Fresh cuts, fresher coffee: what makes Murrumbeena beautiful

When Anthony talks about Murrumbeena, it’s with a twinkle in his eye. And a warm, relaxed air.

It’s immediately clear that this is a man with a pure, unadulterated love of the suburb he calls home. And an extensive knowledge of it, too.

“I’ve eaten at every restaurant here; sipped lattes at every coffee shop. I’ve leased properties on every street, and could draw you a map of each. Murrumbeena has one dirt road – and I can tell you exactly where to find it!”

Anthony gets his hair cut at the local barber, eats at nearby restaurants and sips coffee, regularly, at Murrumbeena’s vibrant collection of cafes. (When Anthony’s peckish, both Levi and Jack the Milkman top the pecking order.)

The man doesn’t simply love Murrumbeena. He is Murrumbeena!

Which begs the question. What does Anthony love most about the suburb he’s spent over three decades working in?

“It’s got a bit of the urban café culture, with a wide range of restaurants close by. It has a magnificent mixture of people, from all corners of the globe. And it lays claim to all the lush green parks, sports facilities, and leafy cul de sacs that make any suburb lovely – and liveable.”

 

 

Low profile, high demand: Murrumbeena’s appeal

Good coffee? Check. Beautiful, tree-lined streets? Check. Sex appeal? Well…

“Over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate Murrumbeena more and more. It’s never been seen as a ‘sexy’ suburb – but it’s hugely underrated.”

So – would your average Melburnian know where Murrumbeena is?

Anthony chuckles.

“Nope! Usually, I have to explain that it’s the suburb between Caulfield Racecourse and Chadstone Shopping Centre. Then, people know where it is!”

Given its low profile, you’d be forgiven for thinking Murrumbeena isn’t the first suburb on the shopping list for people moving to Melbourne.

But according to Anthony, quite the opposite is true.

“I’m constantly, pleasantly surprised by the amount of people, from all over the world, who end up in Murrumbeena. But it makes sense: students are close to Monash University’s Caulfield campus, and aren’t too far from Clayton.

“Transport-wise, we’re well connected. Plus, prices – whether you’re renting or buying – tend to be more affordable than in nearby Malvern or Caulfield.”

 

 

Resilience and convenience: Murrumbeena’s secret

So, Murrumbeena is affordable. But is there a ‘good’ time to buy there?

Absolutely, says Anthony – all the time!

“Anytime you can afford to buy in Murrumbeena is a good time. It’s one of those rare places where rents, in periods of ‘doom and gloom’, tend to be affected later – and recover sooner.

“It’s an extraordinarily resilient suburb.”

Why? Well, as the old adage goes, location, location, location.

Flanked by Carnegie to the west, Oakleigh to the east – and sharing borders with bedfellows Bentleigh East and Malvern East – Murrumbeena’s in good company.

As for convenience, you can be on the Monash Freeway in four minutes, at Australia’s largest and best shopping centre in five, and in Melbourne’s CBD in 15.

Asked to describe the growing popularity of the suburb’s location, Anthony points to geography – and to basic physics.

To the fact that, while Melbourne has expanded outwards, Murrumbeena hasn’t moved.

“30 years ago, we used to call Murrumbeena a ‘Middle Ring’ suburb. Now, it’s almost an inner suburb! In many ways, Murrumbeena feels more convenient, and closer to the city, than it’s ever been. While retaining its quiet, underappreciated and quite beautiful nature.”

 

‘Go Beena!’: 105 years of roaring sporting success

The name “Murrumbeena” comes from the Aboriginal word ‘mirambena’.

Different readings interpret mirambena as meaning ‘welcome’, ‘belonging to you’, or referring to a member of the native police.

Another meaning? ‘A place for frogs’.

It makes sense, after all. Murrumbeena is a stone’s throw from Gardiners Creek, a stream that feeds the Yarra River. Frogs thrive there.

But ask Anthony which animal symbolises Murrumbeena, and it isn’t the frog. It’s the lion.

Proud. Powerful. Sure-footed. This lion-hearted beast is the symbol of one of Murrumbeena’s most vital community hubs and institutions – its football club.

“I spend a lot of time watching Murrumbeena Football Club, you might find me yelling ‘Go Beena’ down at the Kangaroo Road local sporting facilities, whatever the weather!”

The club has been around for 105 years, which speaks to sport’s enduring strength in – and importance to – the Murrumbeena community.

“Every weekend, you’ll see families there,” Anthony continues. “Cheering on their children’s football, cricket and netball teams, and having a good time. It’s amazing to see.”

 

 

Calmness and convenience: a place to come home to

Nestled between several ‘noisy neighbours’ – the controlled culinary chaos of Carnegie, and Chadstone’s commitment to consumerism – Murrumbeena offers a sweet spot of tranquillity.

Close to – but far enough away from – the crowds, Murrumbeena blends calmness with convenience. In Anthony’s words, it’s a kind of “sleepy hollow” – in all the best ways.

But Murrumbeena is more than an oasis, or a peaceful, pleasant place to hang your hat.

It’s a place to come home to.

“I’ve travelled all over the world,” says Anthony. “New York, Barcelona, Ko Samui, Mallorca, Queenstown. But wherever I’ve been, coming back to Murrumbeena – indeed, being able to call this area home – always brings a smile to my face.

“There’s so much to see, and to do. So step over our side of town – and find out for yourself!”

 

 

To read more about the southeast Melbourne communities we call home, explore our guides to Caulfield North, Bentleigh, and St Kilda – or grab a mouthful of the best bites in Elsternwick.