We are looking for new house development around East/South East area. The closest one that I can afford for a house is around Hampton Park area. If any of you have ever lived there, will you be able to shed a light on what Hampton Park looks like for a small new family. Is it a good place to live?
Thank you sincerely.
or king hit and robbed
Stabbed? Shot more likely, too many bikies.
I am sure they'll steal it after they check your pockets as you lie on the pavement bleeding to death.
He won't be bleeding it on the pavement. Most likely in their cheap plastic bottle which they will sell to the much needed patients for good $$$.
It would add about 14 hours to my train commute, so I'm going to say no.
What's your budget? There are a lot of new developments going up in the Eastern suburbs (Boronia/Ferntree Gully etc) that are similar prices to Hampton Park. I used to commute from Berwick to the city everyday for the last 5 years.
The Monash is an absolute effing joke, AND you pay for the privilege of sitting bumper to bumper on Citylink. Personally I'd stay away from the South Eastern corridor - there are LOTS of estates going up down that way, especially in Beaconsfield and Pakenham, which means even more strain on the overloaded Monash.
That and Hampton Park is a scummy neighbourhood. Stay away from that whole area: Hampton Park/Hallam/Doveton/Dangenong etc. Even Narre Warren and Berwick is getting crappy these days because they're the only places that people can afford to live.
Thank you @nytrojen for your very helpful reply. I have been searching Boronia, Croydon and Bayswater area but they are still out of my budget (around 500K for a 4 bedroom house). Any suggestion for a house in my budget? :)
For a 4 bedroom house under $500k unfortunately your only real options are either Beaconsfield/Pakenham or Cranbourne. All of which have issues. My only other suggestion is going North to like Wallan or something if you want to be under an hour commute and still afford a 4 bedroom house
True. Especially with that limited budget. There are always reason why the property there are cheaper than then East. I am currently commuting to CBD with train. Main reason choosing Hampton Park is because it has access to both Lynbrook and Hallam station. It is also close to Beaconsfield if needed. I was thinking, this suburb should be better compared to living in Berwick (full of people), Dandenong (not safe) or Narre Warren (congested).
@amsut1: Not even close. I'd pick Berwick over Hampton Park and any of those others in a heartbeat if you value your possessions
On that note, may be check which areas are getting NBN first, if it matters for you.
Good point. It is always the first question I asked :D one of my main reason to get a new development is because most likely it will have NBN.
Hampton Park station is quite scary and very run down to say the least. If you plan to commute via train.Berwick at least have address the lack of parking spots that fill out by 7:30am each morning.
Endeavour Hillss is also near by. But o don't think there a train station there.
No train station in Endeavor Hills unfortunately. That's a nice area because it's still not too built up, but the transport is an issue.
Hampton Park station? Where is that? I've never heard of it.
There is no station in Hampton Park, however it is close to Lynbrook or Hallam train station.
Hallam station.
To be honest, small new family doesn't mean you need a 4 bedroom house.
I'd rather have a older 3 Bedroom house/town house in a better area than a new house in the outer south east. You'll thank me in 10 years.
Don't forget that better areas have better schools/lower crime too.
Where is your job located?
Thank you @JB1. We are planning to go with a newer house because it is easier to maintain. Without hopefully giving too much information, I am currently work in the Melbourne CBD. When you say better area, did you mean going to the east side?
Actually an older house in good condition is easier to maintain than a new house. Newer houses may look great but sometimes are poorly built.
Something that has been built 50 years ago and hasn't fallen over or cracked is likely to be remain in good condition as they are generally well built.
Yeah East is better for living and also future capital growth. Look at the value of the land, not the new shiny house.
Have you looked at a say a 3 bedroom townhouse in Bayswater. Bayswater has a train station and isn't such a bad area. If you live more than an hours drive from the City in peak hour, regardless of where you buy make sure that you have access to the train. Faster and cheaper than driving. Houses close to but not next to a train station will always command a premium in future.
It's interesting that 10-20 years ago that you didn't want to live in Bayswater, Boronia & Ferntree Gully, but they aren't so cheap now. Most of the people growing up there who have been priced out of the area have moved further out, and the people who stayed in or moved into Bayswater, Boronia & Ferntree Gully are generally a better class of people.
Areas like Pakenham, Officer, Cranbourne, Hallam may look ok now, but the nice young kids turn into feral teenagers, then the place turns into shit.
Yeah… the South East suburbs are attracting the lower classes because they're the only places they can afford. I'd strongly against going South East. Don't forget to factor in the increased commuting costs if you're going to drive to work everyday. I was spending $80+ in petrol per week (110km/day) and over $75 in Citylink alone. Not to mention the increased wear on the vehicle, which means more frequent maintenance, more tyres and lower resale value of your car over the same period of time.
Just nitpicking but South East suburbs is a massive area and some are great and expensive suburbs.
I know what you mean by saying South East suburbs but South East suburbs of Melbourne could mean Beaumaris, Caulfield, Glen Waverley or Pakenham - http://www.realestate.com.au/buy/in-south+east+melbourne%2c+…
I would refer to Hallam as outer south east or Casey.
