When it comes to finding the perfect place for our family to live in Melbourne, there’s a lot to think about. My husband and I aren’t overly picky, but as parents, we want a place that’s safe, affordable, and good for the kids. We also hope to live in a neighborhood that reflects our values: simple, close-knit, and welcoming to people from all walks of life.

We moved from China with those hopes in mind, and while choosing a suburb wasn’t easy, we eventually found our balance between budget, convenience, good schools, and safety.

Budget: Finding Balance

As a family of four, we have to stay realistic about money. We’re not rich, but we focus on what matters: a safe home, quality time with the kids, and small joys like our weekly dinners out.

Housing prices vary a lot across Melbourne. While it’s tempting to look near the CBD, we quickly realized that happiness doesn’t depend on living close to the city center. The northern and western suburbs offered much better value. They may not have the same buzz as inner Melbourne, but they still have parks, schools, and shops within easy reach, and they let us save for the things that truly matter.

Schools: Quality Education on a Budget

Education was another big factor. We wanted our kids to attend good public schools without paying huge private school fees. Luckily, Melbourne has plenty of high-performing public schools, especially in the east and southeast.

We focused on finding suburbs with schools that had strong reputations and active parent communities. It proved that you don’t need to spend a fortune to give your children a quality education, just a bit of research and patience.

Convenience: Keeping Daily Life Simple

We’re not the kind of family who wants to drive far for groceries or errands. Convenience matters. Suburbs with good public transport, nearby supermarkets, and easy road access make everyday life smoother.

Places like Footscray, Werribee, and Caroline Springs checked a lot of boxes — they’re affordable, well-connected, and have everything from schools to shopping centers close by. It means we can spend more time living, not commuting.

Diversity: A Welcoming Environment

One of the things we love most about Melbourne is its diversity. We wanted our kids to grow up around different cultures and languages, to understand that the world is wide and beautiful.

In suburbs like Springvale and Dandenong, we found exactly that: friendly neighbors, amazing food, and a mix of communities (Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, African, Arabic), all adding to the city’s rich culture. It makes daily life colorful and comforting at the same time.

Safety: Peace of Mind for Parents

Like any parents, we wanted a place where we could feel safe walking at night or letting the kids play outside. We checked crime rates carefully and found that suburbs such as Glen Waverley, Bentleigh, and Wheelers Hill are known for their low crime levels and strong community ties.

No area is perfect, but we learned that feeling safe is about both numbers and neighborhood spirit. Talking to locals, visiting at different times of day, and trusting our instincts helped more than any statistic.

Which Direction? North, South, East, or West?

So, which side of Melbourne suits families best?

  • East: Green, peaceful, and family-focused, great schools but higher prices.
  • West: More affordable, diverse, and still improving, great for young families.
  • North: Vibrant and multicultural, with more affordable housing but mixed commute times.
  • South: Closer to the coast, more established, but pricier.

For us, the western suburbs were the best match, affordable, easy to navigate, and a little more laid-back. It fits our lifestyle perfectly: calm, family-oriented, and simple.

Finding Joy in the Simple Things

In the end, we learned that finding the right suburb isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about creating a space where your family feels at peace.

We didn’t need the most famous postcode, we just needed a safe, friendly place with everything that helps us grow together. Our Saturdays at the local restaurant, our quiet Sundays cooking at home, these moments make Melbourne feel like home.

And honestly, we’ve never looked back. Sometimes, the simple life is the best one.