Rahul and Akshi’s Lakeside home in Manor Lakes

Rahul and Akshi found Manor Lakes by accident.

“We were just driving by, we accidentally entered this estate,” Akshi recalls, pointing at their back window that faces in the direction of the Ballan Road turn off.

Akshi’s partner, Rahul, has always wanted to live near water, a feature high on his list of preferences for their new home together.

“And he was just looking at the map like, oh, there is a lake here, let’s just check it out.”

Rahul adds, “Let’s look at it, look at the beauty (of the lake) and then just head back home.

“We’d started looking into the market and first we were thinking let’s maybe get a house which is already existing house.”

They’d assumed a new build in Manor Lakes would be out of their budget.

Near the lake Akshi noticed the sales office, “and I was like, ‘Oh, Rahul really likes it. At least I should just go and check out.’”

“I’m the one who does not hesitate to ask questions,” Akshi says as Rahul smiles.

Their accidental visit turned into a search.

“There was just one west facing lot available which was this, which was in our budget and we absolutely wanted a west facing here that was non compromising.”

Making It Happen

The couple had explored options in Tarneit and Deanside, where friends had already bought. But something about the Lakeside precinct, and Manor Lakes as a suburb, resonated.

Akshi moved quickly. Alyx, a Sales Associate in Manor Lakes, picked up the phone.

“I just want you to please hold this land for a while. How much do I need to pay? What’s the process?’”

Alyx replied – “I’ll hold it for seven days for you, don’t worry.”

“That was really sweet of him. And then there was no looking back. We settled it in December last year!”

Akshi remembers telling her parents, “They were very happy, very proud.”

The Build: A First-Time Journey

Like many first-time builders they faced their share of doubts, but both had a practical attitude to the process.

“No one supported us to build,” Akshi explains. “But then we were like, no, it’s okay… At the end of the day, every house is built, right?”

Both being finance professionals, they were able to conduct a deeper level of due diligence on builders they’d shortlisted.

They ran all the risk scores, reports, and other assessment information for the three builders they shortlisted.

“We visited every single display home… and we would sit in all the display homes and talk, you know, what we like, what we don’t like,” Akshi says.

One home stood out during a winter-time visit.

“It was a very cold day, the home was very warm inside, and heating wasn’t turned on. It was very cozy,” Akshi recalls.

Nodding, Rahul says, “That was a selling point.”

Settling in, and thriving

Rahul and Akshi moved into their new home on September 13, 2025. By October, they were hosting a combined Diwali and housewarming party.

The home has become a destination.

“We had a big party for Diwali,” Akshi says. Her parents came to stay for a month.

“There are so many people already waiting to come to visit.

“They get a glimpse of the house here and there in our Insta stories, a lot of them like already saying what’s the plan? When can we catch up?”

Rahul remembers some comments from a friend, “he said that if he had a chance to buy a house again, he would build it the way we did.”

Others have already started looking into the process of buying and building in Manor Lakes.

“I’m sure they will be building a house here in the near future.”

What’s life like day to day?

For a couple that loves the outdoors, Manor Lakes fits their lifestyle.

“The most important thing was when we came here it was so green, so open,” Akshi says.

“We both love open spaces. We do 5km walks in the morning, we do 5km in the evening.”

“We go to Manor Lakes Central every day, we just walk there. New house, new Coles, we get a coffee and walk back,” Rahul says.

They get their 8,000 steps in the morning and 8,000 in the evening shopping at Big Daddy’s fresh produce market, also at Manor Lakes Central.

They’re also regulars at Good Manors Café, just up the road next to the dog park and playground on Manor Lakes Boulevard.

When Rahul isn’t working at home he likes to go by train from Wyndham Vale station, within walking distance of the Lakeside precinct.

Akshi prefers her car, but the pair agrees that transport options, parks, and local services make daily life easier.

Their neighbours have become part of their new life.

“We met a lot of neighbours, and we were there at their home for Diwali,” says Akshi. “This is the first Diwali when our neighbours invited us.”

“There’s a sense of community here that is quite strong,” Rahul adds. “When we came to this suburb and especially this estate, it felt like this is calling us, that this is our home.”

Read more testimonials and get to know Manor Lakes

• Manor Lakes made an impression on Navineesh and Magda
• Tracey and Brian’s Journey from all-hours Cowes to “nice-sizing” in Manor Lakes
• Meet Your Neighbours
• Get in Touch