Buying House to Live in - Melbourne Western Suburb Vs South Eastern Suburb - Which One Is Recommended?

babiguling on 01/02/2018 - 23:24
Last edited 02/02/2018 - 09:30

Hi

We are looking to purchase an independent house
Wondering whether Western Suburb (Truganina, Tarneit, Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes, Hoppers Crossing, Werribee) is a better option than South Eastern Suburb (Hallam, Hampton Park, Narre Warren)

Also considering Northern Suburb, but now seem too overpriced (i.e Mernda, Kalkallo).

Currently those above mentioned suburbs are the ones we can still afford to buy.

Can Anyone point out the right direction for me please? in terms of

Safety (lesser crime, burglary, gang/bikies)
Growth prediction in future
Development (new highway, expansion etc)

I am relying heavily on public transport/ commute to work.

Max Budget is 500K, desired minimum land size 400 sqm

Thank you in advance

Home & Garden

Comments

  • airal3rt on 01/02/2018 - 23:34
    +26

    SouthEast is obviously a much nicer area to live, but your budget won't stretch as far as what it would out West. Hunt around and decide if the tradeoff is worth it for you.

    • AngryMan on 06/02/2018 - 11:09
      +2

      What makes SE so much nicer?

      • 811b11e8 on 06/02/2018 - 18:52
        +3

        Traditionally More roads, More trains, more parks, less crime, better schools.

        However crime in Dandenong seems impressively high.

        • AngryMan on 07/02/2018 - 10:06
          +1

          If you look via distance it's likely that 15km SE is nicer than the same distance NW, but if you compare via price you'll find N/W is comparable to S/E.

  • Some Human on 02/02/2018 - 00:03
    +21

    Buy in the western suburbs, already too many people here in south east suburbs.

    • Ulysses31 on 06/02/2018 - 22:57

      Dat western commute tho!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2018 - 00:15
    +4

    frankston mate

    • Fake News on 02/02/2018 - 00:44
      +2

      You can only get a place in The Pines (Frankston North/former housing commission area) these days, and many are going for well into the 500s

      • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2018 - 00:49
        +11

        Ok toorak then

        • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2018 - 09:04

          Footscray!!!

        • kimmylala on 04/02/2018 - 17:23
          +3

          @blaccdong: GL, 500k would get you a 1 bedroom apartment in footscray

        • poohduck on 05/02/2018 - 12:37

          @blaccdong: We stayed at an air bnb in Footscray for 2 weeks. It was awesome. We had folding bicycles that we travelled with on the plane. Lots of tracks heading further out west, or into the city via waterfront. It was a real adventure. We covered about 180km (riding every 2nd day), mostly on tracks. Those SE suburbs you mentioned really sound as boring as bat shit. I grew up near those areas.

      • Cyphar on 03/02/2018 - 18:17
        +1

        House prices in Frankston are ridiculous. I sold the family home on Gould St for 1.3 mil back in 2011. We bought it decades ago for $170k. Yes its by the beach but it’s Frankston. Couldn’t believe how much house prices have gone up

        • JIMB0 on 03/02/2018 - 23:53
          +6

          People are expecting Frankston to gentrify and have bid the prices up accordingly. IMO they have gotten way ahead of themselves. Sure the place has a lot going for it, but the bogans and the junkies don't seem to be leaving. Maybe in another 10 years things will be different.

        • DanielR on 04/02/2018 - 12:50
          +2

          What you expect Gould St… 2 metres from beach…

          I am just on the hill and prices have gone crazy from 3 years ago…

        • A fish on 04/02/2018 - 21:08

          How much did you pay for it if you add interest paid and adjust for inflation?

        • 811b11e8 on 06/02/2018 - 18:54

          Gould Street has been super expensive for ages, its on the beach!

          1.3 mil sounds cheap.

        • Ulysses31 on 06/02/2018 - 22:58
          +1

          @JIMB0: We've been saying it for 30 years… and we'll be saying it for another 30.

          Slow burn.

    • JIMB0 on 03/02/2018 - 17:46
      +1

      And get hasseled for your spare change by junkies when out and about.

      • anastasiastarz on 04/02/2018 - 20:52

        We have them in Camberwell & Hawthorn too! Though there's only one in each town.

        • JoJoker on 05/02/2018 - 22:45

          I've said hello regularly to the Camberwell one for well over a year when he used to chill in Richmond. It was odd the first time I came home and he was in Camberwell.

