Young singles, professional couples, families and retirees are drawn to the affluent suburb in the City of Banyule.

Leafy and green, Heidelberg is surrounded by hectares of parkland, including Warringal Park, which bears the area’s original Aboriginal name meaning eagle’s nest. In 1865, Warringal was renamed Heidelberg, after the German city.

The impressionist art movement, The Heidelberg School, was developed in the area in the late 19th century by famous Australian artists, including Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and Frederick McCubbin.

Buildings from the mid-1850s still stand in the streets, including Heidelberg Primary School, Banyule Homestead, St John's Anglican Church and the Old England Hotel.

The 2016 Census recorded 6,225 people living in multicultural Heidelberg, with more than half born in Australia.

Residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle in the postcode where the real estate market is booming, according to local property expert and Barry Plant agent James Goulopoulos.

“There is plenty going for Heidelberg that boasts some of the best parks in Melbourne, unbelievable walking trails and cycling tracks along the Yarra River to the city, and superb sporting fields,” he said.

“Its bustling commercial precinct is packed with a variety of shopping outlets plus awesome coffee shops and eateries.”

A diverse range of homes is spread across the undulating landscape, from trendy multi-storey apartments in boutique complexes to magnificent period houses on deep blocks.

Apartments and villa units attract first-home buyers and downsizers, while modern houses and renovated period homes on larger blocks are perfect for families.

“Young families wanting to upsize to a bigger property with quality schools and all the amenities at its doorstep should seriously consider Heidelberg,” Mr Goulopoulos said.

“This area has strong growth prospects, and with high demand for the low supply of homes, prices are on the rise.”

In July 2021, there were 53 properties for sale and 62 homes for rent in Heidelberg, according to realestate.com.au.

Based on five years of sales, the median house price grew 3.9 per cent to $1.312 million, while the median price for units jumped 3.7 per cent to $656,000.

Houses rented out for $500 per week with an annual rental yield of 2 per cent, and units leased for $395 per week with a rental yield of 3.1 per cent.

Containing one of the largest medical and research precincts in Victoria, Heidelberg is famous for its world-class healthcare facilities, including the Austin Hospital, Warringal Private Hospital, Mercy Hospital for Women, plus clinics and repatriation hospitals.

Warringal shopping centre and the revived Burgundy Street shopping strip have everything from restaurants, cafes, pharmacies and clothing stores to multiple supermarkets, including Leo’s Fine Food and Wine Supermarket. Larger shopping centres in Doncaster, Preston and Greensborough are a 15-minute drive away.

There are several established schools and childcare facilities including Heidelberg Primary School, St John’s Primary School, Our Lady of Mercy College and Melbourne Polytechnic.

The area is well-connected with smart bus services, a Zone 1 train station that offers a 25-minute commute to the city, and easy access to freeways.