Ballarat Central, VIC 3350

We moved from Melbourne to Ballarat, we bought in the feral area of Winter valley, that was our first mistake. The house prices here are affordable but houses here keep depreciating in value! The youth crime and crime in general is out of control! Our son has been jumped twice walking home from school, definitely not a safe town for young children or even teenagers! We have found the utilities are more expensive here than Melbourne! The house rates are insane per year and again rates in Melbourne are cheaper! The schools here are quite disappointing and the cost to go to a private school is insane , you’d be better off moving back down to Melbourne ! All year round the weather is atrocious, in winter it’s cold wet and miserable and in summer it’s bipolar, it’s either 40 degree heat and then the following day is back down to 21 degrees and cold. Ontop of that there is literally nothing to do here and there’s never anything for families to do up here not even on the school holidays. You’d be better off staying in Melbourne

Too many of the reviews on this site are from real estate agents who want you to buy/rent their properties! Ballarat is extremely overrated.

It's not a "country town" and hasn't been for a long time, houses here are NOT affordable anymore. The roads are poor quality, a lot of streets have no footpaths, many of the buildings are run-down and dirty.

The demographic here is not good. Too many bogans using drugs and alcohol in public. Packs of jobless teenagers wander around at night, where are their parents? Lots of hoons speeding and doing burnouts especially on main roads near pubs.

Public transport in Ballarat is a joke: the bus service is extremely unreliable, with buses often showing up late OR they show up early and don't wait.

The V/Line train service isn't frequent enough. Too often they run a 3-car train instead of a 6-car train, meaning it is constantly over-crowded. Of course, this is all assuming you even get a train to begin with, every other week the line goes down with coach replacements, so it often takes over 2 hours to get to Melbourne!

And of course, the weather in Ballarat is terrible. Freezing cold, rainy, windy, but also susceptible to horrible heat waves.

Hugely overrated area, don't buy into the hype.

Ballarat is a vibrant regional city located in Victoria. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and thriving arts scene, Ballarat offers a unique suburban lifestyle with a range of amenities and attractions.

Location
Ballarat is situated approximately 115 kilometers northwest of Melbourne, making it an ideal option for those seeking a suburban lifestyle with easy access to the city. The city is well-connected via highways and has a train station, allowing for convenient transportation options.

Housing
The suburb of Ballarat offers a diverse range of housing options, from period homes with Victorian-era charm to modern estates. The property market is relatively affordable compared to major cities, making it an attractive destination for families and first-time homebuyers. Additionally, there are plenty of new land developments and housing estates on the outskirts of the city, providing further options for buyers.

Education
Ballarat has a strong education system, with a number of quality schools and educational institutions. There are several reputable public and private schools catering to all levels of education, ensuring that families have access to excellent educational opportunities for their children.

Lifestyle and Amenities
Ballarat boasts a rich cultural and artistic scene. The city is home to a variety of art galleries, museums, theaters, and festivals that cater to all interests. Lake Wendouree, a beautiful recreational area, offers residents the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities such as walking, running, and cycling. Additionally, the suburb has numerous shopping precincts, restaurants, cafes, and local markets, providing a vibrant and convenient lifestyle.

Employment Opportunities
Ballarat has a diverse economy, with employment opportunities available in various sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and retail. The city is home to several hospitals, educational institutions, and government departments, offering a range of job prospects.

Infrastructure and Development
Ballarat has experienced significant infrastructure development in recent years. The city has a well-maintained road network, public transport options, and essential services. Ongoing investment in infrastructure and development projects ensures that the suburb continues to grow and improve.

In summary, Ballarat is a desirable suburb in Victoria, Australia, offering a rich blend of history, culture, and community spirit. With its affordable housing options, quality education, and diverse range of amenities, it provides a comfortable and fulfilling suburban lifestyle for residents.

Great sense of community with an ever growing population at a steady level to grow infrastructure. Easy commute to Melbourne either by train or drive. Amazing collection of cafe and culture (like a mini Melbourne). I live in Melbourne and commuted to Ballarat for work. Many great places to work. Stunning houses of Edwardian and Gold Rush era with a blend of modern town houses. A great place to invest (Central Ballarat). Easy serviceability with steady capital growth. Surrounding areas seeing substantial growth(2018-2019) at time of review. With scope for more. Regional markets offer a great alternative to Metro for getting into the investor market. Slow and steady growth unlike Metro which can make larger returns in a shorter time.

Lovely place to live. Have been here 18 months and absolutely love it. Affordable housing in many areas and a huge range of shopping options. Beautiful parks and a never ending amount of food, activities and festivals. I also love the quick 1 hour drive down to Melbourne to visit family.
The only downside that still leaves a sour taste about Ballarat is the amount of simply down right dishonest businesses we encountered during moving & living here. All are/were locally owned businesses and to experience so many in such a small space of time is concerning.
When it comes to mortgage lending groups, real estate agents, furniture removal co's and un switched conveyancers do your research and never rely solely on written reviews

Rentals are too high in price and utility are a joke over price Ballarat can be a beautiful place but expensive

I moved to Ballarat 2 years ago with my two young kids and hubby. Wow, what a great move! Initially I was quite worried about moving out of Melbourne but I knew I didnt want a massive mortgage or to be stuck in the deathly suburbs. Ugh.

After hunting around a few other places (Belgrave, Geelong, etc) we settled on Ballarat because of the great schools, nice houses and direct access to Melbourne.

The commute can be a bit of drain at times but my hubby now works in Ballarat and there has been more and more going on in his industry (construction).

We love the city for the family friendly atmosphere and natural beauty. You wont regret coming to Ballarat!

I just love Ballarat. I moved here a few years ago and have seen it on the up and up. The cafe culture is improving every month as is the bar and restaurant scene. Check out L'espresso, Yellow Espresso, Websters and The Local to name a few. Ballarat Central is one of the oldest parts of towns and much of the architecture and charm has been preserved.

It's a short walk to shops, amenities and transport. Everything you need within minutes, not to mention friendly approachable people.

The govt continues to improve the rail links to melbourne and is investing in the local economy with more and more jobs. There's loads going on here so get in and get amongst it before the boom kicks off again!