Property experts have called for height restrictions to be relaxed around what will become "mini CBD's" in Melbourne's middle-ring suburbs over the coming decades.

Following the European model of raising children in apartments, the Property Industry Council wants height restrictions relaxed in other suburban areas so that more people can live close to where they work; they argue it will allow greater density “where the jobs are”.

“We need to really focus on the activity centres and the transport modes. We need to look at the height restrictions that are there that potentially make those more amenable to higher density,” Michael Zorbas from the Property Council of Australia said.

Up and away: Ms Coleman is raising her family in a two-and-half bedroom apartment in the heart of Melbourne. (9NEWS) (9news)

Sky-high living is already a reality of a number of Melbourne families.

Michelle Coleman and her three children moved into a two-and-a-half bedroom apartment in the Eureka Tower four months ago.

“We love it, we have so much to do, we don’t have to drive anywhere we think it's really cool,” Ms Coleman told 9NEWS.

Michelle Coleman and her three children live in the Eureka Tower. (9NEWS) (9news)

She said even when the kids had a backyard in the past they didn't use it; if they want to go outside now, it's just a quick lift down to this common area.

Another positive for Ms Coleman is that she feels safe, and there's no maintenance.

Fifty-three kilometres away in Clyde North, Jayne Salih - also a mother of three - is having a very different Melbourne experience.

Mum-of-three Jayne Salih said housing estates are cropping up rapidly in the southeast suburb of Clyde North. (9NEWS) (9news)

“It seems as if every day there’s a new estate coming up,” Ms Salih said.

With so many people flocking to the fringe, it's predicted the mini CBD's will follow in the middle ring, according to Demographics Group Managing Director Bernard Salt.

“At Footscray, Moonee Ponds, at Box Hill, Moorabbin so you can live, work, and play all in your local area,” Mr Salt said.

Box Hill's high rise buildings are already on the way. (9NEWS) (9news)

A string of 'mini CBD's' are expected to be build in Melbourne's middle ring. (9NEWS) (9news)

Box Hill’s city centre is already on the way, housing the tallest building outside the CBD at 115 metres.

More rental properties will also be required as Melbourne grows, and a strategy that's taken off overseas is known as Build to Rent; instead of developers building apartments to sell, large scale projects are purpose-built for renters.

“What it gives is renters the chance to personalise their own home… to be there for five to 15 years, and to develop a sense of community in their building,” Mr Zorbas said.

For Ms Coleman, renting in the Eureka tower has convinced her you just don't need that much space to live.

Apartment living is expected to be a reality for many Melbourne families in the coming years. (9NEWS) (9news)

“You’ve got to try, it if you don't try it you'll never know,” she said.

“There's definitely a lot of pluses, you might have to give up the backyard and a few other things… it's just about changing the way you think a little bit.”