Buying Our First Home in Melbourne for $650k-$700k

Perth027 on 12/03/2024 - 19:29
Last edited 12/03/2024 - 20:14 by 2 other users

Me and my wife were looking to buy our very first house in Melbourne, we moved here from Sydney about a year ago and we're still trying to get an idea of the suburbs. We are currently renting in Altona Meadows and love it here, but it's hard to find something in our budget. Our main criterias are -

1) Close to a train station, and max 30-40 mins commute to Flinders Street.

2) A property that is move in ready and would only need minor renovations to live in.

3) Would give us good returns when selling the house.

Good primary/ secondary school zones would be a bonus for us.

We have a budget of $650-700k and are considering -

  • Altona Meadows/ Seabrook/ Hoppers Crossing/ Point Cook in the South West

and

  • Taylors Lakes, Sydenham in the North West. I'm avoiding Kealba for the landfill.

Would appreciate any advice/ recommendations!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • onetwothreefour on 12/03/2024 - 19:34
    +18

    Username does not check out.

    • Guybrush57 on 12/03/2024 - 22:07
      +2

      Perth moved from Sydney to Melbourne. Seems simple enough to me.

      • Sleeqb7 on 13/03/2024 - 10:33

        I thought Sydney and Melbourne kept moving to Brisbane?

      • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 11:45
        +1

        Exactly, I was in Perth temporarily when I opened this account!

  • freefall101 on 12/03/2024 - 20:03
    +2

    https://caportal.com.au/melair/virtual/m3r - this is a handy tool for looking at flight paths around the airport. Gives you an idea of how noisy it could be. Taylors Lake/Sydenham looks generally OK but it's worth going out there and having a listen.

    IMO Hadfield and Fawkner are quite nice. Likely to appreciate ok as it's pretty well priced compared to the same distance from the city out east, it's just that it's close to Broadmeadows. It'll gentrify further in years to come though.

    Depends what you want for $650-700k though. It's really competitive in that price range because of the first home buyer concessions on stamp duty, $650k you pay $11k stamp duty, $700k you pay $24k.

    I'd also really have a second thought on places that are ready to move into vs needing a few grand work. When I was looking at places, if it presented incredibly well you whack an extra $100k on the price and the auctions are packed. Everyone is hunting for the same thing.

    • jjjaar on 12/03/2024 - 20:25

      I love being near planes. Moved away from a flight path and something was missing for sure.

      Agree with Hadfield and Fawkner. Definitely some well priced properties. Even Pascoe Vale is a good buy - I know someone that purchased a 3 bed townhouse there mid last year within OPs range, and this was when things were a bit more expensive because there were many more buyers than properties. It’s gone down a little now.

    • soan papdi on 12/03/2024 - 21:44
      +1

      IMO Hadfield and Fawkner are quite nice

      Both have among the worst public high schools in VIC. If high school is a requirement and they plan to stay long term, stay away from both suburbs. Accessibility wise, agree. No train station for Hadfield but Fawkner does.

      • freefall101 on 12/03/2024 - 22:49

        Huh, did not know this about the schools. Train station is on the border between the suburbs though, technically it’s in Hadfield despite being called Fawkner, as Sydney Rd is the border, so it’s hardly a point of difference.

  • Dollar General on 12/03/2024 - 20:23
    +1

    I would go Altona Meadows over hoppers or point cook, even if you have to get a smaller property

    • jjjaar on 12/03/2024 - 20:27
      +4

      Anything over point cook. Getting to the station can add an extra hour to your commute on a bad day, 20 mins on a good one.

      • Perth027 on 12/03/2024 - 21:57
        +1

        Depends on where in Point Cook, Broadway Blvd and Palmers Rd aren't near as congested as Point Cook Rd.

        I agree Altona Meadows would be our first choice, given the proximity to Laverton Station which gets Express trains (30 mins train ride to Flinders, which is hard to beat unless you're going inner city) + easy access to M1.

        Small properties are unfortunately rare in Altona Meadows. We don't want to get a townhouse, at our budget well probably have to get a more run down 3 bed 1 bathroom house.

        • jjjaar on 12/03/2024 - 22:41
          +1

          The blocks in point cook are pretty small and the house takes up the whole thing so if you do actually want a yard that’s something to keep in mind.

