Sunshine, Melbourne - Suitable for family with Kid?

[blessed_mom]

Hi,

My hubby, 15mths daughter and I will be moving from Singapore to Melbourne in Apr/May 2010. We are looking for a suitable neighbourhood. Does anyone know if Sunshine is a good place?

My initial research: It is pretty near the city, walking distance to train station and supermarket readily available. 20% of the population there is family with children and there are a number of public primary school (not that impt at this stage). Not sure about childcare and playgroup. Any feedback is valuable as I am clueless to where we should settle for and buy a place.

[Lulu]

It depends on what YOU are looking for. I personally don't like the place, but it's because I drive through it to get another place and I don't like the feel of it. BUT that's just me. There are plenty of suburbs with those details - you will have to give us a bit more detail!

Or rent first and get to know different areas. I live on the other side of the city, at the bottom of the dandenong ranges, it's very family friendly here. Google more!

[sloane]

my thoughts are pretty much the same as lulu's....but yes, we need more info! apart from childcare etc, what else is important to you? public transport? easy access to the city? ability to get out of the city for day trips easily? will you have a car? or two?

i live bayside & love it!

[MamaPan]

yep i suggest you look into more areas... maybe rent for a bit first to get a feel for the areas...
have you been to melb before?
what typeof things do you want? childcare, schools etc are in many areas...
what 'culture' do you like in your area? do you want leafy or built up? how close to the city do you want to be? what type of budget? what do you like to do recreationally?
this will help suggest areas...

[Netix]

I personally wouldn't move to Sunshine. I have lived in Footscray and prefer it to Sunshine. But that said, there are better areas of Footscray than others, and I never went to the shopping strip there. I should mention that Footscray is very close to Sunshine.

I used to go to TAFE in Sunshine, and would not walk from TAFE to the train station. Unfortunately it can be very rough, and gets not a few mentions in the media.

I live in Sunbury, which is out of Melb. It has a good train service to the city and good schools and playgroups, etc. I would say keep looking.

[Tinks]

I grew up in St Albans which is right next door to Sunshine. While I loved living there as a kid, after moving away I couldn't go back there. I agree with the others, there are much nicer places to live.

[blessed_mom]

yep i suggest you look into more areas... maybe rent for a bit first to get a feel for the areas...
have you been to melb before?
what typeof things do you want? childcare, schools etc are in many areas...
what 'culture' do you like in your area? do you want leafy or built up? how close to the city do you want to be? what type of budget? what do you like to do recreationally?
this will help suggest areas...

Hi preagainpan mummy, I hv never been to Mel while hubby has been there for holiday. We prefer leafy area, train ride ard 30mins, ard A$400K, 2bedrms+1bathrm+1lockup garage, will be getting a car at the start.

The last question is tough, after I gave birth, I have no time for recreation! Haha. We would like to bring our girl to the national parks, picnics, mostly outdoor activities.