Sunshine, VIC 3020

I've read a couple of reviews here warning of "brown people" and "ferals" in the Sunshine area. OK, so if that's really what keeps you up at night, then Sunshine is not for you. The truth is, Sunshine is pretty awesome. Not only has it got to be one of the most affordable places this close to the city to set up, whether buying or renting; because it's got a middle suburb vibe you don't get the claustrophobic, congested feeling of inner suburbs. Nonetheless it has many of the advantages of an inner suburb. Excellent public transport - a massive bus interchange at the train station. The train takes only 25-30 minutes to get to the city. There's a great multicutural vibe happening, with old school migrants from Europe and Vietnam and lots of new migrants to. This means the high street has a great selection of cafes and restaurants including many Vietnamese spots as well as Indian, Afghan, Ethiopian and your typical Aussie eateries if you're not feeling adventurous. People come from all over Melbourne to try the food. The town centre has undergone regeneration recently with new streetscaping, a new library and council chambers, new pool and leisure centre. Ignore the decades out of date rumours about crime, violence and seediness. It's just not true. I've lived in Richmond and Richmond is much seedier and crime-ridden than Sunshine, yet everyone wants to live there. Sunshine is bound to become the next destination for homebuyers once Footscray and Yarraville become unaffordable.

Sunshine is a thriving suburb located approximately 13 kilometers west of Melbourne's central business district.One of the key advantages of living in Sunshine is its excellent transportation infrastructure. The Sunshine Railway Station serves as a major transport hub, connecting residents to the CBD and other parts of Melbourne. This accessibility is particularly attractive for those who rely on public transport for their daily commute.Sunshine boasts a range of local amenities, including shopping precincts, parks, and recreational facilities. The Sunshine Marketplace provides a variety of retail options.Sunshine is home to a variety of primary and secondary schools, contributing to the overall appeal of Sunshine as a family-friendly suburb.

Seriously, Sunshine is the best kept secret of the west! So undersung.We have loved living here with our two small children and feel lucky to have discovered such a super, super cool, diverse, generous and down to earth community. Here are just a few of the suburb's hidden delights:
- Cafe Sunshine and Salamatea-the hippest Cafe in the the West, with fresh bread and pastries almost daily and coffee, food (and staff) to die for.
Tinkune Momo and Sekuwa House-the silkiest handmade Nepalese dumplings - fresh and full of flavour. Lovely place to bring the family and open play area for kids.
-Sunshine Social-very funky eatery/bar - kind of like the local pub- with great food and beer, outdoor and indoor spaces and even a kids' play area! Great place to take mates for a relaxed lunch or dinner.
-A great selection of really well funded, community oriented, progressive primary schools
-For High School - Sunshine College has just had a total upgrade of facilities and now has a competition grade gymnasium, STEM facility and Performing Arts Centre. Wow!
-sooo many beautiful period homes on handsome tree lined streets
-gorgeous botanical gardens, right in the centre of town
-a huge new, spacious library (with toy library and kids' indoor play area) and civic centre (with funky Cafe)
-A totally refurbished recreation centre with big, clean indoor and outdoor pools/splash park, sauna and gym - childcare and Cafe attached. Yoga, spin, zumba, aerobics and more on offer.
-a tennis, cricket and football club
-a fantastic selection of playgrounds: Buckingham reserve has a maze, a water play area, a super duper twirly slide, a basketball court and huge barbecue/picnic area.
Sunvale community Park is impressive as well-full of innovative play equipment, water play area, sensory play area, barbecue facilities, a skate park and gym equipment for adults. Kids parties sorted!
-A classical pilates studio on Hampshire Rd with the loveliest teacher ever.
-An Aldi, Woolworths, Coles, Bunnings, Big W and 2 amazing fresh fruit and veg centres ( with gourmet section and deli) as well as Village Cinema complex!
For keen chefs - a huge selection of international supermarkets and grocery stores stocking authentic, well priced ingredients and treats from around the globe. (The Turkish delight is the best I've ever tasted).
-Kororoit Creek and surrounding bushland runs right through Sunshine and is full of cycling and hiking trails. The Friends of Kororoit Creek group do an incredible job of maintaining the creek, holding regular community planting and birdwatching sessions and working with council creating beautiful nature play areas for kids to discover native plants and wildlife. Involvement with this group has brought us good friends and such a closeness to nature - becoming a native bird enthusiast was not on my radar when we moved out west!
-beautiful Matthew's Hill Grassland reserve-a breathtaking place to walk, play, picnic and cycle, showcasing natural temperate grasslands of the volcanic plain.
-The BEST Bahn Mi in Melbourne. Hands down. Sunday lunch sorted.
-New York Minute, Huxtaburger, Bubble tea, Dairy Bell and Flora Juice (BEST fresh juices) for after school/ late night munchies
-an incredible selection of restaurants/takeaway on the main street with offerings from around the globe.
-All this just 20 minutes from the CBD by train!!!
If you're considering Yarraville, Wefo,Seddon, Brunswick, Preston, Coburg, do yourself and your finances a favour and take a look at Sunshine. I'm biased, but I reckon it shines just that little bit brighter.

