Opinions on Vermont or Nunawading

Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 08:33

So we re looking for a house with decent land size. Been looking at Blackburn and Doncaster East since lock down but nothing really pop up and low supply.

Considering Vermont and Nunawading now.

I like Vermont since it has good secondary school (very important for us) and can go to Mitcham line for public transport. Any downside for Vermont (not familiar enough, we live near Doncaster)?? Also what's price expected for a decent house (600 m2 land)? Seems every seller wants 1.2+ at least :p.

Same questions for Nunawading. But we can't find good secondary school zone for Nunawading except going to Donvale Christian school (non public) . Thanks in advance.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • 87percent on 31/01/2021 - 08:54
    +2

    Just check recent sold prices in the area for comparison prices. Why ask a forum, when the information is freely available online?!

    • MrBear on 01/02/2021 - 13:24
      +1

      But this is also free.

  • mtr on 31/01/2021 - 09:03
    +4

    Nunawading is pretty diverse, with some pockets very similar to Blackburn Nth (leafy, quiet etc) while others are pretty industrial / commerical. I like above Springfield Rd or below Central Rd.

    In terms of secondary schools, what are you using to determine whether a school is "good" or not?

    • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 09:08
      +6

      Initial step, my wife usually look at better education (some sort of school rank website) for the academic score (85 and above is considered good). And we do school tour to gauge the culture and kids. Thanks.

      • mtr on 31/01/2021 - 10:24
        +3

        I don't know why someone downvoted you, so have an upvote for your honest response.

        Here's what I'd say: Having worked as a teacher at govt schools that are both well above and well below your threshold score of 85, a school's academic performance is a very poor indicator of the quality of the school. What it does measure very well, however, is the wealth of the parents in the zone and how many private schools are in the surrounding area.

        It's also worth noting that many schools in the area you're considering are not necessarily oversubscribed, so do call around to check what their admission policy is. Some will happily take you irrespective of zone.

        • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 11:01

          Thanks again for your reply. Totally Appreciate it. Yes, ur right academic indicator is not accurate gauge. We're more interested in good culture and well behaved families like our kids primary school now. Unfortunately we don't have good secondary zoned to us. I personally like Koonung secondary but they're zoned now (not 2 years ago). Wife been asking if we still can get in. Thanks

  • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 09:25
    +1

    Infy, no bragging whatsoever. The fact that i posted the question is we were priced out in Doncaster East. That's why we re considering other suburbs.

  • BiotBargin on 31/01/2021 - 10:19

    i think you might want to find out just how hard it is to get into vermont secondary college first (unless your planning to use another school) ….

    • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 10:55

      Isn't it Zoned school?Thanks

  • p1 ama on 31/01/2021 - 15:28
    +2

    I grew up in this general area. The truth is that the surrounding areas are all quite similar - Blackburn, Nunawading, Mitcham, Vermont…etc. They're close enough together that you probably won't really see any day-to-day differences between those areas.

    Given you're from Doncaster, they won't be terribly different from Doncaster, but they will all be much less busy (particularly Vermont IMO), will have less high density living (apartment blocks…etc.) and are a bit more diverse (i.e. there will be a broader mix of people, Doncaster is fast becoming like Box Hill with a lot of ethnic Chinese people - obviously this is not a bad thing).

    Around 20 years ago in my younger days, these areas were comfortably suburban, very leafy and very quiet, but that seems to have changed. Blackburn has become a bit of a hub, with a lot of high density living. Small shopping centres have become more crowded, the roads are busier and the broad population seems to have become more transient (many more renters and international students, less young families).

    The entire strip from Nunawading to Ringwood seems to largely be going the same way. Out of all the areas in that general vicinity, I can only really think of Glen Waverley that has largely kept its old charm and family vibe, but that's probably because Glen Waverley is a much more expensive suburb.

    • Ghost47 on 31/01/2021 - 15:36

      I can only really think of Glen Waverley that has largely kept its old charm and family vibe

      I drove past Glen Waverley the other day, was surprised to see the 1-2 new high rise buildings. I swear they weren't there when I was in Melbourne last June.

      • p1 ama on 31/01/2021 - 15:46

        In the centre of Glen Waverley, yeah, but if you just move out from that sort of Kingsway/Coleman Pde area it's still very leafy, quiet, suburban.

