Ballarat East, VIC 3350

Ever since the pandemic Ballarat East is not really affordable anymore like it used to be. A lot of streets have no footpaths, so you have to either walk in the grass or on the road. Speaking of, Ballarat East has a lot of neglected roads, but that's something all of this region is infamous for. Some very beautiful well-maintained houses, right next to run-down houses with unkempt yards. Some sketchy people are present in the area, have noticed a few packs of teenage boys wandering the streets at night. Bus services are often very late, or come early and don't stop until the scheduled time. Almost no nightlife.

Great area, with bold displays of seasonal changes. Close proximity to cafes and shops in town . Easy access to walking tracks and yarrowee river. Love it .

Beautiful gardens and clean streets a very good first impression.

This suburb strikes a balance of all of the good things many would be looking for in a nice suburb to live:

- Is very close to the CBD (of Ballarat Central - with the v-line fast train to Melbourne from there, which can get you to Melbourne CBD in just over an hour on a good day!)

- Has heritage charm with beautiful old houses. Once upon a time Ballarat East's old houses were mostly looking worse-for-wear. These days, it seems like every second or third house is getting the complete makeover and restoration of former heritage glory under all that dirt! The streetscapes have changed as a result and there are increasingly more and more beautiful streets in Ballarat East!

- Good bus links, local/corner shops, and a few little cafes here and there, plus easy access to good schools in Ballarat East, North, and Central areas

- Not too far a drive from the big and new shopping/cinema complex at Delacombe

- Suburb is mostly leafy and has a nice feel to it, walkable to town

- Still affordable! This is a big one considering its close location to town. Rents and property prices are still reasonable, and I've heard of several people who have left Melbourne's suburbs where houses can be $800K+, for a house less than half the cost on a bigger block in a quiet street of Ballarat East. If your Melbourne job allows you to work from home even a couple of days a week; Ballarat's commute for the remaining days really doesn't take that long

- Some people are a bit grungy/dodgy (but you'll get this anywhere!), but most people I've met are lovely. There is a community spirit to parts/streets of the suburb

All in all I think this is a suburb on the up and up.