What is so bad about the western suburbs of Melbourne?

Question

I suggested a young couple with kid, who look to buy a house, if they do not want to look into this direction. The answer was, "Who would want to live in the western suburbs?". Pretty new in Melbourne myself, I just wonder why these suburbs have such a bad name in Melbourne.

Answer 1

You obviously dont live there if you're asking ..... although I have to admit that its really not as bad as its reputation.

Answer 2

its an antiquated association with industry & factor workers living in a lower soccio economic area.

However now days its all just stigma Inner west are trendy and outer west like Wyndham (Werribee, Hoppers Crossing & Point Cook etc) are in one of the fastest growing areas of the state. And contrary to opinion the income per house hold is above average in the Wyndham area

Answer 3

It depends on which suburbs.

Traditionally, the western suburbs have housed something of a lower socio-economic population group, and have had more trouble with crimes of various sorts, along with problems of access to the city (either via pubic transport or lack of adequate freeways etc).  They''ve also generally been quite industrial, lacking much by way of quality clubs, bars, cafes and restaurants (when compared to other regions of the city)

These things are changing, however.  The inner western suburbs are becoming quite trendy, however, as people have been priced out of other regions, and transport/conveniences have become better.

Answer 4

Western or outer suburbs in Australian cities have the following advantages

Cheap, really cheap. Houses are cheap, even located in a convenient location.

But

They lack, culture, services, education facilities, public transport (like how much do you want to pay for petrol) have high crime rates, lower class of people (some of whom are my good friends) and so on.

Personally I prefer inner city living, but that is me. Other friends have lovely huge houses in outer suburbs.

Answer 5

Generally its just seen as the tradies and industrial area and that stereotype is still around.  The outer western suburbs (Werribee, Point Cook, Sunbury) are hardly any different to the outer eastern suburbs (Berwick, Ferntree Gully, Lilydale), infact the outer western suburbs are 10-15kms closer to the city than the outer eastern.  The inner west is getting pretty pricey as the demand for inner city houses sky rockets and it is becoming a trendy middle class area when historically it has been a fairly poor area.  Areas like Sunshine and Broadmedows in the west are still pretty dodgy though.

Answer 6

the first answer is the most accurate.

except now we have EXCELLENT

connection to the centre of the city...but we have had it for a long time. it takes like 8 minutes from inner western suburbs to get in there.

Answer 7

When it comes to crime the Western suburbs of Melbourne have nothing on Brazil. You want to see a real high crime rate than go to Brazil.