Melbourne - the sequel

[buckbuchanan]

Well.... it's been almost 2 weeks now, so I thought it was time for an update.

The good news is we are beginning to get organised. We have managed to get a car and a house (in a nice suburb), although we don't move for a few weeks. Getting a car was a bit of a job. Lots of the models are not ones that you would recognise, so going through the papers was a waste of time. Even lots of the Ford and Holden models on sale don't have an equivalent in Europe! Then there is the price - as many people have posted on here in the past, cars keep their value here. I had hoped to pick up something cheap just to get us going but it was difficult to find anything at a reasonable price, and if it was reasonable it always had real high mileage. However, new cars are much cheaper than back home so it's a bit of a strange market.
We went to view 2 properties to rent - the first one had a viewing slot of 15 minutes last wednesday at 4pm. When we turned up there were another 10 families looking around. We then managed to view another place at 6pm - strangely we were the only people there (although this was the first viewing slot of 2). We applied for the second place and got told on Monday that our application had been a success!! The house is in Beaumaris (east side of the bay). We had to provide quite a few things for our application since we had no utility bills to prove our residency (actually we had to do this for the car as well). We even had to get the estate agents who sold our house to send a fax to them!! We have also got a place sorted in the school for our oldest boy - the school is in the next street.

We have also driven round a bit. The suburbs on the east side of the bay (Sandringham, Brighton, Black Rock, etc) are nice suburbs. There is a road running along the beach through all of them and they all have shops, schools, etc. They are pretty developed so not much in the way of spare land, and not many of the rental properties have much in the way of a garden (before I get hammered for that comment I should maybe say "the properties that we saw which were available for rent"!!). I work in Abbotsford (SE of the CBD) and I think it will take around an hour to commute - it's only 16 miles but it is all city mileage with traffic lights, traffic, junctions, etc. I would get on the Nepean Highway but this has lights every 1/2 a mile!
We have been down as far as Frankston - it starts to get less developed and more open down this way, but would be quite a commute from here. We then went to Geelong, via Point Cook, Sanctuary Lakes, Werribee, etc. It is fairly bland and industrial until you get past Werribee. Hoppers crossing looked like it had every shop in the sun there - seemed like miles of huge stores by the main road. Geelong seemed really impressive (more like what I imagined Australia to be). It has a nice sea front (with open air pool), and just seemed a more pleasant place to be. Would move there quite happily if it wasn't for the fact that it would add more to my commute (I think it could be possible by train but not an option by car which would cause me problems). And guess what - no grafitti in sight!!

We also spent Saturday in Melbourne. We met up with friends who showed us the sights (botanical gardens, circle line tram, etc). We also walked round some shops. I still find it a strange place and still think it is grubby!! There are obviously lots of shops but found it hard to find things because it seems to be the same kind of shops repeated on every street (i'm sure someone will correct me or have a go at me for that comment!). We have still not managed to find sun glasses for the kids - the only shop we found that supplied them was a bit naff and every other place that had sun glasses only had adults - yes I did go in and ask! The gardens are impressive - must have walked miles through them. We also went for a walk on the south bank and hey presto - a street of nice restaurants!! If we had turned right out of Flinders station the day we arrived instead of left we would have had a happy ending to the day (but we didn't).

We have now been on the trains 4 times (2 return trips to the city). In that 4 times there have been junkies on 3 of them, and on 1 of those they came up begging for money (before you say it, yes i'm sure they were junkies, and yes I am aware that I am living in a city and every city has them). My oh went out to the bank the other day and got accosted by one who told the kids to ask mummy for money. The same thing then happened when she went for a walk in the local park. So they seem to be rife in this area - I will be glad when we move.

So to summarise... still not feeling the love for this place. Can't say Melbourne is doing anything for me - I could just as easily be in Manchester or Birmingham. I hope that when we move and are able to go to the beach every night things will improve. The weather has been mixed - it seems to get hot in the afternoon but on some days gets cold again by 6pm (although some days it is still boiling at 9pm). It has rained on 3 days since we have been here (but not like rain at home).

So there it is - another honest opinion. I'm sure someone will tell me i'm wrong!!!

