I would like to know about the Melbourne suburbs of Newport and Williamstown - are they good places to live?

Question

We require good cycling and walking paths, a quiet, leafy suburb and a place that is fairly close to good schools. How far are these suburbs from the CBD? Eastern suburbs are seen as desirable - does this transfer to the Western suburbs being not so?

Answer 1

G'day,

Most Melbournians will still prefer the Eastern and South-Eastern suburbs. However some of the most affordable estate in Melbourne are actually available in the west, without compromising alot.
Williamstown and Newport is close to Melbourne, abt 10-15min drive from CBD, but it will not be for the first homeowner, since they are one of the most expensive estates in Melbourne.
I live in Point Cook, abt 15-20min drive from CBD in the western part of Melbourne as well. It is very affordable and the area has been done pretty well, with lots of amenities and services being added to the area rapidly.
I am attaching an article from The Age for your reference.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Williamstown is probably the best of the western suburbs. It has excellent bayside trails and paths, it has a vibrant dining strip where waterfront cafes and restaurants sit alongside old fashioned shipbuilders. This does make it a very expensive suburb for property and rental prices. Newport is next to Williamstown but is away from the bay and closer to the industrial rail yards and the factories of Spotswood. It is cheaper but less interesting and requires a short ride or drive to the bayside bike paths.

There are some good primary schools in the inner west but for secondary schools your best bet may be the Melbourne schools, just a short train ride into town.

Answer 3

Williamstown is quite gentrified now, and a very pleasant suburb with lots of facilities. Newport is cheaper, but more industrial. Both are about 15 minutes by car or 20 to 25 minutes by train from the CBD. You don't want to drive to the CBD if you can avoid it.