Question 1

Is Melba a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Melba is a quiet, mostly residential suburb in Canberra’s Belconnen district, with established, tree-lined streets of single-storey brick homes on family-sized blocks. Neighbourhood parks, playgrounds and sporting ovals provide everyday recreation, while a small local shopping centre and community facilities meet routine needs; regular bus links and easy access to arterial roads connect residents with the Belconnen town centre and the wider city. Melba is home to 3,383 people with a median age of 38, and most homes are owner-occupied (79.1%) while renters make up 20.9%, so the suburb reads as a settled, practical place that appeals to families and people seeking a green suburban setting close to district amenities. Recent works have upgraded the Melba Neighbourhood Oval pavilion and canteen with female-friendly changerooms, lockable showers, accessible toilets, security lighting, a water refill station, bike racks and an enclosed barbecue/storage area, and education and sportsground upgrades are planned for the area.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Melba?

Accepted Answer

Buying a house in Melba sits well above local incomes at the last Census. At a median house price of $912,000, that works out to about 7.5 times a typical local household's annual income as recorded at the last Census. Renting a house at about $680 a week would take roughly 29% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a moderate share, so on these figures renting looks the less stretched option compared with buying for many people.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Melba a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

For someone weighing Melba as an investment, the picture on houses is clear: over the past 12 months median house values rose 9.8% and house rents increased 8.8%. Both are solid increases, with house values edging ahead of rents, so on the house side capital growth marginally outpaced rental income this year. What that balance means for you depends on whether you prioritise capital growth or regular rental cash flow.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$912K	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	9.8%	N/A
Sold Past 3 months	13	N/A
Median days on market Past 12 months	39	N/A
Average rent Past 12 months	$680	N/A
Change in rent Past 12 months	8.8%	N/A

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