In bendigo there is much less "radius concern" as there are a number of centres such as Kangaroo Flat, Strathfiledsaye, Eaglehawke and the big one Bendigo itself.
Me personally I like areas like Golden Square, Specimin Hill, White Hills and K-flat.
Plus it doesn't take that long to drive anywhere really - it's a bit like canberra in that your morning commute wont be any more than 20 minutes at the max.
Areas in and around Golden Square are minutes to the main CBD.....and around 20 - 30 minutes on foot.