Where should I reside if my work is in Port Melbourne?

Question

I am moving from Canada to Melbourne to work in the Port Melbourne area. Please guide as to which area where should I stay? Please recommend two options - 1. A place where I can buy or 2. a place where I can rent and is safe!! Thanks..

Thanks to all. I am not very rich - 700K house is certainly not for me.
Someone mentioned Point Cook - how much of a drive is it from Pt Melbourne?
Just FYI: No start date has been defined yet, but I think its bout a three months out.See you then!

Answer 1

G'day,

To give you some idea of how safe Melbourne is, I have included an article from one of the newspaper in Melbourne (The Age)

To give you an idea of Port Melbourne's surrounding, I have included an Australian online-map (whereis.com.au), where you can just entered suburb: Port Melbourne, in the state of Victoria. As you can see, some of the closest suburbs are South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park, St. Kilda, Docklands, Southbank, Melbourne CBD, Spotswood, Williamstown and Yarravile. Most of them are very expensive area for rent or buy, with some exceptions in Spotswood and Yarravile with heavy industrial areas.

Unfortunately you did not mention what sort of accommodation you are looking for and for what budget. Docklands and Southbank are more of apartment style accommodation, whereas the other suburbs are mainly houses. Personally, I will pick apartments for renting, and houses to buy.

If you think AUD 700,000-800,000 is too expensive for you to buy (houses), then you may want to look a little further to the west. I live in Point Cook, which is abt 15min drive to Port Melbourne. It is a newly opened estates, some of them are very exceptionally done, but with price range very much below the abovementioned suburbs.

I am listing some real estate websites for you to make comparisons (realestate.com.au and domain.com.au) and one real estate company that are very dominant in Point Cook area.

Good Luck and welcome to Melbourne.

Answer 2

Safety is not a big deal here unless you're planning on drug dealing or something in your spare time. But some places are definitely nicer than others.

Port Melbourne is not on a rail line and only half-served by one tram line, but there are bus services. Bicycle access is excellent (flat and with bike lanes), and the Westgate Freeway runs right through it. Suburbs like Yarraville and Spotswood are only close to Port Melbourne if you have a car to drive over the Westgate Bridge. Point Cook is some distance out on the freeway.

Your nicest and most convenient options will be anywhere from the city (especially Docklands) to St Kilda and then heading east or further out bayside. (St Kilda is a happening place and has a couple of less desirable streets.) Suburbs in this area have distinct characters that may influence your choice. The eastern & bayside suburbs are generally greener and more expensive than the historically industrial western ones.

Housing is relatively expensive here to buy; rents are relatively reasonable.

On the map below, Port Melbourne is located where the word Melbourne appears on the opening map.

Feel free to email me if you want more specific info.

Answer 3

Suburbs around Port Melbourne are Yarraville, West Melbourne, Docklands, Newport, Southbank and Albert Park. It has been a while since I have been to Melbourne so I could advise you on which suburbs are safe but I think this area is quite expensive.

If you check the following sites you can search by suburb and get a feel for the market http://bcl.domain.com.au/Public/ChooseSuburbs.aspx?mode=buy&state=VIC&areas=Inner+City
http://www.buxton.com.au/cgi-bin/wsh.pl?Con=S&Suburbs=Port+Melbourne&gclid=CNeb_KzRmIkCFRsrYQodz0WoOg

Answer 4

you could move to Pt Melb, not a bad area up and coming close to the city and the beach, renting there is prob the more affordable option, or if you have a lazy $700,000 you can buy a house, appartments are abit cheaper,other areas close by are albert park,middle park,south melb all of which are safe areas and have quite good cafe's,resturants,public transport and most importantly PUBS! good luck.

Answer 5

In a residence would be good