dougggy

possibly moving family to perth next year and my mum - aus citizen of 30 years - insists that we don`t rent but save the money (don`t actually need to) and stay with her in Balga (wrong side of road to be in Mirraboka) for a year when we come out , quite like the look of the private anglican school very near her for the kids ....

Any way , although I have visited Balga before, I haven`t been there for 12 years, it seemed an ok sort of place 12 years ago but heres the but ........

Mum has been burgled three times in 30 years and doesn`t make to big a deal of this and also had a bikie gang rent the house next to her, but says the guys where always very nice and polite her...but `Balga` would appear to be a place that couldn`t be described as aspirational, indeed the woman in the Aus embassy in london face, physically changed colour when I mentioned thats where we might be staying... never really worked out whether this was look of shock or pity!

So do we stay for a week when we get off the plane, and then move very swiftly on, or stay for a year (taking our lives in our hands apparently) ... all thoughts gratfully appreciated ..

sj oldfield

Without being snotty, I wouldnt live in Balga.
Take a look at the house prices, if the place is cheaper than other suburbs, you might have an answer!

Vanessa

I can't comment on the area but I would say that just because she has been burgled 3 times doesn't make it bad. I lived in a very good area in Eastbourne and was burgled 3 times in about 5 years, one of them when I was in bed (didn't wake up but then again I also slept through the hurricane in 1987 when I lost most of the roof off another house!)

dougggy

not `up and coming` then ...

Santa

I was Bus driving for a 18 months and travelled through Balga 4 times a night 4 nights a week. I can tell you that it isn't the worst, that one goes to Koondoola but at night time there is a lot of nasty types who come out to play. Speak to people in Balga and they are positive, a lot of the rubbish is being moved out to other areas and I believe the area is on the up. Having said that, I drove the last Bus out of Mirrabooka every night through Balga, and one passenger (a security guard) asked me every night to stop outside his house as he hated having to walk just in case. If you want to be near the that area, Landsdale maybe a better option.

nightnurse2

I don't know the area well, but I would suggest staying with your mum while you get settled in, for at least a few weeks. This will give you time to decide if the area is for you or not.

Tracey

jensteve

I have a friend in Balga, she likes it there and has lived in the subburb for the last 20 years or so. There are some really nice looking properties there, and yes some people will stick their nose up in the air but at the end of the day if its all you can afford so what! You could end up in an expensive subburb and have a shed full of hoons living next door, so have a good look at the place, drive through it in the evenings and see what you think.

I have said before on here its all down to what you are used to, if you have ever lived on a council estate with a busy road outside your front door you will probably find it quite refreshing.

Have a look at Padbury as well, its not gone up in price as much as the others.

Jenny

dougggy

perhaps I should explain, we should be in a position to be able to rent almost anywhere, but my mum is insisting that we stay with her, ie. money is not an issue

SCC

Balga is a lot better than it was twelve years ago. It is 10 minutes from the city centre so it is now regarded as 'almost inner-city'. Twelve years ago there was no redevelopment. Now, there are three brand new townhouses where there used to one 1950s 3 bed 1 bath. Some of these would be considered 'executive' quality and are selling for around the half-million dollar mark.

A great majority of the Homeswest state housing has been refurbished and sold. The Homeswest tenants have be moved to the 'new' outer suburbs ie. way, way away.

Admittedly Balga does still have an image problem though.

Dom the Pom

It's getting better, generally because new scum are being pushed to developments further from the city.

But clearing Balga of most of it's shite is going to be a long, slow process. So I wouldn't plan living there for the next 10 years at least.

Siren & Brian

Get a rental on day 1.

sme

Out of curiosity, where are they being moved to ?

renth

Clarkson, Quinns Rocks, Merriwa.

renth

OK, then if money's not a problem then don't live in Balga - go to Sorrento, Hillarys, City Beach etc...

I have a colleague from Balga, has lived there 20 years. He say's it's nowhere neear as bad as people make out. He is, however a big fella who can take care of himself and knows/is known by a lot of the locals.

I would endorse Padbury too for people for whom money might be a problem. Not a bad area at all, near the train, shops, not too far from the sea and not too expensive.

sme

Thank you