Hey Rav ... we thought about moving to Geelong from Melb but ended up moving to Ballarat as housing is cheaper to rent/buy.

As Abb suggested ... I shared half a truck which worked out heaps cheaper. Just ring up a removal company and ask if they have a truck coming out your way which in turn is going to Geelong.

Cause i had the back half end (near the door) of the truck i was the first to have my stuff dropped off which worked out great cause i followed the truck straight from Melb to the front door of my Ballarat house

I had friends live in Clifton Springs just out of Geelong ... was really nice but i think maybe more an expensive area of Geelong (i'm just guessing due to the price of the house they had there )

P.S - When DP & i moved to Ballarat we knew NO ONE ... but met many people along the way after having our DD through playgroups, etc ...