          I also think the definition of “townhouse” changes from person to person. It’s often used as a catch all for any kind of unit development on a block where only one dwelling used to be. It’s not just semi-detached buildings like in London which is the more traditional definition.

          If you associate “townhouse” with strata, anything with only 2 on the block won’t have strata in vic. Many older subdivisions don’t have an active strata either, and those on corners with no common property usually don’t either. Just check the title.

          If you already know you like Altona Meadows you might find something that fits the bill if you do look at those blocks that were subdivided in the last 30 odd years.

          Quick search shows the following:
          https://www.realestate.com.au/property-unit-vic-altona+meado…
          https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-altona+mead…

    • Perth027 on 12/03/2024 - 22:24

      I am not entirely sold on Hoppers Crossing tbh, but our budget is pretty restrictive. For lack of any better words it is a working class neighborhood with some shady figures with their rusty VS Commodores parked on the streets, but amenities are very good (HC station, Werribee Mercy Hospital, Pac Werribee and lots of stores).

      I'd imagine it'd be next in line for gentrification given how Laverton is going.

      • JIMB0 on 13/03/2024 - 05:14
        +1

        Gentrification can take much longer than you think. An area only needs to have a minority population of mongers to ruin it. It doesn't help when investors buy most of the properties and rent them out to mongers.

        • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 11:52
          +1

          I drove around Hoppers Crossing/ Werribee at a weekday midnight ("bird cage" public housing area), surprisingly a lot of it has gentrified, with relatively new cars, well kept front yards and some new buildings and townhouses.

          But I agree gentrification will take several decades, and especially for people's negative sentiments to change around Hoppers/ Werribee and even Laverton and Footscray for that matter, due to high concentration of public housing and their rep as working class suburbs in the recent past.

          Equivalent to Blacktown/ Campbelltown/ Doonside areas in Sydney

  • randomusername2017 on 12/03/2024 - 20:30
    +1

    Too many scammers in Point Cook

    • Perth027 on 12/03/2024 - 22:30

      I don't get it, what does that have anything to do with Point Cook?

  • Dollar General on 12/03/2024 - 20:36

    There are a few pockets of Laverton that are ok too

    • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 13:33

      I've found most houses in Laverton to be in a dilapidated condition unfortunately.

      Most real estate agents aren't even posting photos of inside of the house these days but rather plans for 3 townhouses you can build once you knock down the old structure.

      • Dollar General on 13/03/2024 - 13:38

        The good pockets are near the station & shops. Outside of that it’s a developers market

        Perhaps look at St Albans and Sunshine too

  • soan papdi on 12/03/2024 - 23:01
    +5

    Every factor you’re listing adds at least 100k to the price as every one else wants those same conveniences. For a first house, suggest going with an older property and improving it over time. Sell in 4-5 years for a house you really like, you’ll also have a better idea of what to look for.

  • bazingaa on 12/03/2024 - 23:11

    come to South East mate :D lol

    • Perth027 on 12/03/2024 - 23:28

      Where in South East? If it was a choice between a free standing house in Hoppers Crossing and Brighton it'd be a though one for me mate.

  • Hardlyworkin on 13/03/2024 - 07:39
    +1

    Move to Adelaide if you want all those things on that budget. And yes, Adelaide doesn't stack up to Melbourne in may comparisons though for a young family it has a lot to offer.

  • DGrayson82 on 13/03/2024 - 07:42
    +1

    Lived in Taylors Lakes/Taylors Hill for most of my life and loved it.

    Would stay far away from Point Cook

    • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 11:56

      Any reason to avoid Point Cook?

      • DGrayson82 on 13/03/2024 - 14:44
        +1

        I dont know if things have improved recently but a few years ago when we were looking for a new place I did some research and everyone that I'd spoken to who resided in Point Cook always complained about the traffic and infrastructure.

      • lgacb08 on 13/03/2024 - 17:28
        +1

        Transport in the north west is way better than the south west, only cost you a toll gantry if there's accidents on the free option. But anything with Taylors in its name will cost you near 1 mill mark for a free standing non dilapidated house on your criteria. Only sydenham and delahey you might have some chance but slim.

        • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 17:39

          Yeah I had noticed. Taylors Hill and Taylors Lakes being very expensive. Anything with "Keilor" in it's name seems to be just as expensive too.

