Who Is This Residence For?
Local: Box Hill – 5 Cambridge is a purpose-built apartment building located in Box Hill, a suburb about 14 km east of Melbourne’s city centre. The property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at a weekly rent of AUD 790 – 1,295 (indicative – confirm with the operator). For context, the lowest weekly rent among Melbourne’s 137 student accommodation listings on this platform starts from AUD 219 (indicative – confirm with the operator). This place clearly targets residents who prioritise space, quality and amenity over the cheapest possible price.
Suits:
- Students or young professionals who want a self-contained apartment with separate bedrooms, not a shared studio or dorm. The 2b and 3b options make it suitable for groups of friends or flatmates who each want their own room while sharing a common area.
- Anyone studying at or working near Box Hill. The suburb is a major activity centre with its own train station, bus interchange, shopping and dining. RMIT University’s campus is about a 20-minute tram ride away, and the city centre is roughly 30 minutes by train.
- Residents who value on-site facilities. The building provides a gym, a game room and a swimming pool – features not always found in lower-priced student housing.
- Those who appreciate a well-managed community vibe. Reviews repeatedly praise the management team for being friendly, professional and for organising regular events.
Does not suit:
- Budget-first renters. At AUD 790/week for a one-bedroom, this is 3.6 times the city’s cheapest option. Even splitting a two-bedroom (~AUD 500–650 per person per week) is well above entry-level budgets. If your priority is paying the lowest possible rent, look at shared houses or studio-style accommodations elsewhere.
- Anyone who needs a short-term lease. The earliest move-in date listed is 29 June 2026, and no minimum lease term is specified, but the property appears to cater to longer-term stays (typical for apartment-style buildings). If you need a flexible weekly or month-by-month arrangement, verify directly.
- Residents who prefer a central CBD location. Box Hill is a vibrant suburb, but it’s not the city centre. If you want to walk to university and be in the heart of Melbourne’s nightlife, you would be better served by properties closer to the CBD (though those with similar space and amenities would likely cost even more).
What Residents Actually Say
The property has a 5.0 Google rating from 75 reviews. Three recent reviews offer a clear picture of the resident experience.
Ricoo (5 stars):
“Had an amazing experience with Sowmya as our tour guide. She took the time to walk us through everything in detail, and what really stood out was the way she spoke about the local community. How much it meant to her team and the kind of community they’re working to build. That genuinely resonated with me and the main r”
This review highlights a key selling point: the management team intentionally builds a sense of community. For someone moving to a new city alone, knowing the staff care about social connections can be a major comfort.
Teresa Tang (5 stars):
“Such a wonderful place to live. The apartments are beautiful, and the team is incredibly friendly and welcoming. A special thanks to Nina for the professional inspection and detailed room tour, she made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. I’ve really enjoyed living here. Felicia and Ginger from the management team”
Teresa emphasises the quality of the apartments themselves (calling them “beautiful”) and the professionalism of the move-in process. This suggests the building is well-maintained and the staff are responsive – an important factor when you’re signing a lease sight-unseen.
Daniel Chen (5 stars):
“Amazing team at Local Box Hill! Really impressed by Nina, Felicia, Ginger for the smooth experience in renting in this lovely building. Plentiful of events held all the time. Highly recommended to whoever looking for a joyful and peaceful place in the heart of Box Hill”
Daniel’s comment reinforces the events culture and describes the location as “the heart of Box Hill”. That matches the address: Box Hill VIC 3128, which is right in the active centre of the suburb.
All three reviews name specific staff members – a sign of personalised service. No negative reviews are visible in the provided data, but it’s worth noting that a 5.0 average on 75 reviews is exceptional. Prospective tenants should still do their own inspection, but the feedback strongly indicates a well-run building that delivers on its promises.
Price Positioning vs. Melbourne’s From-Price
Melbourne’s cheapest student accommodation on this platform starts at AUD 219 per week (indicative – confirm with the operator). At the low end, that likely represents a shared room or a small studio in a more basic building. Local: Box Hill – 5 Cambridge starts at nearly four times that amount.