        • anastasiastarz on 05/02/2018 - 23:39

          @JoJoker: Is the Glenferrie Safeway guy a different guy? He's a chalk artist and I often see his work at the underground at Flinders.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/02/2018 - 05:39

          @anastasiastarz:
          Chalk artist = primary school teacher?

        • JoJoker on 06/02/2018 - 11:11

          @anastasiastarz: Yeah, different guy

  • chumlee on 02/02/2018 - 07:08
    +5

    Mernda

    Train station being built and not yet as crowded as west or south east

    • babiguling on 02/02/2018 - 09:27
      +2

      yeah overpriced now and can't take the traffic jam, too many roundabout as well =(
      The houses & views are nice though

      • ekomyman on 03/02/2018 - 12:14
        +2

        I'm in mernda and watch the auction results. I have seen 20sq places go under 480k. Seems alot of younger couple's can't afford the repayments so get out with what they get offered.

      • pxrnm on 03/02/2018 - 22:26

        Traffic jam if you drive on rush hour, in the mean time plenty road is being widened. The train is coming in 2019 including Hawkstowe and merrymade station too from south morang. Costco is planned for epping. Westfield south morang is being upgraded with cinema. Study for connecting nothern ringroad to m3 is also on the way. Many new schools are being built in the area. I say the area is booming.

        • WillKillfor5Cents on 04/02/2018 - 13:14

          Heard great things about Mernda… but never really thought about it. As a potential FHB, might be a good area to look at. Do you live around the area pxrnm?

  • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2018 - 08:16
    +5

    As TISM sang,

    "You can build an abattoir on Anzac Cove
    You can invade Poland, scream death to the foe
    You can cut the ozone layer down by thirds
    Just don't come from the Western suburbs"

    So that's a no to the Western Suburbs.

    • stonkered on 03/02/2018 - 20:30
      +1

      Haha, its been a long time.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/02/2018 - 08:28
      -3

      So five negs so far

      It’s good to see people voting who got there education down at the Tech. That have never heard of the proletariat. Never been there, of course; it's what I've heard. I never came from a Western suburb!

      • [Deactivated] on 05/02/2018 - 18:15
        -3

        More negs from people who stand and stink on the Werribee line.

  • jjjaar on 02/02/2018 - 08:27
    +7

    I am relying heavily on public transport/ commute to work.

    Max Budget is 500K, desired minimum land size 400 sqm

    If you're commuting to the CBD, I'd recommend being open to units or flats and buying closer in. The outer growth suburbs take an hour min each way to commute, go somewhere like Pascoe vale or glenroy and its 25. Those areas are great. Safe. And yes you'll have an apartment or flat but you'll be very close to everything you need.

    If you're still set on outer suburbs, west or north. Better connections to the airport.

    • Cyphar on 03/02/2018 - 18:18
      +1

      32 minute trip in from Melton, 27 from Caroline Springs and the V/Line is a superior ride than Metro

      • prhino on 06/02/2018 - 20:24

        How can you get from Caroline Springs to the CBD in 27 minutes?

        • Cyphar on 06/02/2018 - 21:00

          By using the vline

        • prhino on 06/02/2018 - 21:58

          @Cyphar: which train from Caroline Springs to Flinders Street takes 27 minutes? I can't see one on PTV.

          EDIT: never mind, I guess you're taking Southern Cross

        • Cyphar on 06/02/2018 - 22:09

          The Ballarat line gets you from Caroline Springs to Southern Cross in 27 minutes. V/Line trains do not go Flinders St or through the loop. You should transfer @ Footscray Station for that which will take 34 minutes including transfers to Flinders St.

        • prhino on 06/02/2018 - 22:11
          +1

          @Cyphar: Nice. I'm surprised it's a that quick.

  • 0FoxGiven on 02/02/2018 - 08:45
    +6

    With that budget and land size, Wyndham Vale is your ONLY option. If you get a place near the station, then the journey to the CBD would take you only about 40min on the V/Line which is much better than the time its takes on metro trains/trams from the east of the north

    • jjjaar on 02/02/2018 - 12:29
      +6

      100% agree WV is a great option with OPs parameters.

      But I think it's important to flesh out the time from WV:

      • 40 mins is to Southern Cross. If you work elsewhere in the CBD add 10-15 mins (walking, train or tram).
      • Also note that trains that originate in Geelong will be standing room only already by the time they get to WV in the AM.
      • And if you have a specific work start time, you really don't have options with the train. i.e. start at 9am and you pretty much have to take the 7:55 from WV (arriving SC at 8:34), as the Geelong trains are often delayed. (There is an 8:15 arr 8:48, but its ex. Geelong, often late and wouldn't accomodate a 9am start across much of the CBD, unless your work is next to SC)
      • 40 mins on board the train, but you're leaving home at ~7:45 for a 9am start.
      • If your work has flexible working hours, then the above may not be an issue

      So, to OP, that was my reason for compromising on your land size (above). Better accessibility in established areas and/or along metro lines with higher peak frequencies.

