What is Bendigo, Victoria like?

Question

I am from the UK and have been offered the chance to work in Victoria, Australia as a social worker.

After looking at rent prices ect, I was thinking of Bendigo. I have a young son who is four. Can anyone tell me what Bendigo is like???

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

I used to live in Bendigo for 7 years, while I was at University.  Bendigo is AWESOME.  I never should have left.

First things first.  Bendigo has a variety of suburbs.  Some of them, like Eaglehawk (known as the 'Borough') used to be commission areas.  Actually,  Eaglehawk isn't too bad now, because a lot of first home owners have moved in.  Some areas are cheaper than others.  Living near the hospitals (the Base or Mount Alvernia) or Latrobe University (my Alma Mater) will cost you a bit, but if you're prepared to live out a little further, it gets cheaper.  I once rented a place for $115 near the Uni.  It was a cheap weatherboard place a block away, with 2 bedrooms, but it did the job.  If you know where to look, accomodation isn't too expensive.  Try not to go through Dungey Carter Ketterer, (DCK) because they are the spawn of Satan as far as real estate agents go.  I'd get a cheap place, sign a 6 month lease, and then, if you want to move, you have time to look for a better place.  

Driving's not too bad.  Because it's a goldmining town, the streets are a bit haphazard (it's not a 'grid' pattern as such, so sometimes you can get lost on little streets and then come out into a main road) but because it's not very big it's not hard to get 'unlost' again.  Once you learn the main thoroughfares, you'll be OK.  It's not like Melbourne, or probably any major city in the UK, because it's nowhere near as big.

Bendigo isn't really an industrial town, so it's got a lot of cultural attractions.  It has great cafes, and over 50 pubs.  My favourites are the Golden Vine Hotel (they have an Open Mike night on Tuesdays) and for meals, definitely the Queen's Arms.  It also has a beautiful stone Catholic cathedral, and the largest timber cathedral in the southern hemisphere.  It's got a Buddhist community who are currently building a Stupa out near Marong (just outside of Bendigo).

There are HEAPS of schools.  Whatever you do, don't enrol your child at St Liborius in Kangaroo Flat (that's a suburb) because it's got a really poor record for early intervention with children who have reading disabilities.  Flora Hill, Camp Hill, and St Theresa's would be excellent schools.  

For some bizarre reason, Bendigo has a very small population of non anglo saxon people.  It also has a long wait for public dentistry (so see a good private dentist.  It's like that in Australia, unfortunately) so be prepared.  

Places of interest include One Tree Hill, which is a lookout, and the Poppethead in Rosalind Park (in the centre of town, also a lookout).  Watch out for the possums in the park, though.  There's hundreds of them.  Coles is open 24 hours a day, as is the 24 Hour shop in Williamson st.  There is an Art Gallery, all the major services, great shopping, good nightlife, and because it's a small place, the commute drive isn't too long.  You would never get a short commute like that in Melbourne or Sydney.  

There is an EXCELLENT public transport system.  I used buses for 7 years, with no problems.  You can get from one side of the city to another with one connection in the centre of town, and the tickets are valid for 2 hours from the hour of issue.  I never needed a driver's licence til I moved to Shepparton.  

If you want more information, email me.  I'll tell you everything you need to know about Bendigo.  It's a pretty conservative town, but it's got a great atmosphere and its a nice place to live.

Best wishes

Answer 2

Bendigo is a lovely place. A little bit sleepy for me, but housing is cheap, the weather is always hot. Melbourne is only a few hours drive away (that is next door in Australian terms).. It is not a bad place to build a life.

Congratulations on thinking a bit creatively about where you want to live in Australia. So many Brits just think Perth or Sydney.

Answer 3

I live about a 30 minute drive from Bendigo and I am there about 2 to 3 times a week.I really like Bendigo.The only way I can describe what Bendigo is like,is it's like a miniature Melbourne,as it has all the top high street shops and food stores as Melbourne,but at the same time it has a lovely friendly country feel to it.

To rent a buy a house in Bendigo is still a reasonable price.One of my sisters bought a really nice house in Eaglehawk which is a part Bendigo for under $200,000, 6 months ago.

If I can help you with any other information,feel free to email me.Take care.

Answer 4

Bendigo is one of Victoria's smaller Cities or to some people a big town.

Its quite historical, it was a boom town during the Gold Rush. It is under 2 hours from Melbourne so if you want a bigger shopping trip its not to far.

Weather wise it is inland and in the hills so it gets cold in winter & hot in summer.

All in all a nice country city.

Answer 5

hope these help

http://www.bendigotourism.com/

www.bendigo.vic.gov.au

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bendigo,_Victori...

www.bendigohistory.com/