SO...we are talking about/considering/weighing up our options about moving. The new house will need to be our FOREVER house iykwim? so we need to make sure we get it RIGHT. Including a perfect location for our family IYKWIM?
DH has been throwing around the idea of moving to Frankston or surrounding areas. I know it has had a dodgy name in the past (no offense to anyone that lives there, of course) but it has been made the butt of many jokes in the media etc. does this reputation still exist? DH thinks it's a lovely area, and would be perfect for bringing up our growing family of two boys- close to beach, lots of infrastructure- schools, shops, skate parks etc.- lots for the boys to do.
Does anyone know the area well? Which are the 'better' areas? Which are the good schools? Does it get super annoyingly busy in the summer? Are any of the surrounding suburbs nicer? Any information you could give me would be much appreciated. I'm trying to do lots of research so that we get this right IYKWIM? Thank you
I lived in frankston in my early 20s and enjoyed it, never had a problem, but couldn't answer any of your questions. Avoid the Pines though
That said, I did live in Chelsea up until 4 years ago and love, love, LOVED it, and I have a girlfriend who lives in Bonbeach with her young family and she's really happy there.
There is something about living near water that changes the energy and it's so nice. people just seem happier. I'd move back in a heartbeat.
Frankston still has a bad rep. I don't live too far from there & it's not a place I'd consider living with or without kids. Langwarrin which is only a stones throw away has a far better reputation & I've known a few people who've lived there very happily. Mornington is nice too, but it is getting a bad rep for violence at night around the nightclubs. Again I know several people who've loved living at Mornington.
Last I shopped in Frankston (over a year ago now I guess) you had to pay for parking at the big shopping centre which is a pain in the butt (and pretty much unheard of anywhere else out this way). It's a very busy car park & you can sometimes have to drive around a bit to even find a car park. That situation may have changed since I went there though.
Last edited by satya; November 4th, 2009 at 08:17 PM.
I grew up in Carrum which is about 10 mins from Frankston. Any of the bayside suburbs are gorgeous. There are always going to be bad crowds no matter where you live, its just steering your kids in the right direction.
Bonbeach, Chelsea, Edithvale, Aspendale, Mordialloc, Parkdale - all great places by the beach.
Personally I'd love to live in Frankston, as I live in the country now and as a city girl, crave 'civilisation'. Close to the beach, shops etc - the beach in summer down that way is awesome.
There are heaps of schools, not sure if you want public or private...
Paying for car parking wouldn't put me off an area - living in the city I have often paid $30 to park my car before, so 80cents or whatever isn't an issue for me.
There are some areas to avoid, The Pines has always been one of them.... these kinds of areas can exist anywhere though, I've lived in LOADS of different areas of Melbourne and honestly, Frankston isn't a place I'd ever really feel unsafe - unless perhaps I was night clubbing etc or out walking those kinds of streets at night, but those days are long gone.
You could always try Pakenham - we went to Lakeside for something the other day and walked around the lake and I started talking like one of those people in those ads, raving about how family friendly and relaxed it felt.
i'm not a fan of frankston but i live in chelsea & i love it. i agree with littlelara & think that there's something about living down here that does change the energy.
it does get busy around the beach in summer but to be honest i don't really notice it & it's mostly just on weekends.
the blocks of land are pretty big around where i am so you'd have lots of space for the boys. there's also a really big playground & park about a 5 minute walk from our place.
i've found that lots of people stay in the area for ages which i think is a positive thing - for eg both DP's parents grew up down here & still live in the area and DP is obviously still here. i hope that makes sense, but it's just something i noticed moreso than anywhere i've lived before.
my parents recently moved to bonbeach & they're loving it.
Tell Me About Living in or Around Frankston, VIC?
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks