Gavin Staindl

As I stood out the back of my girlfriend's porch it became quite obvious why Eaglemont appeals to so many. In the foreground were paddocks, parks and a river with surroundings only occupied by bushland. In the distance the skyscrapers of the inner city poked over the native treetops. In Eaglemont you can you live within Melbourne's inner suburbia yet retreat to country bliss.
Within the suburb itself the streets are lined with trees, the houses retain a sense of character and even the local family-run mechanic treats its clients like it would in a small town. The main street only has a handful of shops but it services the locals who are proud their street isn't a bustling metropolis.

The great thing about Pakenham is it's as good as you make it.

I remember talking to an old friend about Pakenham. I said it was such a great rural community. With a puzzled look he turned to me and said "rural? Pakenham is suburban." From there we continued to discuss whether Pakenham was a rural or suburban environment. Eventually we concluded that the buzzing town can be both.

I live in Pakenham in a large seven-bedroom home set on two and a half acres that backs onto a creek, a walking track and surrounded by large gum and oak trees. My friend lives in a tight-knit community in Lakeside, Pakenham and he loves being able to walk to the shops, the lake, the gym and pop around the corner to catch up with mates.

Whatever your taste there is a good chance you can live it in Pakenham.

There are shops, cafes, gyms, sporting clubs, walking groups, elderly programs, disability services, transport and although it's not a Chadstone or Fountain Gate it is certainly a liveable town.

The Cardinia Shire has stated that by 2020 it believes everyone will have the opportunity to work, live and play in the Pakenham area from birth until retirement. So far all of my schooling and working life has been within the Cardinia Shire and I have no intention of leaving.

However, the town does have its detraction, namely its reputation. When I mention to others that I'm from Pakenham they laugh and assume I must carry a knife and stroll the Main Street in moccasins. I agree, Pakenham does have its fair share of "bogans" as can been seen on the Footy Show's segment Street Talk, but has increasingly become a classier place. The growth of areas such as Heritage Springs, Lakeside and Cardinia Lakes has lifted the reputation of Pakenham.

There is also a lack of nightlife/entertainment options. There have been talks of a cinema arriving in Pakenham for over a decade, but the truth is Pakenham's population doesn't warrant investments from the likes of Village. But all in good time.

The lastest figures released shows the largest population group in the Cardinia Shire stems from the 0-14 age group. This shows that Pakenham is a young town with plenty of potential. If you are someone with a family or someone who intends to start a family soon then you must consider the benefits of Pakenham.

PS literally as I was writing this I learned of a new laser tag/roller skating/mountain climbing centre to be open in Pakenham.