Well done everyone finding this thread LOL (I don't usually check "new posts").

Interesting responses, I agree with most of you: basic house in good suburb.

Sarah: Blue chip means "expensive" ie one of the top 5 suburbs of a major city in terms of average property price. The average property price of a blue chip suburb in Melbourne would be about a million $.

Thanks, I just wanted to sanity check myself LOL We've been living in a house that is one of the most run down i've ever lived in... it's like a farm house... for the past 4 years. It drives me nuts. BUT we're in a very good suburb and it's so beautiful and safe! Princess Mya: nah, not much crime here. Our friends in dodgy suburbs have more experiences of crime than we do. Touch wood!

Anyhow, thanks, i just wonder why we are doing this when we could easily choose to buy a nice house in a dodgy suburb but I just don't want to live in fear. My kids are outdoorsy kids too and I know that they are safe playing anywhere in our neighbourhood... they can walk to the shops around the corner too. Pretty important to me... more important than old crappy tiles in the bathroom etc! I have to keep telling myself this! LOL