By REBECCA BILLS
COCKATOO has trumped the list of Australia’s most family friendly postcodes coming in at number 10.
Aussie Home Loans and RP Data together compiled the Top 100 Suburbs for Family Living report that covered 3800 Australian suburbs with 30 Victorian suburbs making the cut.
Nine of those – Cockatoo, Upwey, Ferntree Gully, Mooroolbark, Belgrave, Emerald, Montrose, Lilydale and Healesville – are from around the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley.
Former Cockatoo Township Group member and current resident Owen Deppeler said he loves Cockatoo and that it was a great place to raise a family.
“It’s one of those areas that not everyone thinks of to live in,” he said.
“Affordability is another key factor in this area and it’s only an hour’s drive from the city.
“The only issues here are public transport and access to healthcare services can be hard but that’s what you get when you come to these areas.
Melbourne’s top three suburbs had a median house price below $500,000 with Cockatoo’s median price just $335,000.
“Younger middle aged people are starting to come to Cockatoo as it is such a vibrant community that is constantly changing,” Mr Deppeler said.
“It’s not just the fact that it is cheap housing, we work together as a community really well here.”
Aussie Home Loams Lilydale franchise principal Alister Osborn said from a business perspective the Yarra Ranges is still very affordable in relation to greater Melbourne prices.
“Our average price is still well below the median price here,” he said.
“From the point of view of liveability in this area, you have everything here.
“I think this area will stay affordable because the commute is still pretty tough on people but we do have two heavy rail lines and both of those are heavily utilized – that is a big advantage of this area.”
Mr Osborn said the urban economic zone that is being developed in Ringwood will make the prospect of living in the Yarra Ranges even more attractive.
