Originally Posted by GarryP

I would tend to say you are looking for a bit of contradiction breaking. Although more suburban areas have restaurants/bars etc., you are going to be looking in towards the CBD for the most vibrant scene. Beachside is obviously not going to be near the CBD, and for the best value in decent housing you aren't likely to be near either.

And you haven't mentioned work yet, or where that would likely be.

If you are happy with only a small space, I might look to renting an apartment in Docklands. Easy walking distance to the CBD, and particular types of work, but not much in the way of beach, and expensive for what it is. However, they have been overbuilding in that market, and you might find prices moderating as people try to find renters to recoup something of their investment.

Williamstown is another possibility. There's some level of nightlife, but its still a stupidly long time into the CBD by train, even if you can see it across just across the bay. However you do get ... well sea at least.

Finally, in the west, you could look at a house out towards Point Cook. Not much in the way of beach, or nightlife, but the time into the CBD isn't too bad and you would get a LOT more for your money.

eg contrast this 2 Verbena Drive Point Cook Vic 3030 - House for Rent #418966042 - realestate.com.au
https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/...28060/main.jpg
in Point Cook

and this 1104/55 Merchant Street Docklands Vic 3008 - Apartment for Rent #413916591 - realestate.com.au
https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/...85c84/main.jpg
in Docklands.

It's a question of what is more important to you, and how you can use transport to break those contradictions. Luckily if you are renting, you can always make good on a mistake.

Originally Posted by OzTennis

Good advice but a couple of things to pick up/split hairs on. Williamstown a stupidly long time to the CBD by train? I wouldn't call 25 minutes approximately stupidly long.

Originally Posted by GarryP

I meant that looking across the bay at the city, you feel it should be 5-10 minutes. Instead it's 30-40mins at most times of day as you first have to get to Newport, then trundle round to a crossing of the river, and back down into the CBD. That makes it the same journey time as the train from Point Cook.

By car it's another matter, but then you have to find somewhere to park.

And I tried to find an example of a $500-600 place in Williamstown to put up against the other two examples, but the best I could find was :

31 Clark Street Williamstown Vic 3016 - House for Rent #418651058 - realestate.com.au
https://i1.au.reastatic.net/456x342/...b6a01/main.jpg


Personally I just don't think Williamstown really makes much sense - particularly if the prices on those inner city apartments fall, as promised.

Originally Posted by OzTennis

Give me the train journey from W'town over that of Point Cook - you can spend a long, long time getting out of PC to park your car at the station!

Originally Posted by OzTennis

Fair dues, it's easily the most expensive suburb west of the bridge so not for all budgets.

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

There is another contender.... only a very small place, right down the end of Werribee South....."Wyndham Harbour" where the ferry leaves from.... got a friend that lives there, otherwise I would never have known about it. Private estate beaches and great views .... lovely little place. It may well be the perfect quiet spot to do the Xmas on the beach thing.... seeing as that beach is about 100 meters from her Kitchen.

She's in this clip....

Melbourne's first commuter ferry: Wyndham Harbour to Docklands

Originally Posted by GarryP

True, but there are now four ..... count them FOUR, junctions between PC and the freeway. And three rail stops.

Could/should be better, but they are gradually getting there.

Originally Posted by OzTennis

he said he'd come to Williamstown for 8.30 am and I'd drive us out there. He rang to say he couldn't get out of Point Cook Road and had been sitting there for over half an hour and couldn't get to me in time so he went back home (to Sanctuary Lakes) and I went on without him. I still think it will take a long time to resolve this issue.

Originally Posted by GarryP

The trick is to use Google to navigate the best route. Palmer's Rd or the new junction down Sneydes Rd during rush hour is probably the best bet.

I'd say owning somewhere down at Featherbrook mightn't be a bad bet either. They are talking about a large R&D park called "East Werribee" and Featherbrook would be right next door. It's also close to the new road junction and within hailing distance of Hoopers Crossing station.

Originally Posted by OzTennis

You probably know that Wyndham Council wanted the westwards push of PC to have PC in the name but the developer refused point blank and said it's East Werribee or nothing?

Originally Posted by GarryP

Doesn't make a lot of sense - Werribee is more low rent than Point Cook. I'd expect them to come up with a totally unique name before long.

Hell, it won't be too long before Point Cook and Wyndham Vale declare independence from Werribee anyway - they keep using PC rates to prop up Werribee directed services.

Originally Posted by OzTennis

Agreed, I think the important thing for the developer was EAST werribee not east WERRIBEE. What might make sense in the future is to split Wyndham Shire (fastest growing in Australia) into Point Cook/Sanctuary Lakes and Werribee/Wyndhamvale?

Originally Posted by GarryP

The smart money would be on Point Cook and Williams Landing (eg the new estates) splitting away, and maybe taking Seabrook and a bit of Laverton as well.

The reason the appalling Point Cook Road junction never gets fixed is because it's just in Hobson's Bay - and they don't give a stuff that it's a mess, since it's mostly not their residents.

Plus, of course, Werribee takes all the new council provided services (that's a nice new Waterpark you have there) and Point Cook gets nuffin.