Zoe Williams

I'm genuinely shocked by some of the negative reviews I've read about Leopold..I've lived here for four years now, after moving from Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, and I can confidently say those comments do not reflect the reality of this suburb.
Leopold is not rough — far from it. If people think it is, I’d suggest they compare it to other areas in Melbourne or even parts of Geelong. In fact, I suspect many of the 30+ negative comments may have come from the same person, possibly someone disgruntled with a local real estate agent or trying to keep the suburb a hidden gem.
From my experience, Leopold has everything you need. You don’t even need to go into town if you don’t want to — we’ve got the Gateway Plaza, great schools (the local primary school is fantastic), and a wide range of sporting clubs including football, cricket, netball, and tennis. There’s a strong community feel, beautiful sunsets, and affordable housing.
It’s also perfectly located — just 12 minutes to Geelong, 15 minutes to the CBD, and 12 minutes to Ocean Grove beach and the Bellarine wineries. Some areas even offer views of the bay.
Sure, like any suburb, you might occasionally see a teenager on a scooter or a bit of graffiti, but it’s rare. My kids go to school here and I feel they’re safe. I believe some of the prejudice toward Leopold may stem from outdated perceptions, but in reality, it’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family.