Altona North, VIC 3025

Well, I live off 5th Street and since I moved here, I have come to appreciate what this area has to offer in the way of facilities and the location itself. Firstly, for someone who has to commute into the city each morning, it takes me half an hour only, and I don't need to stop and start as there are no traffic lights on the freeway (strangely enough). Sometimes it moves slowly but rarely do you have to come to a complete stop. I can be on the Monash Fwy, Tullumarine Fwy or Western Ring Road within 5-10 minutes so regardless of the direction I need to head in, I have easy freeway access to take me there, and that includes the airport.

As an avid bike rider, the riding tracks along the beach here are hard to match. They go on forever and it literally takes me 5 minutes to ride to the beach. You can't do that in Maribyrnong, Spotswood or Yarraville which are areas that seem to generate alot of interest. The parks are fantastic, schools are everywhere, both public and private, and there are great facilities including a badminton centre, several modern well equipped fitness centres, a superb indoor pool, there is Newport lake just up the road with a walking track that goes all the way around. This lake is like and oasis as you feel like you just stepped into the country, yet it's on your doorstep. Think of Albert Park lake but with abundantly more oxygen generating trees!! Also, there are great shopping centres, libraries and medical centres all within walking distance from my home. And if I need more variety, it takes me ten minutes to get to Highpoint.

I just want to point out as well that I have read a few people complaining about the refinery and if there's anyone that should complain, it should be me because I can see it clearly from my top level and I am close to it, and rarely do I get any smell. Most of the time, the wind carries it skyward but sometimes if the wind is strong, you might get a brief smell but let me tell you, it really isn't that bad at all and in fact, you'd be smelling alot worse every time you drive your car in any suburb where there is traffic. And as for abbatoirs omitting smells that I have also read about, there are some several kilometers away but I have never smelled anything that resembles a dead animal. I am convinced these people must be gifted with canine scent or perhaps they didn't put their rubbish out for a couple of weeks. Who would know.

Anyway, I am here for the long term. I can afford to live in more expensive suburbs but what for? I have everthing here and more, so if you can overcome the stigma of the refinery which will eventually either be removed or relocated, then you won't be disappointed living here. There are some hoons here and there has been some reported incidents of gang related trouble but that happens EVERYWHERE, including all the inner (supposed sanctuary) suburbs of Melbourne. But they are typically isolated incidents and rare. There is a negative element everywhere you go but if you are not involved in it, then you don't see it. Me and my wife walk several nights a week all around the suburb, and we feel safe doing so. If we smile, people always smile back. Simple. Go and walk around St Kilda late at night and see how safe you feel. And you have to pay a premium for that feeling if you want to live there, and with no freeway access to get the hell out in a hurry. Well there's some dry humour for you. So yes, the people here try to be friendly, and funny. :)

Anyway, there's my two cents. If you're thinking of moving here, well then I may see you on the bike track or doing laps around Newport Lake or perhaps having a hit of badminton. You'll enjoy it here and you'll come to appreciate the convenience of the area just like me.

Cheers.

Having lived in the west in many areas over the last 6 years, Altona North is great.
I have also lived in Williamstown (where I also owed), Newport, Altona and now Altona North.
The best things about the area is that you can live outside the hussel and bustle of the city, yet are only ten minutes away for the action if needed. I work M - F and take peak hr traffic, and can say that yes it can be an nightmare coming in from the west, but the view from the Westgate helps past the time as you listen to the Monash ect also suffering the same strain.
As for the smell of the refinery, well I had it just as bad in Willy, and we all know their prices, and it was even worse when renting down in Altona.
I love the shopping on Second Ave which is walking distance for me, Altona Gate also has all the necessary shops when you can't be bothered heading out to highpoint.
The area is only improving with older properties being converted to new townhouses, and young couples moving in to the renovators dream as we did. As for the rest, well, that the same as any other suburb I know - or could afford anyway. There is a reason I left Williamstown!!!!
We love our neighbors, an older couple who even mow our front lawn for us and spoil our new baby like substitute grandparents.
Overall I find Altona North meets all of our needs. One day that refinery will go, and that will be great for not only Altona Nth, but also Newprot, Altona and Williamstown.

