Overall score
Garden Suburb
48.0/100
Lakelands
33.2/100
Garden Suburb for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Garden Suburb
48.0/100
Lakelands
33.2/100
Crime rate
Garden Suburb
86.8 / 1k
Lakelands
37.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Garden Suburb
24
Lakelands
205
Population
Garden Suburb
1,959
Lakelands
1,445
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Garden Suburb | Lakelands |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.0/100 | 33.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.7/100 | 22.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 86.8 / 1k | 37.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 11 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | — |
| Public transport stops | 28 | 16 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 24 | 205 |
| Planning activity | 7 | 2 |
| Population | 1,959 | 1,445 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Garden Suburb is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel, and Lakelands is a lively metro smaller community with dining and everyday convenience close by. Garden Suburb sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Lakelands is in a middle-ring position.
Garden Suburb tends to lead on housing affordability and public transport access, while Lakelands stands out for a quieter safety profile and nearby cafés and amenities.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Garden Suburb the better fit, while retirees are more likely to prefer Lakelands.