    • babiguling on 02/02/2018 - 22:55

      Noticed that property price in Wyndham Vale is slow to increase, at least slower than Point Cook, Werribee, does anyone know the cause of this?
      Is it because it's not in Metro lines, no popular school, or are there any other reasons?
      just curious

      • harley on 03/02/2018 - 14:38
        +3

        I think it's a combination of being too far out from - the Mel CBD, freeway entrance, main shopping hubs such as the werribee cbd and plaza. Also plenty of developing lands around and much closer to the cbd.

        I live in Hoppers Crossing myself, next to the plaza. Work in werribee so commute not an issue. Surrounded by supermarkets and shops within 5 minutes drive. Very convenient. My area is quite quiet, and lovely neighbours. Quick to get on the freeway to cbd or geelong. Public Hospital nearby, and St Vincent is being built as well, medical clinics everywhere. The council is looking at a lot of development inc east Werribee precinct 'education city'. Wyndham is also a growth corridor.

        Schools out here are not the highest performing though (except suzanne corey (special public select), heathdale (private) and Westbourne (private)), you only have Werribee Secondary College.

        House prices are going up quite quick though. around 500k+ for just over 500 sqm.

      • serpserpserp on 04/02/2018 - 08:37

        I think it is because Tarneit West is probably the pick of the growth areas out there given a new train station is coming very soon. WV closer to the sewage treatment plant as well?

      • nurbsenvi on 04/02/2018 - 17:10
        +1

        Wyndam Vale is just inconvenient compare to Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Point Cook.

  • Ocker on 02/02/2018 - 09:26
    -5

    If you are considering the Western suburbs then factor into your budget the cost of steel grills on the doors and windows. Als0 the cost of self defense courses for the family.

    • babiguling on 02/02/2018 - 09:29
      +1

      hmm,.. is it really that bad?

      • Ocker on 02/02/2018 - 09:31

        That is no exaggeration. Home invasions by "people of African appearance" are rampant in the Western suburbs and the police are seemingly powerless to stop it.

        • sheepdog on 05/02/2018 - 09:36
          +1

          Name fits.

      • 0FoxGiven on 02/02/2018 - 12:36
        +15

        It is exaggerated. I love how they highlight home invasions by "people of African appearance" are rampant in the Western suburbs while the home invasions by drugged out white teenagers that are pretty much rampant everywhere else don't get the limelight and all the white folk scream for the deportation and hanging of "people of African appearance".

        • Herbse on 03/02/2018 - 01:04
          +7

          Deport all criminals, is my motto.

        • ashanrath on 04/02/2018 - 01:52
          +15

          @Herbse: Worked for the British!

        • 2023 on 06/02/2018 - 17:06

          @Herbse:
          It is so frustrating to see no action being taken when those on visa's are constantly in front of the court yet are allowed to walk free after a little slap on the wrist.

        • Ulysses31 on 06/02/2018 - 23:03

          @linton: How do you know their citizenship/nationality?

          A Current Affair or Today Tonight?

        • 2023 on 07/02/2018 - 01:39

          @YogaPants:

          Sure, I always base my thoughts from these two shows, stories of African gangs running the suburbs wedged between which supermarket has the cheapest roast chooks and fathers running away from their 26 illegitimate kids.

          No, I have a number of outlets that I hear from, amongst them a few friends in the force and legal, crime and court reports in newspapers and online, as well as legitimate news programs.

          With all my information I form my opinions.
          While I'm not saying it's all the crime in suburbs, it's part and it is frustrating to no end that tax payer money goes to finding and prosecution yet because offenders are either juvenile, have come from a disadvantaged nation, substance effected, etc. then it's just a revolving door of justice.

          All I'm saying is if people have come here for a new start, don't bring what they are supposedly trying to escape, else they should be returned to what they feel is acceptable.

      • EyesWideOpen on 03/02/2018 - 11:49
        +3

        no it's not, there are some very good areas in the west; but you better search through the older local newspapers and keep note of the pockets where trouble is. Also some crimes are not reported in news. Say if you find a house, google hard on the nearby streets to check precious trouble, so to avoid a bad area. Also visit the local supermarkets after dark to have a feel.

