Elwood, VIC 3184

Elwood is a highly sought-after suburb located just 8 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's CBD. Its close proximity makes it an ideal choice for professionals who want a quick and easy commute to the city. Whether driving or taking public transport, the journey to the city centre is typically around 15-20 minutes, making it a convenient location for those working in Melbourne.

Elwood is home to several excellent educational institutions, making it an attractive option for families. The suburb boasts a mix of public and private schools, including the well-regarded Elwood Primary School and Elwood College. Both schools have strong reputations for academic performance and offer a supportive learning environment.

Elwood is known for its abundance of green spaces and parks, providing residents with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The suburb is adjacent to the beautiful Elwood Beach, where locals can enjoy swimming, picnicking, and various water sports. Elsternwick Park is another popular spot, offering walking tracks, sports facilities, and a serene lake. The abundance of parks and open spaces makes Elwood a great place for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Elwood has a vibrant dining scene, with a wide array of cafes, restaurants, and eateries to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual brunch, a gourmet dinner, or just a quick coffee, Elwood has something to offer. The local cafes are particularly popular for their relaxed atmosphere and excellent coffee. Additionally, nearby St Kilda and Brighton provide even more dining options, ensuring that residents are never short of places to eat.

Elwood, Melbourne, is an exceptional neighborhood that embodies the epitome of vibrant and laid-back coastal living. Nestled along the picturesque shores of Port Phillip Bay, Elwood offers residents a unique blend of relaxed beachside charm and urban convenience.

One of the standout features of Elwood is its vibrant lifestyle. Residents here enjoy a wide array of recreational activities, thanks to the stunning beaches, scenic parks, and bustling cafes and restaurants that line the streets. Whether it's enjoying a leisurely stroll along the iconic Elwood Beach, soaking up the sun in one of the local parks, or indulging in a delicious brunch at a trendy cafe, there's always something exciting to do in Elwood.

In addition to its vibrant lifestyle, Elwood boasts a diverse range of dwellings, including charming period homes, modern apartments, and stylish townhouses. Each property exudes its unique character and charm, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you're a young professional seeking a stylish apartment close to the action or a family looking for a spacious period home with a backyard, Elwood has something for everyone.

Overall, Elwood offers residents the perfect blend of coastal living, urban convenience, and community spirit. With its vibrant lifestyle, diverse housing options, and stunning natural beauty, it's no wonder why Elwood continues to be one of Melbourne's most sought-after neighborhoods.

Expensive, mostly flats and renters.

I’ve lived in and around Elwood for most of my life. Now living in Elwood again with my wife, we are nestled between the more bustling Elsternwick strip of shops and amenities, whilst still only a short stroll to the new Wetlands precinct, Elwood Canal, the Village and the beach.

During the pandemic, the community became more tight knit, with shops and locals supporting each other. Definitely helped get us through, and almost feels like a country town with all the conveniences of a city at your doorstep.

Having read all of the comments that other people have made, it just re-enforces what I think about it. Elwood is so beautiful: the beach is so close, the canal is great to walk down, there are parks and the tree-lined streets look stunning. (Yes they give you hay-fever, but I've never lived anywhere that didn't, so you take a hay-fever tablet in spring, easy). Yes there are no Coles/Woolworths in Elwood, BUT this means that there is also no supermarket traffic. There are the major supermarkets in all the surrounding suburbs, so you can easily walk, ride or drive to them if that is what you need. The people are friendly, there are kids selling homemade cookies in front of their family homes, our neighbours are helpful and strangers say hello on the street. Yes it is expensive, so we are renting until we win the lotto and buy our dream Elwood forever home. Fingers crossed.

Elwood is a very trendy location. Filled with multiple cafe's for top quality coffee and places to dine in at.

Ormond Road is a very popular street amongst locals. You'll constantly see it buzzing with people out walking their dogs, stopping in for a coffee or relaxing at one of the cool bars.

