What is the GEELONG area like?

[BlueButton]

Any advice on nice safe family friendly ... great private schools in geelong area?

What is your top suburbs you would suggest?!!!

Thanks

[One of THOSE mums!]

U already know what I think!! Lol

But I'll put my thoughts on here so others can agree :)

Newtown and highton. And the suburbs between them and geelong city.

Geelong college is the best school in geelong.

[earlgrey]

we lived in bell park and loved it. Can't offer opinions on private schools as we sent our kids to an absolutely fantastic public school. Seriously have not come accross a school like it since :(
as with all places there are some great and not so great areas.

[finallyready]

I grew up in Grovedale (back when it was new) and had a terrific childhood. Went to Oberon High School (govt school) and got a terrific education.

There's not that many private schools to choose from in Geelong and I guess it also depends on whether you want a school with a religious affiliation....

[mrskb]

I live in Highton, and really like it (although it is quite pricey). I am currently looking for a larger place, and am looking in Highton, Newtown, Geelong West, East Geelong, Belmont, and Grovedale. Belmont is really good value at the moment I reckon!

Good Luck!

[Tam-I-Am]

I grew up in South Geelong, and it was lovely. Safe, quiet, family oriented. My parents still live there, although I haven't for over a decade now. West Geelong is fashionable, Grovedale is where there are a lot of new estates going in, Highton is lovely, leafy and friendly, Newtown is pricey, but lovely. I would probably happily move back to Geelong and live in just about any location from except Corio and particularly Norlane.

Schools, well, it depends on what you're after. I dispute that Geelong College is the best school in Geelong, I think that's highly debatable. Kardinia College has an equally good reputation, is comparable for price, and has a LOT of extra inclusions (like the ability to have your child's educated 'streamed' - ie learning at their own pace, rather than their chronological age level). However, most of the schools in Geelong proper, public and private, religious and non-denominational, have pretty good reputations, so it really depends on what you're after and what area you live in.

I loved living in Geelong as a child, it was a really awesome town to grow up in. Depending on where you live, there is just the right balance between country and city - enough access to shops, but quiet enough areas that it's still safe for your kids to play at the local parks. Enough community spirit and activity to make you feel safe, not so much that your neighbours want to live in your pockets, etc.

Having said that, I moved away at the first opportunity, so make of that what you will :laughing:

[sahm]

geelong is a great place to live. I agree with Tam, stay away from Corio and Norlane, northern suburbs in general, and you can't in wrong with Highton, Waurn Ponds. There are lots of private schools in Geelong, but plenty of good public ones too.

[bellalika]

My very good friend has lived in Highton and Grovedale. Both have seemed lovely on my visits.


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[HeldAtRansom]

I grew up in South Geelong, and it was lovely. Safe, quiet, family oriented. My parents still live there, although I haven't for over a decade now. West Geelong is fashionable, Grovedale is where there are a lot of new estates going in, Highton is lovely, leafy and friendly, Newtown is pricey, but lovely. I would probably happily move back to Geelong and live in just about any location from except Corio and particularly Norlane.

Schools, well, it depends on what you're after. I dispute that Geelong College is the best school in Geelong, I think that's highly debatable. Kardinia College has an equally good reputation, is comparable for price, and has a LOT of extra inclusions (like the ability to have your child's educated 'streamed' - ie learning at their own pace, rather than their chronological age level). However, most of the schools in Geelong proper, public and private, religious and non-denominational, have pretty good reputations, so it really depends on what you're after and what area you live in.

I loved living in Geelong as a child, it was a really awesome town to grow up in. Depending on where you live, there is just the right balance between country and city - enough access to shops, but quiet enough areas that it's still safe for your kids to play at the local parks. Enough community spirit and activity to make you feel safe, not so much that your neighbours want to live in your pockets, etc.

Having said that, I moved away at the first opportunity, so make of that what you will :laughing:

Agree

[The C Team]

I both disagree and somewhat agree with the 'steer clear of Norlane and Corio' line. There's just a few bad apples (like everywhere else) that give them a bad name.
Sorry ladies. I was once one of you and can honestly say since moving into Norlane it's the friendliest and quietest suburb I've been in.
Sorry, but I just wanted to get across the not judging a suburb by what everyone else says. (touchy subject :()

Highton/Grovedale/Waurn Ponds and everywhere in between are very nice 'family' orientated suburbs. Or if you want to move further out Bannockburn is an up and coming suburb. They've just expanded the school and have plans to expand the supermarket complex. (I was originally out that way and growing up with a mixture of country and close city was awesome!)

Geelong has some great private schools and also some great 'normal' schools. For private you have CRC (Catholic Regional College), Kardinia International, Geelong College, Geelong Grammar, St Joseph's... I'm sure there's more but I can't think of any atm.


eta:I hope I didn't come off bishy in the begining! sorry, sorry.

