ShaleeM

Oakleigh Oakleigh is a South-East suburb of Melbourne that is located approximately 15 kilometres from the CBD, 10 kilometres from Mentone beach and is in the local government area of Monash. Oakleigh has a strong Greek cultural influence due to its Greek immigration after WWII, and with its Greek founded football club, Greek Orthodox Church, and Greek eateries. There is always something to do in Oakleigh, with paint ball options, its own Go-Karting track, nearby golf courses and local pools. One of the many reasons that people flock to Oakleigh is because of the fabulous Eaton Mall, a pedestrian-only street that features some of the finest food in Melbourne. Walking down Eaton Mall and surrounds in like taking a trip to Greece, and has a fantastic atmosphere. With its great food, Sunday market, parks and central location, Oakleigh is the perfect place to live whether you are a young couple, family or single. Demographics There are approximately 7535 residents living in Oakleigh with 14% speaking Greek at home. The average age of residents is 36 years old, with 48.7% been married. 25.8% of residents are Catholic and other religions include no religion, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Presbyterian, Buddhism plus others. It is not uncommon to strike up a friendly conversation with an elderly Greek resident who has lived in Oakleigh their whole life. And it is certainly a suburb where many feel safe and secure to live. It is a wonderfully diverse place to reside and is accepting of all ages and cultures. Housing Oakleigh is a popular place to buy and rent due to its abundance of cafes, restaurants and easy to access trains and buses. The median property price to buy is $1,175,000 and many houses hold a rich history, but with newly renovated aspect. Alternatively, many students, singles, and couples choose to rent or share with plenty of units and apartments available. The median property price to rent in Oakleigh is $450.00 and there are many surrounding suburbs to also consider. The property market in Oakleigh is very high in demand with approximately 1130 people visiting each listed property on realestate.com, proving how popular Oakleigh is to visit and live. Public Transport Oakleigh Station is a stone’s throw away from the main shopping complex and is only a short trip away from Melbourne’s CBD. The regular trains also conveniently run to other South-East suburbs such as Cranbourne and Pakenham. Huntingdale station is within walking distance of Oakleigh shopping centre, and Hughesdale and Jordanville station are only short drives away. This convenient rail line makes it easy for residents to head into the city for sporting events and concerts, or to visit loved ones in other Melbourne suburbs. Oakleigh also offers a plethora of bus options, making it an extremely suitable place to live for those who regularly commute for work or leisure. Shopping Oakleigh features their own shopping centre, Oakleigh Central which comprises of a large underground carpark. Oakleigh Central includes the main grocery stores, Woolworths and Coles, but also offers many clothing stores and a variety of a food-stops. The centre has several different exits, one of which leads directly to Oakleigh train station, and another leads out to Eaton Mall. Eaton Mall and surrounds offer a variety of stores with some of the best eats in Melbourne. Aside from finding traditional Greek foods, you can also find $2.00 stores, great places to get dessert, bargain clothing stores as well as banks and phone shops. For those happy to venture out of the Eaton mall area, can head down to Atherton Road which includes Real Estate offices, Banks as well as a well-known Salvos store and a fruit shop. For anyone looking for more of a serious shop, they can take the short trip to Chadstone Shopping Centre, which is one of the largest shopping complexes in Australia. Here they hold VIP nights, Hoyts Cinema, Lego Land and so much more. Oakleigh Central and surrounds is a glorious mixed bag and is a great place to spend the weekend exploring with family and friends. Education Oakleigh is the perfect place to raise a family with their variety of exceptional education choices. There is the option for several different Kindergartens and Primary schools as well as the choice of three different secondary schools with Sacred Heart Girls College, Oakleigh Grammar and South Oakleigh College. Many of the schools include the opportunity for students to partake in community activities, charity work, and leadership programs. There is also the opportunity for adult learning with several different jobs-seeking organisations that offer developmental courses, and with Holmesglen Tafe only a suburb away. Monash University is also only a short drive away, making it the opportune place for students to reside. Employment Oakleigh has an unemployment rate of 5.2% and the main occupations held are professionals and clerical workers. However, there are several different employment and recruitment agencies that help support this Monash community. Seek.com advertises several thousand jobs in the Oakleigh area and there are many apprenticeship options available. With big chain companies such as Woolworths, Coles, Hungry Jacks and KFC, it is a great place for teenagers to obtain their after-school job. Oakleigh is also the perfect place for young adults to begin their careers, or for seasoned workers to continue theirs. Overall, Oakleigh is a wonderful place to visit and live. There is something for everything with a variety of cafes and restaurants as well as several places to shop. For those who enjoy nature, they can take the short drive to Mentone beach, head to one of Oakleigh’s parks or take a walk in the nearby Scotchman’s Creek. Anyone seeking a rich cultural experience can head to Eaton Mall, and commuters can take advantage of the easy access public transportation. This suburb and its surrounding areas cater to different cultures with a variety of temples, churches, and mosque. All in all, the variety is sure to impress, and once visited, it is almost certain that you will fall in love with the hidden gem that is Oakleigh. All images found at: https://oakleighshops.com.au