The suburb is in the City of Brimbank, 17km north-west of Melbourne’s CBD, and was established in 1887. The 2016 census recorded a population of 37,309, with more than half of its residents born overseas.

The vibrant multicultural postcode boasts churches, temples and a mosque, and several commercial and shopping precincts.

Alfrieda Street is the main shopping hub that sparkles with the new $1.87 million Alfrieda Street Civic Plaza development, which has revitalised the town centre.

A safe space for the community to socialise, it features paved areas, seating, picnic tables and lighting. Colourful public artworks, large shade trees and upgraded landscaping create a cool and relaxed environment.

Nearby, the upgraded St Albans Square boasts new plants, paving and painted raised walls that relate to local flora and fauna.

The suburb is a foodie’s paradise, filled with specialty and generic outlets, including Big Sam’s Market, KFL Asian supermarket, IGA and Woolworths.

There is a plethora of cuisines to tempt all taste buds, from a wide range of Vietnamese eateries, including Fresh Chilli Deli (reputed to serve up the best banh mi in Melbourne), to Indian, Lebanese, Korean and Eastern European restaurants and cafes.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the shopping areas to parks with playgrounds, barbecues and picnic facilities, or to nearby Brimbank Park with hectares of green spaces, bushland and walking trails.

Wide streets and big house blocks form the suburb’s landscape and offer potential for subdivision and redevelopment.

St Albans has a buoyant property market where skyrocketing demand has pushed up prices. As of December 2021, the median house price was $670,000 and the median unit price was $475,000, according to realestate.com.au.

Based on five years of sales, the suburb saw a compound growth rate of 6.5 per cent for houses and 6.6 per cent for units.

A total of 181 homes were for sale and 211 properties were available for rent as of December 2021. Houses were leasing out at $350 a week with an annual rental yield of 2.7 per cent and units rent for $340 a week returning a yield of 3.7 per cent.

The postcode is an affordable property hotspot that offers great value, particularly for first-home buyers, according to Barry Plant St Albans sales manager Alex (Chau) Tran.

“The property market remains strong, despite pandemic lockdowns, with opens well attended and auctions attracting multiple bidders, particularly for homes priced below $650,000,” he said.

St Albans’ central location is a drawcard, near the upgraded Sunshine Hospital and larger shopping centres including Highpoint, Watergardens, Brimbank, Caroline Springs and Keilor Downs. There is easy access to the freeway to the CBD, Altona Beach and airport.

The suburb offers numerous day care centres, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and Victoria University.

Bus services and three Zone 2 train stations on the Sunbury line, including Ginifer, St Albans and Keilor Plains, ensure easy travel for residents.

Sports enthusiasts are catered to with local football and soccer teams, while the multi-million dollar Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is coming up in Taylors Road.

The state-of-the-art multi-generational health and wellbeing hub will offer a 50m, 10-lane swimming pool, two massive water slides, a wellness centre, community program room and more.