Unmasking Surrey Hills: One of Melbourne’s Astounding Suburbs
Nestled just 11 kilometres east of Melbourne’s CBD, Surrey Hills remains one of the eastern suburbs quietly growing in stature, offering a rare combination of village charm, grand character homes, and a tight-knit, community-focused lifestyle.
Once seen as the quieter sibling to Camberwell and Canterbury, Surrey Hills has carved out its own identity, understated, elegant, and increasingly in demand.
A Streetscape of Timeless Appeal
Walking through Surrey Hills feels like stepping into a postcard. Tree-lined boulevards are dotted with Federation and Edwardian homes, many of which have been meticulously preserved or renovated to suit modern family living.
While heritage features give the suburb a sense of history, new architectural builds and designer townhomes are starting to subtly transform the landscape, bringing in a younger generation of buyers without losing the area’s traditional feel.
Mont Albert Road, Canterbury Road and Union Road remain blue-chip pockets where demand often exceeds supply.
Lifestyle, Localism, and a Slower Pace
What sets Surrey Hills apart is the pace. There’s no rush here. Locals take their morning walk through leafy streets, grab a coffee from one of the many quality cafés like Gesha Coffee or Steam Coffee Co, and enjoy an afternoon in the garden or at one of the nearby parks.
From trendy brunch spots to sophisticated dining establishments, Surrey Hills is a haven for food enthusiasts seeking a palate-pleasing experience.
Cocco Latte CL Kitchen
Red Brick Cafe
Chit Chat Cafe & Bar
Zimt Patisserie
Reunion Café and Dining
The Union Road village precinct is the heartbeat of the suburb, filled with independent retailers, artisanal bakeries, and grocers who greet you by name. You won’t find mega malls here, and that’s precisely how residents like it.
Surrey Hills’ Education Drawcard for Families
Surrey Hills remains a magnet for families thanks to its access to some of Melbourne’s best public and private schools.
Within and surrounding the suburb are respected institutions such as
Chatham Primary
Surrey Hills Primary
Canterbury Girls’ Secondary College
Camberwell Grammar
It’s not uncommon for families to plan years ahead to secure a home in these tightly held school zones, many of which are still walkable thanks to the suburb’s generous block sizes and well-designed layout.
Green Space and Community Heart
Surrey Hills locals value a connection with nature and with one another.
Wattle Park, Surrey Gardens, and South Surrey Park all offer generous green space for picnics, playtime, or a quiet afternoon stroll.
There’s also a strong culture of community events—local makers’ markets, school fetes, and weekend footy games are regular fixtures that bring residents together and foster a sense of belonging.
Surrey Hills Real Estate Market: Consistent and Resilient
Surrey Hills has shown remarkable resilience through various market cycles. The suburb is primarily owner-occupied, with homes often held for decades.
This creates tight stock levels, especially for larger family homes on generous parcels of land. The result? High competition when quality homes do come up, and strong long-term capital growth.
Here, we highlight a few properties in Surrey Hills that piqued our interest during the sales campaign.
24 Charles Street, Surrey Hills, Vic 3127
60 Russell Street, Surrey Hills, Vic 3127
5 Essex Road, Surrey Hills, Vic 3127
The buyer profile has shifted slightly, too. While traditionally appealing to established families, younger professionals and downsizers are now keen to enter the area for its lifestyle, train connectivity, and walkable amenities.
Explore our video to gain insights and valuable tips for buying a property, whether you’re searching or planning for the future.
Surrey Hills isn’t flashy, and it doesn’t need to be. Its appeal lies in authenticity, a genuine village feel, beautiful homes, and a balanced lifestyle.
I’m Andrew Date from Industry Insider Property.
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