Gotcha! I am learning all the time here! I really appreciate all your help!

And some suburbs are very small, or not even really suburbs. I think Huntingdale falls into that category. While there might be a station of that name and golf course I think you'll find most of the area comes under Oakleigh or the other surrounding suburbs. So you have to search around.

Also to illustrate a point :

http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin...&tm=1226362393

Looks very nice, but no mention that it is located on an 8 lane highway.

Haha I seeyour point. Can I just ask, I have seen many attractive looking houses for around 1200 aus/d a month. 3 Bed. Now does that seem about right to you lot? Also there seems to be loads, yet I have read certain blogs stating it's hard to find rental properties?

I've found Google Maps invaluable - google the address, zoom right in, set to Satellite image, see what's around it.

edit: arjuk, it really depends where you are going. A lot of talk on here has been about Sydney property which is currently very scarce (and expensive).

LOL you must have read my mind! I have just been doing that!

Also, it's what they don't publish photos of that should get you wondering. No bathroom shots? It's probably crappy.

Are you sure those figures are per month?

Rents here are quoted per week.

If you're finding a lot of places costing $1200 (and it turns out it's per week), then I'm not surprised they're free and available (because that's a very expensive rent ).

No, that does seem very cheap for anything within 20km of the city and in a reasonable area.

If you don't mind a developing area where the houses are new and the infrastructure less developed you could get a very nice house for that. If you are working in Huntingdale then i suppose you have the option of going a lot further down the Dandenong or Nepean Highways and getting cheaper properties.

Okay some are slightly more, but not much

http://www.domain.com.au/Public/SearchResults.aspx?mode=rent&Refine=1&state=VIC&ar eas=South+East&sub=Hampton+Park&bedrooms=>3&from=0 &to=0&proptypes=&ptdes=All%20Property%20Types&sear chterm=Hampton%20Park

Have you seen Streetview on Google maps - your house is probably on it.

They are 30 miles from the CBD, that's why.

wow you are right! looks close on google earth. Its like 43km! Damn!!!

Is sandringham a nice area?

Yes, generally anything along the bay will be a nice (and expensive) area. The next 'band' of suburbs usually provide much more value for money, while retaining the ability to drive 5-10 minutes to the beach.

So instead of Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham etc, try East Hampton, East Brighton, Moorabbin, Mentone etc. All provide good houses and good locations.

Have a search on East Hampton, very well located and still reasonably priced for that area.

Just like you underestimated the distance on the map for Hampton Park, it is very easy to do the same for many houses in Melbourne and walking anywhere becomes impractical.

Yeah, but then I know what my house looks like already.

I've found the Satellite view good for seeing how green the area is, if there is a shopping mall/industrial estate next door, whether or not my neighbour has a pool that kind of thing.

Not sure how useful www.cityhobo.com is for Melbourne? It's quite good for Sydney, so long as you don't take it too literally.

edit: Google Maps also good for working out directions/distances/travelling times, so long as you realise the times are obviously done with very favourable conditions.