          I quite liked the old houses in Taylors Lakes (but sadly those are going close to 800k), even the 90s houses there are huge and gives off affluent vibes compared to older properties in Altona Meadows / Hoppers Crossing even, mostly big single storey houses in big blocks of land.

          What's your take on Sydenham and Delahey? Microburbs ranks Delahey a low score for affluence based on census data… But Sydenham is ranked almost as high as Taylors Lakes.

          • lgacb08 on 13/03/2024 - 21:17

            @Perth027: Delahey is quite a decent option for your criteria, provided you don't need to get too far into Taylors road to get home. It and any other suburbs to the south of the train line will give you far greater transport options and less headache, try get onto m79 on the usual afternoon peak and you will understand. But with your budget it will be a stretch, you'll have to either put up with townhouse or learn diy to make your place more liveable.

    • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 13:40

      Could you elaborate pros and cons of those areas? How is the parking situation at Watergardens Station?

      Also how are Sydenham and Hillside as suburbs?

      • jjjaar on 13/03/2024 - 13:53
        +2

        How is the parking situation at Watergardens Station?

        Dunno, but there’s a relatively decent bus network in terms of coverage out that way (don’t ask me about frequency) https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/default-site/more/maps/met…

        Also how are Sydenham and Hillside as suburbs?

        They’re fine, and you get a lot more bang for your buck compared to say sunshine or st Albans. But they’re outer suburbs that are relatively newer and feel that way. Whether you like that feeling is a different story.

        Can I suggest with your shortlist of suburbs (point cook, taylors lakes etc but even see where else you can afford and add more) and either spend a day out that way (cafe, walk at the local shops/down the streets, check out the PT options) OR rent an airbnb in the areas for a few days, ideally over weekdays to test commute and weekends to get a sense (so like a thurs-sun kinda thing). Just really try immerse yourself in them.

        The other factor that should be important is if you have any friends/family and you want to stay near.

  • Kavoth on 13/03/2024 - 08:55
    +2

    I live in Altona Meadows and can confirm that its a sleepy little suburb that fortunately gets overlooked a lot.
    Highly recommended due to the following factors:

    Pros
    - Quiet at night to the point I can hear the owl in the park across the road every night.
    - Has many small parks and playgrounds giving the feeling of space.
    - People are nice here and I've never had any issues while going for walks to shopping at the local shopping center (I have an Asian background).
    - Endless walking tracks that end up in Altona Beach.
    - People mow their lawns around here and take pride in their houses.
    - We have one set of traffic lights in the whole suburb.
    - 5 minute drive to Altona Beach and Altona Dog Park.
    - Brand new sports center and outdoor sports park has recently opened.

    Cons
    - Not many shopping options for fruit and veggies.
    - Not many options for uber eats and menulog so the misses and I drive out to the city for date nights.
    - We don't have a flight path over us but sometimes choppers from the Raaf base fly past and our local area facebook gets lit up with questioning what the chopper is doing.

    • Perth027 on 13/03/2024 - 11:58
      +2

      Exactly what I have experienced here in the last few months, absolutely love it here. Not to mention the proximity to Lavo Station which is a 5 mins drive that gets frequent limited express Metro trains that take you to the CBD in 30 minutes. That's a huge advantage, and given how big the parking is at Laverton station, you can find spots all the way up to 8.30 in the morning.

      Also amazing access to M1, off peak it takes us under 25 minutes to drive to the CBD.

  • FadeToBlack on 13/03/2024 - 12:26
    +3

    Best advice I can give is to buy in the area you want and sacrifice on the size / quality of the house / location within the suburb itself to get it down into your budget.

    Realestate.com.au just published an article on Altona Meadows: https://www.realestate.com.au/news/the-sleepy-melbourne-subu…

  • Jackdawson79 on 14/03/2024 - 21:12
    +1

    That money could only get you somewhere in either far out outer suburbs or somewhere rough but that could get you somewhere nice in a regional city, have you though about a regional city or does it have to be Melbounre

  • Cappa87 on 15/03/2024 - 14:30
    -3

    Would never consider ever living in any of those area's, but house prices being what they are, I get it. Gotta do what you gotta do.

  • casho on 09/04/2024 - 15:34

    Has to be a house?

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