I live in Sunshine and have seen improvements. Unfortunately there is a still a long way to go. Most residents do not care about the neighbourhood; it is full of litter, rubbish and overgrown grass . Most houses are run down and need freshening up. There is a lot of commission housing with doesn’t help the appeal. I’m happy to see lots of houses be bulldozed and rebuilt and hopefully more caring residents can move in to really give the area the complete makeover it truly deserves.

Apart from the convenience of public transport & some good shops & playgrounds. Basically this suburb is a horrible place to live in. It's full of creepy stalkers and nasty judgemental people who can't mind their own business. They have nothing better to do than rain on people's parades and put others down. Even random strangers in the street will try control you. I don't understand why the airport rail is even going here. I feel sorry for all the tourists.

Amazing food, great community spirit, 15minute train ride to the city and a lot more things to come with the airport rail.

Great very multicultural suburb cinemas shopping centres 20min to CBD lots of yummy Restraunts and cafes lots of parking friendly people safe at night lots of parks libraries swimming pools public transport a hidden gem for long term investment

Although there are nice areas in Sunshine, overall it is unsafe neighbourhood.
Location is convince but the price you pay to live here is absolutely not worth it. Council must do something about the safety concern in conjunction with government.

Was born here and I loved sunshine with a passion, but throughout the years, it has changed, in a good way though. It's just some of the memories I had in this suburb are not present anymore which is understandable.

I'm only cover the perceived crime problem in Sunshine since it is generating a fair bit of discussion on here. Other posters have done a fantastic job of highlighting all the great things about Sunshine such as the short distance to the city and the multicultural diversity.

First off I'll start by saying that I've been living in Sunshine for close on 5 years. Over that period I have personally experienced only very minor issues such as my house being broken into on two occasions while I was out (which can happen anywhere). I catch the train nearly every day to the city and while the station can attract ferals and boisterous youth, I've never had an issue besides the occasional unprovoked stare-down from angry looking sorts. Yes, just like any other train station, you will find groups of youth hanging out at the bus station at night and doing silly things that kids do like play fighting, etc, but it is very unlikely that they will bother you.

It is true that many charity organisations have set up shop in Sunshine and have purchased housing for the needy and there is transitional housing (for people recently released from jail) located in the area but you wouldn't know it walking the streets of Sunshine. It seriously feels like suburbia. During the week Sunshine station and CBD can be a magnet for ferals coming in from surrounding area to make use of resources offered by charities, the methadone chemist, and the bail/court house, but overall the shopping district is fine. You should really check it out for yourself on both the weekend and weekday before reading too much into the posts on here. I have never had a problem walking the streets of Sunshine.

Another poster mentioned the crime statistics which you can get from the Victorian Crime Statistics Agency: https://tinyurl.com/yxnxpv7f .Yes, Brimbank is the highest area for sexual assaults, aggravated burglaries (home invasions), and assaults as compared to other inner-city districts. But you have to take into consideration these stats represent Brimbank which is a large council area taking in many of the Sunshine's neighbouring suburbs (St Albans, Kings Park).