Leigh Fletcher | Director
Hayeswinckle
Real Estate Agent, Armstrong Creek
Surf Coast

The community garden at the back of the Elwood & St Kilda Neighbourhood House is a great space to relax.

It's not well serviced by roads or public transport.
The only shopping centers are the small and expensive FoodWorks or Elwood supermarket - where you pay more for what you get.
There are lots of trendy "boutique" stores and coffee shops, and although expensive, the quality isn't better.
Elwood mainly consists of older 1920s to 50s apartments, built before cars, without off-street parking, so parking is a major problem in many parts.
There are lots of 30-something couples who move in, but later move out after starting a family.
There is a shortage of kids, teenagers, and men in Elwood. This is sad because kids need other kids for socialization. It's a heavily female-dominated area, as there aren't many male industries nearby, many of the men in Elwood are part of a same-sex couple, or in an established relationship.
It's not a very multicultural place, diversity is really lacking.
It's a pretty boring area, particularly if you're not a beachy person.
The plane trees which line the streets of Elwood cause allergies and are an introduced species
In many of the streets, the pavement is badly cracked and uneven, causing a tripping hazard and it was difficult for my child to ride her scooter.
Proximity to the beach is one advantage but also a drawback as it's not centrally located, it's bordered by the sea, making it somewhat out of the way, like living on the edge of suburbia.
I would rank Elwood very low on a liveability score. I would question any person or organization claiming Elwood to be a very "liveable" suburb - it certainly isn't. I have lived in three different locations in Elwood, I was raised in Elwood, I know it very well, and this is an educated review.

We live in Elwood (me and my son).

We bought here after living in St Kilda East which is sketchy.

Elwood Village has walking distance to shops, cafes, beach and the canal. Period homes, apartments and shop architecture. Elwood has its own culture.

If you need to go to the city everyday for work you need to take a tram (slow) 30 mins to city, or ride a bike to Elsternwick Railway Station instead. This takes 5 mins ride down Glen Huntley road or catch a bus, and not far from Coles etc. 5 min drive. Not a big deal.

Alot of people in other reviews bag Elwood for not having a train station, or the hayfever due the beautiful plain trees or the WASPy demographic (lack of multiculturalism) or its expensive. That is their opinon.

We are not WASPs, its not an issue, I have hayfever and now we walk, ride more. Being near the inner city beaches you will pay more for property.

Multicultural areas close to the city with great transport exist in Richmond and Footscray. There is no need to bag Elwood for "not being the same" or it "needs to have more multiculturalism".

People are friendly here I have not met any "stuck up people" or racist people as other posts have claimed Elwood has so being a different culture is not an issue at all. Elwood has its own unique culture which is also fine.

Next, it is a trendy beach side suburb, cafes, shops are a bit pricer. There is no Coles, Woolies but there is an IGA and local fruit and veg shop. This makes it unique as it has its own shopping culture.

If you want close to transport, mega supermarkets and close to the beach buy in Williamstown or Frankston, but they do not have tree lined streets or a canal.

Lastly, there is a lower percentage of couples with children here but that is because the suburb is >50% apartments that are 1-2 bedroom. People with children are very sociable so it is not an issue at all.

PLUS
Village feel & impressive cafe culture
Tree lined streets & lots of attractive historic architecture inc. deco apartment blocks
Elwood beach
Easy access to the rich variety of café, restaurants, retail of neighbouring St Kilda

MINUS
One of Melbourne’s higher density suburbs particularly given it is circa 8km from CBD. This density looks set to further increase as house sites continue to make way for multi unit developments
Poor public transport - no train station or tram n/w. Car access – in common with Melbourne inner city suburbs generally is slow & frustrating at peak commute times
Lack of a major supermarket – nearest being Coles in St Kilda & Elsternwick. Great to have a Farmers Market but not an economical option!

Elwood houses have enjoyed consistent high performing capital growth. Scott Hall Buyers Advocate 0457 513 124