Really depends on the reasons for not liking the area - e.g. full or crime, or just a further drive from work?

I personally always go for the area!! We own two places: one 2-bedroom apartment in Hawthorn, with a small yard (with hammock, veggie garden, BBQ), it's small BUT I adore my kitchen / bathroom and loooove Hawthorn, walking to great parks and cafes and shops, nice and close to the city.

We also own (mortgage) a place in Blackburn, and while it is much bigger, 4 bedroom with a huge yard, the house is not as nice, and I would miss my cafes and shops and parks too much! So that bigger house has tennants! Some people think we're crazy, but that's the way I like it, in our little apartment! Not much to clean either