Top 5 cheapest Melbourne suburbs (within 10km of the CBD)
If you’re a Melbourne local, then you usually have a strong affinity with the area you live (and hate every other area). Well its time for a newsflash because the “north vs south of the river” debate is getting stale. It’s time to move where the rent is cheap.
The suburb where you choose to live is extremely important for most Melbournians. You need to be close to the city but not too close, have a nice light-filled room, be a hungover morning’s stroll from the best eggs benny in town and only a hop, skip and a jump from the closest tram stop. But if you want all of this and you want it for under $200 per week, it might be time to forget the sacred “inner north” of Carlton, Brunswick, Fitzroy and Collingwood. There’s plenty of great share houses in inner city suburbs (within 10km of the CBD) for under $200. All you need to know if where to look.
Choose the right suburb and you’ll have plenty of cash left for brunch at Code Black or tickets to the latest NGV exhibition.
Flatmates.com.au has run new data on suburb rental prices. Over the coming weeks we’ll be bringing you articles on the cheapest and most expensive suburbs to rent a private room in a share house in each capital city. If black clothing, barista coffee and annoyance at level crossing removals runs through your veins, check out the five cheapest suburbs within 10km of Melbourne’s CBD below.
BRAYBROOK
Distance: 10km from the CBD
Rent average: $165/week private room
Only six train stops from the CBD and bordered by the Maribyrnong River, Braybrook is a quiet achiever in Melbourne’s inner west. Home to Central West Shopping Centre, which sports a Coles, an Aldi and a host of other retailers, it has almost everything you’ll need, including an abundance of local parks. While $165 per week for a room in other suburbs might get you into an old property that’s seen better days, in Braybrook there’s real bang for your buck with homes in that price range often new or near-new townhouses.
COBURG NORTH
Distance: 10km from the CBD
Rent average: $180/week private room
Renters who want to be close to the Brunswick lifestyle without the Brunswick price tag should check out Coburg North. With Brunswick’s popularity creeping north into Coburg, creating an enclave locals lovingly refer to as “Brunberg”, Coburg North is the logical next step for those still seeking the affordability those suburbs once offered and the incredible lifestyle that remains there. You’re not missing out in Coburg North, with two train stations and excellent tram services up Sydney Road and a cultural mix of shops, restaurants, op shops, community centres and libraries.
WEST FOOTSCRAY
Distance: 8.8km from the CBD
Rent average: $185/week private room
West is Best. West Footscray is a suburb with plenty going for it in the share house market. It’s exceptionally well serviced for public transport, has major retail hubs on both sides, Victoria University is within walking distance and the CBD is only minutes away. In comparison to neighbouring Footscray (average $212 per week), which is currently undergoing a mass-scale journey of gentrification and a subsequent surge in popularity, West Footscray is just next door and on average $20-$30 cheaper for a room per week. Translation: it’s a steal.
SEDDON
Distance: 7.3km from the CBD
Rent average: $188/week private room
West is Best. Rinse and repeat. On a dollar-for-dollar basis, Seddon might just be the best value lifestyle proposition in Melbourne. Wedged between multicultural Footscray and family friendly Yarraville, it’s got a little bit of everything. The suburb has a growing reputation for its café culture, with venues like Little Common and Advieh hives of activity on weekends, while bars and wine bars are becoming increasingly common. Add two different train lines within walking distance and the $188 average price per room, Seddon is the bargain suburb you always wanted.
PRESTON
Distance: 9.8km from the CBD
Rent average: $190/week private room
Just like Northcote became popular as renters pushed further out from Brunswick, Preston is now seeing that same boom in interest as renters in Thornbury and Northcote seek more value. With a multicultural flavour, a bustling High Street café scene and the famed Preston Market, it’s a suburb with plenty to offer. A mix of large family homes, new apartments and industrial conversions means there’s something for everyone at most price points, and for public transport you won’t find better, with multiple train stations and numerous tram routes all coursing their way through the area.
This article is very West-side heavy and for good reason. The west of Melbourne is getting more popular as gentrification hits, but it’s still so cheap and so close to the CBD. If you’re hoping for something a little more south side, keep your eye on our article on Melbourne’s most expensive suburbs to rent within 10km of the CBD.
