Moving to Essendon (2026)
Moving suburbs is one of the biggest decisions you will make. This guide puts every essential for Essendon in one place — the GP you will register with, the supermarket you will default to, the cafe that becomes your regular, and the park where you will walk the dog.
Population: 20,476 (ABS Census 2021)
Essendon at a Glance
| Need | Essendon |
|---|---|
| Estimated rent (1BR) | $350–$460/week |
| Restaurants | 31 |
| Cafes | 32 |
| Schools | 18 |
| Parks | 21 |
| Medical | 2 |
| Supermarkets | 5 |
| Pharmacies | 0 |
Your First Week in Essendon
Day 1-2: Set Up Healthcare
Register with a GP immediately — do not wait until you are sick.
Essendon has 2 medical facilities:
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| SaiMed Specialist Centre | — | — |
| Eastbrooke Medical Centre | 162 Keilor Road | +61 3 8354 1111 |
Day 2-3: Find Your Supermarket
- Foodworks — 93-97 Rose Street
- Boundy’s Supa IGA
- Woolworths
- IGA
- Coles
Day 3-4: Explore the Food Scene
Essendon has 31 restaurants and 32 cafes. Start with these:
Morning coffee:
- Ten one ate — 1018 Mount Alexander Road
- Friends of Ours Cafe — 1097 Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon North VIC 3040, Australia
- La Vallee Cafe/Restaurant Essendon — 2 Keilor Rd, Essendon VIC 3040, Australia
- Assembly Ground — 104 Fletcher St, Essendon VIC 3040, Australia
Day 4-5: Set Up Transport
- Get a Myki card — available at any train station, 7-Eleven, or PTV hub
- Myki Money vs Myki Pass — Money for occasional use, Pass for daily commuters
- Daily cap: $10.60 (Zone 1+2) — you will never pay more than this per day
- Register your Myki at ptv.vic.gov.au — protects your balance if lost
Check PTV Journey Planner for your specific commute from Essendon.
Day 5-7: Walk the Neighbourhood
Essendon has 21 parks. Find the one closest to your place and make it your default walk:
- Fanny Reserve
- Montgomery Reserve
- Queens Park
- Lincoln Park
- Buckley Park
- Napier Park
If You Have Kids
Essendon has 18 schools. Check your zone at findmyschool.vic.gov.au.
| School | Address |
|---|---|
| Buckley Park College | 59-99 Cooper Street |
| Pascoe Vale South Primary School | 411-429 Reynard Street |
| Strathmore Secondary College | 400 Pascoe Vale Road |
| Ave Maria College | 16 Vida Street |
| St. Columban’s Missionary Training Society | 69 Woodland Street |
Cost of Living in Essendon
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $350–$460/week |
| Groceries (weekly, single) | $80–$120 |
| Myki transport (monthly) | ~$165 |
| Utilities (monthly) | $150–$250 |
| Internet (monthly) | $60–$90 |
| Flat white (daily) | $4.50–$5.50 |
See our detailed Cost of Living Guide for the full breakdown.
Should You Move to Essendon?
Read our Honest Guide for the unfiltered pros and cons based on real data.
Related Guides
- Best Restaurants in Essendon
- Best Cafes in Essendon
- Best Bars in Essendon
- Cost of Living in Essendon
- Essendon Neighbourhood Guide
- Family Guide to Essendon
- Is Essendon Safe?
- Essendon Transport Guide
Last updated: March 2026. This guide is refreshed when OpenStreetMap data changes — new openings, closures and corrections are reflected automatically. Found something wrong? Let us know.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Contributors — openstreetmap.org — accessed March 2026
- ABS Census 2021 — abs.gov.au/census
- REIV Quarterly Median Prices — reiv.com.au
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