I'm in Adelaide with family, looking online to see what's in Melbourne - our intended destination. Bit blown away by the price/exchange rate and wondering what areas are really no go..... does anyone have any idea about Wantirna South and Rowville areas? We need to rent initially, but it's got to be big (family), affordable and within commutable distance of the city.... please give me a shout if you have any clues. Also give me a shout if you are a mum looking to pass time with another mum of two (ages 3 an 4 - yours can be 15 for all I care!) - gin involvement optional (although preferable).
Also - Geelong. Is it funky, arty, with potential or really not. Hubby looking to open bar/restaurant selling good hearty food and wine. And I need be somewhere where people like to eat and chat and drink, and not watch telly all day. Sorry for the outrageou social apartheid, but there it is. So need an area full of bon viveurs.
Sorry for such a long mail. I think I digressed a little...
Hi Rachel,
Can't really help too much about Melbourne because we are in the same boat as you and many others - looking for a commutable area within budget. We are moving there later this year.
Geelong - we spent a fortnight there in Feb. Would certainly not call it 'funky'. Its a small city that is OK but doesn't have any of the buzz or feel that Melbourne has. With regards to eateries, I did not think that Geeling was too blessed in that department. I counted only 3 restaurants in the whole waterfront area. I would think that Geelong is ripe for the type of establishment - but what do I know!
Am really interested in this post too. We are moving out to Melbourne in 4 weeks and have never been before so no idea about areas, totally mad I know! We have 2 girls 5 & soon to be 7 and I love gin, or most alcohol come to think of it.
We'll also need to rent to start with but have given ourselves a month to find somewhere, hope it's enough. Will also need to find jobs, schools etc in this time or I might just lose it.
I have heard that Geelong is lovely but again never been.
When are you planning on moving there? I feel I have also digressed, apologies!
Emma x
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Dan 35 (Nerd!), Emma 32 (Domestic Goddess!), Alice 7 (Teenager in training!), Lily 5 (Tantrum Princess!)
We are now looking at melbourne,i have family in sunshine but we have no idea about the place so if you get any info please pass it on.I don't want to be too far from life(and wine!)
My husband is in Melbourne, and starts viewing some properties today so I will let you know the verdicts on price and area - although he is totally retentive, so take everything with a pinch of salt. I could quite happily live in a 'loved' house (so long as it isn't infested with beasties) but he likes morgue-like moderness!
The whole money thing is very stressful. I lived in Sydney 1999-2002 and life was cheap as chips, so this has been a bit of a shock. Still, the novelty of having parrots swooping above your head rather than scruffy non-descript finches will never fade.... I love it.
Let me know how you all get on, and when you arrive, and I'll hold an antipasti and pinot grigio night for you all.... if we have four walls and a roof that is.
I'd give Sunshine a big miss. Try the OPs area of Rowville & Wantirna or Ferntree Gully, Basin etc. Much nicer.
Best areas of all though in Melbourne is Mornington, Mount Eliza & Mount Martha.
I don't know about Sunshine - just that it's less 'desirable', as is the west of Melbourne generally. But like anywhere I guess that it has good pockets and bad ones.
We've scrapped the idea of geelong now and we're looking in Melbourne east and have found a few properties in an area called Doncaster. It's probably a 30min commute but seems nice enough with good schools and restaurants (most important). I like the look of all around that area from Balwyn moving east to Box Hill and Blackburn, the Glens and Doncaster, Donvale.
There's a lot of hype about renting but so long as you aren't going for the really desirable suburbs you should be okay.
Emma, keep in touch and I'll keep a bottle on ice for us. Good luck with the move.
I don't know about Sunshine - just that it's less 'desirable', as is the west of Melbourne generally. But like anywhere I guess that it has good pockets and bad ones.
I live in the west of melbourne and don't think at all that i live in a " bad pocket!"
we live in sanctuary lakes which is a very lovely development and has a golf course, gym,restuarant ect within the complex.
We have seen no crime what so ever since being here and find it very relaxing, family friendly,and within great commutable distance into the city.
Y'know, it's a shame that when people who look for good honest advice on this forum and others like it get fed such tripe by the "my suburb is better than your suburb" crowd.
I'm always a little dubious when people only post pro's and leave out con's when gushing over where they live. (As witnessed on other threads/forums) There is no utopia here and everywhere isn't for everyone. (people who've requested info. off me in pm's about my current 'burb and other areas that i've lived will attest to that.)
Rachel - So you "don't know about Sunshine"? Then why tell someone it's less desirable? If you don't know about it how can you possibly offer an opinion either way? (It's rhetorical btw, i know exactly why, it's because thats all you hear from the natives and snobs in the East and thus the myth is perpetuated.) I'm guessing you haven't spent much time (if any) in Western Suburbs but the "as is the west of Melbourne generally. " we've heard many times before......tripe. Let me guess, the next statement will be denigrating the "Industrial" West next right? (I work in Manufacturing/Warehousing industries and i'm crossing the bridge about 90% of the time....it ain't all leafy suburbia over there y'know?)
That being said, to the original poster. Take it from someone who does know, you might want to avoid Sunshine. (but if you don't that's cool too) And other rough Western suburbs like Dandenong, Noble Park, some areas of Frankston, Seaford and Mornington.....oh...wait.....
And other rough Western suburbs like Dandenong, Noble Park, some areas of Frankston, Seaford and Mornington.....oh...wait.....
