sub

Having lived in Adelaide and it not suiting us, thinking of a move to Melbourne.

We have 3 small children and just wanting info on areas to live that may suit - usual stuff, good schools, family friendly areas, not too rural or quiet (which is why I didnt like Adelaide) etc

Dont know much about Melbourne, so your views greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Su

Phlanger

Its a big place compared to Adelaide - you might need to be more specific- eg, price bracket for property, distance to work, preferences for established vs new communities, access to specialist services, etc.

It'll be dearer for a start so it'll depend on how much you want to spend.

Pop up a figure and the opinions will come flying in...

bcworld

If you don't know much about it why have you picked Melbourne as the possible next stop over other places?

bumble69

Just to give context, Bayside, north of Mordialloc creek within 5 clicks of the beach, you're about 40 mins train to City max, and can spend anywhere from about 200k for a flat, 350k for a unit, or 500k for a house on an average block (depending on location and amount of work required). Obviously if you want to spend 2 mil, you can, just go to Beach Road and cry at the prices.

No real idea on schools, sorry.

Recommendations also depend on what you want - city living or rural retreat?

Buzzy--Bee

Schools are great in the Mordialloc / Parkdale area - we have problems choosing between two good ones both within walking distance.

What don't you like about Adelaide? Melbourne is much bigger, which has plusses and minuses, although it still has the feel of a large country town I find.

BB

bumble69

That's handy for me to know, thanks!

sub

Thanks for info guys!

Thought Adelaide was too quiet, felt like we saw everything there was to see in a year, and feel when the children get to their teens they will find it boring!

Looking at Melbourne cos know temperatures aren't too hot, and have friends who live there who recommend it.
Know we cant afford to live in the city and dont really want too - but want it to be accessible.
Im a nurse (community based so dont need to be near a big hospital) and hubby is a truck driver and will be looking at a house for around 450,000.

Werent impressed with the schools where we were so that will be an important factor in our move

Any views appreciated!
Su

Phlanger

Well, that's a start.

At that budget, the inner 'burbs are bviously out - apart from a few pockets you wouldn't want to live in anyway.

You're looking at the outer suburbs and looking at your employment options, you've a fair amount of choice.

I know more about the east side so I'll start there. Starting at around Berwick/Cranbourne and swinging North up through the Dandenong foothills Upwey/Tecoma/Ferntree Gully then Rowville/Lysterfield through Boronia/Bayswater to around Ringwood - draws breath - you're looking at a range of options from new builds on recent estates to more settled areas.

Berwick is popular with Brits, for example, affordable housing (relatively) access to motorways and train lines, decent schools and access to the soulless but convenient Narre Warren.

Rowville/Lysterfield, newish estates, no train line, decent schools (allegedly) but sits on Wellington/North Road - good access to inner burbs/CBD

Bayswater/Boronia/Ringwood - as above but slightly older and a little more frayed around the edges perhaps, but affordable and good transport access.

The foothills - my personal favourite - good transport access, good schools - a little bit hippy-lite but has a bit of character compared to the above.

Now - what they all have in common is access to a light industrial area that winds, in stops and starts, up from Frankston, through Hallam, up into Dandenong, trickles through Rowville and ends up in Bayswater. Light manufacturing and warehousing mostly - might be good options there for a truckie. Hanson quarries are in Lysterfield as well - they seem to have a lot of trucks on the road.

North and West - I have less idea - North's a bit poorly served transport wise and what passes for the poorer quarters of Melbourne tend to be concentrated in the West areas like Sunshine, down through Broadmeadows to Altona are classed as the rougher end of town (they ain't exactly the Gorbals, but its all relative I suppose) - but you also have big estates like Caroline Springs. Point Cook and Tarneit much favoured by some Brits. Swings and roundabouts I suppose.

Jobwise, you've got Eastern Health (and presumably its western equivalent) - by no means the only employer of community nurses but a big outfit and worth a look. Scan the health section in the MyCareer section of the Age as well to get a better idea.

Sorry - its a very rough thumbnail sketch, I've probably missed loads of vital stuff - but its a start I suppose. You might want to have a look on a map to see if that makes sense.

Realestate.com will give you price guides and rough neighbourhood profiles. Might help narrow down your options.

Good luck.

sub

Thankyou for that info-very kind!