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00:01Australians have always loved the beach,
00:04so many of us are now making the move to our beautiful coastlines.
00:11Our beachfront dreamers want crashing waves and salty sea air.
00:15So grab your sunscreen and join us on the hunt for the ultimate beach house.
00:21It's been a hard day hunting.
00:30Well, if this spot isn't the perfect combination between beachside living and urban lifestyle,
00:38I don't know what is.
00:39This is St Kilda in Melbourne.
00:41I know you've all heard of it, and yes, it does live up to the hype.
00:45Today we're shopping with Lou and one of her three sons, Ben.
00:49They want to make the move out of the suburbs, into the city,
00:53but don't want to give up the magic of a beachside lifestyle.
00:56Let's see if we can find them the perfect new home.
01:00We're looking to find a house or apartment near the water,
01:08close to inner city, close to restaurants, bars, public transport.
01:14And so we're looking at downsizing and moving to the beach.
01:20Currently we're living in Surrey Hills, in a bigger house there,
01:23about 30 minutes away from the city.
01:25Big lifestyle change, trying to, you know, do something nice and easy.
01:29Low maintenance house.
01:31And just being in a better location in general.
01:33Yeah.
01:34Be close to the water, be close to the city.
01:37Just being closer, everything's more convenient.
01:39So the budget we're working with is three mil, but we could go higher.
01:48St Kilda is one of Melbourne's most iconic suburbs, home to Luna Park, the famous pier, and some of the best beach views in the city.
01:56It's a mix of old school charm and modern buzz, with cafes, bars and street performers on every corner.
02:02Whether you're here for the food, the nightlife, or just a walk by the water, St Kilda delivers.
02:08Good morning.
02:09Hello.
02:10How are you?
02:11Great to see you, Beth.
02:12Nice to meet you.
02:13Hi, Lucy.
02:14Lovely to meet you too.
02:15We're up for a great day today.
02:16And I'm really interested to see what we can find that fits your brief, cause it's a really cool one.
02:21You want beach, but you want to be close to the city.
02:36You need nightlife and urban lifestyle, but peace and quiet for mum.
02:41This is going to be tricky, but I think we're in the right spots in Kilda in Melbourne.
02:46Now we're very excited about coming down here and looking at properties.
02:50It is a change, but we're very excited about the change.
02:54So you're excited about it?
02:55I'm very excited about it, yeah.
02:56Okay.
02:57It's time, he says.
02:58Mum, we're doing it.
02:5922 years in the old location, so it's time to move out and try something new now, I think.
03:03House number one.
03:04We're right here, opposite the beach.
03:06Obviously, we've got the marina right beside us.
03:09And here we are.
03:10Very cool facade, which I think suits the two of you from here.
03:14It's a bit of a Miami vibe to it, so it looks really cool.
03:16That is cool, isn't it?
03:17Well, you're right in the middle of everything here.
03:19This is Marine Parade in St Kilda.
03:22Yes.
03:23It doesn't get more urban than this.
03:24You ready to head inside?
03:25Yes.
03:26Bit Miami?
03:27Bit Miami vibe.
03:28The palm trees, yeah.
03:29Miami vibe.
03:30That's what we're doing today.
03:31Yeah.
03:32All right.
03:33Let's head inside.
03:34So I just love the facade, the view.
03:38Yeah, just the whole aspect.
03:40The second you kind of walked into the house, there was a lot of natural light coming in through the house.
03:53Oh, wow.
03:54So this is your bedroom wing when you come in.
03:56There's four bedrooms, four bathrooms.
03:58A couple of them have en-suites, so your boys will have to fight over those.
04:03Obviously, all the amazing natural light coming in here.
04:06Absolutely divine, isn't it?
04:08It's so bright.
04:09And how divine is the stone?
04:10It's a gorgeous combination.
04:11They've got the polished travertine on the floor and then the raw stone.
04:14I've actually never seen it.
04:15No, you'd see it as an exterior maybe?
04:17Yes, yes.
04:18But I love it.
04:19It's divine.
04:20It feels like you're on the beach, but it's really all about this.
04:23It's a nice view.
04:24The view is unbelievable.
04:33I kind of walked in and it really felt homey.
04:36Homey as well.
04:37And groovy.
04:38Even though I was in an apartment.
04:39The Miami vibes.
04:40The Miami vibes.
04:41Yeah, exactly right.
04:42Miami vibe.
04:43I'm not sure what the...
04:44It's just the Miami vibe is, but I'm just waiting for the red Ferrari to pull up out
04:48the front.
04:49I really like the fact that we're still only three stories.
