At circa 11 km north of the CBD, Reservoir is just outside the magic “within 10 km of the CBD”.
As the inner north’s gentrification continues further north (from Northcote, Thornbury to Preston), Reservoir particularly the southern section is the latest beneficiary.
There is a huge difference in the range and quality of housing stock. As a broad guideline, the further south you can be the better. In some of the southern sections of Reservoir, you are actually closer to Preston train station than Reservoir train station. You can effectively “turn your back” on Reservoir amd utilise the amenities of Preston (for example Preston Market, High Street cafes/restaurants/retail).
The housing stock includes a high proportion of standalone brick and weatherboard houses on relatively generous blocks. There are concentrations of Housing Commission and former Housing Commission dwellings. A lot of new townhouse developments are being undertaken with many, like the rest of Melbourne generally, are of uninspiring design and not great build quality and is unlikely to age well.
It is a suburb which necessitates being very aware of the risk of multi-unit bring built around you when you buy here.
Reservoir is one of the few “inner city” Melbourne suburbs where it is still possible to get a family house for circa $1m.
Enjoying four different train stations along the Mernda line – Keon Park, Ruthven, Reservoir and Regent – my understanding is that the proposed underground suburban rail loop includes a Reservoir station.
Reservoir is on the Number 11 (West Preston to Victoria Harbour Docklands) and 86 (Bundoora RMIT to Waterfront City Docklands) tram lines. It is also serviced by 12 bus routes.
Convenient freeways access – Northern/Western Ring Road, Hume Highway, Tullamarine and Calder Freeways.
Cyclists have access to the Merri Creek Trail and Darebin Creek Trails.
Lady Bower Kitchen is a great local café and would fit right in in Fitzroy or St Kilda. La Pinta on High Street (one of my favourite restaurants in all of Melbourne) is a good representation of the gentrification that is occurring and perhaps sharing some of the attributes of Reservoir in a general sense – relatively unheralded and good value.
As a Melbourne Buyers Agent, I recommend it to my clients – particularly families or couples planning on starting a family wanting an “inner city lifestyle at a relatively affordable price point”.
Last update: 5 Apr 2023
