My opinion on Melbourne

[Maz]

Hi All,

 

When we first saw Werribee it was during the day and knew instantly that we were really keen on the town but were aware that places can change at night especially at the weekends, so we got the train from the city to werribee on the friday night (about 6pm and was totally jam packed and had to stand all the way). We were there from about 7 - 11pm. We looked round all the different restaurants (theres loads to chose from) and went into most of the bars. There was a few teenagers walking about the streets but they were never a threat to us in anyway, they just walked up and down talking to each other.

 

There was a place (can't remember the name) which had a restaurant, a bar and a sports bar all in it. We had dinner in there which was lovely and the staff were exceptionally friendly. Went into the sports bar while there was an australian football game then a karaoke competition to see if there was any trouble in it as we were surprised to see a bouncer at the door. Got talking to a few locals and they all said there is very seldom any problems, the bouncer was only there as a precaution.

 

We felt very safe walking about the town in the dark and even in the train station which was all very well lit and plenty staff about. We regularly travel on the last train from Glasgow to our town and there is ALWAYS plenty lager louts mouthing off to people and we always breathe a sigh of relief when we get off. The train from Werribee back to the city was absolutely no problem with everyone just sitting minding their own business.

 

Obviously we can only judge it from one day and one evening there. We have a boy of 13 and a girl of 9 and know that in a few years time our son especially will want to be going out into a town with friends. Some of the suburbs don't have a town centre as such therefore we would prefer them to be going out in the town we are living in where they can be within walking distance rather than getting trains etc to the nearest town and from what we saw, we would be happy to be in Werribee but if there is anyone who currently lives there that knows there is definately a problem we would be grateful to hear from them.

 

Maz

[Guest Mark n' Manda]

Hi,

We moved over to Oz in August and spend the first 3 weeks in a motel apartment while checking out a load of potential rental houses an various areas. One of the main factors to consider is your journey into work. I work north of the city and was informed that travelling from the east or the penninsula can be a pain. We checked out the areas on DOMAIN.COM.AU and targeted about a dozen we liked the look of. When we got here we took a few night-time treks to see what was happening after dark. Nothing major to report except a few 'hoons' in their V8's racing around.

We narrowed our choices down to Sunbury and Werribee, and eventually got the house e really preferred in Werribee.

As has been mentioned above, there are a couple of 'less desireable' areas of most towns but we are fortunate enough to be living in one of the good areas.

As a town I agree with the comments above, you can walk around town or the plaza in the evenings with no threat from the kids - wearing hoodies or not! They tend to get on with their own thing.

There is a good freeway and trai connection into the city or the suburd / north via the ring road. It can get a but busy after 7:30 but compared to London or Birmingham it is relatively easy.

We are at the south-west end of the town and about 10 mins drive from the small beach at Werribee South - quite nice for a stroll in the evening.

Two of the kids are at Werribee Primary and the elder son at Werribee Secondary . From the first month there they all seem to enjoy it and are making loads of new friends.

As for the notorious graffiti, if you go almost anywhere and look you will find some. Certain areas of Melbourne and its 'burbs are worse than others for it, but again, I don't see that issue any better or worse than most UK cities.

Hope that helps a bit for those soon to take the flight of your lives.

 

Cheers