      • machej on 04/02/2018 - 00:59

        Not really, in certain areas it's worse like Tarneit but places like Point Cook & Werribee are hardly as bad especially closer to the police stations.

      • Belts on 04/02/2018 - 07:21
        +7

        We bought in Footscray. No issues at all. Lovely families, young professionals, and they’re just great neighbours all around. Have been more afraid of tweaked out people of Anglo-Saxon appearance in the city. Don’t know what the heck Ocker is on about.

        • buckster on 04/02/2018 - 07:55
          +7

          They watch too much current affair

        • machej on 06/02/2018 - 23:33
          +1

          @buckster: or read the Daily Mail every other day.

    • Wills7 on 02/02/2018 - 11:39
      +5

      Outer South East has more aggravated burglaries according to this.

      http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/i-sleep-with-one-eye-open-…

      "According to crime data for 2016, released on Thursday, the 3977 postcode, which includes Cranbourne, Skye and Devon Meadows, had the most home invasions in Melbourne, and was one of only three postcodes in the state to record more than 100 aggravated burglary offences."

      Areas where the most aggravated burglaries were recorded last year
      Suburbs 2015 2016 Change last year
      Ballarat North/Alfredton 65 135 70
      Cranbourne/Skye/Devon Meadows 56 125 69
      Mildura 85 121 36
      Dandenong/Bangholme 58 90 32
      Narre Warren 28 68 40
      Berwick 50 67 17
      Werribee South/Derrimut 50 63 13
      Hoppers Crossing 44 60 16
      St Kilda 29 59 30
      St Albans East/Kealba/Kings Park 59 58 -1

      • Ocker on 02/02/2018 - 12:17
        -8

        That data is a year old and does not reflect the current crime situation

        • 0FoxGiven on 02/02/2018 - 12:38
          +8

          Show us similar data with numbers that supports your "current crime situation" stats before you dismiss this

        • pyramid on 02/02/2018 - 12:53
          +8

          Latest From RACV Burglary Stats-
          Rank Postcode Suburb/Town Burglary Rate: 1 in ___ homes
          1 3851 Airly, Seaspray, Montgomery, Darriman 17
          2 3978 Cardinia, Clyde, Clyde North 20
          3 3200 Frankston North, Pines Forest 20
          4 3335 Plumpton, Rockbank 25
          5 3840 Driffield 27
          6 3809 Officer, Officer South 27
          7 3858 Arbuckle 28
          8 3927 Somers 29
          9 3214 Corio, Norlane, North Shore 29
          10 3047 Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana 32

        • Ocker on 02/02/2018 - 13:01

          Show me yours first

        • 0FoxGiven on 02/02/2018 - 13:08
          +4

          @Ocker: You naughty you… Oh pyramid is showing you his :)

        • pyramid on 02/02/2018 - 13:37
          +3

          @0FoxGiven: Stop guys, i m not going to show mine. You can see each others :D..

        • ms_caz on 02/02/2018 - 21:35
          +1

          @pyramid:

          These burglary stats also include things like Theft of property from Building Sites/unoccupied new homes.

          Aggravated Burglary is the violent home invasion type crime, whereas Burglary involves entering a property with the intent to steal/damage property.

          Given that the suburbs mentioned such as Cardinia, Clyde, Officer are almost totally new housing estates, it makes sense that they have high burglary crime stats.

          No idea what it is like over the west in terms of suburbs with heavy construction - i would imagine Rockbank might fall into this category as well.

          In other words, if you are looking at statistics, make sure that you know what the statistics are telling you rather than just reacting to the numbers!

        • Cyphar on 03/02/2018 - 18:20

          @0FoxGiven: His source is the local Buy Swap Sell page on Facebook, duh!

        • burningrage on 04/02/2018 - 21:23

          @pyramid:

          This reminds of one of the House of the Dead Overkill skit where Varla Guns said, "If you two finished admiring each other d***ks, we have a mass murderer psycho to after".

          But seriously, there is a reason why residents in Tarneit (which is within the municipality of Wyndham) has decided to take the matters into their own hands.

        • sansam on 04/02/2018 - 23:39

          @ms_caz: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/south-east/15-million-24h…
          Vote for libz lol to get a police station, shouldnt this be a public right ?

        • sheepdog on 05/02/2018 - 09:39
          +1

          @ms_caz: You're absolutely right about site burglary boosting numbers, but I think the only Western area in that list is Rockbank/Plumption which is 95% rural and very very new estate - as in, its only been rezoned in the last 5 years for the new estates.

