Norma Lavell and her chocolate Labrador, Charlie, in the home she got for $31,000 in the 1980s.
Norma Lavell made the move to Frankston North in the 1980s when her and her daughter could get a place of their own for just $31,000.
Fast forward 43 years, and that same home is likely worth north of $700,000 — more than 20 times what they paid for it.
New PropTrack data shows half those gains occurred in the past decade.
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But it’s not the home price rise Ms Lavell is happiest about, but the way the community has grown from one defined by commission housing residents who didn’t care much for the way their neighbourhood looked to a region where families take pride in the streetscape.
“When I first came here, there was a lot of government housing, but over the years a lot them have been bought privately and there’s a lot more pride in the area as far as presentation goes, as well,” she said.
“It had quite the reputation, but a lot of those people have moved on and there’s quite a mix of people walking around the streets.
“And now, the way this community pulls together and cares for each other is just wonderful.”
At one point she was among the organisers of a local civic pride festival, helping to get people to see the area differently.
Norma Lavell has loved her 40-plus years in Frankston.
These days she’s happy taking her six-year-old chocolate labrador Charlie for a walk, and still volunteers to help operate the local food bank, where local residents provide food to support others in the neighbourhood, from singles to older residents and even some young families.
“I came from the inner suburbs of Melbourne, where I worked in property management in some of the more affluent areas like South Yarra and Toorak, and I came here because of the affordability,” she said.
“But I feel it is a far more desirable area today.”
In addition to the community vibe, she’s also happy watching other locals enjoy amenities from the suburb’s schools and sports fields to its shopping strips, or even the public transport that can have you in central Frankston or on the beach in a matter of minutes.
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