457ScottishExpat Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Thinking of buying in Reservoir near Dole Reserve in North East Reservoir. The house we are looking at ticks all the boxes but we are not sure what the area is like in terms of crime and personal safety. We'd be looking to walk to/from from Keon Park Station for work. Does anyone live in the area? Is it safe to walk around after dark? Any advice appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perthbound2013 Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hi I think longterm, Reservoir is a great choice. My wife has a business in Northcote (we are both here on a 457) and her business partner is from Reservoir. As the city expands out, the inner suburbs start to receive high levels of investment. Northcote is going through it now and Reservoir will be in the same position in the next five years or so, so getting in now should be good, property investment wise. Not sure much about the area in Dole Reserve but I'll ask my wife's colleague tomorrow who lives there and come back to you on that. Andre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
457ScottishExpat Posted June 15, 2014 Author Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hi I think longterm, Reservoir is a great choice. My wife has a business in Northcote (we are both here on a 457) and her business partner is from Reservoir. As the city expands out, the inner suburbs start to receive high levels of investment. Northcote is going through it now and Reservoir will be in the same position in the next five years or so, so getting in now should be good, property investment wise. Not sure much about the area in Dole Reserve but I'll ask my wife's colleague tomorrow who lives there and come back to you on that. Andre Thanks. Much appreciated. Houses in the East are far cheaper than the more affluent areas of Reservoir in the West (in the order of 100k) but I would have thought the rough parts are only in certain pockets of the East? We don't mind living in an area that is industrial without much in the way of primary schools (no kids) or amenities but we read a lot online saying some areas of Reservoir are dangerous to walk around at night and we want to make sure the area we are buying in is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted June 15, 2014 Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hi I went to reservoir high school. Always considered the area to be safe tho I suppose u are a bit oblivious as a child. My friend used to live near the swiming pool and there were a lot of council\aboriginal tenants un that area if that bothers u. Not sure what u mean when u say north east west etc . There are a lot of people of greek and Macedonia heritage in the area Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
457ScottishExpat Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Hi I went to reservoir high school. Always considered the area to be safe tho I suppose u are a bit oblivious as a child. My friend used to live near the swiming pool and there were a lot of council\aboriginal tenants un that area if that bothers u. Not sure what u mean when u say north east west etc . There are a lot of people of greek and Macedonia heritage in the area Thanks wolvesaussie. "Not sure what u mean when u say north east west etc" In my mind, I split the suburb East/West at High St. There is pretty much a 100k difference in price. I would say North of the suburb is above Broadway. We are looking slightly north of Dole Reserve. "My friend used to live near the swiming pool and there were a lot of council\aboriginal tenants un that area if that bothers u" We are looking at north of Dole reserve, we would be about 3k north of the leisure centre so a good bit away from there but I'm not sure how far the council housing extends north. We don't mind living in a multi-cultural area, but we want to be able to walk around at night without feeling at risk. Crime and gangs seems to be a running theme but I'm not sure to what extent we should be worried. Related links http://www.lifeinvictoria.com/forum/suburbs-real-estate/35-reservoir-melbourne.html - Locals complaining about rental properties close to where we are looking https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080206183506AAIUKb3 - Broadly positive opinions https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100302234126AA1ZKYA - Mainly negative opinions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Quick look at the map I think that area should be fine. Our first house was on Don Street, went to Reservoir high, we played our sport on that Donath and Dole reserves. I have friends who live on Hickford Street, Gertz Avenue.. That area is fine I wouldnt have any concern about walking around there, it seems pretty close to what you are looking at... after 10 years in inner city wolverhampton/birmingham I find everything safe .. She is right about a lot of units, the blocks there are huge and people have been subdividing and cashing in although the council is now making this more difficult, one of my friends has bought and subdivided around there so I remember his problems getting it approved... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolvesaussie Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Ohh and there used to be loads of schools, my original high school and primary school were buldozed for houses, many others in the area were as well, I have no idea whats going to happen to the kids when the old folk die and new young people with families move in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
457ScottishExpat Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Thanks wolvesaussie. We are looking at a 3-bed house in the Locher Avenue / Daleglen St / Lucille Avenue area. Do you know if there is any public housing or rough parts in this area of Reservoir (Between say Don St. and Tunaley Parade, East of Cheddar Rd) ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosiew Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Are you actually in Melbourne yet? You are looking at the general area where large estates of low income houses were built in the middle of last century. Most of the stock was actually sold off but it was still available as cheap rentals. A lot of it is being demolished now and replaced with two houses on a block as Reservoir just gets dearer and dearer. You will be able to tell if you are in one of those areas by the street scape - the houses are pretty uniform in design. Reservoir is changing rapidly - and prices are escalating as I am sure you have noticed because you are almost looking in Thomastown. The eastern part is the traditionally poorer part and that's why the prices are lagging, so it is all going up. My sister is currently checking out primary schools for next year and lives on the other side of High Street. Apparently Reservoir West Primary has a great reputation but is getting very crowded and losing its charm. She is very keen on Reservoir Primary. It is certainly looking like a great place to park your money as everyone gets priced out of Coburg and Preston. The transport links are great, along with plenty of medical facilities, parks and the city so much closer than anyone imagines. As for safety, this is Melbourne. You are pretty safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
457ScottishExpat Posted June 16, 2014 Author Share Posted June 16, 2014 Are you actually in Melbourne yet? You are looking at the general area where large estates of low income houses were built in the middle of last century. Most of the stock was actually sold off but it was still available as cheap rentals. A lot of it is being demolished now and replaced with two houses on a block as Reservoir just gets dearer and dearer. You will be able to tell if you are in one of those areas by the street scape - the houses are pretty uniform in design. Reservoir is changing rapidly - and prices are escalating as I am sure you have noticed because you are almost looking in Thomastown. The eastern part is the traditionally poorer part and that's why the prices are lagging, so it is all going up. My sister is currently checking out primary schools for next year and lives on the other side of High Street. Apparently Reservoir West Primary has a great reputation but is getting very crowded and losing its charm. She is very keen on Reservoir Primary. It is certainly looking like a great place to park your money as everyone gets priced out of Coburg and Preston. The transport links are great, along with plenty of medical facilities, parks and the city so much closer than anyone imagines. As for safety, this is Melbourne. You are pretty safe. Hi rosiew - we have lived in Melbourne since 2009 but this is the first place we will be buying and are not familiar with Reservoir. We currently rent in Hawthorn so I think we might be in for a reality check but our main concern is personal safety and that either myself or my mrs can walk about alone without feeling at risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosiew Posted June 16, 2014 Share Posted June 16, 2014 Hi rosiew - we have lived in Melbourne since 2009 but this is the first place we will be buying and are not familiar with Reservoir. We currently rent in Hawthorn so I think we might be in for a reality check but our main concern is personal safety and that either myself or my mrs can walk about alone without feeling at risk. I only asked if you were here yet to recommend google street view if you were not here. As you are, nothing beats driving around and having a look at the future neighbours! We moved from Hawthorn to the western suburbs long before that was considered a wise move, and it was fine. If look at the cafes and lifestyle businesses popping up all over Reservoir it is the new Thornbury. I know several people who live in Reservoir (including single women) and they have never worried about personal safety. The local newspapers are all available online so that will give you an idea. Try this link: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north Good luck - it's a fast moving market to be buying in as everyone discovers it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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