Best Melbourne suburbs for downsizers

Low-maintenance living close to shops, transport and services — ranked for downsizers and anyone after a walkable, connected unit. Adjust to taste.

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Property type
Places you travel to

Work, school, family — whatever you'd actually make the trip for. Suburbs are ranked on straight-line distance to all of them, weighted by how often you go. Straight line, not drive time, so a river or a freeway between you and it will not show up here.

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    How much does each factor matter?
    Ignore

    Lower median price, or rent when renting

    Important

    Lower crime, bushfire history, flood and aircraft noise

    Must-have

    Frequency and coverage of services

    Must-have

    Shops and errands reachable on foot

    Ignore

    Share of schools above their peer group

    Nice to have

    Shorter drive to the CBD (capital cities)

    More options

    Ranks up suburbs where more residents share it (2021 Census)

    Important

    Used only when a community is picked. Must-have keeps only suburbs above the city average

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    Top matches in Melbourne

    from 342 suburbs
    1. 1

      Malvern

      VIC 3144 · 9,929 residents

      Strong on: Public transport, Walkability

      $760K median unit 74/100 safety very walkable98/100 transport50% above-peer schools21 min to CBD
      A+
      90
      match
    2. 2

      Glen Huntly

      VIC 3163 · 4,905 residents

      Strong on: Safety, Public transport

      $545K median unit 85/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport26 min to CBD
      A+
      90
      match
    3. 3

      East Melbourne

      VIC 3002 · 4,896 residents

      Strong on: Close to the city, Public transport

      $730K median unit 73/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport8 min to CBD
      A+
      89
      match
    4. 4

      Moonee Ponds

      VIC 3039 · 16,224 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $521K median unit 73/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport0% above-peer schools19 min to CBD
      A
      88
      match
    5. 5

      Armadale

      VIC 3143 · 9,368 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $828K median unit 73/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport40% above-peer schools19 min to CBD
      A+
      88
      match
    6. 6

      Hawthorn East

      VIC 3123 · 14,834 residents

      Strong on: Public transport, Walkability

      $612K median unit 72/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport50% above-peer schools20 min to CBD
      A+
      88
      match
    7. 7

      Essendon

      VIC 3040 · 21,240 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $538K median unit 76/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport14% above-peer schools20 min to CBD
      A
      88
      match
    8. 8

      Richmond

      VIC 3121 · 28,587 residents

      Strong on: Public transport, Walkability

      $560K median unit 66/100 safety very walkable98/100 transport31% above-peer schools13 min to CBD
      A
      86
      match
    9. 9

      Fitzroy North

      VIC 3068 · 12,781 residents

      Strong on: Close to the city, Walkability

      $625K median unit 71/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport12% above-peer schools13 min to CBD
      A
      86
      match
    10. 10

      Seddon

      VIC 3011 · 5,143 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Close to the city

      $525K median unit 75/100 safety very walkable94/100 transport15 min to CBD
      A+
      85
      match
    11. 11

      Ripponlea

      VIC 3185 · 1,532 residents

      Strong on: Public transport, Walkability

      $450K median unit 72/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport18 min to CBD
      A+
      85
      match
    12. 12

      Caulfield East

      VIC 3145 · 1,293 residents

      Strong on: Public transport, Walkability

      $299K median unit 73/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport28 min to CBD
      A+
      84
      match
    13. 13

      Northcote

      VIC 3070 · 25,276 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $565K median unit 69/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport0% above-peer schools17 min to CBD
      B
      84
      match
    14. 14

      Brunswick

      VIC 3056 · 24,896 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $592K median unit 68/100 safety very walkable96/100 transport0% above-peer schools15 min to CBD
      B
      84
      match
    15. 15

      Windsor

      VIC 3181 · 7,273 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $570K median unit 66/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport0% above-peer schools15 min to CBD
      B
      83
      match
    16. 16

      Thornbury

      VIC 3071 · 19,005 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $559K median unit 72/100 safety very walkable95/100 transport11% above-peer schools21 min to CBD
      A
      83
      match
    17. 17

      Hawthorn

      VIC 3122 · 22,322 residents

      Strong on: Public transport, Walkability

      $571K median unit 66/100 safety very walkable98/100 transport18% above-peer schools18 min to CBD
      A
      82
      match
    18. 18

      Parkville

      VIC 3052 · 7,074 residents

      Strong on: Close to the city, Public transport

      $442K median unit 72/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport11% above-peer schools11 min to CBD
      A
      82
      match
    19. 19

      Melbourne

      VIC 3000 · 54,941 residents

      Strong on: Close to the city, Walkability · weaker on: Safety

      60/100 safety very walkable97/100 transport17% above-peer schools8 min to CBD
      B
      82
      match
    20. 20

      Brighton

      VIC 3186 · 23,252 residents

      Strong on: Walkability, Public transport

      $975K median unit 74/100 safety very walkable95/100 transport25% above-peer schools25 min to CBD
      A
      82
      match

    Match score is a 0–100 blend of your weighted factors, ranked within Melbourne. Open any suburb for the full profile — grades, prices, risks and demographics.

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