        • machej on 06/02/2018 - 23:06

          @pyramid: No one denies Corio and Norlane are high risk areas either. Hoppers and Werribee aren't there though.

      • Ulysses31 on 06/02/2018 - 23:04
        -1

        Stats are true. But ask yourself why…

    • freakatronic on 03/02/2018 - 22:39
      +2

      Don't know why you're getting negged. I'm building in point cook. I will be fortifying my house and leaving weapons in easy to reach locations everywhere in it.

    • no not me on 04/02/2018 - 00:11
      +1

      Yawn. Go hang around Elsternwick station and see how it works out for you. Just as bad on both sides.

      Also, FYI, these home invasions tend to target people with luxury cars – seems odd that we'd see a home invasion in a low cost area, no?

    • EARLOBE on 07/02/2018 - 04:25
      +2

      I'd be far more concerned about the bogan junkies in the south eastern suburbs. Having lived in Dandenong and Boronia, I can tell you that they're far more of an issue than any "people of African appearance".

      Also, when I first moved to Melbourne 7 years ago, my place in Clayton was broken into by one of our neighbours, who I believe was Vietnamese? His family was lovely though.

      Early last year my place in Oakleigh East (just across the road from the Clayton house) was broken into, this time by some junkie. We eventually found him on faceboook trying to sell jewellery he'd stolen. Dumbass.

  • amaro123 on 02/02/2018 - 09:27
    +3

    You can also try Thornhill Park and Rockbank(Woodlea,Bridgefield plus few new estates). They have good masterplans with focus on families. Rockbank station is getting upgraded and Thornhill Park has an upcoming station. Good luck with house hunting.

    • babiguling on 02/02/2018 - 09:41

      Thanks, I will look into it

      • thriftybunny on 03/02/2018 - 15:46

        Can second Woodlea, have some friends with family moving to the new estate there and they seem pretty happy

      • lunartemis on 03/02/2018 - 17:43

        When do you plan on moving in? We bought a block of land in Thornhill Park in November 2016 and it is just getting titled in the next few weeks. If you buy the latest stages, you won’t be building anything until the 3rd quarter of 2019 at the earliest. Plus, the cheapest land and house package is around $380k for 270m2 block of land

    • chefdillu on 04/02/2018 - 11:18

      http://www.woodlea.com.au/

  • Oz8argain on 02/02/2018 - 10:39
    -5

    was visiting a friend from the western suburbs, dropped by a shopping centre on the way. I wanted to leave within 5 mins..

    • babiguling on 02/02/2018 - 11:35
      +1

      and the reason?

      • Oz8argain on 02/02/2018 - 13:28
        -1

        fear for my safety

        • dasher86 on 02/02/2018 - 15:08
          +29

          Toughen up mate.

      • alo1234 on 03/02/2018 - 23:49
        +3

        he forgot his wallet

    • EyesWideOpen on 03/02/2018 - 11:55

      what shopping center is that? I'm curious. Is it after dusk?

    • OzzyOzbourne on 03/02/2018 - 16:54

      Which shopping centre? I've never seen any like that.

      • Cyphar on 03/02/2018 - 18:21
        +6

        Because he’s talking shit

    • Belts on 04/02/2018 - 07:26
      +3

      Today, in “things that never happened”!

    • buckster on 04/02/2018 - 07:57
      +1

      Peter Dutton says hello

  • bighead on 02/02/2018 - 10:43
    +2

    East side traffic is bad… I'm talking bumper to bumper on the Eastern. East side trains are packed like sardines come rush hour.
    I sometimes wonder if catching V-line from rural Victoria would be quicker to CBD.

    • Cyphar on 03/02/2018 - 18:22
      +1

      I live in Ballarat but have properties in Ballan and Melton. For a brief while, Ballarat had a 59 minute V/Line to Southern Cross but has since stretched back out by 20 mins. Melton is around ~35 mins. Bacchus Marsh is 40 mins.

    • serpserpserp on 04/02/2018 - 08:40
      +1

      Warragul would be my pick of V/Line stations to live near if you were going to commute from the east. Beautiful area.

  • sansam on 02/02/2018 - 11:13

    Berwick and Clyde good areas too

    • babiguling on 02/02/2018 - 11:35

      Clyde , not too far?

      • [Deactivated] on 02/02/2018 - 11:44

        45KMish from CBD

      • jjjaar on 02/02/2018 - 12:21
        +1

        I went there for a meeting yesterday at 10am and it took 60 mins each way off peak from the CBD.

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