Surrounding several suburbs just to name a few Williamstown, Newport, Altona, Spotswood and Yarraville. Great cultural diversity, a range of shopping strips and centres to name a few Borrack Square, Blackshaws road shops, 16 Shops, Second Ave Strip, The circle and Altona gate Your shopping is covered. The green spaces such as Langshaws reserve, Koroit Kreek trail, Irwin reserve, Cooper reserve and Crofts Reserve covering the whole suburb can be easily accessed within a short walk. There is plenty of library's, sports clubs, gyms, hospitality centres, bike/walking trails and even a golf course to cover your leisurely activities. There are plenty of Catholic and Government schools with a variety of Secondary and Primary catering to your needs. Public transport is very accessible with the closest train station being 2.5 kilometres east on Mason street, Buses run very frequently with the 232 Bus providing you an easy, accessible and direct journey to the Cbd. The suburb has a low crime rate and based off my experiences is more quiet in the western part (Past chambers road).

Can't think of any other suburb that's changing as quickly as Altona North. Thousands of new homes and the young couples replacing older residents are completely transforming the area. A lot of the new residents are from the UK, europe and other part of Aus, and have rented in the inner burbs before settlingin AN. Just wait for the new town centre on Blackshaws road and when the WG.tunnel is complete. Top spot.

We live on an Avenue just off Mason street and love it. The area is full of new parents pushing prams with their pups in tow. Second avenue grocers is great for fresh produce and the city is easy to get to for work. A very friendly place to live :)

We're a young professional couple with a baby & dog, living in AN for 2 years and loving it. The area is transforming so fast.

The people are friendly, block sizes are big, there are fitness clubs, weekly park runs, a golf course, walking trails, shops and tons of parks.

2 minutes away are new cinemas, supermarkets, sushi, a pub, Newport Lakes and everything else you could want.
New cafes are opening and there are lots of young families moving to the area. An amazing lifestyle for families

Altona is a perfect place for a family day out, by either walking along any of their many beaches , or attending some of their land marks and lookouts.

Steve Mac | House Land Co | House & Land expert

Very quiet and friendly neighbours

I have originally lived in Yarraville, Newport and Seddon before I decided to buy a home in altona north. The parks are great, so many lovely birds and I’m a short walk to Newport lakes which is a rare sanctuary for an inner suburban area. The circle has a great selection of fresh produce, in fact I do all my shopping there now instead of going to the bigger supermarkets. The houses are on large lots, ideal for a family home with a decent backyard. I’ve read the reviews and people have mentioned the refinery, however it has been officially announced that it will close after 70+ years of operation which I imagine will drive further demand in the area so it will be a good time to invest now. My neighbours are great and I feel safe walking around, I even visit willy beach at least once a week (it was great having that in the 5km lockdown bubble!). The new townhouses on Blackshaws road will also bring more professionals to the area. It would be great if they can add a train station to the area, but I understand that is being looked at by council representatives. I recommend it and believe it will continue to become as desirable as its surrounding suburbs - South kingsville, Yarraville and Newport.

I Have Lived here all my life and cant afford to Move to better parts of Melb. Really hate it here and its only due to our ridiculous property prices in Melb that I stay here. Its a smelly dump (Altona petrol refinery views are fantastic though) full of hoon drivers and heavy industry, large trucks, slow congested raos (try Millers road in peak hour) etc .So avoid if you can. Note seriously there also has been gang related murders in the past so I only post this to give a real picture of the inner west / Smell-tona, rather than all the spin the real estate agents give it to keep on pumping up the over inflated property prices. 1 Million dollars plus for a crappy old 1960's brick house, you seriously would think it was Switzerland with all the lakes and mountains for those sorts of prices. Not even a train station and you pay all that money!