Hi ,
Whether buying or renting there are so many suburbs to choose from in metropolitan Melbourne!
Of course there are certain factors which help narrow down and determine where you will choose to live, for example, affordability, schools, work, transport links, recreation facilities etc.
But just to make things interesting there are also tiny pockets within some suburbs that can be overlooked if you haven’t heard of them. For instance, do you know where Mar Lodge Estate, Deepdene, Seddon or Gardenvale are? This week I thought it might be fun to explore a few of these “secret suburbs”.
Gardenvale
Did you know that this is the smallest suburb in Melbourne by area? Sitting at just 30ha, snugly nestled between high brow Brighton and eclectic Elsternwick, it is ideally positioned close to the CBD and the beach. Great train line and entertainment facilities like cinemas, cafes and restaurants make this secret suburb a little gem. Gardenvale was where I
purchased my first home!
Historically, the area was a huge paddock used as a polo field. Prior to it being subdivided in 1908, it was owned by the Lempriere family who were quite prominent in the Caulfield area, having a number of family members on the Caulfield Council.
Mar Lodge Estate
Mar Lodge is to the west of Essendon and a little different as it’s not really a suburb but more of an exclusive estate consisting of large homes and terraces. The properties within the Estate have a covenant over them preventing units from being built. Its tree-lined streets and proximity to private schools add to the Estate’s charm and appeal.
Originally, "Mar Lodge" was built in 1860. It was the home of James Robertson, a wealthy pastoralist who used it as his hunting lodge. By the time the entire property was sold and subdivided into 316 allotments in 1929, it had changed owners a few times. The allotments were available for purchase from 90 pounds, approximately $170! To
put that into context, the average weekly wage of a labourer was approximately $6 in 1860.
Deepdene
Deepdene is a small and affluent suburb within the City of Boroondara, and until April 2010, was a neighbourhood within the suburb of Balwyn. It has terrific parks and public transport links and is within close proximity to a number of private schools and only 9kms from the CBD.
A bit of history trivia for the railway enthusiasts - Deepdene had a railway station on the Outer Circle railway line that ran between March 1891 and October 1927. Unfortunately, it closed due to a lack of passengers. However, today, that railway line has been converted into a walking and cycling path known as the Outer Circle Railway Anniversary Trail. There are 12 signs
displayed along the course of the Trail with historic photographs and text which provide informative details about the history of the railway line. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Spring.
Seddon
Although only 11kms from the Melbourne CBD, this “blink and you’ll miss it suburb” has a real village feel about it. Seddon is quiet, leafy and residential with loads of public spaces like Harris Reserve, Mappin Reserve and Bristow Reserve. It snuggles in between Footscray and Yarraville and is only a stone’s throw from the Maribyrnong River. It has a warm, friendly
small-town shopping strip with everything you could want. The village vibe of this place is helped by the lack of big chain brands along the strip. With Middle Footscray Station and buses servicing Seddon together with the abundance of recreational and cultural activities to be had, this secret suburb is one worth keeping under your hat!
Before Seddon was declared a suburb in 1906, it was known as Belgravia. It was named after Richard Seddon who was the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1893 to 1906. Back in the day, a tram line ran through the middle of Seddon Village – Victoria, Charles and Gamon Streets. Nowadays, central garden beds and tree plantings line the middle of these streets.
I hope you enjoyed exploring a few of these lesser known suburbs with me. There are so many more but that was just a tiny selection.
If you'd like to chat about your options, feel free to get in touch with us.