Hoppers Crossing, Australia

With a population of 37,216, Hoppers Crossing is a rapidly growing suburb on Melbourne's urban fringe. The basic infrastructure like telephones and sewerage was only built years after the first residential development, a testament to the bureaucratic headaches that can come with living on the outskirts. While the suburb has expanded significantly since the 1970s, it retains a semi-rural feel, with healthy populations of native reptiles like tiger snakes and blue-tongued lizards along Skeleton Creek. For those seeking affordable housing and access to major retailers, Hoppers Crossing may be a viable option, but the persistent infrastructure challenges are not for the faint of heart.