04:52So it's not as if you're towering over everything and then you've got no foreground.
04:56You sort of fall into the sea, which isn't a bad thing.
04:59But the actual air is just really well organised, like with the couch and just the whole looking
05:06out.
05:07It's just done so beautifully.
05:08But then coming to the kitchen, it's lovely.
05:10Like this dark, black, so sophisticated.
05:16You've got Wolf appliances throughout, so the best of the best.
05:19Again, it's not oversized, but it is generous enough.
05:22And I think with this sort of entertaining going on in here, you still feel very connected.
05:27Yes.
05:28I like how the bench is lower too.
05:29That's nice.
05:30It's not too...
05:31It comes up all the mess.
05:32Yes, we like that.
05:33I'm looking at all these too.
05:35I've just got to work out what they do.
05:38I'd love you to check out the bedrooms.
05:40As I said, there's four bedrooms, four bathrooms.
05:42So have a look around there.
05:43And then we'll have a look at this veranda, or balcony, I guess, which looks out over the
05:47whole of St Kilda.
05:53Main bedroom, Benny.
05:54Wellee.
05:55This is your room, isn't it?
05:56Yeah, good size.
05:57Very good size.
05:58Look how much space you've got over there.
06:00All your dresses.
06:01Heaps of space.
06:02Oh my, look at the bar, how bright it is.
06:05I know, you've got the skylights and everything.
06:07Oh, look at the view.
06:08Yeah, it's a good view to shower.
06:10Yeah, it's a good view to shower.
06:11Yeah, this is very nice.
06:13Sort of like a little retreat.
06:14Yeah, exactly right.
06:15I think it's definitely an upgrade from your old bathroom.
06:18It was just all the natural light.
06:20And the stone around the walls, it didn't feel dark, did it Ben?
06:25No.
06:26Like it was just quite amazingly bright.
06:27Yeah, it's a great house.
06:28It's going to be hard to beat that one, to be honest, I think.
06:31So, yeah, I was very impressed.
06:33I thought it very fits what we need right now.
06:35Yeah, yeah.
06:36It's a beautiful home.
06:37Let's talk about the bedrooms first.
06:39Yes.
06:40Your favourite feature?
06:41I think my favourite feature were the skylights that were in the bedrooms.
06:43You've chosen your room?
06:44I've already chosen my room.
06:45Yeah, I've already chosen my room.
06:47So you should, if you come shopping.
06:49That's why I'm here.
06:50If you're here doing it with Mum, I thought I'd get the first pick.
06:52If you were to put an offer in, where would you be sitting?
06:55Look, I would say this property would be definitely over $3 million.
07:02$3 to $4 million.
07:04They are asking for $3.8 at this point.
07:07Right.
07:08Yes.
07:12And you can see why.
07:14Fair enough.
07:15I think the property, the asking price is extremely reasonable.
07:18I think that if we found the house that we were after, we would go above our price and it is beautiful property.
07:31Coming up.
07:32Oh wow.
07:33Look at this.
07:34I like that reaction.
07:35Yes.
07:36It's actually hard to play for in St Kilda.
07:38Wow.
07:39Property number two.
07:40Beautiful.
07:41A big change here for property number two.
07:56It is a gorgeous period home.
07:59A little bit further into the suburb of St Kilda, but we've got four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two living spaces.
08:06Good little entrance area, a bit more old fashioned, not as modern as the other one, but I think it still gives that homey feel about it.
08:11Not as Miami.
08:12Not as Miami vibe, but it is pretty cool though.
08:15It is pretty cool.
08:16Got rid of the Miami Vice vibe.
08:17Got rid of the Miami Vice vibe, but I thought, yeah, it's a bit more kind of homier.
08:21I thought it was, I was very impressed.
08:22Shall we do it?
08:23Yes.
08:24Let's do it.
08:25Oh, wow.
08:26Look at this.
08:27I like that reaction.
08:28Yes.
08:29So beautiful period features in this home.
08:30So you've got all your bedrooms down here.
08:31I love the floorboards.
08:32You've got your timber floors.
08:33Yeah.
08:34I love my timber floors.
08:35I love the colour.
08:36Definitely not as bright as the other one, but I still think it has that more homier feel.
08:50Yeah.
08:51It's like a home.
08:52Yeah.
08:53Yeah, it looks beautiful.
08:55We're on holidays in the first place.
08:57Yeah.
08:58Yes.
08:59Here, this is a good house for all seasons around.
09:00Come down into the living space.
09:07So the transition from the original home into this gorgeous extension.
09:11Wow.
09:12But the floorboards carry throughout.