I'd take the train to the city if I lived that far out.. ~$7 a day is cheap.
@JB1: When I say South East I basically mean anything down the Monash. Beaumaris I consider Bayside, but I get what you mean. Caulfield/Glen Waverley are at least within 40mins of the CBD. Once you get past the Eastlink crossover the traffic is unbearable and only getting worse everyday.
Train is your only real option, but the Pakenham line is probably the busiest and most unreliable line around (for probably the same reasons as the Monash is overloaded)
I agree, traffic is getting worst especially as more and more people will move there due to price.
Where do you live now?
I'm currently in Rowville, moved back in with the folks. The train is pretty far away so I drive to work in the city. Traffic is bad in the morning (going home is ok) but not that terrible compared to friends who live further out.
In a couple of years I'll move into my new place in Mt Waverley. Looking very forward to it and the reduced commute time with the option to walking to the train station.
@JB1: Cheltenham. Trying to find a place within budget around Bayside, but it's super expensive here. Then again, you get what you pay for. Absolutely love it here, and there's no way in hell I'd ever consider a place where I was reliant on the Monash again!
Bayside is a nice area. If it wasn't for all my and my wife's side of the family being in the SE Suburbs, I'd move to Hampton.
Mount Waverley isn't too bad traffic wise, you can always get to the city via Dandenong Road.
@JB1:
If I might ask, is the new place in Mt Waverley a house or something else? I found it very hard to find a newer decent house closer to CBD area and train stations, most of them are town houses or apartments. Also, for Rowville, one of my friend is driving to Glen Waverley. There is a multilevel parking which almost empty most of the time and from there you can take 30 min train to the CBD.
@JB1: My wife's family lives up past Doncaster. There's a plus side to being far enough away from family that they can't drop by uninvited :P
I bought a corner block, knocking it down and building 2 houses on there, both will be over 30sq. I will live in one, unsure what to do with the other one. Building 2 was the only way I could afford to build a new house and have a manageable non-deductible mortgage.
I believe your friend is referring to Syndal Station. I think it's slightly more than 30 mins as the trains stop at all stops.
lol.. unfortunately, (well also very fortunately) we still need family close to help look after our young kids as we slave away to pay for said house.
@JB1: i liked the rowville/boronia area too, but the closest train station being Dandenong and Glen waverley is really such negavtive.
There's the Boronia train station in…. Boronia lol..
Bayswater/Boronia/Ferntree Gully have their own stations.. unfortunately Rowville doesn't.
I don't live there, but I work in Hallam, just nearby. I've never seen anything myself, but consistently hear news stories etc about all kinds of shit happening around this area. I'd try and find something elsewhere.
On a side note, I've recently moved to Pakenham (on the outskirts), from St Kilda and so far it's been lovely and quiet. I'm only renting, but I moved from a 1 bedroom, old shit hole with no facilities at all - no heating, no cooling, no parking, no laundry - to a 3 bedroom BIG unit with air-con, central heating, double electric garage etc and I'm paying just $20 more per month. So you can get alot more for your money out there.
Thank you for your reply. I really like Pakenham too, especially the newer estates around Officer, it is nice, quiet and family friendly. However, from the look of it, commuting from Pakenham to CBD can be a hassle.
Hampton Park = Broadmeadows of the SE.
Like a few others are suggesting, Pakenham, Pakenham Spings even Narre Warren.
I live in Hallam, bought a 3 bedroom place in September last year. Got property valuation done last week and price is already up by 23K of what I paid. Not bad!
Have not seen anything scary on a daily basis that would worry me too much. Access to the freeway is quick with 2 entrances (Princes Highway into M420 and Hallam Road into M1).
Coles and Woolies within 3-4 mins drive of wherever you live in Hallam and Fountain Gate about 12-13 mins drive.
Suits me pretty well tbh. My work is on St Kilda Road, leave at 6:50am sharp and exit at Burke Road and take Malvern Road into the city. Normally a 50 minute run max at that hour via Monash or even if you take Dandenong Road all the way.
22-23 mins from Hallam to Burke Road and another 25 mins max to St Kilda Road if you get onto Malvern Road before 9am.
You should check out some new developments on Frawley Road and around, drive to Hallam Station will be about 4-5 minutes.
Numerous young families buying places in Hallam just across from Hallam Secondary.
Hope this helps.
Thank you Supman. That is very helful. I guess it is also depend on where you live. Bad suburb does not mean everywhere in the suburb are bad.
Do you know if it is still possible to get parking around 7am in Hallam station? I am travelling mainly using train everyday.
Yes plenty parking around 7am.
If you get there a bit after 7 and the carpark is full, even then there's plenty parking out on the side street.
I'd suggest make a few trips to Hallam, checkout local Coles and Woolies, you can generally tell a lot about a residential suburb by the sort of crowd you see at the local supermarkets.
Thank you for the suggestion. The closest Coles actually will be in Lynbrook village. It looks like a nicer area actually over there. Newer development compared to Hampton Park. Also, can I ask if you can get a descent internet over there in Hallam? I heard the internet is quite problematic over there?
