Tell Me About Living in or Around Frankston, VIC?

[Emma1979]

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.

[Nelle]

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.

[sloane]

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.

sorry - that's all a bit over the place!

[Lenny]

I live in Langwarrin now, having moved from Frankston South a few years ago. Our house is about 8 years old and quite affordable. We live close enough to the beach, close enough to the peninsula, and only 45 mins from here to the Crown Casino (purely for the parking!) on a good day.

People who think Frankston has a bad reputation need to open their eyes. It's a perfectly nice place to live. Sure, there's a few interesting characters, but aren't they everywhere??? And although I'd never feel safe at the train station at night - I'm not sure i'd feel safe at many.

I was not born here, nor do i have family here, and I've lived in 5 different countries, and countless cities - and I am happy raising my son here.

[LionsandBears]

Just subscribing to this thread, as we're interested in finding affordable housing in Melbourne and Frankston seems to be one of the few areas on a train line that are left

[Kailani]

My sister lived in Frankston until about two years ago, maybe less. I've never noticed any trouble when in the area. You get louts in most areas! However, I'd choose the southern end over Frankston North (The Pines/Kananook Creek area is where the Frankston stereotype comes from). It's not like you're going to be hanging about the train station at night though...

It's got great public transport, beach, shops, etc...

Also look at the suburbs Emma1979 mentioned and also Seaford, Carrum, even Patterson Lakes (more inland).

I'd love to live near the beach!

[Mak]

I have a sis that lives there - seriously I think the area is underrated. You are close to great beaches, there is a major shopping centre and good transport. Certainly there are less desirable areas too but I really think that is everywhere. Oliver's Hill and Frankston South have some pretty exxy areas with amazing houses. There are also other options close by as pp have mentioned - also Mornington, Mt Eliza etc.
FWIW too Margaret Lomas (a well known Property Investor) has spoken quite often that she feels Frankston is very cheap for the quality of the area, so anticipating some serious growth in prices. The council has also a massive development plan for the town centre and a new Marina, I believe - not sure how far down the track this is tho! If DH and I didn't have to go to the city regularly for work we'd definitely be moving.
Good luck on your house hunting - work out what works for you and your family and go for a look, maybe even consider renting for a while to suss it all out, if it is possible. I am lucky enough to live near the beach and would never go back. xx

[~Raven~]

However, I'd choose the southern end over Frankston North (The Pines/Kananook Creek area is where the Frankston stereotype comes from). It's not like you're going to be hanging about the train station at night though...

It's got great public transport, beach, shops, etc...

Agree with that! DH grew up in Frankston so I can always ask his opinion of certan areas for you. I did hear once though that The Pines will may be a newish boom area as new land becomes more expensive and it becomes more cost effective to knock down the old commision homes. That could just be rumour though

You could look at Mt Eliza or Langwarrin, or further south to Mt Martha or Mornington but it gets a bit exxy down that way.