An affluent Melbourne suburb with big homes, established trees and wide streets.
Toorak, Melbourne
Toorak is the most prestigious, and a very leafy, suburb in Melbourne. It is essentially establishment. If you are filthy rich or a well known media celebrity, there is a good chance you'll be parking your Toorak tractor (aka 4WD) in your large driveway, attached to your large well kept garden upon which sits your large super expensive house, which is protected by a high fence and security gates. And your kids will go to a private school. Rather! That's not to say that everyone who lives here is Mr or Mrs money bags. (More information below...)
Back to the types of residents in Toorak: there are people who live here who aren't rich. But then there's a good chance those people will be on the other side of 40, which means they'll be more likely to play classical or jazz music instead of "The Herd".
As for cars, if you don't have a 4WD (SUV), and you live in Toorak, fear not. The suburb has great access to public transport. You won't find too many, if any, plebs around these parts. So, the chances of you sitting next to someone on the train that you may not find up to standard - is quite minimal. (The Werribee and Upfield lines in the western suburbs can fill that hole if you want a taste of reality. Use the off-peak services.)
Yep, Toorak is a very safe, upper middle class, leafy, affluent Melbourne suburb. It's got a larger older population, plenty of finance and business types, and the highest percentage of kids attending private schools in Melbourne. Architecturally, Toorak has a crazy mix of styles. There's a little bit of neo Georgian, some tudor, a bit of Victorian, some ugly 1970's brick apartments, modern apartments, and mansions.
Politically, this is conservative territory. Shopping wise - if you like getting your hair done or having a facial, this place will suit you very well. Darrrrrling. Try celebrity hairstylist Lillian Frank. She's a hoot. Other famous residents include the dude who is in charge of the AFL, the blokes who run Linfox transport and Visy paper company, a couple of media personality types, a fallen or disgraced media type, and a fab woman who has an estate jewellery store in Little Collins St in the city.
Parking: usually not a problem. Vibe: a game of polo? Shoe equivalent: Lloyds, Salvatore Feragamo. Would suit: executives, professionals, families. Location: Yarra River. Distance from city centre: 6km. Direction: South East.
