BigDaveF

Eclectic mix of expensive and cheap houses and similar mix of people. A lot of professionals live in the area catching the train into to city for work. Upwey is still very affordable and you can beat the value for money you get here. We bought our home five years ago after renting in Oakleigh and for under $300K we bought a 4bed + study house on 1600m2. House is now worth $450-$500K which is good growth but still affordable compared to the Melb average ($600K in 2010). House next door to ours recently sold for $270K.
We love the proximity of the village, public transport, shops, medical facilities, recreational areas, and childcare.

Alexander Avenue is long street so this review is only about the lower end of the street where we live between The Avenue and Rutherford Road. We've lived there since Dec 2005 after moving from Oakleigh and Port Melbourne before this. This was our first house and we're really happy with the area. Our section of Alexander Ave backs onto Thompson Reserve so there is backyard access directly into a football/cricket oval.
The street is relatively quiet but with some through traffic most noticeable in the morning and evening with the work crowd. Alexander Ave connects to Mt Dandenong Tourist Drive via Mast Gully Road so there's some traffic using this option.
Lots of trees along the street and few street lights which is good and bad. Not really any footpaths for walking along the road nor is there street parking - but everyone has driveways.
Our section is really close (5-10min walk) to the Upwey village with cafes, restaurants and public transport (train). There is a local bus but it doesn't run very often. There are a number of new cafes and restaurants recently opened in the village along with a good little Foodworks supermarket, organic health food store, butcher, and some great takeaway food places. Other eating options are in Tecoma and Belgrave (a few minutes up Burwood Hwy).
There are schools very close (primary and secondary) along with a Council run childcare facility which is one of the best around the area (both our children go there - nursery and kinder). The local childcare centre is about to undergo a major rebuild to expand and incorporate childcare from nursery to preschool, maternal health care centre, community centre and public open space and playground.
There is a local medical clinic which is good and a plethora of oesto, chiro and other similar facilities very close by.
No facilities for going out close by but this is a residential area so its great. Local RSL club and a great nightclub (Ruby's) in Belgrave a reasonable walk or few minute train ride away.