[category]
[title]
Thinking of a suburb shuffle to the edge of the city? You're not the only one. Fresh data from removal experts Muval has revealed that Victorians aren’t just drifting a little beyond the CBD – they’re decisively packing up and heading for the city’s outer north, north-west and west.
According to Muval’s three-year trend analysis of inbound relocation demand (which tracked the rate each suburb’s share of total move enquiries increased over time), six Victorian locales have landed in Australia’s top ten “up-and-coming” suburbs for 2026.
Leading the Victorian charge is Bendigo, ranked third nationally with relocation growth of 0.043 per cent. With its grand Gold Rush architecture, thriving arts scene and comparatively accessible housing, Bendigo has become a serious contender for Victorians craving space without completely severing ties with the big city.
But the real relocation trends are taking over Melbourne’s fringe.
In fourth place nationally is Mickleham – Yuroke (0.034 per cent growth), followed by Whittlesea (0.029 per cent), Wallan (0.029 per cent), Rockbank – Mount Cottrell (0.027 per cent) and Sunbury – South (0.026 per cent). That’s a clear cluster stretching across Melbourne’s north, north-west and west – and according to the experts, it’s no coincidence.
“Victoria’s strong showing in the rankings really highlights how Melbourne’s growth is moving outward,” says James Morrell, CEO and co-founder at Muval. “We’re seeing families and first-home buyers leading this shift, drawn to growth corridors where new communities, improving infrastructure, and better transport links are changing how people think about commuting and lifestyle.”
In other words: bigger backyards are firmly in, and buyers are willing to trade tram lines for green space.
These outer suburban pockets are increasingly defined by new housing estates, schools, retail hubs and upgraded transport links. Rather than being considered too far from the city, they’re becoming self-contained communities – places where you can comfortably raise a family and still dip into the city when you need a culture fix.
What’s particularly telling is that these suburbs aren’t just seeing a temporary spike. Muval’s data shows more people enquiring about moving in than leaving, signalling genuine migration pressure rather than fleeting pandemic-era wanderlust.
According to the Muval team, it’s a shift in mindset as much as postcode. For many Melburnians, proximity to the CBD is no longer the ultimate status symbol. Space, value and community are. And as Melbourne continues to sprawl, suburbs once considered the sticks are becoming new centres of gravity.
The top 10 up-and-coming suburbs in Australia:
- Port Macquarie - West (NSW)
- Hobart (TAS)
- Bendigo (VIC)
- Mickleham - Yuroke (VIC)
- Newcastle - Cooks Hill (NSW)
- Greenbank - North Maclean (QLD)
- Whittlesea (VIC)
- Wallan (VIC)
- Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (VIC)
- Sunbury - South (VIC)
You can check out the full relocation data and methodology (and plan your next move) via the Muval website.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.