fengels
Reviews
"Mayfield Reality"
Despite the claims of many who have lived in Mayfield for some time, the reality is different. The heroin houses are still plentiful Just ring Waratah Police Station and ask them how many known heroin houses are in Mayfield. Where I live there are about 4 within walking distance. Claims of a renaissance are a little bit premature. Prostitution is slipping over the Tighes Hill Railway Bridge and the reality is that there is no resolve to actually fix it. Assualts are still a regular occurence. I do not let my children walk the streets at night. Recently a friend of mine was badly beaten in Mayfield. People living here want to sell the place up, the vested interests of such 'glowing reviews' should be obvious - it improves there property values. My advice before buying ANYWHERE in Mayfield contact the local police as your dream little cottage renovated by some local could turn into a living hell if your neighbours are junkies. Check whether there are local shooting galleries near your prospective new home, investigate the laneways as used needles are a common problem.
Mayfield remains cheap. Alot of investors have bought up many properties and a sizeable number of the residents are tenants. Tenants are not owners, they more regularly move. Students are fine. Normals families are very hospitable and you get to know people very quickly by just walking around and saying g'day. However, there remains an underclass here that is quite concerning. Violence is a reality in this suburb, especially late at night.
Familes with young children (babies) should be fine. But once your kids hit teenage years you really do not want them growing up in Mayfield. But as a place to start it is terrific value. Mayfield cannot be tarred with a single brush, there are some lovely pockets here. But the problems are real and usually only dawn on people once they have actually lived here. One final point: avoid properties close to the train line unless you want the screeching of those coal trains rumbling the foundations of your house in the wee small hours of the night - but this is a problem for any suburb close to the rail infrastructure in Newcastle.
Think hard about Mayfield, but my advice is that it offers a bargain compared with other suburbs, but you simply have to do your research first and be prepared to accept the reality of why it is a cheaper suburb.
Great for
- Cheap
Not great for
- Street violence, crime
- Drug addicts and used needles
Who lives here?
- Singles
- Students
Great review, honest and informative.. what are the key employment industries in the area? Are there quality child care facilities in the area?
Mayfield is excellent! It may have a seedy side, but that is part of its attraction. We've just bought our second house in Mayfield and we're looking for another one. We first lived here 10 years ago and I've noticed a change since then. More families are moving into the area and more people are renovating their houses to and taking pride in them. It is Newtown/Enmore of about 10-15 years ago and will only get better!
Hmm Fengels you say: "People living here want to sell the place up, the vested interests of such 'glowing reviews' should be obvious - it improves there (sic) property values." That might be true (the glowing reviews) but I've been in mayfield for 4 years and I'm still there. I agree with a few things you say. But the same could be said about most places in Newcastle, I'm afraid. There's late-night assaults and drug use in some of the more desirable suburbs closer to town so I don't think Mayfield is a lone ranger there. Most people who have moved up from Sydney would probably think most of the so-called bad stuff is pretty tame. As Mackanan says, more young families are moving in and I agree with that. I think there'll always be an underclass about but that's everywhere too. Bottom line is, no one truly ever knows what their neighbours are going to be like when they move in. Mine are great so I have no issues. And to kwmc7, yes there are good child care facilities in the area, 6 Hats at Mayfield being one of them. But yeah, everyone should do their research ... just don't don't be too disappointed if you splash out double the amount on a house elsewhere and find out you have junkies living around you there too ...
12 years and not going anywhere, hey fengals if you move property prices will skyrocket!!!
Just wanted to add the coal trains mentioned by fengels are an issue. I'd definitely look to stay north of Maitland Road where there are many nice pockets of housing and tree-lined streets.
Hi Emma, can't believe this thred is still going after all these years but we are still here, about to bring up 10 years and plan on many more after renovating. The past few years have been crazy around Mayfield but I guess we and people like Mackanan, who I don't know, always believed it would happen eventually. Coffee shops springing up every week and more and more houses selling for good prices. I still chuckle at Fengels comment going back. Yeah there's always something or someone looking "dodgy" around here - or Newcastle - but it's part and parcel of life. Kerr St is a great place to start at and look around the surrounding area north of Maitland rd as Mackanan suggested. Enjoy a few beers and live music down the Stag, grab a coffee from Sidepocket, Portafilter and the Locomotive; book in for the best tapas in town at Barrio 2304 or Thai at Ruan Kao; or just experience the 100 bus into town and you'll be a local in no time. Enjoy Mayf and Newcastle. I wouldn't be moving back to Sydney any time soon that's for sure !
