As you travel from the city towards Tullamarine airport, large homes spread down the hillside to the south of the freeway just before Essendon Airport, and continue all the way through to Bulla Road. This is the suburb of Strathmore - the most northern section of the north-west affluency. Leafy, wide streets with a mix of houses - period stock from the 1930s and 1940s, with a smattering of Californian bungalows and the occasional Victorian architecture. Recent redevelopment has replaced a number of the aged buildings with well-built, luxurious family homes. The area has two great State Primary Schools at each end, as well as a highly regarded Catholic school, and Strathmore Secondary College, for families in search of quality State School education. Strathmore and Glenbervie stations provide accessible transport. Moonee Valley Creek winds through the numerous pleasant parklands, lined with bike and walking tracks, before channelling alongside the freeway towards the city and bay. Napier Street shopping village buzzes with liveliness all week long, with old school cafes serving good hearty fare, renowned Gusto bakery and produce and homeware stores. Woodlands Park, on the Essendon border - its lake, playgrounds and barbecue areas are locals’ favourites for dog walking and weekend family picnics. Strathmore is a well-placed, valuable mid to upper-price range suburb located 11 kilometres to north-west Melbourne, with an abundance of charm.