Finally, on the gangs.... Ok, yes there are youth 'gangs' around the Sunshine area, but before we all get too carried away here i'm not talking about gun-toting South Central LA gangs here. These guys are basically 15 year old silly kids that get up to a bit of mischief. Take a look at the following link to get an idea of what I mean:

https://imgur.com/a/5wlcs6s

The kids in the photos are from some local 'gangs' called the 'Black Drill Killers', 'Stain Gang' and 'Vulture City'. The first photo is from the Sunshine shopping district and the last photo is from Parkville Detention Centre where some of these boys often end up for short stints. Really they're just silly boys that are involved in a bit of low-level stuff which I suspect is often induced by alcohol. It's really been blown up by the media and is nothing to worry about.

In summary I don't think the area deserves the rep and it really is a fantastic place to live.

Recently moved back here after a number of years and don't regret my decision. I love that there is such easy access to so many things, without the density of inner city living and with lots of great cafes and restaurants opening up. I have always believed that Sunshine's reputation has been undeserved . Yes, you may come across the occasional odd bod in the town centre, but by far the vast majority of people who live here are decent, hardworking and friendly.

Everyone knows the reputation that Sunshine has. The joke about "Scumshine" has been done to death. Sure, there are some rough edges but Sunshine has changed dramatically in recent years. The upgrade of the train station, rejuvenation of the town centre, and with more and more families moving in the suburb is deep into a transition into a better place to live and grow.

My only major gripe is the distinct lack of cafes anywhere outside of the town centre. Having them throughout the streets would be amazing.

If you're going to judge a place based on what you have heard from others, people who don't live here, or your own prejudices: grow up.

The comments below surprise me. I live in Ardeer which is quite literally 6mins down the road but I shop in sunshine, go to the movies and eat some bloody great and cheap Vietnamese in the high street. Yes there's some ratbags hanging about the train station but I've seen worse in the city. There are so many commuters in and out of sunshine these days that I've never felt unsafe, even waiting for a bus after the metro. There are some shitty housing parts but there are also really nice streets. My hubby and I commute to the city everyday and most days pass through sunshine. It's a multicultural hub and super close commute to the city which is the exact reason it will sky rocket on housing prices just like Footscray did many years ago. Watch this space ✌

The last two years have seen massive improvements to the main street of Sunshine. You no longer see the drunks and addicts littering the streets. It is a growing, bustling, and thriving city. Huge buildings and apartments are coming up every where, beautiful townhouses, and great restaurants and shops. The people on the main street are very friendly and helpful. Plenty of parking, no violence or crime, even drug dealing is now very rare. Fantastic live seafood shops, and great range of fresh meat, seafood , fruit, vegetable and clothing stores at very good value prices. The hair and beauty shops are great, and the library is magnificent. Aldies close by. People smiling everywhere. You can really see why the government has put the rail link station here, within another 5 years the city will be taking the shape of Melbourne's second main city after the Melbourne CBD. You can see very soon that house prices are going to explode. The railway stations of Sunshine and Albion are world class and very safe, and the major bus terminal is brilliant. Good ice-cream shops as well. Sunshine is just only going up.

As per the title, unfortunately, Sunshine isn't a good place. If you're thinking of moving there, make sure you check out the town centre and see the types of people loitering around there.

Unsafe. Unfriendly. Not a nice suburb.

Not a nice place to live or visit. If you don't believe me, go check out the centre of the town and you'll see.

Not a nice spot.

Absolutely terrible suburb. The Greens voters of Victoria should all be forced to live in this suburb for a while, as they are the ones who have made it this way.

Look around the streets and you can see what care is taken by people on their properties, NONE!

The place is a junk yard, druggies and crims.

I've been here 6 years now & it's been constantly changing- for the better. There are new cafes, a little wine bar, a new library, & a real multicultural vibe. You get anyone & everyone here which is what makes it so great. All but one, we have good neighbours. And it's real strength is it's no more then half an hour drive to the airport, beaches, downtown, Melbourne Museum, a good mall, & hospital. Give it 10 years. It won't recognise itself.

