With the beautiful Dandenong Ranges as its backdrop, Knox is a leafy Melbourne local government area (LGA) that is attracting a wide range of buyers lured by its large blocks, plentiful parks, good amenities and proximity to professional employment opportunities.



Home to over 160,000 people, Knox comprises the suburbs of Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Upper Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Rowville and parts of Lysterfield.



KR Peters Director Peter Nicolls says the market in Knox has performed strongly for a number of years now.



"Parts of Knox have seen close to 50 per cent growth over the past five years. It has become a very popular LGA because it is 30 minutes from the city and has good transport connections making the city and inner eastern suburbs very accessible," he said.



"The lifestyle benefits on offer in Knox are amazing. People are discovering that it has plentiful large blocks, solid homes, good schools and the Dandenong Ranges are just a short drive away for recreation."



Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully are among Knox's top performing suburbs. According to comprehensive suburb data available on the KR Peters website, the median price of houses in Ferntree Gully is now $874,015, representing growth of 42.9 per cent over the past five years. The median unit price is $645,972, a 44.2 per cent rise over five years. Houses command a median weekly rent of $440 and units $405.



Further up the mountain, Upper Ferntree Gully has a median house price of $890,806, an increase of 49 per cent in five years. Rent is $440 per week representing rental growth of 15.8 per cent over 5 years. Units are attracting a median price of $557,738.



Other suburbs to keep an eye on include Boronia, Lysterfield and Wantirna. In Boronia the median house price has hit $851,112, representing 42.4 per cent growth in five years. Units have a median of $647,324, a change of 44.4 per cent in five years.



When it comes to blue ribbon locations, you can't go past Lysterfield. The suburb has five parks, including popular Lysterfield Lake, covering nearly 45 per cent of the total area. With so much open space it is no wonder the pockets of Lysterfield deemed residential are sought-after. In August Lysterfield's median price hit $1,272,535, a record high for Knox.



Wantirna is another Knox suburb that has plentiful parks and open space. There are 25 parks in Wantirna, covering 13.2 per cent of the suburb's total area. The median house price in Wantirna is $1.12 million, representing growth of 39 per cent over five years. Units have leapt to a median of $714,955, growth of 46.1 per cent over five years.



Close behind is Rowville, which has also cracked the $1 million median price. Rowville's median now sits at $1,054,941 for houses and $703,263 for units.



Mr Nicolls believes there is still good value to be found in Knox.



"Investors and home buyers have turned their attention to Knox because it ticks all the boxes - good schools both private and government, transport links including Eastlink and rail, cafes, and accessible retail with Eastland not far away in Ringwood. Families are finding Knox is a great place to bring up children with the whole Dandenong Ranges literally at your doorstep. Take the kids on Puffing Billy, climb the 1000 Steps or explore the villages dotted all over Mount Dandenong.



"For investors Knox offers large blocks, which are ideal for subdivision, while the rent and capital growth on established houses and units is also solid.



"If you're interested in finding out more about what Knox has to offer speak to one of the KR Peters agents in our Wantirna South office. We have some excellent properties available right now."