snurse42

Hi, my husband has been offered a job in Westmeadows, he is happy to commute 45mins to the office. We have 2 boys age 5 and 10 who want to live near to the sea. I have been looking at the Altona area. Is it workable for OH and is it a nice area with good schools or could you suggest any alternatives?? thanks

Petals

Altona is ok an ordinary type area with very very expensive houses near the sea and less expensive houses inland.

Have a look at the wiki link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altona,_Victoria

Altona is in the council area of the City of Hobsons Bay and the council web site has a lot of information http://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/

The western side of Melbourne is short on beaches unless you head out to Geelong and the other side Torquay, Janjuc being some of them.

Point Cook and Sanctuary Lakes are areas popular with Brits and the whole western area has grown very quickly.

Have a look at realestate.com.au and it will give you an idea of house prices and rentals etc in areas you may be interested in.

Good luck

snurse42

Thanks really appreciate your time

mohogony

l don't think there are any nice areas west of Melboune Places like Footscray and Sunshine have a bit of a bad reputation, but l don't live in Melbourne so l'm not certain, l think the best areas are in the east. But l think williamstown in the west is supposed to be good.

MartinLuther

If you can afford it I'd live in Williamstown if I lived over that side. I'd even consider living in a small place to be there.

Pomster

Newport is a good burb to live in- next to Williamstown.

Petals

Even a small house in Williamstown would cost a lot. Newport ok but the traffic and the pollution around the area not for me.

There are a lot of nice areas out west these days, its not like the old days.

I remember what Geelong used to be like and bears no resemblance now, although there are still some dodgy areas.

Geelong Gent

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps?ie=UTF...0&iwloc=A&sa=X

What about north eltham or ivanhoe?

Pomster

Eltham and Ivanhoe are not West of Melbourne....think you are looking at NZ maps...

Geelong Gent

No I looked at where he would be working at quoted places worth suggesting that are leafy, fill of amenities for families, close to city (commutting) and relative to "usable" beaches.

They may also wish to consider Williamstown and Newport. At least they will have a few ideas and options.

snurse42

You have all given me loads of ideas's thanks. We live in a very small town at the moment so we are not used to having loads on our doorstep. I think it would be an even bigger shock to live in a large town or on the outskirts of a city

Irish Guinness

Point Cook and Sanctuary Lakes ( Lego Land ) comes to mind
I would choose Williamstown any day !!!