[OldiesRUs]

I don't think anyone will tell you you are wrong - nonone's opinions are wrong.

So pleased that things are not as awful as you first thought. As for the weather, they do say that you can see all four seasons in one day in Melbourne. It also has the same reputation for rain as Birmingham does over here. I remember the first time we ever went to Melbourne, I was mortified that it was raining when we landed. Oh those innocent days!

As I said before, after your bad start, the only way is up!

Jean

[kdal]

Hi Buckbuchan, Glad your getting yourself together and finding your feet !!

I can understand what you are saying as when we went to Australia it really was not what I thought it would look like (had this idea in my head and it wasnt that!). Anyway as time went on it grew on me, I liked the idea that the country was not competitive there was no keeping up with the Jonseys, the wildlife, the beaches and pretty empty supermarkets are all what made me fall for the country. Like you I was shocked by graffitti and to see so many undesirable areas and people, I know we have all that here but I dont seem to see any of that where I live , lucky I guess, I also did not see so much of this in Adelaide or Brisbane!

Keep us updated though as good to know how your getting on and if eventually you can see Melbourne as being your home and find its beauty!!


Regards

[chloew]

Sounds like you should move to Geelong........are you tied into a job in Melbourne? I like the sound of Geelong. Have you done the Great Ocean Road yet?

[Pete da Wombat]

Hey Buck im glad you're getting out of that area as im sure more than half your problems will be solved once you move (i cant understand your work placing you and your young family in such a crappy area). As for the drive might i suggest using Beach road as far as StKilda and then Fitzroy Street up to Punt Road at least some of the journey will be pleasant then but Punt Road is notorious for being slow.
The weather is also confusing to us locals normally February is very hot all month but this year its like the middle of autumn but at least we havent had the floods that Queensland and NSW have had nor the snow that Hobart had last week! But if it does improve then make sure you check out Half Moon Bay as it is a realy nice local beach and if you want a wide selection of shops you have Southland close by and i believe there is a Sunglasses World in there.
Btw if you like golf then Royal Melbourne GC is around the corner and its rated in the top 10 of courses worldwide(west course is best) or Victoria across the road-both members only- but if its a public course you prefer try Sandringham the front nine is fairly tame but some of the back nine is actually some of Royal Melbournes old course.
Hope you feel a bit more settled soon
Pete

[dwaldron]

You'll find that the lights on the Nepean Highway are quite well sequenced so generally speaking you get pretty much a straight run, it's getting past the city that will be causing you the most grief.

Welcome to the gentrified side of the river! (Although I'd far prefer to live in Abbottsford!

[the terry's]

Hi Buck and family,

I am really, really pleased things are sorting themselves out for you. We are moving to Geelong and your little rendition has given us a positive glimps. All the best of wishes.

Helen and family

[Dons]

Glad to hear things are looking up for you and your family. I have enjoyed seeing it through your eyes, good and bad - like life! So will enjoy reading any updates.

Best wishes

Dons

[Nelson]

I'm pleased that you have found some positives about Melbourne! I am rather bemused by the fact that you give the impression that you have some kind of 'right' to a large acreage, a traffic-free commute to work, a constant sunny clime and ambient temperature, blah, blah, blah...

I can imagine all the places you've been and, yes, they probably could be described as grubby but take heart and know that there are many, many wonderful areas, individual streets and glorious open spaces that you are yet to discover that might just fit your bill perfectly.

You may not like sharing public transport with junkies but that is the stark reality of any public service - it is for all of the public, not just the priviledged few! However, if you can bear it, take advantage of the $2.90 Sunday Saver ticket that will take you ANYWHERE through the entire Metropolitan network on any tram, train or bus and if you move even slightly to the left or right of the well-trodden and down-trodden bits you will find treaures beyond belief. You will also CERTAINLY be able to find sunglasses for you, your children and anyone else who needs them. Sunglasses (and anything else that offers sun protection for that matter) are big business over here. It takes a while to gain confidence to leave the beaten tracks but don't write Melbourne off just yet... I do hope you settle soon in a place that gives you all that you dreamed of.

All the best,

Nelson

[chloew]

Am I right in thinking the Nepean Highway is the road with signs that tell you how fast to drive to hit green lights all the way?!