woodend

We've lived in Woodend since the early eighties after moving here from the suburbs of Melbourne and we are now too spoilt to return to the city. We live on acreage about 4kms from the township and so I can attest to the quietness of the area for us. The only downside is we are on a dirt road and when the morning dew has not settled the dust or it has not rained for a while, not all drivers adhere to the 40km speed limit. The other downside is that we have a couple of neigbours who like to burn off leaves rather than composting them and of course this usually occurs on a weekend when washing is flapping on the line. Thank goodness for the summer fire restrictions. We don't have street lighting and we don't have a roadside mail delivery but that has never been an issue for us. When its a full moon or the sky is clear the stars are amazing and the full moon is magic. We have snow most years and that 's pretty good too. When Melbourne is scorching, we come home to temperatures anywhere between 2 and 6 degrees cooler so sleeplessness nights are very rare from it being too hot. The medical centre in Woodend is probably one of the best for many a mile and we have had a great service at the Kyneton Hospital on more than one ocassion. If there is an emergency your usually flown to the city. Public transport is not brilliant if you rely on buses but the train service in either direction - Melbourne - Bendigo is regular and reasonably reliable. As for travelling down the Calder to the city I think its a breeze, I am at work in the Western suburbs on most days in 50 mins peak times and my other half gets to work in Tulla in 40 mins also peak but an hour earlier than me. I have never been 'carparked' on the Calder unless there is an accident or road works, of course it slows down when we have fog or black ice but the Calder Freeway has warning lights and surfaces to counteract this which usually slows you down until you get to South Gisborne and then your on your way again. The number of days this happens is minimal. Compared to how long my colleagues travel they are amazed how far away they think we are and how little time it takes to get to work. Our children went to the local state school in Woodend and we were very happy - I can't comment today. The same goes for secondary school - lots of choice in either direction and of course Braemar up at the Mount. University/Tafe, well you have to go to Melb, Bendigo or Ballarat for those but again its not that far and kids think its a great adventure to leave home if they can! As for fast food, well we came here because there wasn't any and still isn't today but there are options and also some fine eating establishments dotted around town and up and down the road within easy reach. I have never felt the need to shop other than Woodend unless I chose to do so for no other reason than a change. Everything you need is here - almost and if its not you could go to Kyneton, Gisborne or the big centres like Watergardens and Highpoint. If you were a family with young children I would highly recommend Woodend, your children will grown up in a friendly, clean and safe environment. You can be as involved in the community as little or as much as you want and there is no shortage of options on all levels for all the family. The real estate values in Woodend have been slow but they are gradually improving. I think by the time we will need to move to smaller digs we will be happy with what we get for our place. I have younger friends who are finding it very difficult to get rental accommodation - and I think this has always been an issue. Good if you want to purchase for an investment. The council restrictions can be a bother for some and a bonus for others. Protecting the village atmosphere is of course good but its a downer if your a baby boomer wanting to downsize - not alot of options in that area. I think progress is inevitable, it can be done without losing the appeal of why we moved here in the first place, just takes a bit of strategic planning and good common sense. Everyone who ever comes to Woodend alway, always say how much they love it and wished they could live here - well you can, its not that hard and you would not regret it.