Bought a house 3 years ago for 350k. Most recent rate notice 600k!!!... similar valuation on bank re-mortgage evaluation... never been robbed... never been harassed... great variety of food, asian, indian, african, kebabs, some western... but not alot... cheap pub/bristro food next station.

When I tell people I've lived in Sunshine, it's mostly met with a cringe and a groan or wide eyed 'why?!?!' To those people I say, take a walk on the wild side. Sunshine has more to offer than meets the eye, with schools and universities close by, as well as a newly renovated station that will take you to the city in 25-30 minutes and all amenities nearby with cost of living at a reasonable price, there's a lot this suburb has to give. There's also lots of local places to eat and shop at, and even the occasional festival. Many will say Sunshine is a dangerous suburb or feels unsafe which is a shame because this bad reputation is hard to shake off, however locals will tell you how loveable Sunshine is, and they won't fight you on it, promise!

Unsafe suburb

I'll lived in Sunshine for the last 20+ years. I moved here when I was 10.

Never been beaten, robbed stabbed or anything.

Went to Braybrook College, and graduated from Uni and got a boring white collar job sitting at desk all day.

All I gotta say is that. SUNSHINE is not that bad.

The area is changing quite alot. Brimbank Council is going to move Sunshine. More office workers in the area means more coffee, cake, and sandwich bars. There's apartments been being built now. More educated and whitecollar people are movig to this area. Sooner or later this place is going to end up like caulfied.

Sunshine is a western suburb that has a huge amount of potential, it has infrastructure being added and it looks to be a suburb that will become a gateway for the majority of main points across victoria. It is having roads and public transport added to ensure easy access to the airport and CBD, with it being only 15 minutes currently to the CBD and with the new train potentially only 15 minutes to the airport. It is also only 11kn out of the CBD so it makes it incredibly easy to get in and out of the city, and an affordable option for those wanting close living without paying an exorbitant amount. If more money is put in to cleaning up the council areas and local hangouts, it could have a rapid change quickly.

it's a great suburb 12 min driving to CBD, modern Sunshine station, nice people, restaurants with delicious food, affordable home, close to everything. We are Aussie family who have moved here from Clayton for 3 years and we never regret!

Like some of the other reviewers, I was a bit skeptical when my husband suggested we look in Sunshine. But, as we toured around Sunshine I was pleasantly surprised! Well kept tree lined streets, and lots of facilities (shops, medical etc). Sunshine is extremely multicultural, and I love that, if you don't, you won't! I don't actually find the central shopping area seedy at all, but I suppose that's all subjective, I come from a big multicultural city (not in Australia) and I think it has a nice vibe about it!

I haven't seen any anti-social behaviour since I've lived here, and I walk to and from the station everyday and peruse the shops. Of course every area has problems, I think Sunshine has a bit of a litter problem.

Lets be real guys, Melbourne has an extremely low crime rate. It is overall very safe, in all of it's areas, including those with the "worst" reputations. Honestly, I think most of the social problems that exist in Sunshine (as in those other 'reputation' suburbs) likely take place in people's own homes (domestic violence etc), as opposed to against strangers.

We love our little street, we live in a court where most of the residents have lived there for 10+ years and own their homes. They've been really welcoming. I think Sunshine is on the up, with lots of new people moving in and a really friendly vibe about the place. About half of the people I meet on the street say hi, how nice is that!

My partner and I recently purchased a three bedroom house on Chapman St for under 500k. The restaurants are great lots of quality restaurant options (indian, malaysian, vietnamese) for good prices. Decor isnt often great but most restaurants avoid that dingy feel. Our neighbours are great and I often have little convos over the back fence, not intrusive. It takes about 22mins to get to the cbd, about ten to Highpoint, Sunshine city centre has most stores you would need, everything essential plus Bunnings and JB hifi. There is an abundance of green space many well taken care of parks with lots of childrens equipment. Many streets are wide and tree lined.

