InvestorNestor

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.