The gentle undulating topography of Hawthorn and Camberwell gives way to more elevated hills in Balwyn offering progressively improving views towards Kinglake. Wide tree-lined streets and large allotments have been a catalyst to the construction of solid homes the best of which lie between Whitehorse and Mont Albert Road and in north-east of Whitehorse and Balwyn Roads. The suburb is currently going through a renewal phase with many older homes being replaced by large homes that make greater use of the available land area. Despite the appeal of the area for quality homes, Balwyn has a fair proportion of flats, semi-detached and terrace homes.
Balwyn’s median house prices fell 20% during the 2008 GFC but have since recovered 12% to $1.25 million. Units have similarly gyrated but with a current median price of about $460,000, have under-performed the overall Melbourne market. Professional people are overly represented resident category in Balwyn.
Located 12Km and 25 minutes from the city, access is via Hawthorn or Kew or Eastern Freeway, or by tram along Whitehorse Road. Camberwell and Canterbury stations are further south. The 15,300 residents live in a 5.6km2 area generally bounded by Belmore Road in the north, Burke Road in the west, a zigzag southern boundary touching Mont Albert Road, Northcote Avenue and Whitehorse Road, and East of Union Road. Neighbouring suburbs are Balwyn North, Canterbury, Camberwell, Surrey Hills, Mont Albert and Mont Albert North and Hawthorn East.
Top Balwyn attractions include good roads, good public transport, good shops, a local cinema, views, sporting grounds, parks and excellent schools nearby.
The major road arteries to Melbourne and cross-flow traffic move freely although trams add to the congestion on Whitehorse Road during peak hours. The Balwyn Shopping Centre in Whitehorse Road is a viable retail hub with enough diversity and competition to survive competition from Doncaster Shoppingtown 6km away and Camberwell Junction Shopping Centre.
Schools are a big attraction with many families moving into the area to be eligible for their children to attend their preferred schools – both private and State schools. Balwyn has two primary schools, a special primary school for disability students (Belmore School) and the premier Balwyn High School in Buchanan Avenue Balwyn North. Admission to Fintona Girls School in Balwyn Road and Camberwell Grammar School in Mont Albert Road is always in high demand.
Balwyn has some wonderful open spaces, parks and sports ovals. Maranoa Gardens in Beckett Park is a botanical showcase. The popular Balwyn Cinema in Whitehorse Road shows mainstream and art house films and has a retro entry and staircase to upper cinemas.