        • Ghost47 on 31/01/2021 - 16:55

          That's true, I was just saying that I was surprised to see how quickly those developments were completed.

    • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 15:49

      Thanks for your input. Commuting wise, will i notice big difference between blackburn and Vermont/Wantirna? With Vermont/Wantirna we may need to drive to Heatherdale/Ringwood station. From google map/traffic prediction, it looks ok but don't really know from day to day traffic. Thanks

      • p1 ama on 31/01/2021 - 17:01

        I don't know what your commuting patterns are. If it's a regular two-way trip in and out of the CBD every day, then yes, it would be likely that a trip from Vermont or Wantirna will be longer because they're not served by rail.

        With either Vermont or Wantirna, yes, it would likely be a drive to Heatherdale or Mitcham station, which is fine, but my concern would more be parking. It's impossible to find parking at train stations after around 6.30am, or at the latest 7am. If your primary criteria is ease of commuting, I would suggest purchasing further out, but closer to the train station.

        I keep explaining to my friend who lives 20km from the city, but a 35 min walk + 30 min train, that I'm actually "closer" to the city than him, 40km away, but a 5 min walk + 50 min train ride. Not to mention whilst he's sweating in the summer heat walking to the station in the morning, then proceeding to stand on the train the whole way to the CBD because he's getting on in the middle of a line, I'll be sitting comfortably in a nice and cool train having come in from the end of the line where there's plenty of seats. Keep this in mind.

        • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 17:32

          Yeah, ur exactly right. Was considering Wheelers Hill and East Don (still actually) but the time/ distance to Glen station or Heidelberg (for donny east) kinda killed the plan.

          For Vermont (according to google map) can take buses (740 n 742) for about 3 kms ride. Don't mind that. But i understand buses are not dependable some. Or ride bike to station. Thanks.

          • p1 ama on 31/01/2021 - 18:00

            @Bargain-er: Wheelers' Hill is okay IMO because the 754 bus is actually reasonably dependable in my view. From Vermont, yes, it would be the 742, but it would be quite a long ride all the way to GW station.

            Doncaster isn't too bad because it at least has the bus to the city that goes on the Eastern Fwy.

            • Bargain-er on 31/01/2021 - 18:06
              +1

              @p1 ama: For Vermont, 742 to Heatherdale station i meant for abt 3 kms. From wheelers Hill depends on which point, some houses i looked at can be quite far (more than 6 kms). Doncaster buses are good and freqbut always stuck in traffic in city. My friend ends up riding to Victoria park n get the train.

  • ZloyKrys on 01/02/2021 - 20:36

    If you are looking for a good school and easy commute by train why not consider Rosanna/Viewbank/Heidelberg in the Viewbank Secondary catchment?

    • Bargain-er on 01/02/2021 - 20:53

      0 property under our filter in Viewbank. Yes Heidelberg and Rosanna will be ideal but $$$ :) and only small part is within the zone.

      • ZloyKrys on 01/02/2021 - 21:09

        Understood. Check out parts of Yallambie that are in the zone.

        • Bargain-er on 01/02/2021 - 21:19

          Did as well :P No supply there atm mate :P Hoping for more supply

          • ZloyKrys on 02/02/2021 - 14:49

            @Bargain-er: Houses do pop up, almost all on decent blocks 600m+ and some of them are under $1m even, not sure of course what you are after but it is still possible to get a 3-4 bedder in Viewbank/Yallambie under $1m and Heide/Rosanna under $1.1m but you need to be quick and this also probably rules out very large double storeys.

            • Bargain-er on 02/02/2021 - 15:13

              @ZloyKrys: Yeah usually yes. Since lock down supply is a bit low. Hope for more. Thanks

  • 10101010101 on 01/02/2021 - 21:58

    What's your budget? If school is important look for houses zoned for:

    Box Hill high
    Balwyn High
    Doncaster East secondary

    $1.2-1.5m should get you an older but liveable place 3-4 bedrooms on 650sqm.

  • nishakhurana on 02/02/2021 - 15:20

    Have you considered the western suburbs like Williams Landing or point cook. they some good private schools nearby like bacchus marsh and Westbourne grammer. Houses will be in your budget too :)

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