As part of our journey to find the perfect suburb in Melbourne, we’ve been diving deep into different areas, exploring the pros and cons of each. We’re not living in Blackburn (yet!), but it’s definitely on our radar. However, like many places in Melbourne, we’ve found that the housing market here can be a bit expensive. Still, it’s worth exploring, especially for families like ours who value a safe, family-friendly environment. Here’s what we’ve learned so far about Blackburn.
(Want to know how we’re searching for the right school zone and suburb? Check out my article on How I Find the Right School District and Suburb for Our Family).
Renting in Blackburn
When it comes to renting, Blackburn has a range of options, though they’re on the pricier side. Most three-bedroom homes here rent between $495 and $675 per week, which is a stretch for our budget. Unfortunately, house prices in Blackburn are also on the steep end, sitting well above 1.2 million, so buying isn’t on the table for us at the moment. But if you’re looking for a well-connected suburb with a solid community vibe, renting could be a good compromise.
Safety First: Crime Rate
One of the key things we’ve researched in each suburb is the crime rate. In Blackburn, it’s pretty low—around 10/100. That’s definitely reassuring for a family with kids, like ours, who are looking for a safe and peaceful neighborhood.
Schools in Blackburn
A major factor for us when evaluating suburbs is the quality of the schools. Blackburn stands out here. Blackburn Primary School has an ICSEA score of 1139 and NAPLAN Year 3 results around 480—pretty strong for a local primary school. The school’s got around 439 students, with about 49% from an English-speaking background.
For secondary schools, there’s Blackburn High School, which looks decent on paper with an ICSEA score of 1091 and NAPLAN results between 566-609. However, we did see some mixed reviews online, especially around the teaching quality, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering this school.
Convenience: Everything Close By
One thing Blackburn has going for it is convenience. Public transport is well-covered with buses and trains, and you’ve got supermarkets, libraries, and fresh markets close by. It’s a big plus for busy families who don’t want to travel too far for the essentials. The only downside is that hospitals are a bit further away than we’d prefer. In an emergency, it might not be the most convenient, but for daily life, it’s pretty well-serviced.
Natural Disasters
Australia’s known for its unpredictable weather, so we’ve been paying attention to the risk of natural disasters in each suburb. In Blackburn, the flooding risk is low—around 2.04%, which is a relief. It’s not something we worry about too much here.
Diverse Community
We love a suburb with diversity, and Blackburn has a nice mix. The population here includes 8.2% from China, 4.3% from India, 2.9% from England, 2.5% from Malaysia, and 1.1% from New Zealand. It’s always great to see a blend of cultures, and it gives the suburb a welcoming feel.
Our Thoughts on Blackburn So Far
After looking into Blackburn, we’ve found it to be a pretty attractive suburb, but the high housing prices make it a bit of a challenge for families like ours. We’re still doing our research, exploring other suburbs as well, but Blackburn is definitely on our list for its safety, schools, and convenience.
So, if you’re like us—family-focused and looking for a great suburb—Blackburn might be worth a look, even if it stretches the budget a bit. Stay tuned for more as we continue our journey through Melbourne’s suburbs, looking for the perfect place to call home.
By Bob T - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73318345