[Tam-I-Am]

Not bishy at all :) I wasn't offended, and I'm glad that you like living there. I just wouldn't choose to, is all :)

[The C Team]

That's ok! :laughing: I read it over 10 x's and edited about as much. Tired and maybe a little grumpy? lol
Moving here was all we could afford at the time and honestly we live in a street filled with retiree's. I know it's not all like that but for now it's good.
(I just wish it wasn't so expensive to live along the coast because I'd shift there in a heartbeat! :laughing:)

[BlueButton]

Hey Girls,
Thanks for all your replies!!
We currently live in Brighton, Melbourne with my parents and well Melbourne prices are just riduculous and i can't justify paying over nearly three qtrs of a million to live here... So Geelong looks really similar housing to where we are now... i love the old period homes etc. Leafy streets. I grew up going to Portarlington as a child for holidays (every school holidays) so i know the area a little, not so much Geelong we only really drove through it.
I use to Live in Tarneit, we built a house there didnt really like it.. I know i can live in other areas of melbourne although i love established areas with old housing and all of those in Melbourne are too expensive... :)

So we thought Geelong, we drove around looks pretty... that is why i was asking for opinions on what the area is like.

Just another question if you all wouldnt mind answering... What is Herne Hill or Hamlyn Heights like?? I noticed on the net its ALOT cheaper then Newtown and is pretty much next door to...

Thanks ladies!!!! :) Your advice is both good and helpful.. i know everyone has their own opinion on things as some people say they would not live in geelong i could say that about every place in melbourne except for i live :p so i know where you all coming from!!!

[One of THOSE mums!]

We rented in Hamlyn heights while we were waiting on settlement of the house we bought in Newtown.
Hamlyn heights and Herne Hill aren't really what you are describing. (I don't thinknyou would really like them ) West geelong and drumcondra are really nice. As are east and south geelong. All central with period style home.

[hakuna matata]

I think you need Geelong West by the sounds of it ;)

I live in g west and love it, love the homes I see when walking and live pakington street. Maybe one day I'll live in one of those houses.

Personally ds will be going to a public school, however kardinia international college is a great k-12 school or I also gear great things about St John Lutheran k-6, which is in Geelong west.

Hth

[BlueButton]

Thanks you have all been great help!
We drove around yesterday definately my fav is Newtown, East Geelong, West Geelong and Manifold heights!

:) Cant wait to go house hunting... there is not enough houses on the market though!!!!! Maybe because of easter, unless geelong is not like melbourne and have abundance of homes for sale!

[mrskb]

DH's parents live in Hamlyn Heights. They moved there when DH was in highschool so he could be closer to his school (he went to Kardinia International College and LOVED it). Hamlyn Heights is not a bad place at all. 2 other suburbs DH prefers to steer clear of when looking at houses are Whittington and Newcomb. In particular, Solar Drive. Good Luck!! Keep us updated

[Guest]

This has been a good thread, we'll be moving to Geelong hopefully by the end of the year. I've been looking at Newtown, GW, Highton and Belmont. I'm not sure about Belmont yet, but it seems quite cheap for some decent houses?:)

[The C Team]

East Geelong and Newcomb aren't that bad either. E. Geelong is very old school yet seems to have more affordable housing. They have gorgeous houses their too. It's by far one of my favourite suburbs in the city.

Mum2LnC- I'd suggest just doing a drive-by (or googlemaps tour) to look at the houses around the one you would like to rent. Common sense there, I know! :laughing: But it's amazing how much you can tell about a neighbourhood (or even a house) by the way it looks.
Belmont is nice though. It has a really decent stretch of shops, close to town & also very close to Waurn Ponds- the shopping complex there is looking to expand again and it's already pretty large.

[The C Team]

Computer glitch- double posted. Sorry.

[vegemite]

I have to agree with The C Team re Norlane and Corio, my mum moved to Geelong from Broadmeadows about 8 years ago and while I was expecting more of the same, I was pleasantly surprises. She's lived in three houses in that time, one on the highway, one within walking distance of Corio shopping centre and now just behind the greyhound track and has never had any trouble. Where she is now is the quietest, lovely little court with nice neighbours who mostly keep to themselves. There are some parts that look a bit dodgy when you drive past but you get that everywhere.
DH and I lived in Geelong for a year back in 05/06, we were in Geelong West just between Shannon Ave, Aberdeen St and Pakington St. It was a lovely area, close enough to everything and very family friendly. I cant tell you anything about schools but there was an awesome doctor on Shannon Ave, Michael Carrol was his name. No idea if is still there but he was a GP and also a practicing OB GYN. He was really lovely and I highly recommend him.