We live close to Cranbourne in Lyndhurst and find the area much the same as any other outer suburb. Busy roads during peak hour/school times, fairly quiet at other times. There are shops in terms of supermarkets all over the place and more getting built. bigger shopping center in Cranbourne and even bigger one in fountain gate about 15 mins away.
Its close enough to the beach 15 minute drive. train to the city 1hr with good access to major freeways if driving. good sporting facilities for kids at Casey fields, Casey race leisure canter is fantastic and there is a massive indoor skate park called the shed. there are some good and some bad schools in the area so do your homework on that one. other things like drive in cinema and kart racing about 10-15 mins away, Cranbourne race track with horse and dog racing and 3-4 golf courses so lots to do.
for us it provides all we need, somewhere peaceful to live with a short drive to our works (outside CBD) we live 1km from 1 train station and 3km from a new station at Lynbrook that we can get to without going on to a main road. we have a good primary school for our boys and easy access to the train for secondary schools and further education options if there is nothing suitable nearby. in our estate there are 2 supermarkets and other shops, petrol station, medical center and restaurants being built along with a residents only club with swimming pool, play area and gym etc. like most new estates there are wetlands and walkways with play parks, playing fields and a primary school.
The outer suburbs all lack the community spirit of UK style towns, Berwick is nice and the restaurants are all full of people on a weekend but things close up earlier than we are used to and there is not the same atmosphere in bars. There are other places that are more "leafy" a bit closer to the city but expensive and areas along the peninsula that have more natural beauty but further out from the CBD and other facilities but generally good schools, again more expensive.
Depends what’s most important to you, for us it ticks a lot of boxes.