Don Chicho

We live in Elwood (me and my son).

We bought here after living in St Kilda East which is sketchy.

Elwood Village has walking distance to shops, cafes, beach and the canal. Period homes, apartments and shop architecture. Elwood has its own culture.

If you need to go to the city everyday for work you need to take a tram (slow) 30 mins to city, or ride a bike to Elsternwick Railway Station instead. This takes 5 mins ride down Glen Huntley road or catch a bus, and not far from Coles etc. 5 min drive. Not a big deal.

Alot of people in other reviews bag Elwood for not having a train station, or the hayfever due the beautiful plain trees or the WASPy demographic (lack of multiculturalism) or its expensive. That is their opinon.

We are not WASPs, its not an issue, I have hayfever and now we walk, ride more. Being near the inner city beaches you will pay more for property.

Multicultural areas close to the city with great transport exist in Richmond and Footscray. There is no need to bag Elwood for "not being the same" or it "needs to have more multiculturalism".

People are friendly here I have not met any "stuck up people" or racist people as other posts have claimed Elwood has so being a different culture is not an issue at all. Elwood has its own unique culture which is also fine.

Next, it is a trendy beach side suburb, cafes, shops are a bit pricer. There is no Coles, Woolies but there is an IGA and local fruit and veg shop. This makes it unique as it has its own shopping culture.

If you want close to transport, mega supermarkets and close to the beach buy in Williamstown or Frankston, but they do not have tree lined streets or a canal.

Lastly, there is a lower percentage of couples with children here but that is because the suburb is >50% apartments that are 1-2 bedroom. People with children are very sociable so it is not an issue at all.