09:13So you've got that nice continuity here.
09:15And it's so bright.
09:16Beautiful, big, easy kitchen.
09:18This is living.
09:19Yeah, I know.
09:20It actually is beautiful.
09:21It's a beautiful home.
09:22Because you've got that Victorian down the front and then sort of the industrial feel.
09:26Yeah.
09:27And even all the white, with the white, with the black on the kitchen and the sink black.
09:31It's beautiful.
09:32You still feed all the boys up at the bench?
09:34I do, don't you?
09:35Yeah.
09:36I love it.
09:37No, we're actually big.
09:38We're never really table, are we?
09:39Never on this table.
09:40We are.
09:41I just jump up at my desk.
09:42Always at the kitchen.
09:43We're very relaxed.
09:44The microwave gets a lot of use.
09:45I bet.
09:46And I'm calling your kids, but you're young men, aren't you?
09:48You're not kids at all.
09:49I think this is a really good home.
09:50Yeah, I think.
09:51I really like this home a lot.
09:52I think this is, yeah, a really good home.
09:54I think this is one that would be high on the list.
09:57Got great yard space out the back here, which we'll have a look at in a minute.
10:01Lots of entertaining.
10:02But again, take a wander back through there, then choose your room.
10:05Mum, look at the primary suite.
10:06Okay, we will.
10:07Let's go, Ben.
10:08Let me look.
10:09Oh, wow.
10:10Look at the bedroom.
10:11Look at this.
10:12A lot more sort of space here, I feel like.
10:13I feel like I've got a bit more sort of.
10:14Yeah, it's great.
10:15It's probably, it's a little bit darker.
10:16A little bit darker, but.
10:17But maybe that's from the tree outside.
10:18Might be from the tree outside.
10:19So when the tree drops its leaves.
10:20The house in general is just a bit darker, so I think that's just something.
10:34Being that, being an old house.
10:36Ben, what do you think of the fireplace?
10:37The fireplace is cool.
10:38It's very old.
10:39I think it gives that sort of the old fashioned look.
10:41I wonder if it works.
10:42I think it kind of gives it the cool look about it.
10:43Like a bit vintage.
10:44Yep.
10:45No, it's good.
10:46I think it's really nice.
10:47Let's go check out the backyard.
10:48Have a look at the backyard.
10:55I've been having the most lovely sit out here.
10:57It's such a great space.
10:59It's very peaceful, isn't it?
11:00Very peaceful.
11:01Yeah.
11:02Big established trees all around.
11:04It's very serene.
11:05It's actually hard to believe we're in St Kilda.
11:07Well, this one's feeling good.
11:08Yeah.
11:09No, it is.
11:10We like this one.
11:11Let's see whether the price of this home is going to suit you as well as the layout
11:15does.
11:16What do you reckon this is on the market?
11:17I'm going to take a guess that this one is on the market for, just a complete guess,
11:22maybe 2.9?
11:23No, I would have said around 2.65 to 2.75.
11:29Oh, you're both in the range.
11:312.7 to 2.9.
11:32So we're sitting right there in the middle.
11:37It's definitely in our range.
11:39It's going to be hard to pick though.
11:40We've seen some two mega houses so far.
11:42Yeah, fantastic.
11:43Yeah.
11:44So I doubt this third one will sweep me on my feet, but who knows?
11:47We'll see how we go.
11:48We never know.
11:49We never know.
11:50Yeah, never know.
11:53Coming up, if you want ocean and you want to live bayside.
11:57Wow, look at the view.
11:59You can have the whole bay.
12:15Now, I did say to keep a broad mind for property number three because here we're right on the
12:20border of South Bank and South Melbourne, but you are going to get extraordinary views
12:23of the whole of Port Phillip.
12:25Yep.
12:26So it's going to be worth it.
12:27Trust me.
12:28And it might just be a good sticky bee.
12:29Who knows?
12:30Who knows?
12:31You're going to make the change, make it a big one.
12:32Make it a big change.
12:33Okay?
12:34Kind of like us going brunette.
12:35Just do it.
12:36Okay?
12:37Exactly right.
12:38Let's sit upstairs and have a look.
12:39This is really to give you an idea of if you want ocean and you want to live bayside.
12:53Wow, look at the view.
12:54You can have the whole bay.
12:56The view was amazing, absolutely amazing.
13:03Actually, I don't think I've been to too many places where the view has been that nice.
13:08Lou, when you said you were after a real lifestyle change, I thought, how far can she go?
13:14Yeah, no, you're exactly right.
13:15No, it's actually a beautiful property.