In our six months here we have not encountered any crime. The station always seems to have PSOs around and feels safe for my female partner who frequently gets back at 8-9pm weekdays. I was sceptical when my partner said 'why don't we look in Sunshine?' because of the bad rep. The reality for us has been an above average suburban experience. There are a couple of good cafes doing breakfast on weekends.

Sunshine is culturally diverse and if you're a closet racist you're unlikely to feel comfortable. Sunshine is also economically very diverse. I've seen a few $1000 prams being pushed around and a number of beaten up Hyundai Excels (which cost about the same). The Sunshine cbd has plenty of asian groceries and fresh produce markets, it also has those staples like Safeway and Aldi.

Probably the worst thing about Sunshine is its reputation. It's not an Ipod suburb like Brunswick or Fitzroy, in terms of rep its probably in with West Heidelberg and Melton (not that there is anything wrong with those suburbs per se). The reality is different from the rep for us and many friends from the Eastern suburbs who can't afford out that way and have made Sunshine home.

This is why people should consider Sunshine- 3 bedroom fully renovated period house, generous North facing backyard, 2 bathrooms, walk in robe and ensuite, own driveway, friendly neighbours, great food, convenient shops, great access to public transport all for under 500k.

Sunshine in 2018 is at the centre of the fast-growing western suburbs of Melbourne.

Public transport: Since the Regional Rail Link became operational in 2015, all regional V/Line train lines to the west of Melbourne now converge at Sunshine station – this has only consolidated Sunshine’s geographic importance within the Melbourne Metropolitan area. The public transport infrastructure improvements will continue as the Sunbury line is going to feed into the Melbourne Metro Tunnel and any future rail link to Melbourne Airport will pass through Sunshine station. The centre of Sunshine is only 12km from the city and the train trip to Melbourne Central station takes 20 minutes.

Sunshine town centre: The State government & local council have vastly improved Sunshine’s town centre in the last decade. The council has worked hard in recent years to make Sunshine town centre more attractive as well as walkable and cycleable, and the new Sunshine Train Station and the Brimbank city council offices completed in 2016 with a new multi-level library are fantastic showpieces. The town centre is very multicultural with many Vietnamese businesses and you will see many other migrant communities such as Indian, African & Burmese who have come to Australia very recently. As for cafés and eateries, there is Little Rays and the Granary café, some nice Vietnamese and Indian restaurants, but not Italian. There are some lovely old buildings that will make good future restaurants but are currently occupied by other types of businesses - that will hopefully change. As for shopping, there are two indoor shopping centres (the Marketplace and the Plaza), an ALDI and a Woolworths, a Big W and a Dimmey’s, a JB Hi-fi and a Village Cinemas multiplex.

Living here: As for the residential aspect, only a few blocks away from Sunshine town centre you can find yourself in a pleasant, largely green and quiet streets. There are many lovely old homes (pre-WWI and 1920s and 30s) that have been renovated and more that are currently being renovated. It is not very busy traffic-wise. Walking around the suburban streets of Sunshine is pleasant: I have never experienced any crime personally, but you do read about it.

As it is, Sunshine is a great place to move into if you want a nice, decent-sized old home that you can fix up, raise your kids and spend time at home. It is still affordable to buy and it – as well as its surrounding suburbs like Albion – is among the last of the old suburbs of Melbourne that are still relatively cheap. And it’s moving quickly ahead.

People are very violent. Many offensive behavior in shopping centre and train station. How could sunshine receive these positive comments? I lived in sunshine for three years and cannot wait to leave. Lots of crime and people throwing trash everywhere. The only good thing is these cheap asian grocery you can found on the main street. If you consider buying house in sunshine, I suggest you visiting their shopping centre and library and see how barbaric people can be. It's cheap for a reason.

Hey guys, I'm so happy I have read great reviews about sunshine. I have lived here for 10 years and have a wonderful community and sence of well being. We have bbq's in our court in December and all the neighbours get on well. My area isnt overly populated with houses and in fact I see the city sky scaper over my balcony which is valueble when New Year's comes around. I often drive by the heritage houses and would love to do reno on one. Going to the city is 10ks it's a breeze.....especially for work.

