nearby. That helps busy families who do not want to travel far for essentials. The only downside, hospitals are a bit further than we prefer.
Natural Disasters
Australia’s weather can be unpredictable, so we check natural‑disaster risk for each suburb. In Blackburn, flooding risk looks low, around 2.04%. That is a relief for us.
Diverse Community
We love a suburb with diversity, and Blackburn has a nice mix. The population includes people from China, India, England, Malaysia, and New Zealand. That blend gives the suburb a welcoming feel.
Our Thoughts on Blackburn So Far
After looking into Blackburn, we find it attractive, but high housing costs are a challenge for families like ours. We are still researching other suburbs. Blackburn stays on our list for safety, schools, and convenience.
If you are like us, family‑focused and looking for a great suburb, Blackburn is worth a look, even if it stretches the budget a bit.
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