heatherf1

Seven years ago, we spent six months attending auctions and viewings in Williamstown, but found homes there either needed a total rebuild or were impossibly expensive (or both). One weekend we strayed across to Altona and found ourselves admiring the expansive beachfront and Norfolk Island Pines. We viewed a house in Seaholme and that was it. Large block, quiet street, solid home and 100 metres from the sea. And affordable. Since then we've discovered the vast amount of wetlands , birdlife and Friends Groups who look after these beautiful assets. There is definitely a community feel here and people are right - It does offer a little bit of 'country' in a big city, and being country people, we like that. One thing we've noticed since moving here is that it is becoming more gentrified and a cafe culture has emerged. Old houses are being replaced by new townhouses, units and apartment blocks. And prices are rising rapidly. Downsides include the lack of effort by Council to do anything constructive about the smell of rotting seaweed, for example by fixing the storm drain outlet from Civic Parade. Also the amount of trash dropped into our bay from boaties and onto the streets by visitors to the area.