There are some really good value properties that have been sold in Sunshine recently. You'd get a good house for $400k. Zone 1 train, 15 mins by road to Docklands/Vic Market (no Tolls), lots or bike paths, Village cinema's, some good cheap food options, infrastructure projects in flight (upgrade station/bus terminal, upgrades to Anderson Rd rail crossings, park improvements).

I'm hopeful the negative stigma associated with the area and will change over time however the reality is there are a lot of low income housing and there are social issues that need to be managed as a part of that. There are some really nice pockets though around the Matthews Hill area and the Railway Station Estate (Morris, Couch, Benjamin & Chapman) which has a heritage overlay and there are some really nice period homes from the late 1800's and early 1900's.

I grew up in sunshine, in the heritage listed area, in a house on graham St, about 20 years ago. my mother still have the same house, I'm there regularly, and honestly, it's quite a good little place.
I disagree that child care is an issue, my daughter is in a child care centre in sunshine that is good and they have plenty of vacancies, as well as lots of family day care operators. Schools are also not an issue, and sunshine primary has a good after school and holiday care program.
There are questionable folk and areas of sunshine, however you can live a pretty harmonious life here if you know your place. What I mean by that is that yes, there are junkies, but there are also junkies in fitzroy which is almost smack bang in the cbd, and as long as you don't walk right up to them and call them junkies to their face, they leave you alone.
There is a little pocket of middle aged to older alcoholics that hang outside the bottle shop near the derrimut pub. They are harmless and one of the older males is actually quite a gentleman, escorted me to my house very late one night, to ensure I got home safely and asked for nothing in return. We chatted very amicably along the way and he was happy enough to wander away after I'd left his company.
This place has amazing food, perhaps not an astounding variation of it, but some of the food you find here is some of the best in the western suburbs.
Being so close to the city, night life is really not a huge deal. There is there derrimut hotel which does pub meals, the cinemas and mambo's cafe right near it which are open late and are amazing. But with night life also attracts negative attention and people so that's a bit of a plus to me to not have much going on at night.
House values are rising in the area, and heritage overlay is expanding, however I am not to question the councils knowledge of the heritage condition of some houses, as I know that they are easily led in that place.
The suburb is quite beautiful in its own rough and tumble way. With pricier housing comes a more sophisticated (at least, less drug fuelled) crowd so patiently biding your time will pay off in this suburb.

Drunkards and druggies everywhere......at the shops, at the station, etc.

Sunshine certainly doesn't live up to its name!

We bought a 1940s cottage that is a short walk to the shops, pool, cinema and station. It only takes 30 minutes from Sunshine Station to the CBD and it's set to improve with the Regional Rail-link. As for cafe culture, there's some positive signs of the gentry creeping into Sunshine with The Granary and Cafe Ancheto, but otherwise... I love it for a hearty bowl of Pho, and $3.50 Bahn Mi. I believe it's Melbourne's best kept secret and in time, it will become one of the best investments.

I've lived in Matthews Hill for nearly two years - it's quiet and leafy with lovely period homes and the train station on the doorstep. However, where I live - and the fact I work in the city - allows me the luxury of rarely having to go to the Sunshine shops. Downtown Sunshine is by and large ugly, seedy and devoid of anything interesting to do or buy (although there are some good cheap restaurants). It's a shame really as Sunshine has so much potential. It's full of attractive period buildings - including some wonderful Art Deco - has nice parks, is close to the city, is multicultural in the true sense and has great public transport. I also feel safe here despite its reputation and often catch late night public transport home. It's the first place I've lived where I haven't needed a car, and in a decade will probably be the next Yarraville. But for now...well at least I can be smug in the knowledge that when its time finally comes I got in here when property was cheap.

I love how Sunshine is so close to the city (12kms!), plenty of multi-cultured eateries, friendly down-to-earth residents. Cafe culture is starting to spread here!

