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Life in the ’burbs

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I loved my childhood suburb so much, I bought a house around the corner from where I grew up

Playing tennis on the street, picking figs from my dad’s pride-and-joy veggie patch and watching Rocky movies at the drive-in: it felt like an idyllic childhood.

  • Orietta Guerrera

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Canterbury Rd in Box Hill South, looking east toward the Station St intersection.

Can you guess Melbourne’s smallest, poshest or smelliest suburbs? Explore our interactive map

The Age has developed a new map where you can explore Melbourne’s suburbs, through the eyes of Melburnians who live there.

  • Damien Nowicki
Cptn Jack’s at Yaringa Boat Harbour in Somerville.

My suburb has beaches, space, fresh air – and the slight smell of chicken nuggets

We never thought we’d match our NSW lifestyle, but found relaxed authenticity and everything we need within walking distance.

  • Jim Klages
West Footscray

Moving to my suburb was a no-brainer – but first someone had to die

The industrial smells have been drifting away from the place fondly known as WeFo. Now we’re luring the giants of the digital future.

  • Ross Cayley
Eltham North

My suburb is a hidden gem. It has just one cafe and no shops

My suburb is only a train ride from Flinders Street, but we live among the birds and gumtrees.

  • Charlotte Chidell
Golf plays a big part of life in Sandhurst.

My suburb has an island, purgatory, and 2000 wardens to catch you doing anything sneaky

My resort-style suburb confuses both outsiders and residents. But its true delight is in the quirky, unexpected pleasures that come with life here.

  • Marg Perry
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Canterbury Rd in Box Hill South, looking east toward the Station St intersection.

My suburb is quiet, green and close to dumplings - it beats its better-known cousin hands down

There’s much to be said for living near a bustling neighbourhood rather than in it.

  • Avery Poole
The tram runs alongside the Tullamarine Freeway

My suburb is an overlooked island. People keep pushing for us to ‘sex up’ its name

Our most famous resident said we could boost house prices by $20-$30,000 if we adopted the name of the local “Bunnings of dildos”. Luckily, residents have stood firm against change.

  • John Tait
Life in Taylors Hill.

My suburb often makes headlines for the wrong reasons, but our Coles is the best in Melbourne

A period of trouble several years ago cast a shadow on my suburb’s reputation, but it doesn’t define us.

  • Giridhar Vemulapalli
Life in Narre Warren South.

My suburb has its own unofficial suburb – with a completely different vibe

Those residents prefer to think of themselves as living in a separate suburb that doesn’t officially exist.

  • Jess Burke