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Alfredton is a good place to live for a growing family. We came over from Kettering in Northants 4 years ago, we spent a year in Wendouree, and the last 3 in Alfredton.
Alfredton is on the outer edge of the city of Ballarat, which is 100kms from Melbourne. I work in Melbourne city centre and travel in on the train each day, the train runs every hour and takes 1hr and 20 minutes. My commute is 2hrs each way to work which is exhausting, but the trains are modern and quite reliable.
Crime rate is low, Ballarat is an hour away from Melbourne and out in the country with a freindly country mentality. You'll hardly see anyone in the street to be honest, it's incredibly quiet.
... this is hard, I could write a book about the place, we love it!
Hospitals, well there is the Base Hospital which is 5 minutes drive and is a major regional hospital... it's got everything. Nurses are in short supply, My mum lives in the city too and she was a nurse when she came over from the UK... never short of work.
Ballarat is a tourist trap because it was the scene of the Eureka uprising in the 1800's (a landmark Aussie event), and was a major goldrush city with lots of old buildings and history. Because of this we have lots of great restaurants within 10 minutes drive of Alfredton.
Good shops, pretty much everything, we have a department store (Myer), several large supermarkets and 2 shopping centres within 10 minutes drive (the city centre and the Stockland Centre in Wendouree - a big indoor shopping centre).
Ballarat University is at the other side of the city... still only 20 minutes drive and we also have a TAFE college. I understand the uni is good... my Dad taught there for a few years.
You are spoilt for choice with schools. 2 very good private schools within 10 minutes drive and a state school even closer. plus a couple of junior schools... sorry all the names escape me at the moment!
Alfredton is a major growth area in Ballarat. lot's of new homes have been built over the last few years, so many that the council are improving the roads and are planning a new school, shopping centre, and a major sporting and recreation centre in Alfredton.
I hope that this helps... we'll be here for years yet! I have 3 sons aged 5, 9, and 11, they are all happy here.
John
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