Good little pocket, esp in Mathews Hill. Period homes well maintained & leafy streets. Good neighbors who look out for each other and excellent public transport. Brimbank Council is making some good announcements, but we need more action after years of neglect from their predecessors. The improvements to Parks in Sunshine (Eg Buckingham Reserve $2m redevelopment and $0.300m playground at Tom O'Brien Reserve, are good examples) is good Council work so far, as is $3.2m Hampshire Square redevelopment. If developments like these keep going at a solid pace, plus the Sunshine Station redevelopment, Sunshine will continue to develop as a suburb. Convenience in public transport alone via a clean new station will attract people.

Sunshine needs a good polish up, is it an uncut diamond? well it has many ingredients like being central to the west of melbourne, good access to freeways, close to the city and highpoint shopping centre and good sized home blocks. Although many properties are not owned by the occupants, many housing commission homes so the landscape isn't all that appealing, a bit of a concrete jungle and the shopping district is a bit rugged.

I lived in Sunshine for six months having moved from NSW. I came there knowing it had a bad rep, but I've grown up accustomed to areas with "reputations," the price was right and the house I was living in was very well renovated. Sure there is crime. My car was burgled on my first night. Another late night a man attempted to mug me at the train station but failed when other people came to the rescue. But even so there are also some amazing people, especially the older generation who are very friendly and have a lot of great stories to tell. I think this is a suburb which will gentrify with time. There's a lot of loitering youth hanging around the station but it just seems like they're bored. Perhaps there needs to be more affordable/free community activities for them? I do love the multiculturalism of Sunshine. There's so much character. So much amazing cheap food from all over the world, and the vendors were really friendly even if I didn't speak their native language. The shops are plentiful and ever expanding. I found the pubs to be not my thing. I didn't spot a single nightclub or live music venue around apart from The Granary Cafe which has some good entertainment. The public transport is great in the day but terrible in the evening. Getting to the city is really quick by car or train - about 15 mins either way. If you want your kids to grow up in a safe and quiet suburb then this is may not the place for you. However if you're looking for an affordable place with plenty of character then you might really like it there. I must admit: even though it is a bit rough cut, I do miss it a bit.

As someone who moved from Yarraville (and who has lived there from the moment i was born), i was quite hesitant in investing in Sunshine due to the suburbs reputation, but ended buying an investment property on Monash Street 5 years ago (and which now has doubled in value) and was overall so happy (close to all major freeways, 15 kms to the city, major shopping centers and cinemas) that i ended up buying my current residential property in Sunshine West.
Neighbors are great, street is quiet and local transport is excellent, broadband internet connection is great, overall i would recommend investing in Sunshine hands down, you wont regret it

My partner and I moved to Sunshine from an inner city bayside suburb a year back. In Sunshine we were able to buy a period home within 10 minutes walk from the train station (zone 1), 5 minutes walk to the local park/tennis courts and less than 10 minutes drive into Footscray or Yarraville. Sunshine is only 12 kilometres from the city (that's the same distance as Box Hill from the CBD) yet the real estate is so undervalued! We like our neighborhood - it's really multicultural, and there are good community services (heaps of schools and lovely local swimming pool) and excellent public transport. The only thing it's really missing is a good pizza restaurant!
I would highly recommend buying in Sunshine!

Its a hidden gem the streets that surround matthews hill big blocks great park and great if you have dogs. Never in my wildest dreams did i think i would love living in Sunshine.

I am living in Albion and found its great. Ture there is lot gov housing but thats not a big problem. there is a lot of nice ppl living here. I think it is not safe any where in melbourne after 11pm. There is not enough Police in Victoria according to Victoria Police but state gov spending 1.1 billion on myki and other less important things.

Sunshine being an older more established suburb has some nice clean areas however the dirty rundown pockets overshadow sunshine. There is a lot of crime and tension with the large numbers of government housing and different opinions on lifestyle requirements. Sunshine is in closer proximity to the city and therefore contains more traffic. Shopping is average as harvester shopping complex is the main area for retail therapy. The pool facility is great and the schools are of high standards. Walk the streets at night at your own risk; perhaps walk with your large dog. Area probably would not suit families with young children.