Perth family sells up and finds new home in Melbourne

1 month ago 8

A Perth family’s Melbourne dream is finally coming true, selling in the west, buying in Cheltenham and joining the city’s east-coast property comeback. Picture: Supplied

When Shilpa Iyengar and her husband Yann Bodson decided to leave Perth, it wasn’t just a move, it was a full-circle homecoming for their family.

Originally from Perth but having met and married in Sydney, the couple relocated west during Covid when Shilpa fell pregnant, chasing affordability, sunshine and family support.

Four years later the balance had shifted, Yann’s global tech company opened a Melbourne office, remote work was winding down and the family felt ready for a new chapter.

“Family was the big reason,” Ms Iyengar said.

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“My brother’s in Cheltenham, we visited, fell in love instantly and thought, why not now? Melbourne just ticks every lifestyle box for us.”

The family sold in Perth earlier this year and secured a four-bedroom home in Cheltenham, timed perfectly with Melbourne’s property market rebound.

“We loved Perth for the space and the slower pace, but Melbourne feels alive,” she said.

“I love the cooler weather, the culture, the coffee and the parks. Everything about it feels like home.”

Cheltenham, one of Melbourne’s quiet achievers, has surged ahead this year amid strong buyer demand.

The suburb’s median house price has climbed sharply, helped by the Suburban Rail Loop and new transport projects that will link the area directly to Monash University and the airport.

Shilpa Iyengar, husband Yann Bodson and their two kids will settle in Cheltenham before Christmas, ready to start their new Melbourne life.

“We read about all the infrastructure coming, the circle route and the airport link. There’s so much happening in Melbourne. It’s exciting to be part of that growth,” Ms Iyengar said.

The couple wanted a home that was practical and low-maintenance.

“One of our top priorities was finding something turnkey with no renovations,” she said.

“We compromised on backyard space but there are so many parks nearby it doesn’t matter.”

“When we saw through the property, we just knew, we went hard at auction and couldn’t believe it when we got it.”

The family will settle by mid-December and spend Christmas in their new home with their two children and cavoodle, Penny, who will fit right in with their new neighbourhood, Pennydale in Cheltenham.

“This is our forever home, at least for the next 15 years,” Ms Iyengar said.
“We’ve already enrolled our eldest in the local school. We wanted to be in the Mentone Grammar zone and Cheltenham fit perfectly.”

Cheltenham will be the southern gateway of the Suburban Rail Loop, connecting residents directly to Monash University and Melbourne Airport.

Leaving Perth wasn’t without emotion, but Shilpa said it felt right.

“I’ll miss the sunshine and that relaxed lifestyle,” she said.
“Perth beaches are unbeatable. But what Perth used to be when I was growing up feels very different today.”

For Shilpa and Yann, who have Indian and French backgrounds, adventure is part of family life.

“We love change and we actually thrive on it,” she said.
“Moving to Melbourne opens up so many possibilities, like day trips to regional towns, weekends in the Yarra Valley and maybe taking the ferry to Tasmania one day.”