Internet is a problem yes, but not a massive one. I am with TPG and get occasional disconnects especially after 11pm. During the day its fine.
I live near Spring Square side of Hallam, there's a Coles at Spring Square too.
STAY AWAY !!!
I wouldn't buy in Hampton Park as it's a pretty dodgy area but the surrounding suburbs Narre Warren and Berwick and even Lynbrook are much nicer and in the same sort of price range.
Thank you! The Hampton Park area that I want to buy actually very close to Lynbrook (about 4-5km). We went to Lynbrook last night and it is indeed a very nice place and it has its own train station. It felt safer too. Hopefully we can find something in the area close to the train station.
Narre Warren and Berwick will not work for me unfortunately, the parking over there is always full after 7am.
Is there particular reason why you must go south eastern corridor area?
{please do not flame}
for 500K, you can get quite comfortable in Taylors Hill and Caroline Springs. Previously (near my house), there was a property on the market for 550K with swimming pool.
I have young family and it's perfect place to stay. I live in Taylors Hill, large piece of land with 4.5 bedders and very good size yard.
However if you are very particular about school, then this side isn't the best.
I send my kids to Essendon Grammar, about 20 mins drive in the CityLink.
Hope it helps tho
Thank you for the reply and yes, it is very helpful. Main reason is because our friends and families are here. Therefore, east or south east area is our option for now.
Also i heard theres a tip in hampton park and can get quite smelly on the warmer days. Ita cheaper for a reason.
Thank you! Did not realise that before.
Something tells me that these questions should be directed at people who live (currently or recently) in the suburb and not on a forum with people spitting out rubbish.
There are some grade A bs, uninformed comments in here regarding the area.
I have actually done both :) the feedback from Ozb community always great and I have asked the people who live in the area as well.
I would advise against Hampton Park. It's a troublesome area compared to the surrounding areas. Perhaps there might be okay pockets but this would heavily depend if you get good neighbours or not. I think you would have a higher chance to get better neighbours in other suburbs. If you do have to buy in the area I would check it out on Friday/Saturday nights to see what kind of natives are about.. Might give you a better feel for the suburbs vibe.
Have you looked at areas like Carrum Downs and Chelsea Heights?
I think Chelsea Heights for house is more around $600k but depends on size of land.
Carrum Downs is full of new houses and is a short drive to Carrum station.
Is Narre Warren is really negative as mentioned above..? Just bought first home here and 1km/2km walk from westfield/station. … Know nothing about this suburb before except the affordable price… Hopefully it's not a terrible decision to live in NW…
You'll be fine. I have numerous friends living in and around NW and they love it.
should be fine, just don't eat too many dounts and hanging around the kmart too much
nice suggestion :p
just a tip, if you live near the station the traffic gets pretty congested during peak hours with car piled around the railway crossing.
My dad used to live in Hampton Park, not the prettiest place, no particular reason to avoid it though. Quite a multicultural place and also many young families. My suggestion is to trust crime statistics rather than perceptions of place.
I'm from Berwick initially, its a good place if you have a local job or a job where you can work odd hours like 6am to 2pm, otherwise the Monash is very frustrating.
I think that the bigger towns in regional Victoria, such as Ballarat and Bendigo, are better value generally speaking and offer a lot lifestyle wise, and far less congestion, if you can find a decent paying job there (which excludes many).
It looks like that there were many negative advices about Hampton Park. I am also looking a property under 400K and think of Hampton Park. But it looks like i do not have any other choice because the property price is really crazy at the moment. How about Hampton park vs. Frankston vs. Frankston North?
depends on where/how you plan to commune to work via train or car. like other have mentioned, the monash get quite busy during peak hour and pound rd to the south gippsland freeway also get quite congested. if you going by train, the hallam train station is quite scary at night as the light in the car park is very limited..
Personally I think that this whole South Eastern suburb thing is way way way over-rated!! Chinese investors have jumped on the band-wagon and made sure house prices sky rocket. Look at an absolutely beautiful new suburb/ community in the north-west like Caroline Springs. Unquestionably more beautiful and better in almost every way to what Hampton Park or any other SE suburb has to offer. Beautiful new homes, excellent new clean facilities for adults and kids alike, heaps of shopping centres and train stations nearby, no ugly power poles and overhead wires, great water features and schools too. Only 25 minutes from city without major crimes. No SE suburb even comes close!!!! Just politicians and old foggies trying to hold onto the high status. Time for Melbournians to wake up and smell the coffee.
Expensive getto. Average price $400000 to $500000 for a piece of crap way over rated a lot of rentals around. A lot of junkies roaming the streets. Hampton park shop watch out as you will be harassed for for money by junkies lurking around shops. Over all the area looks dirty and run down no one really looks after there properties except for a minority. If you walk the streets walk with friends never by your self in the area and lock up everything. Take your money and buy in a safer cleaner area.
Hampton Park? Hopefully you'll have a mobile phone handy when you get stabbed there…