A buoyant Melbourne housing market is leading to healthy long-term investment options for savvy homebuyers, despite predictions of ‘doom and gloom’ by some property pundits.

Housing in high-crime areas such as Frankston North, Braybrook and Ascot Vale are outperforming the Melbourne market, according to research house RiskWise Property Review.

Five Melbourne suburbs have been identified as strong growth areas for housing by RiskWise Property Research. Sunshine West, Albion, St Albans, Kings Park and Keilor Downs on the western outskirts of the city have been confirmed as key areas for excellent affordability, low vacancy rates and limited supply.