Sunshine, Melbourne - Suitable for family with Kid?

[feeb]

There are much nicer places to live!

If you want western suburbs some more are:

Newport
Williamstown
Spotswood
Yarraville
Seddon
Kingsville
Point cook
Whyndam Vale
Manor lakes
Tarneit

[blessed_mom]

Hi mummies, thanks for the feedback. The conclusion is 'NO' for Sunshine I guess, haha.
The decision now is to rent a place for ~6mths (maybe in the city or Boxhill), look ard and have a feel of each subhurb before deciding on which to buy and also apartment vs house (though my preference for now is a house as we have a dog and wd live a bigger place for the little one to run ard). We really should not rush into it.

The factors you listed are all impt to me, top on the list will be childcare and proximity to train station (just got to know that there are free parking at the train station). As my girl turns 2 by the time we are there in May 2010, maybe a good public school could be a deciding factor too (not too sure abt the school zone system in Mel).

Just spoke to a Mel real estate agent and they are promoting this place in Point Cook, seems like a really great place to live in... but the general feedback of the west side is it can be a bit rough and not as 'nice and safe' as the east. What's your view?

Once again, thanks for your advice

[feeb]

Both east and west have rough areas its just being selective at what areas you live in and avoid the rough areas.

Point cook is a fast growing area that's all new with lots of young familes and schools and child care avaiable. There is bus service and trains out there but often a 10 min drive to train station.

Good luck deciding

[blessed_mom]

Both east and west have rough areas its just being selective at what areas you live in and avoid the rough areas.

Point cook is a fast growing area that's all new with lots of young familes and schools and child care avaiable. There is bus service and trains out there but often a 10 min drive to train station.

Good luck deciding

Hi Feeb,

Point Cook is pretty near the bay, is it prone to flooding?!?!?!? (sorry to sound ignorant and silly...) Is the area ard Williams Landing also suitable for families? We are asking more on the West side as it is more affordable.

In general, for parking at train stations, is it easy to get a lot? Is it often that we have to find alternative parking away fr the train station due to insuff. lots?

(P.S: you have been breastfeeding for the past 26 mths!?!?!)

[Tinks]

I've never known Point Cook to flood. It used to be the site of an Air Force Base so i doubt whether it would.

I've heard recently that the part of Altona on the bay is becoming very popular and less rough. That might be worth a look as well.

[feeb]

I have never known it to flood and as Tinkerbell said there is an old occasionally used airforce base (used for training and museum etc) Its not super close to bay but close enough that its not far away

Williams landing along with other new estates are mostly aimed at families. We have actually been looking out there but DH and I cant agree on anything as where we are now is walking distance to train station etc but just not big enough house! Houses out there are on good sized blocks and can be nice and big!!

Nope been BF for 14 months!!! ? how did you get 26 months?

Good luck

[Lulu]

If you are looking at national parks/leafy suburbs etc come over East way. Grabbing a rental in Box Hill is a good idea to start with. I'm at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, close to national parks, the lovely hills, childrens farms, arboretums.
It's all very established out here and you should be able to find something lovely with a big backyard within that price range.

Look at Heathmont, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, The Basin, Wantirna - they are about 10-15 mins from Box Hill.