Epping, Australia

With a population of 33,489, Epping is no sleepy suburb. This outer Melbourne enclave has seen major development in recent decades, bringing both opportunities and headaches. The bureaucratic morass around planning and infrastructure upgrades is a persistent challenge, as evidenced by the ongoing Epping Road project. And the area was hit especially hard by COVID-19 outbreaks, with devastating impacts on the elderly. That said, Epping does offer a range of educational and recreational options, from schools to athletics facilities. For those seeking an affordable, growing community on Melbourne's fringes, Epping may be worth a look - just be prepared to navigate some red tape along the way.