13:17You can actually probably see Portsy.
13:19You're from Portsy from here.
13:20On a good day.
13:21Yes, you can see the peninsula going all the way around on both sides, right down to Geelong
13:25or Queenscliff on this side.
13:26I like the ceiling.
13:27It's interesting, isn't it?
13:28They've got that really industrial vibe with the framing of the windows as well too
13:33and the track lighting.
13:34It's very cool.
13:35Very cool.
13:36Very modern.
13:37It's just like that Gold Coast kind of vibe of a house when you're like quite high up,
13:41you're looking over the water at all times.
13:43So it's sort of, yeah, it's kind of similar.
13:45Very, very modern.
13:46It was a shock, like, you know, you don't think.
13:49Yeah, you don't see it.
13:50We didn't think it was going to be as nice and beachy as what it is.
13:54I think the space is a little bit deceiving.
13:56The fact you've got a 10-seater dining table.
13:59I mean, obviously you don't need that size, so it takes up a bit of room,
14:03but it's still quite spacious in here.
14:05The dark timber feature, that's something we haven't seen.
14:07Yeah, no, I actually love that feature.
14:10It looks good with stone.
14:11Quite beachy.
14:12It's interesting, isn't it, because you could dress this any way you like.
14:15It could be the full city pad, you could dress it like a hotel.
14:19Yes, yes.
14:20Because you've got the water coming in from every window,
14:22you could go the beach angle.
14:24I love the way you two are embracing this possible...
14:27I mean, it's a cool location at the end of the day.
14:29Like, as I said before, you've got the beach there, you've got the city there,
14:31so you're really in the middle of everything.
14:33You're just enthused by everything, Ben, and I love that.
14:36It's got a happy way of life.
14:37There's opportunity in everything.
14:38Always.
14:39Yeah.
14:40Can you get your mum across the line?
14:41Yeah, I'll get mum across the line.
14:42We'll be able to make a good decision.
14:43I reckon the decision will be easy.
14:44Yeah.
14:45So please check out all the bedrooms and the home office.
14:48Yes.
14:49I'll meet you back here.
14:50Look.
14:51He's very convincing.
14:54He could talk his mum into anything.
14:57Oh, wow.
14:58Look at this, Ben.
14:59Oh, my God.
15:00Look how much space you've got here.
15:03This is the walk-in robe.
15:04This is your walk-in robe.
15:05You've got your bathroom.
15:06And the bathroom.
15:07But still, look at the view.
15:08I know.
15:09You've still got the whole view there.
15:10So, I mean, for the amount of space that you've got,
15:11this is like the size of the actual apartment itself.
15:13It's actually one of the nicest walk-in robes I've ever seen.
15:17Oh, wow.
15:18This is the master bedroom.
15:20And this is your bedroom here.
15:21So you've still got a view of the city.
15:22Yeah, I know.
15:23It's quite amazing, isn't it, the views?
15:24Yeah.
15:25Yeah, we probably need to find out what this one's worth.
15:28Yeah, I like this one, so I see the price.
15:30Okay, let's go.
15:31I don't like this one a lot.
15:32No, it's a beautiful apartment.
15:40Have you made yourself at home in this one?
15:42Yeah, I have.
15:43I found a room that I think I like,
15:44so now I could see myself being here for a bit.
15:46And your gorgeous husband just goes,
15:47darling, whatever you want.
15:48Yes, correct.
15:49Good man.
15:50Oh, yeah, you know, he'll be fine.
15:51As long as he's close to his work, as a man,
15:54so he doesn't have to drive far.
15:55And this is literally, I think, probably five minutes?
15:58Oh, five minute walk from here.
15:59Four?
16:00Yeah, it's very close.
16:01It's within a walking distance, yeah.
16:02Let's talk dollars.
16:03Who would like to have the first guesstimate?
16:07I'll go.
16:08I think with this property here,
16:10with all location and everything included,
16:11I think it would be at maybe 1.9.
16:14I would say 2.3.
16:17Well, the vendors would love to speak to the two of you.
16:19Asking price is 1.7.
16:20Oh, wow.
16:25The asking price was really reasonable, I thought.
16:27I was not expecting it to be that low.
16:29I thought when first entering and having a look around,
16:32I thought it was going to be on the higher end,
16:34but I was really shocked with that asking price.
16:36Really, really reasonably priced property.
16:39This could be a serious option.
16:44Coming up...
16:45The three properties, it was a hard decision.
16:48Don't leave me hanging, Lou.
16:50Come on, is it one, two or three?
16:59Before meeting Lou and Ben to find out which home they've chosen,
17:02I joined Janet to uncover what makes St Kilda so iconic.
