Jacana, VIC 3047

Moved here as a first home owner and can't believe how peaceful and quiet the suburb is. All our neighbours are extremely nice and helpful, great community feel. Access to Shops, PTV and Freeway is better than Broadmeadows but Jacana has a much nicer feel to it. Moved from Ascot Vale and don't regret it. Lots of families and retires, as well as more young couples moving in.

I live in Jacana and would agree with Kristina's review below save that in my experience 15 min is an understatement.

Normal travel times to CBD are approx:

35-40 mins on the Craigieburn line to Jacana station
50 -60 minutes down Pascoe Vale road to Elizabeth Street in morning rush hour 8am. None peak times about 25 min.
Express way over Westgate approx 45 min in the morning.
CityLink approx 25-30 min rather than 15 min.

After living in this area for over 15 years, Jacana is Melbourne's best kept secret. I've lived in Miami, New York, Dallas and Montreal. I grew up in NSW, and have experienced most suburbs in Melbourne....I know how to gauge quality of living. So Jacana, here it goes: brilliant access to arterials, a 15 minute trip to Elizabeth Street on City link. Five ways to get in and OUT of the suburb...no congestion. Over 30% of the suburb is parkland....yep, fresh air, birds, and oh so quiet. Full size residential blocks, no one living in chicken coops. Most down yo earth hard working honest people you will find. Remember Melbourne in the 1980's? That's exactly it. Access to to the best walking and biking trails that take you into Docklands. Walk to train station. Has its own bus route. Close to hospital, vic roads, two train stations, major shopping centre and council chambers. The area is extremely quiet, in the best way possible. Every visitor to our place from "premium" eastern suburbs all rave about how accessible we are here in Jacana to major roads and highways, yet it's SO quiet. We aren't under a flight path like other more expensive suburbs around Jacana. It boasts a LOW crime rate, clean streets, with hard working families that are the backbone of Australia.
Honestly, we are happy that this suburb is still very unknown, and we get to enjoy all of its tranquillity and brilliant access.

Having now moved to Jacana a decade ago I could see its potential and what it offered from multiple train stations, bus routes and easy access to schools, retail and open space networks. Having family living in Geelong makes a Saturday visit a breeze at about 50minutes travel time. Getting to the city/cbd on the weekend is also great by train or less than 30 minutes by car. I do not regret my purchase and even with the doubling of property prices over the last few years it is still an affordable suburb to purchase when considering its distance to the city any only $500k for a house or high $300k for a unit/townhouse. You have to travel twice as far on the other side of the city to get that kind of value for a lot around 600m2. Hands down best decision I ever made.

Having recently moved from Brisbane to Melbourne, I have been renting a townhouse in Jacana. In the past 9-months my home has been broken into twice and my car once. From what the police tell me it was likely junkies trying for a quick grab of goods before selling them for quick cash.

My home is secure and has a large gate at the front . . . but nothing seems to deter these criminals. Likely coming in from neighboring high crime suburbs like Broadmeadows,

And as for eating out and shopping - you need to head into the city if you want to avoid the low end rubbish being sold locally. Never had a decent local coffee (have tried multiple locations).

My lease is almost up . . . and as soon as it is I'll be packing my bags and leaving Jacana.

Just moved in recently to the quiet street of Jacana, can overlook the airport from my street and surround by endless green land. Easy Transport to go to the train station and bus to the airport, convenient for shopping in the broadmeadow shopping centre. There is also the convenience of Vicroad, Hospital and recreational centre nearby. Lots of schools as well. The area is also affordable if you are just starting out a family and looking to move to a suburb which is quiet and convenient to go to the CBD or the airport. This area is undervalued if you are just looking at the median price.

Very good to live in, just moved in few months ago. quiet area and friendly place, close to everything!!!!!!! Great value!!!

Older houses on large blocks. Good views of greens and Gowanbrae across the valley. Nice quiet area with train/bus and freeway access.

This is one of those perfect finds, a gorgeous little picturesque pocket between Glenroy and Broadmeadows. It's an established area which seems to have recently been rediscovered. Young couples and young families are moving in along side those who have retired and chosen to stay put (and why wouldn’t you). Jacana is perched atop a stunning valley. A great place to walk the dog, play a bit of cricket or footy or go for your morning walk or jog. There's a fantastic walking/bike track that winds along side the Moonee Ponds creek all the way to the city - it's a great ride. And if you're too tired to ride back simply hop on the train back to Jacana. Jacana is well placed for the essentials, the Broadmeadows shopping centre, schools both public and private and public transport (train and bus) and 15 minutes on the freeway and I’m in the city. And no perfect find is complete without a great local cafe. Recently opened Boops café is a hop skip and a jump away. Boasting the best coffee in the north, the guys really know their stuff. I pop in regularly for my Saturday morning fix; it’s got a great vibe and an amazing menu.

Quiet, friendly established neighbourhood - close to everything....