AdamS

AJ are there good and bad parts of Port Melb? We're looking at buying in the area.

You will find the area is slowly improving from its industrial past. Some people in Melbourne recall Port Melbourne being a hub of crime and industry so if you talk to older generations they have a negative view however in recent years Port Melbourne is going through gentrification. Being closer to the city and with development still to occur the area has potential to catch up and even pass inner city areas such as Albert Park. Docklands will also help as Docklands grows. In short it is hard to go wrong with a medium to longer term view.

@PortPower Port Melbourne is hardly slowly improving...rather it has already improved well beyond what you might think. The current state of Port Melbourne is a beautiful suburb by the beach, with no crime, very friendly people, fantastic amenities and fresh sea air :) Yes the older generation might think less of Port Melbourne, but that was well over 15 years ago. Port Melbourne is one of the most desirable place to live for people between 18-35 for all the reasons I have mentioned. One of the biggest surprises about Port Melbourne? It is VERY quiet. Before I moved in, I was expecting a lot of noise as there are many places where it is high density living. To my surprise, I never hear anyone. Of course it depends on where you live in Port Melbourne but on the whole, it is very quiet.

@AliceM it completely depends on who you talk to as everyone has their preferences. I personally prefer the area to the east of Bay Street all the way to Pickles Street. Very quiet area, and it has already been developed, so you won't be getting any construction noise. Also closer to the best parts of the beach. The west side of Bay Street leads up to Beacon Cove, which is nice, but there is a little bit of construction going on still just behind Bay Street, and the Beacon Cove area is a little too 'lego' land land for my style. You can't really go wrong though :) The only thing I would recommend is being as close to the beach as possible. I know it gets more expensive the closer you look, but the streets do get better the closer you are.

Are you looking at buying an apartment, townhouse etc?

Thanks for the info AJ & PortPower. Looking for a Victorian cottage - renoed or otherwise. Agree close to the beach as possible and the lightrail for easy access to the city. There's plenty that come on the market - just have to wait for mine!

looks like i've found my home! Looking forward to becoming a port melb resident in time for summer!

Sounds awesome AliceM!! Where did you buy (perhaps PM me)

totally agree...Port is the best place in Melbourne.

Great review AJ - cheers!

Excellent review AJ!

Katharine - thanks, I love Port Melbourne as do most people. You can't beat living by the beach, and only being a short drive from the CBD.

ozzy2000 - of course you are entitled to your opinion. It encourages great discussion. I would welcome a Mosque in Port Melbourne, multiculturalism is what makes Melbourne such a great place to live!!

I've lived in Port Melbourne for almost 3 years now, it is one of the safest suburbs in all of Melbourne.

Great place to live .....BUT beware of settling down here and raising a family here which you WILL want to do cos it's great BECAUSE the one and only primary school is FULL to overflowing AND NO SECONDARY school funding by anyone? Albert Park Secondary college is the ONLY and NEAREST secondary school and is nearly FULL ,,,, JUST saying....no infrastructure or planning if you want to stay.

Having lived in many suburbs of Melbourne (including 17 years in st kilda and a brief stint in Albert park) Id have to say port Melbourne is a perfect combination of location, ammenities and friendly locals. Its by no means cheap to buy housing but its still quite unpretentious and of course, easy walking distance to the city. My daughter has just started in the excellent port Melbourne primary and theres a brand new high school nearby as well and to top it off, traffic is quite bearable - even at peak hour! Were not moving!!!

@chrisg51 I still agree after all these years. While I don't live there anymore (due to me needing more space) I miss Port Melbourne for all the reasons you mentioned.

Thank you all for the reviews provided. I am planning to move to that area, and have doubts regarding the schools. Have 1 child in primary and 1 in secondary school. Could you please give more information on those schools in the area? would appreciate that.

We have a girl in Port Melbourne Primary School - going into 1st grade next week. I couldn't be happier with the school, the teachers and the general community. As for secondary schools, without firsthand experience I can't say too much but the new high school on Graham Street had a good reputation and of course Albert Park College on the Pickles Street side is famous though bulging at the seams with it's cast number of students and scattered buildings! Enjoy your move to PM - it's a wonderful place to live.

Where does one go once you sell and move out of this magnificent suburb??!! I've extensively researched cheaper suburbs (Montmorency, Eltham, Briar Hill, St. Helena, Macleod, Greensborough) and sadly, they do not come within "Cooee" of Doncaster!!! If you own property in Manningham ... Dare NOT sell. You're sitting on a gold mine of real estate. There is yet bigger dollars to be had in the foreseeable future. Owning a home in this Blue Chip suburb is tons better than superannuation. Instead of money in the bank, you have dollars galore in bricks and mortar!! Annual Capital Growth of 25.5% is a phenomenal gain. This leafy, well-serviced and affluent neck of the woods is a delight to live in. I would like to see what property values will be like in 10 years' time ... $1.2 million will pale in significance in the near future. The BEST location is West Doncaster, where neighbouring, North Balwyn, quick and easy ccess to the Eastern Freeway, Park and Ride, etc., are right at your doorstep, and not forgetting the breathtaking views which face West of the city!!! I've considered selling several times over the last 18 months but it clearly appears that I'm stuck here forever because where in Melbourne are you so spoiled for choice, comfort and security?

I agree with you Kellyd2R. We purchased our modest home in 2009 and we shake our head in disbelief ... our property has been valued at $1.1 million plus and no improvements were added to the property. Our mortgage has been paid off twice over in such a short time. Not to mention that Doncaster is, in my opinion, the best suburb to work in, raise and educate our children in and the recreational parks, gardens, vistas, professional suites, facilities and shopping etc. in this suburb makes Manningham a self-contained but expansive haven for all to enjoy. We love it here.

The best part is anywhere close to Westfield and PT links to Box Hill and the CBD. however if that's not that important, the suburb has several perfect locations with a good choice of views and lifestyle. Council really needs to get its act together when it comes to street trees though. Especially on High St. and Wetherby Rd. which have been completely neglected from year dot! Not sure why but can only assume apathy.

Houses prices can't go up forever. Lots of suburbs are overpriced.

Agreeing with yourself Kellyd2R? Did you forget to log out of one account and sign into your other user account before agreeing with your own comment? Who has time for such rubbish? Your comments sound like a real estate agent pushing an agenda.