Werribee, VIC 3030

I have grown up in Werribee and despite spending my late teens/early 20's desperate to get away from here, I can honestly say I think it is a great town. Not that it doesn't have it's problems. The plaza and stations especially get a lot of kids hanging around in packs, and a few dodgy individuals, but in my experience that happens everywhere, whether you are in the west, east, north, or inner city.

There is enough shopping at the plaza and main street so that you don't have to leave (provided you don't want sportsgirl or a decent myer, because you won't find either of those here, much to my annoyance), and if you do want to leave, Werribee is bang smack in the middle of the city or Geelong, so take your pick!

If you are after something to do, there's the zoo, the indoor and outdoor pool, bowling, cinema's, werribee south beach (when it's not too stinky it's great to take your dog for a walk) and the werribee river is great to walk/jog along and you may even see some ducks along the way! I don't agree with people who say there is nothing to do, because you make your own fun, and all it takes is some imagination or great mates to tag along.

There are great cafes down the main street who do a mean breakfast/brunch and a fantastic gluten free shop/cafe.

Now here are some of my gripes:
Public transport is lacking in some respects. As a frequent user, the buses are often late, many bus drivers are rude, the buses don't operate late enough for those work outside the '9-5', and the trains could do with a lot more services especially at peak times.
Traffic is ridiculous. Peak times are a nightmare to drive in. There is too much of a focus on new estates and expansion when the infrastructure isn't there, or isn't being upgraded to accomodate more road users. I am currently looking at buying and could not think of anything worse that buying in the outer developments and either trying to battle the traffic jams that occur just to get through/around Werribee (let alone on the freeway!), or not be able to catch a bus, because hey buses won't be running through there for a few years yet. Werribee sadly always seems a couple of steps behind in this regard.

Nightlife is a bit lacking, could definetly do with a nice bar or two as there isn't anywhere you can go to have a quiet drink that isn't a restaurant or a gaming venue. Volt and Mynt are ok in moderation, but each to their own!

I've been living in Werribee for 6 years now and it has exceeded my expectations. I moved out here for the affordability and easy commute into Melbourne CBD which has great job opportunities. I catch the train so can't comment on traffic. The place has noticeably become less dodgy over time. I feel safe walking around the streets and there are lots of great local parks.

Our salaries have since grown and we can afford to move elsewhere, but we will stay put as we like our neighbours and the amenities here. There are lots of trees where I live because I'm in the older part of Werribee with larger plots and gardens. The council also continues to plant more trees. We attract lots of birds and I love hearing them when I'm relaxing at home.

Werribee has grown into a suburb that is now reasonably vibrant during days and nights. Population is growing in this area.
Night life, restaurants and cafes a plenty in this area too.

Werribee is beautiful- river at your doorstep to go for walks, Watton st for shopping, cafes, restaurants and bars. Pacific Werribee shopping centre and train station that takes you to the city within 35 minutes. We moved to Werribee mid 2021 and there has not been one day of regret! Beach, zoo, mansion with rose garden and winery around the corner. So much to do for everybody in this suburb.

Werribee is filled with some incredible people, with great shopping areas. There are some beautiful homes being built in this area, with a great neighbourhood.

I start my day feeling refreshed by walking along the Werribee South Beaches.
There's ample parking and it's still free (unlike in other parts of Melbourne - shhhh).
In my free time, I step into a space of enchantment at the Victoria State Rose garden
and stroll through rose's scents of berry, wine, lemon and cloves. You're then always
drawn to the Formal grounds of Werribee Park, and your importance of time is lost; strolling under the trees from Africa, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world. Your hunger is then your guide, and you see the Werribee Mansion, where's there's the most decadent food for satisfying any craving, occasion or budget.
If I ever need more excitement or I know I can go and see Lions, Giraffes and
a world of wildness that I may never see elsewhere at the Werribee Zoo.
I end my day hitting the pavement along the Werribee River Trail, under the shadowing arms of old red gum and eucalyptus trees. The house prices are reasonable and the town has everything you need. Melbourne is only 25 mins away of the highway or take the train in 45mins. The locals don't know how good they have it here - or maybe that's why they don't make such a big deal of it.....then everyone else would find us and everything Werribee has got!

My family and I moved out to Werribee in 2018 and have been out here since. It's pretty slow paced out here as we moved from the city. We live in Cornerstone Estate and have made this estate our home where my children are safe to play on the street with their friends just like the old days. The only downfall about living out here is that we have been hit with home burglaries. Other then that the people are good out here and our local shopping centre knows us well.

Diverse. Home as

Diverse cultural experiences and near by markets from different cultural atmospheres

Yes the suburb has its good points, however, the not so good must also be pointed out, if I was moving here I would like to know a tad more than the peddled brochures and hype.
1. The traffic...is just awful in peak times, as there are only a couple of roads into Werribee and planners have done nothing to sort this mess out - removing the rail lines has done nothing to alleviate this problem as tens of thousands of people pour into the new estates which feed into the couple of roads into Werribee = nightmare.
2. Infrastructure has not kept up with the mass influx of new people in the suburb...lacks in basic amenities one should expect within a suburb, in particular public transport...regardless what message is peddled by the council and government...public transport is awful, pre COVID the train station is full by 7am Mon-Fri with limited flow on parking available but lots of hungry parking inspectors. Trains are forever packed liked sardines during peak hours...the only saving grace is Werribee is the start of the line, so you will get a seat, but will probably end up with someone sitting on your knee by journey's end...Werribee station is frequented by lots of rude school children as the buses stop there, plus a lot of undesirables, thank goodness for the Protective Service Officers...makes you feel a little safer.
3. The SMELL...I just recently reported it to the EPA (Dec 2020), it stinks, if it is a northerly wind, nice, fresh air, anything else itsmells, I find it very frustrating I cant open my windows as much as I would like because I don't want my home to smell. It is a real thing...
4. Shopping...There is 1 Coles in Werribee, it is more like a Coles Express, tiny and useless, however, there are normal size Woolies and Aldi, Tasman Meats, a couple of green grocers, nice strip shopping with a pleasant ambience...for those that like shopping malls and all that goes with these, there is Pacific Werribee. There are some restaurants, although I find this area could be better developed particularly near the lovely Werribee River, a resource not used or developed enough by council.
5. Housing...there is plenty of cheap housing , but very limited 'nice old established streets' as council allows subdivision of just about everything which unfortunately leads to lots of tiny slum pockets within the area...you can object as much as you want...it falls on deaf ears. What used to be a lovely low density suburb is turning into a medium density suburb with lots of low quality homes built on top of each other with no gardens or backyard areas, but lots of concrete, parked cars and air-conditioning and few trees. Personally I would seek out the nice streets...