which melbourne suburb is best....?

[faye]

hello All

Me and my family have just landed in Melbourne and need your help again to find out which is the best melbourne suburb for us and our two small children (ages 4 and 1) to spend the next year....!

I've been looking at cityhobo and like the sound of Camberwell, Kensington, Eltham.
We were also wondering if Mount Eliza and Mornington Peninsula would suit us as we don't mind being away from the city if it means we can have a bit more space for the children to run around outside. (We have lugged the kids trampoline over with us so need a garden at least big enough to put this up again..)!!

We are staying in St kilda right now in a rented apartment but we have to move from here in 10 days so starting to feel the pressure. I was hoping I had cracked the jet lag but as I'm writing this at 3.40am and have been up for a couple of hours, maybe not, and this is slowing us down a bit in our search....

Today we looked at Williamstown which did nothing for us....but tomorrow we will check out Camberwell so fingers crossed...

grateful for any recommendations anyone can come up with.

Faeyxx

[Madam Mim]

Hi Faye

I suppose a lot depends on your budget and where work will be. All the areas you have mentioned nearer the city are nice. Mornington peninsula is also a great place to live. Fantastic beaches etc. Really as I said depends how long you are prepared to commute to work and what sort of budget you have. I actually love Williamstown - know quite a few people who live there.

[faye]

hello

thanks for your reply. We are not tied to the city or finding work. I think we are really looking for somewhere safe, beautiful which lots of things for children but also some nice resto's and cafe's. I'm not really into hustle and bustle anymore, prefer something quite relaxed and unprententious... As for budget, we were thinking up to 600 pw.

yeah, I'd been really confident Williamstown would be a hit after the reading I did but its hard to tell when its really a pit stop lookabout, and we are exhausted, we only got here three days ago.

Fayex

[Madam Mim]

By the sounds of it you would love Mornington peninsula etc., area, Fantastic beaches, fantastic walks, great little cafes and retaurants and great wineries - no hustle or bustle. If you don't have to be close to the city I think it sounds perfect for you. Also know friends who live there and would never consider moving anywhere else as they love it. It is beautiful down that way. Think with your budget you should be pretty right with any of the areas. Good luck with the house hunting - let us know how you go.

[faye]

thanks for that. Does that include Mount Eliza?
Do you know if they have the big parks, and all the leisure facilities that they have in the city. Swimming, tennis, riding etc.
Also, I love a big supermarket where I can do a big shop, haven't come across one yet. Only a smallish Coles and an expensive organic place, could I find one there or is it too quaint ..?

[sgilli3]

I spent most of my life in the SE suburbs...and loved it ( Berwick to be exact)...great cafes, restaurants/schools, ( state, Catholic and private...primary and secondary),university and TAFE, child care centres, lots of parks ( Including Botanical Gardens), 4 or 5 major supermarkets, buses, train line, next suburb ( Narre Warren) has huge indoor swimming complex, and a great library.
Horse riding lessons are also available

It is only 40 kms from heart of city.

There are sporting clubs ( netball, tennis, golf course, karate, art classes, gyms, ....etc etc)

I am a little biased though !!

Berwick Australia

Berwick-Village Chamber of Commerce Inc. City of Casey, Victoria, Australia

[Tiffani]

Frankston is lovely. You might really enjoy that. Camberwell is nice but may be a little too hustle-bustle for you. The outer suburbs might be more appropriate for you (we live in Oakleigh and love it -- very Hellenic and it has a pedestrianised centre so it's almost like a European square).

I also think that st. Kilda and Willie are overrated, so I can appreciate where you're coming from. If you're not tied to the city, I would say Outer East/Outer South-East or the Peninsula.