originalkfc

It's all down the individual, but both my neighbours are friends with our family - mutual help when we go away for a few weeks, occasional dinners etc. Its that sort of vibe which is available if you are the type to make the effort. Otherwise, the tone is best described as respectful. The suburb is multicultural being so close to Box Hill (significant and historic concentration of Cantonese Chinese). Being of Asian descent and raised in Australia, this is where Mont Albert appeals strongly, being a nexus of classic English style wide canopied streets and a few minutes drive to Box Hill where the Asian cuisine (Koren, Vietnamese, Taiwanese, Sichuan, Hong Kong BBQ, Hong Kong Claypot and it goes on and on) is great, diverse and cheap. There is also Taipan - Melbourne's best place for Yum Cha. Having a large Asian representation in the area, I was surprised at how affordable groceries were. Just down Whitehorse road towards Surrey Hills, there are more typical Pizza, Cafe places.

The streets are clean and very green. People take pride in keeping their houses and frontages impeccable. In Autumn, Winter the suburb's colour palette is just divine. Young professionals move here to get away from the city and to have their young families feel safe, so there are no taverns in Mont Albert, or any of the surround suburbs. There are a few bottle shops around, but you have to hunt. Interestingly, if you are looking for a Macdonalds, you'll have to drive a few suburbs out. Nightlife is staying at home in Mont Albert. To be hip, be in South Yarra. For hip replacements, Mont Albert is more your speed.

Shopping options: 8 minutes drive to Doncaster Shoppingtown, which is a slightly inferior Chadstone - but has Coles, Woolworths, Apple Store, Nepresso, Target, Big W etc..; 5 minutes to Box Hill Cento (train station).. Asian weighted shopping - ideal if you really don't like spending a lot of money - has a very friendly bulk billing GP (Dr Nasser) Coles, Woolworths, Big W. Parking is free at Doncaster and $1 at Box Hill. Internet: Cable 100Mbps is live (NBN speed) - cost $80 (24m) for 200GB with phone (unlimited local and mobile calls). There is an Aldi about 8 minutes drive (Station Street). Nearest Bunnings feels ages away at Box Hill - effectively about 15 minutes away. Doncaster Bunnings is in planning stages.

Resale: The suburb is very tightly held, by and large by moderately affluent owners. There is strong demand from Box Hill and Doncaster occupants. People who buy into Mont Albert expect to be paying a premium. In terms of snob value, it is more highly regarded than surrounding Box Hill, Mont Albert North and Doncaster, but less highly regarded than surrounding Surrey Hills and Balwyn. One gets the sense, it tends each year more towards Surrey Hills and away from Box Hill, Doncaster - however I am biased. In truth, all suburbs in this pocket are very good and sought after.

Schools: We focussed on daycare, kinder and primary only. Mont Albert Primary School is very highly ranked. Mont Albert Daycare is alright so far - not blown away at first blush. The elite eastern suburbs private school belt is easy to get to via the 109 tram on Whitehorse Road. Parks for kids in the area are ok with Kingsley Gardens, Mont Albert Park, Mont Albert Reserve (cricket pitch) all having basic kids play equipment. Box Hill Tafe is essentially within Mont Albert

Transport: 109 tram (Hotham Street) which you would be crazy to take in Mont Albert, since the train is 7 minutes walk away. Trains suck a little bit, since the express is usually from Camberwell to Box Hill, or Camberwell to Surrey Hills to Box Hill. After a while, you learn to optimise and get off at Surrey Hills to catch an all stations to Box Hill - get off at Mont Albert.. or just walk from Surrey hills (15 minutes extra). Morning trains come every 10 minutes. If you are a risk taker, you can attempt to get to Box Hill in order to catch a Richmond Express, which is the fastest way to get into the city. Trip back is more of a pain. On average, trip to work is 30 minutes train station to train station. Back home, more like 40 minutes on average. Commuters are mix of private school kids, their professional parents, young professionals who grew up in the area and mid career professionals who have moved into the area. It is a diverse mix re age, ethnicity, background.

We looked at nearly every suburb in Melbourne for 8 months, and for us and what we liked and who we were (a middle-class professional australian-asian young family) we chose Mont Albert as the best option within our price range and for what was available. After living here for a while now, I would say that even if we had no ceiling on price, Mont Albert is still a perfect combination of safety, serenity, class and sensible living.