Northcote named best Melbourne suburb to live in

The pandemic has drastically changed which suburbs across Melbourne are the most liveable. See how yours rates.

Inner-city Northcote is rated the best Melbourne suburb to live by a new landmark study of the city forever reshaped by the pandemic.

The PwC Australia CityPulse 2021 analysis assessed the best places to live, work and play and reflected the profound changes brought on by the coronavirus crisis.

The research, exclusive to the Herald Sun, considered the impacts of Covid-19 on our daily habits — especially as staying closer to home became a daily reality.

Trendy Northcote scored a perfect 10 in the liveability data, ahead of Rosanna, and Aberfeldie while rising star Burwood jumps 204 spots up the rankings.

CityPulse 2021 heralded the rise of the family-friendly, middle-ring suburbs, many destinations receiving massive spikes in liveability.

The CBD was rated the best suburb in the “live to work” index, followed by South Melbourne and Brunswick.

Hawthorn, which occupied top spot in 2020, slipped to 30 in the index which covers more that 300 locations.

Young couple Penelope Chirnside and Lachlan Evans ‘definitely’ think Northcote is the best Melbourne suburb. Picture: Mark Stewart

This year’s liveability analysis is based on the “Live — Staying Local” score to reflect where commuting is less relevant, while the work or “Live — Commuting” score is rated for those who need to, or choose to, return to work.

The research was assembled using 35 different data sources — the most ever — for a range of measures, including schools, parks, hospitals, unemployment rate, parks, dining venues, health centres and shops.

The data also assessed street safety and walkability, quantifying what can be accessed within a 15-minute walk from home.

PwC Australia Melbourne Managing Partner Peter Konidaris said the easing of restrictions meant many people were ready to return to a semblance of normality.

“We know that many aspects of our lives will be fundamentally changed forever, and not all of these changes are for the worse,’' he said.

“More flexibility when it comes to the way we work and a reduced reliance on the daily commute mean that suburbs once deemed less liveable are now much more attractive places to live.

“We know that no two persons circumstances are the same, which is why CityPulse viewers can now choose their own adventure — catering to their work arrangements and the likelihood they will continue to enjoy the flexibility that comes with working from the home office, or will instead return to work.’’

Top 10 newcomers Heidelberg, Aberfeldie, Wantirna, Montmorency, Greensborough, Blackburn, Ringwood and Coburg had all experienced considerable spikes in score.

“Many suburbs that are traditionally more accessible to young families and first-home buyers have become vastly more attractive places to live, particularly now that vast swathes of Melburnian professionals aren’t having to factor in daily commutes to the CBD,” Mr Konidaris said.

PwC Australia Integrated Infrastructure Partner Janice Lee said the results also showed that reports of the death of the CBD were grossly exaggerated.

“The CBD will retain its place as the heart of our city, and a hub of commerce, creativity and leisure,’’ Ms Lee said.

“The CBD isn’t dead. The full picture is much more nuanced than we thought.”

The Chua family felt they ‘hit the jackpot’ when they moved to Burwood. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The lack of infrastructure and services in growth areas was still a problem and led to poor liveability, Mr Konidaris said,

“Communities west of the Maribyrnong River, north of Bell Street or beyond EastLink are growing at rates faster than infrastructure, amenity and service delivery can accommodate,’’ he said.

“While the temptation for governments and planners is to build our way out of this problem, what’s more important is innovative solutions to make this growth more sustainable.

Mr Konidaris said the “new Victoria’’ promised enormous opportunities.

“But first, we must consider the profound impacts the pandemic has had on our city and state.

“There’s never been a better opportunity to stop and take stock of what makes Melbourne great — and what will make it even greater.”