West Melbourne Suburb Advice/Suggestions

[acatack]

Hi All. Could anyone give any advice on suburbs west of the CBD? We'll be arriving in Melbourne on the 2nd of June and will be staying in Williamstown for the first couple of months while our furniture arrives. Long term we want to live in Williamstown because of the locality to the beach and harbour, but wondered if there were equally good areas around the same distance from the CBD but which offer more for the money. Our budget is around $700 a week but could do with not going to our max if possible. We need a 4 bedroom place with good primary schools nearby and around 15 to 20 minutes from the CBD. We've been looking at Newport, Footscray, Yarraville and Spotswood and they all seem affordable.

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[amibovered]

Well, there is a reason why they are cheaper, it's all subjective but for me Williamstown is by far the pick of that bunch.

[Quinkla]

Footscray is ethnically diverse and has an excellent and affordable selection of restaurants and cafes. It is easily accessible to the CBD by public transport. It is also starting to go up in price.

[Paule1388]

It all depends on what you're looking for in a place to live.

 

If you're after more of a community feel, I would definitely head towards Spotswood, Seddon and Yarraville. You would also get more value for money in these 3 suburbs compared to Williamstown.

Footscray is a great area, but may take some getting used to depending on where you're living now. Like @Quinkla said, great selection of places to eat.

 

You should also check out Maribyrnong, Ascot Vale and Moonee Ponds whilst you're out that way.

[Petals]

It will be a push to find a four bedroom place in any of the areas and if you do you will probably pay the premium for it. Could be 8 - 9 hundred a week. Old areas, old houses and workers houses so tend to be smaller. Trucks and pollution come to mind so you would need to pick the right spot. Right spot will be dearer of course. I would look at Footscray its probably bit cheaper and its been gentrified over recent years. Could look at Ascot Vale, nice suburb, Flemington, Kensington

[acatack]

Thanks all. There's plenty of rental places in all of the places mentioned for around $700 a week, but some are better than others due to the less expensive areas. I would still like to stick to Williamstown if possible but it doesnt sound like there's anything obvious to put us off the others. What are the primary schools like near yarraville, spotswood and footscray? How does Newport compare? I'll be working in North Laverton so anywhere within around 30 minutes by bike is a possibility.

[stephensteve]

If u can afford "Willie" then go for it long term....it is far better than anywhere else in West Melb...heritage buildings, harbour, "beach", pubs with live bands etc.......defo better than the "cheaper for a reason" surrounds....good luck

[Ken]

Old areas, old houses and workers houses so tend to be smaller.

 

If it's new properties that you want, then Edgewater (part of Maribyrnong) is worth a look - although prices for houses aren't much better than Williamstown (you pay for the lake, river and city views and while the houses may be big the blocks of land aren't) - but they also have a lot of apartments for which the rents are falling as more are built.