HIPPEST SUBURB IN MELBOURNE
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Smith Street in Collingwood was named in 2021 as the “coolest street” in the world, supporting my Melbourne buyers agent assessment that it is the hippest suburb in Melbourne.
Bordered by East Melbourne, Abbotsford, Fitzroy, Clifton Hill and a short walk or tram ride into the CBD, Collingwood’s gentrification story always seemed likely given the rise of the inner north generally and neighbouring Fitzroy in particular.
One of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs, Collingwood is effectively the “new Fitzroy” and Smith Street the new Brunswick Street. One of Collingwood’s advantages being the lack of chain outlets, which have emerged in Fitzroy, and its more “small local businesses”, “community” vibe.
Oxford (including Little Oxford) and Cambridge Streets are particularly desirable with their “New York warehouse” streetscapes and access to very nearby Smith Street.
Trams run up Smith (route 86) and Victoria Streets (route 109) and Collingwood train station is just over the border in Abbotsford.
There is access to a lot of amenities in surrounding suburbs, for example:
- Abbotsford – Collingwood Children’s Farm (which is actually in Abbotsford) on the banks of the Yarra River and the Abbotsford Convent – Australia’s largest multi arts precinct with 16 acres of green space.
- Fitzroy – Brunswck Street cafes/restaurants/retail, Fitzroy Swimming Pool.
- Carlton – Lygon Street cafes/restaurants/retail.
Cyclists can access the Capital trail. With the possible exception of Brunswick, I feel like there are more cyclists in Collingwood than any other inner city Melboune suburb!
On the downside, living near Smith Street is going to be relatively noisy as you would expect from a hospitality precinct and there are Housing Commission towers and single and double storey groups of dwellings within the suburb.
The feel of Collingwood is “urban”, “grungy” – in the best possible way. Generally speaking, the demographic is younger singles and couples. The high density living making it more challenging for families, both from a lifestyle and increasingly an affordability perspective given the very strong pricing growth in recent years.
Collingwood’s rise I see as being beneficial for pricing growth in neighbouring Abbotsford – significant sections of which offer walkability to all the good stuff happening in Smith Street and surrounds – at a lower price point.
Last update: 14 Mar 2023