Hi all,

We're 1 month from our big move to Melbourne and getting nervous!

Anyway, my husband's got a job in Clayton. I'll most likely get a job in the CBD (at an ELICOS school). Which suburbs would be good to live in that would give us both a relatively equal commute time--and is "nice"? I would probably take public transport-ugh-but my husband would drive. We're looking to rent at first, but will probably buy within the next 2 years.

I was thinking somewhere like Elwood or that area, but I really don't know what that area is like--except it's on the bay.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks!

Elwood is a nice suburb to live in, with good facilities. Go for it!

I would suggest Chadstone ... Ashwood .. Ashburton / Jordanvale... Glen waverly .. mount waverly ... Good thing about Glen and Mt wavely is good connection to CBD .. its neither far from Clayton nor from CBD... Glen Waverly has some good schools and OK shopping facilities .. I personally prefer Doncastor ... or templestow .. But I think it will be a bit of drive to clayton ..

Erinsborough looks like a good suburb.

Hi Sarah,

I'm not sure whether you know about this website http://s7.invisionfree.com/BritVics/index.php? It's specifically for those going to or living in Victoria.

My husband works in Clayton.

Good luck!
Caroline

Malvern is probably half way between CBD and Clayton

Hi Sarah,

Take a look at the attached document which provides a comparision of all suburbs in Melbourne (rating 0 - 5 ; 0 - worst to 5 being the best)


I was looking at low crime levels, proximity to CBD, schools,trains, shopping etc. Balwyn North and Hawthorne East look very nice but pricey. I think it is much cheaper renting than buying at the moment.

Anya

Thanks so much everyone for your responses.

Anya, that is a fantastic resource! Thanks for that. Same to you Caroline G for the link. and the others for your ideas.

We'll be living in Glen Waverely temporarily until we find a more permanent rental. I noticed it's about 50 min to where I might be working (it does the loop around the city before it stops at Flinder st. That would be too much for me.

Want to live close to the water. I've been missing it. Grew up 500m from Lake Michigan in Milwaukee but then for the past 9 years have lived in southern Poland and Germany and married a Swiss Australian PR! A little too landlocked for my taste!

Looks like Elwood and Elsternwick would be good matches as would maybe Brighton East.

I have been looking at house prices in the area and am shocked at the sticker prices I've been seeing! My husband is too--they have at least doubled since he was last living there in 2002.


Anyway, hope to meet some of you down there..

So many people living in Elwood and Elsternwick but no-ones replied yet

Elwood and Elsternwick would be absolutely ideal for what you want, apart from the prices. The commute into the city is about 20 minutes on either the tram or train. Plus there are lots of shops locally.
The drive to Clayton will take about 25-30 minutes depending on where in Clayton you want to go to. I regularly drive to Monash Uni and it takes about that time. Plus, you are driving away from the traffic heading into the city which helps. Only problem is the Uni students sometimes.

If the prices are too high in E & E, you could always look in Ripponlea, Balaclava, Glenhuntley or Caulfield. All are just slightly down the road and will still give you the benefits of living by the sea. Alternatively, you could look a bit further south, around Brighton, Mentone.....

Best of luck with the move

Sarah all these places are very nice. The locals are also very nice and will all be here to welcome you

The Dandelong mountains just outside Melbourne is the only place l would live if l was going to live in Melbourne.

You didn't spend much time in Malvern then mate?

No, he avoids it because you are there!

Oh

I am kidding my lovely bears!