17:06Janet, having called St Kilda home for over 30 years,
17:09I think you are the exact person that we need to chat
17:13about what's so special about this particular suburb.
17:16It really does have a place in Australian history.
17:19We have a great community of people here
17:21and a huge, like, eclectic mix of people.
17:24You know, locals, tourists, they all come for the environment.
17:28It's such an icon in Melbourne
17:31and it doesn't matter whether you're talking restaurants
17:33or whether you're talking pubs or clubs, sporting facilities.
17:38Obviously, the Main Street, Ackland Street,
17:40so much goes on there morning, noon and night.
17:43Recently, we've been really working on beautifying the street.
17:46We also have, obviously, lots of retail shops.
17:49We have lots of the cake shops are still there
17:51and we also have lots of ice cream shops,
17:53so that's actually great for a seaside suburb.
17:56So we're hoping to become the dessert capital now of Victoria.
18:00We've just become the first live music precinct in Victoria,
18:03so we have a lot of great venues that do live music all the time,
18:07which is amazing.
18:08We have the Palais, we have the National Theatre,
18:10so families are moving here.
18:11You can go and take your kids to get ballet lessons, drama.
18:14You know, it's amazing. It just has everything.
18:17It's funny, isn't it, because a lot of seaside towns,
18:19you expect to have that laid-back, quiet vibe.
18:22Everything shuts at nine, slow starts in the morning.
18:26But when you live here, you get the beauty of the bay,
18:29plus all of this magic that happens almost 24 hours a day.
18:33It's a bit like, you know, city meets seaside here.
18:37So if you're thinking of, again, visiting Victoria,
18:39visiting Melbourne, St Kilda is a must on the list.
18:43Absolutely.
18:44And if you're looking for somewhere new to live,
18:45why wouldn't you check out this area?
18:47Yeah, it's amazing. It's full of great people.
18:49When the sun's out, it's bustling, it's vibrant, it's fantastic.
18:52And you've got your own footy too.
18:54And we do.
19:03I have a feeling I gave you two a lot to think about
19:06with the three properties we saw the other day.
19:08Very different across the board,
19:10but all very close to that beach, urban lifestyle that you're after.
19:13Yes.
19:14So let's revisit house number one,
19:16that amazing Travertine apartment there, penthouse.
19:18Yes.
19:19Right overlooking St Kilda Marina.
19:21The views were unbelievable.
19:23The lighting, and it was just a whole house.
19:24It was really light.
19:25It was a very light house,
19:26really gave you a good sense that you're actually at the beach now,
19:29like compared to any other houses that really felt like you were living amongst the beach.
19:33Yeah, no, it was a beautiful, beautiful home.
19:35Property number two, we've moved a little bit further into St Kilda.
19:39So you really got that eclectic lifestyle happening,
19:42but still only a walk to the beach.
19:44I thought that house was a lot more of a homey feel.
19:46It was very similar to what we have currently in Surrey Hills.
19:49So a bigger house, a bit more space for all the boys and the family.
19:54So I thought moving into that house won't be too much of a big change up, I don't think.
19:59You know, and there was that beautiful brick too.
20:01It was quite a traditional Victorian home.
20:04Yeah, and having a separate lounge is always a bonus.
20:07And all the boys could come to that house.
20:10And then property number three, we really challenged the brief of ocean views close to the city.
20:17Something for everyone in the family.
20:20It was very different.
20:21Very, very different.
20:22Pajee, that view was unbelievable.
20:23When I arrived at that apartment, I was really optimistic.
20:26It really, really shocked me how much I actually enjoyed it.
20:28No, I agree.
20:29It was a beautiful home.
20:30Once again, another different, totally something that, you know, I didn't think about.
20:36The three properties, it was a hard decision.
20:39Don't leave me hanging, Lou.
20:40Come on.
20:41Is it one, two or three?
20:43We have decided on number two.
20:46Okay.
20:47I just think it fits the family.
20:52Yes.
20:53I like the idea of the back garden still with the dog.
20:57And just we can do things to the back garden too.
21:00I thought it was a magnificent property.
21:01Yeah.
21:02You have been wonderful to work with.
21:04No, you've been divine too.
21:05Thrilled to have met you.
21:06Yeah.
21:07No, thank you.
21:08And as I always say, I know where you live.
21:10You'll be happy to know Lou put in an offer and it was exciting.
21:16Now she and her family are settling in and making the place feel like home.
21:21Feel like home.
21:22We're done.
21:23You're done.
21:24We're done.
21:25We're done.
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