- One-bedroom apartment: AUD 790/week (indicative). That puts it in the premium segment for a single resident. In Box Hill itself, comparable one-bedroom apartments in newer buildings often rent between AUD 650 and AUD 850 per week.
- Two-bedroom apartment: Estimate roughly AUD 1,000 – 1,200/week total (since the range is 790–1,295). Split between two people, that’s about AUD 500–600 per person per week – still well above the city’s entry-level.
- Three-bedroom apartment: The upper end of the price range (AUD 1,295/week) would be for a three-bedroom unit. Split three ways, it comes to roughly AUD 430/week per person – more affordable than a one-bedroom but still higher than many shared houses in the area.
Compared to the whole Melbourne market, this property is unambiguously in the mid-to-high price tier. However, for what you get – a private bedroom, full kitchen and living space, plus gym/pool/game room – the per-person cost is competitive with other premium apartment buildings in the eastern suburbs.
Room-Type Guidance
The listing shows four unit types: 1b, 2b, 3b, and “apartment”. Here is what each likely means based on typical usage:
- 1b (one-bedroom apartment): A single bedroom with a separate living area and kitchen. Best for a single occupant or a couple who want privacy. This is the most expensive per person option.
- 2b (two-bedroom apartment): Two separate bedrooms, one shared living area. Ideal for two flatmates who each want a private room. Per-person cost is lower than a one-bedroom.
- 3b (three-bedroom apartment): Three bedrooms. Suitable for three flatmates or a family. Per-person cost is the lowest among the options.
- Apartment: This may be a general tag; you should confirm with the operator whether it refers to studio apartments or a specific configuration.
All apartments appear to be self-contained – you won’t share a bathroom or kitchen with strangers (only with flatmates if you choose a multi-bedroom unit). This differentiates the property from student halls where bathrooms are often shared.
Recommendation: If you are coming alone and value having your own space, the one-bedroom is the simplest choice but costs the most. If you already have two or three friends to live with, the three-bedroom will give each person their own room at a significantly lower weekly rate. If you plan to find flatmates later, a two-bedroom offers flexibility – you can rent the whole unit and then sublet the second room, but check the lease terms first.
Booking Timing
The earliest available date is 29 June 2026 – move-in ready for the start of the second half of the year. This aligns with the typical academic intake at Australian universities (semester 2 starts around late July). Major intakes (February and July) see the highest demand for housing.
Current situation: The property is rated 5.0 with 75 Google reviews, suggesting it is popular. Premium apartment buildings in good suburbs near public transport tend to fill up early. If you plan to move in July 2026, consider booking in the first quarter of 2026 (January–March) to secure your preferred unit type. Since only one price range is shown, specific apartments within that range may vary in size, floor level or view – the early bird gets more choice.
There is no mention of a waiting list or flash sales, but given the high rating and the limited number of review sources (only Google, no on-site review volume from the platform), it’s wise to contact the operator directly to ask about availability for your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Local: Box Hill from Melbourne universities?
Box Hill is about 14 km east of the city centre. The closest major university campus is RMIT University’s Brunswick and City campuses, both accessible by train from Box Hill station (about a 30-minute ride). Deakin University’s Burwood campus is about a 15-minute bus ride away. The suburb itself does not have a university campus, but it is well-connected by public transport.
Can I get a shorter lease or move in before June 2026?
The data shows the first available date as 29 June 2026, with no minimum lease length specified. If you need to move in earlier or require a lease shorter than, for example, six months, you should ask the operator directly. Many purpose-built student properties offer flexibility, but that is not guaranteed here.
What is included in the rent besides the apartment?
Rent includes the apartment itself and access to the building’s common facilities: gym, game room and swimming pool. Utilities (electricity, water, internet) are often included in purpose-built student accommodation, but the listing does not specify. Always confirm with the operator whether bills are covered or charged separately.
Sources & Data Date
All price, rating, review and availability data in this article is sourced from the amber platform entry for Local: Box Hill – 5 Cambridge, accessed July 2026.
Prices are indicative and subject to change – confirm the exact amount and any inclusions with the operator before committing to a tenancy.
For live availability, current room options and personalised advice, use the on-site assistant to chat with a housing specialist in real time.
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