I want to know about living in Melbourne. More so the western areas such as Altona, Santuary lakes,Yarraville?

Question

I am 29 and currently living in Liverpool England. My wife was born in Australia,and fell in love with Melbourne while travelling. We are thinking about moving over there. I am a prison officer so we would need to live west of the city for my work. Can anyone suggest nice areas to live,i would like a few local bars,the odd restaurant nothing too crazy. Is it acceptable to reant in Australia as we want to keep our home in the Uk and rent that one out. I am a keen cyclist and love the outdoors. If we earned $6000 per month is that a decent wage to live on? Sorry about all the questions. Hope you can all help.

Answer 1

I would go for Yarraville, Newport, Williamstown if I were you. The other areas you mention are getting a bit far out (particularly Sanctuary Lakes). It would be easy for you to get to work from there. There are good restaurants, bars etc in Williamstown. If you earned $6000 per month you would be laughing. Also, by way, if you are a keen cyclist you might like to ride around Newport Lakes (easy walk too). Great area. Not for snobs. I lived there for a long time. Have fun.

Answer 2

$6,000 a month is a great wage to live on. You could easily rent/live and travel on that.

I live in Point Cook which is the suburb next to Sanctuary lakes.  It is a brand new suburb, and less expensive than Sanct lakes.  There is a brand new shopping centre opening up in the next 2 months, plenty of places to ride your bike.

Not so many local bars as it is such a new area, but there are acouple of clubs scattered across, including one at Laverton and Hoppers Crossing, but you have to drive to those.

Let me know if I can help you further

Edit

Sanctuary Lakes is not far out of town- only 20min drive from the city which is closer than what Glen Waverley is over in the Eastern suburbs