Altona North

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 10:07 pm

Hey everyone,

Well as you all may know we are STILL searching for land in Melbourne's west so we can build our dream home.

We ideally wanted to build in the Newport area where we currently live as we really like the areas and the schools etc

We have been searching for a block for about 3 months now and its getting frustrating, they are either too narrow, not long enough or too expensive :roll:

We thought of 'extending' our land areas and have so far looked at Altona North.

There are heaps of blocks in Altona North which is literally the next suburb to Newport, I'm hoping we could still get into schools etc in the Newport area if we lived here, the area seems to be occupied by alot of elderly couples who keep immaculate yet old fashioned brick homes, however, there are a number of new homes/townhouse going up throughout the area.

Blocks are much cheaper and much larger we would have no problem finding the 'perfect' size block there for a good price, however, we are unsure about biting the bullet due to;
1) Our 'modern' new home looking out of place in the older area
2) Overcapitalising, most of the quotes for our home appear to be around $400k once finished completly (site costs, flooring, landscaping, window covering etc etc) and the land we are looking at would be around $350-$450k..

Does anyone know much about this area of Melbourne, or have a similiar experience in a different area to give us some advice...

If I could guarantee that the area would 'expand' with alot of new houses being built and house prices going up then I would probably most likely build there if we can't find the right block in Newport within the next 3 months...

Decisions, Decisions....

Cheers
Bel

Paula · Apr 14, 2008 10:12 pm

Quote:

2) Overcapitalising, most of the quotes for our home appear to be around $400k once finished completly (site costs, flooring, landscaping, window covering etc etc) and the land we are looking at would be around $350-$450k..

Bel, you will only overcapitilise if you plan to move on in a short period of time. if you plan to stay for the long run (15+ years) I dont think it is an issue. This is just my way of thinking not fact.

Quote:

I'm hoping we could still get into schools etc in the Newport area if we lived here,

Check with the schools to see if they are zoned. We have a high school in the next suburb to us that is zoned. The real estate agents market houses in that area as 'in the zone'.

Good luck with the decision making.

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 10:15 pm

Thanks Paula - we definatly plan to stay for a long time, in fact we were originally going to build a 4 bedroom but if we move further out we could build a bigger home as we will have more land and I'm thinking of going a 5 bedroom....we have always wanted 4 children and I like the idea of them all having their own room

I'll give the local primary school a call tomorrow - my little girl is only 2 so a fair way off but might as well check it all out nice and early!

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 10:21 pm

Bel

We live in Point Cook (nearby suburb) and therefore know the area quite well. Unfortunately it probably suffers from the connection with "Altona" even though I'd give my proverbial to live bayside on the Esplanade. Having said that a few years ago if you would have bought in Spotswood, Newport, or any of the suburbs adjoining Williamstown people think you were nuts. And when we bought in Point Cook eight years ago people couldn't separate it from Geelong (what the?).

It all depends on how long you are wanting to stay there.....the swanky Sanctuary Lakes influence is now spilling across Skeleton Creek and into the "Altona" areas like Altona Meadows.

PS missed you Bel....

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 10:22 pm

PAULA.

...You beat me again.....! :!:

Paula · Apr 14, 2008 10:23 pm

Gotta stay on the ball

And I'm doing bookwork at the same time!!!

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 10:25 pm

Paula

Gotta stay on the ball

And I'm doing bookwork at the same time!!!

And I'm working on a presentation on Farm Irrigation Efficiency....but blokes can't multi task....apparently.

mek · Apr 14, 2008 10:32 pm

haywgl, I live in Altona, not moving any time soon, and our house looks way different to any other house in the street - we don't mind at all. Our block is narrow (15 m) but long (45 m) so we had to custom build and we probably overcapitalised a bit as well. There's a couple of good primary schools nearby, the beach is not far, can walk, train station is just at the bottom of our street. With Altona North (not sure where exactly you had in mind) you would need to drive to catch a train so that's a bit of a bother for some people.

Have you thought of Yarraville? Sleek, and going up in value fast.

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 10:33 pm

Thanks you 2!!

Mike - I like Point Cook! In fact I was looking at Sanctuary Lakes - the only thing that turned us off was the fact DH works out at Waverley and it already takes him about an hour to get there each day, so moving further west is only going to add longer to his travel :roll:

You have hit the nail on the head with the 'Altona' connection, I would love to know if Altona North is going to take off like Williamstown, Newport, Spotswood, Yarraville I would buy there in a heartbeat but that is something I will never know...

Fwiw, we would live in the home for atleast 10-15 years all going well...

Now get back to work the pair of you!!! :wink:

Helyn · Apr 14, 2008 10:35 pm

Quote:

And I'm working on a presentation on Farm Irrigation Efficiency

No wonder he's taking time out to look at forum !!!!! :lol:

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 10:37 pm

haywgl

Now get back to work the pair of you!!! :wink:

Awwwwwww......Mum don't wanna!

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 10:38 pm

Mek - I'm guessing you are in the 'trendier' part of Altona - the other side to Altona North - I like that area too but blocks are a bit more expensive

We would definatly have to drive to get to the train station - Newport would be closest, not a huge drama as neither of us catch the train to work, the kids would need it more than us (when they are old enough to use it!)

I'm glad your not worried that your house is different to the rest (It gives me confidence to do the same)

We were looking in Hansen street which is just off Mason street, and only a street difference to being classifed as Newport :roll:

Thanks for your input

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 10:38 pm

Helyn

Quote:

And I'm working on a presentation on Farm Irrigation Efficiency

No wonder he's taking time out to look at forum !!!!! :lol:

ZZZ...zzzzz....ZZZZ....zzzz....ZZZ.....wha...what.....!

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 10:47 pm

haywgl

We were looking in Hansen street which is just off Mason street, and only a street difference to being classifed as Newport

Freakily small world....we have friends who renovated a house in Rosshire Road Newport (and their BIL did the same on Ford Street) not far from where you looking, they both would have easily sunk $200k + original house price, and Rosshire is across the road from the train line.

Based on their assessments they don't think they've over capitalised.

I know...back to work...

VJ · Apr 14, 2008 10:52 pm

Hi Bel,

We are currently renting in Altona Meadows and will be moving soon in Pt Cook.
I'm quite familiar with Altona, but not Altona North.
I love Altona.. especially the area near to the beach.. very expensive though.
Altona North.. I believe is closer to the industrial area... you are closer to the city, but the area is not as good as Altona in terms of raising your kids.
Well, that's my opinion only.

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 10:54 pm

It is a small world isn't it

I like Rosshire Road and Ford street, that is ideally the side of Newport we want to build in but are just having so much trouble finding a block :roll:

Thanks V - I know exactly what you mean!!

There are some parts of Altona North that are close to industrial/main roads but we aren't looking at those, we are definatly choosing to stay as close to Newport as possible (if we can't stay in!)

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 11:00 pm

haywgl

It is a small world isn't it

I like Rosshire Road and Ford street, that is ideally the side of Newport we want to build in but are just having so much trouble finding a block :roll:

It's pretty much buy, bullzone and build area there....if you are willing to do this then the following technique may be an option https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ght=letter

Or selective letter drop based on a GoogleEarth or Whereis aerial view and find a block the right size.

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 11:09 pm

Mike - Ok I am downloading google earth now, I tried Whereis too.....how do I then search particular streets for land sizes etc?

Once I find a few I might try the old letter drop

to_do_list · Apr 14, 2008 11:14 pm

OK....give me five minutes to write the response....cracking knuckles and preparing to type....

haywgl · Apr 14, 2008 11:27 pm

It's alright I worked it out!!

Hope you haven't already typed it out :oops: