Frater Court, Doncaster East, VIC 3109

I've lived here for over 20 years and am still as much in love with the area as when we first moved in. In that time we've developed lovely friendships with our neighbours who are caring and thoughtful. They even notice if you haven't been up and about for a while and check in to make sure you're okay. The neighbourhood watch aspect is fabulous with each neighbour playing their part. This includes collecting mail, taking the bins in/out and keeping an eye on each other's property. In our time here we have seen the children make lasting friendships and grow into wonderful young adults. Many of them visit regularly and always stop and have a chat.

The court aspect is extremely safe providing the perfect playground when not at the Milgate Parklands which are a huge benefit in themselves. There are acres of parkland, tended by gardeners, where Milgate families can enjoy the surrounds whether taking a walk, having a family picnic or throwing a ball. There are 2 children's play grounds, one at each end of the the main parkland beautifully maintained and a lovely addition for young families. At the end of McCubbin Terrace there are 2 tennis courts and a small basket ball court, a large oval which is used for Aussie Rules, cricket and soccer. My husband and I often do our workout at the oval and go for a run beneath the glorious golden elm trees which circle the oval. Often I simply sit on the bench at the end of the oval and contemplate the avenue of poplars, listening to the birds and taking in the tranquility.

One of the loveliest experiences in Milgate Park Estate is taking a walk through the parklands or on the paths and receiving greetings from fellow Estate members. Milgate Park with its wonderful parkland, friendly neighbours and Estate members is almost like a small country town except that you're only minutes away from the Eastern Freeway and EastLink, both of which provide quick and easy access to the city and outer suburbs.

If you're after a bit of retail therapy look no further than The Pines Shopping Centre, (Westfield) Doncaster Shopping Centre, Brand Smart and many other boutique shopping strips. Grocery shopping is a breeze with many smaller centres on offer including The Pines Shopping Centre, Tunstall Square, Jackson Court and Devon Plaza just to name a few. There are also the Donburn shops which are only 1 km away with cafes (including Handorf - the chocolates are yummy), bakery, various restaurants and take aways, chemist, doctors surgery and other professional services. There are also plenty of other restaurants in the area offering a huge variety of cuisine.

There are 2 primary schools on the Estate, both within walking distance - Milgate Primary and Our Lady of the Pines, while Doncaster Secondary is only a short distance away. Other local secondary schools include Whitefriars and Marcellin for the boys and Our Lady of Sion and Our Lady of Mercy for the girls. These are easily accessed via buses. If your children are younger, then there are a number of local childcare centres and a Montessori centre available.

To sum it up, I think it would be difficult to find another area that ticks all these boxes. Consequently, most families stay in the area to continue enjoying the beauty and serenity of Milgate Park Estate. Fresh air, beautiful parklands with tall trees, friendly neighbours, an ideal environment to raise children and all so close to the city!