Just looked over at some of the comments about my original post. Very interesting indeed. For all those supposed locals maybe you could tell visitors to this discussion what it means when you hear a loud firecracker going off - like a gunshot - in Mayfield? It happens regularly, so you should know...
As one person pointed out as well, the coal trains are a problem, and it is not just the noise, it is the toxic coal dust. Get up in your roofs sometime and see it. Mayfield is right in the middle of this environmental disaster, the campaign against the 4th Coal Terminal is arguing just this point. If the terminal is approved it will be back to the bad old days when Mayfield is just plain unhealthy (the steelworks used to bellow smoke which ruined washing drying in the sun).
Mayfield is cheap for a reason. I stand by my original comments.
Hi Emma, we originally bought in Mayfield in 2002 and had to move back to Sydney for work. We bought again in 2012 and then started using our house as a weekender from 2014 to 2016. Last year we left our jobs in Sydney and now live in Mayfield and work in Newcastle CBD. We have no plans to leave Mayfield or go back to Sydney!
I have no idea where Fengels lives in Mayfield but "Negative Nelly" is completely off the mark! The area around Dangar Park isn't the best and those streets there, Carrington Street and Ingall Street, do have a bit of crime which is quite often reported, however, Mayfield is changing rapidly, and for the better. Personally the streets in Mayfield I would recommend are a pocket between Industrial Drive, Vine Street, Maitland Road and Tourle Street as well as a pocket from Silsoe Sreet, across Handbury Street to Fitzroy Street (but steer clear of Scholey, Upforld, Sunnyside and Macquarie Streets which are close to the train line from Maitland to Newcastle). Also I'd steer clear of east of Carington Street which encompasses Maitland Road and Selwyn Street and includes Dangar Park and the main coal railway corridor.
There are some great coffee shops (Portafilter, Locomotive) and delis (Pork Ewe Deli) in Mayfield. It is close to Newcastle CBD (5kms), easy to get to by bus, car or bike and 10mins to the beaches. Also, realestate.com.au has predicted price growth in Mayfield of over 16% next year taking the average house to $599k so I'm not sure why Fengels considers Mayfield "cheap for a reason" when you compare it to other suburbs a similar distance from Newcastle CBD.
If you do choose to move to Newcastle you'll learn very quickly who was born here and who wasn't because the ones who were LOVE a good whinge!
Good luck with your decision.
Hi Emma. That pocket of streets you're looking in is really lovely, close and convenient. Kerr Street has some great houses, especially at the top of that street on the hill and so too idoes Crebert Street - it has some beautiful old houses! We are in Waratah Street.
Hi Mackanan! Thank you for your reply! It has been VERY helpful! The house that we were looking at is on Dundas Street! Only 4 houses back from the train line so I think we will give it a miss! We are definately moving up- my husband started work up there today! Have just accepted a rental on Kerr St - will take our time now to find somewhere in the right spot! Which street are you on if you don't mind me asking? We just missed out on a place in Crebert Street last wee at auction!
Hey fengels- when was your original comment posted? I am from Sydney and looking at buying in the area and have seen a lovely house but its VERY close to the train line. Being from Sydney I have no idea about the frequency of the coal trains so looking for some more info!
Hi livinginahood Thank you so much for your comment! We move on Wednesday! Nervous, excited, everything in one! Looking forward to our next adventure in Mayf and will be sure to give all those recomendations a go! Will be in need of a beer or 3 after this move!
Mayfield is no longer a cheap suburb, with prices for quality homes hitting the million dollar mark and unrenovated homes around $700. So get over it.
Great review, without any real facts, For anyone that wants the real story google "Crime Stats Newcastle" Mayfield fares pretty good.