Melbourne goes from ‘most liveable city’ to congested mess.
Santa said
12:37 PM Mar 7, 2018
I've always found Melbourne less than enticing, not sure of exactly what the attraction is, now with overcrowding and social problems there is even less reason to visit.
-- Edited by Santa on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 12:39:23 PM
the rocket said
06:37 PM Mar 7, 2018
we have been there 3 times. Two times fly. Motel. And last time took our caravan. Had a great Tim seeing the sights but other things happening have turned me off forever. I never be back.
mezza56 said
07:08 PM Mar 7, 2018
Highest crime rate to boot , theres suburbs in the western area with a 1 in 21 chance of being broken into each year .
RustyD said
07:13 PM Mar 7, 2018
Probably go to Melbourne about once per year. And that's too much.
Three years ago I changed by tug from a Falcon to a Ranger. Had to change my toll e-tag to an LCV which costs more per trip which was bummer #1. However, unlike cars, you have to use it at least once / 2 years or you get charged an admin fee. Bummer #2. The use must be on a VIC toll road. RACV is arguing this case at the moment.
It's a horrible congested place these days. Only go through on the freeways towing the van and that's always very early morning and very late at night via the Deer Park Bypass / Western Ring Rd / Cragiebourne Bypass none of which is tolled. NSW and QLD don't appear to have an LCV category.
Desert Dweller said
07:36 PM Mar 7, 2018
Lived there for 60 years, sprawling outer suburban areas getting bigger by the day.
We live 60 kms south of the inner city & visit the CBD about once a year.
All cities are boring places, that's why we spend half of every year ''up the bush''.
wendyv said
07:56 PM Mar 7, 2018
Our outer eastern suburb is experiencing the "infill housing" mentioned above. Developers buy old houses on the larger blocks that used to prevail in these parts, knock down old house, build four units in its place - with a very token 'yard" or outdoor area, and one car park place. Or they split the old blocks into two and put new residence on one. Our narrow, dead end road, has - over the past 5 or 6 years, had 21 such dwellings added to the previous 30 or so. At night, when the workers are home and the surplus cars are parked in the street, there is not enough room down the centre for anything bigger than the average car to drive down.
The traffic, even in the outer suburbs, is horrendous.
We are bailing out! Going to sell up and move somewhere like Ballarat or Bendigo or Wodonga or Bairnsdale - large enough to have most needed services, but on a manageable scale. Hopefully these problems won't reach there in the years we have left.
jules47 said
08:46 PM Mar 7, 2018
I love Melbourne - the city, the surrounds, the suburbs - the lot.......................but I don't want to live there any more.
My first job was in Bourke Street, the Commonwealth Bank (State Bank of Victoria then) - for a govt. department - loved it, often didn't leave the city till the second last train, never felt unsafe - always had a mate with us, or a crowd - but no way would I do that now.
The day I sat for about 12 minutes waiting to get out of my street onto a major road, two sets of traffic lights in close proximity.
It used to take me just over half hour to get to and from work, each way - when I left there, it was taking me at the minimum one hour - usually closer to hour and half. As for going into the city - long time since I've been in town - Billy wants to go and take some pics - so we'll see.
RustyD said
09:00 PM Mar 7, 2018
Used live in an the outer North-West. Had a 2.5 acre block behind us that was going to be developed into ~50 individual units. The biggest logistical issue was space at the front for 100 garbage bins and 50 letter boxes. The roads from the units to the street were private, too small for garbage trucks, and the postie is reluctant to enter a private road. Also drainage since a paddock would become predominately roofing and concrete. Surprisingly, although the council was not keen on the idea and all the people around the property were worried that this would de-value their properties, the council had valuers in and were told this development would actually increase our property value.
Eventually a day-hospital went up but we moved back to Ballarat just after construction began.
-- Edited by RustyD on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 09:01:35 PM
vince56 said
06:44 AM Mar 8, 2018
I for one love Melbourne, great place to live and work, lots of opportunity for the young ones to build a career, beautiful beaches, wineries, a grand old city full of character.
Came here from South Australia in the 90's and my wife, kids and I have never looked back.
Traffic is an issue for sure and that is being addressed, but the guts of the city's growth is simple, millions of people want to live here......
SouthernComfort said
04:17 PM Mar 8, 2018
Nearly fell off my chair laughing when I read through this!
So the "guru's" being highlighted here are The Gratton Institute, and The New Daily?? Ha! Subjective doesn't even begin to describe this diatribe...
Although I'm more intrigued by some of those in here who've visited Melbourne - with eyes closed apparently? Listen, rather than be suckered in by the above "commentators", ponder for a while as to why Melbourne is the most visited city in Aus* and the fastest growing city for new permanent residents.
All cities have their challenges keeping pace with infrastructure etc., none more so than those exploding with growth. This contortion is frustrating for residents and part of living in a large growing city as opposed to dwelling in the bush, where pretty as it often is, nothing ever happens or changes.
Since some of us have a glass half-full rather than half-empty, so consider just a handful of Mebourne's CBD features worth sampling on your next visit:
- Water you can drink from the tap - A proper livable climate - Host to the most significant major national/international sporting events - Australia's finest restaurants - Australia's finest shopping - Australia's cultural capital - Australia's grandest historic city architecture - Stunning river esplanade, parks and cityscapes
Then, if you're talking Greater Melbourne and the fringe environs, plan on spending a LOT more time (after doing some homework on where to go) When you live here you don't mind being the envy of others, but if you do choose to stay away from our fair city, happy travels anyway
*quote: traveller.com.au
Phillipn said
04:30 PM Mar 8, 2018
The best thing that cities and large towns have is the roads that take you out.
RustyD said
04:50 PM Mar 8, 2018
I still have an annual school re-union at the Casino Complex on Derby Day each year. Meet on Saturday morning. It's so easy to get there on the freeways, a few blocks, and then down the ramp to the carpark and park within a few parks of an entrance. It's is a great venue and Melbourne is everything positive that SouthernComfort says. Just too busy for this little black duck these days.
Interesting that I worked with several people who were born and educated in Brisbane but then moved to Melbourne. There reason was that Brisbane was a "cultural void" and Melbourne was the cultural capital. I never really thought of that aspect.
The best pizza place is Melbourne and 100km radius. Not sure what the other capitals are like now, but even the worst pizza in the 100kms radius of Melbourne was better than any other capital city.
sparra said
07:33 PM Mar 8, 2018
Who has got the Pub in Melbourne now
Dougwe said
07:47 PM Mar 8, 2018
I lived in the outer suburbs from a new born to 20 then I was outa there. I now only go through the outer edges and that's a shocker, to visit my daughter south of Melbourne.
rockylizard said
10:36 AM Mar 9, 2018
SouthernComfort wrote:
SNIP~~~
Since some of us have a glass half-full rather than half-empty, so consider just a handful of Mebourne's CBD features worth sampling on your next visit:
- Water you can drink from the tap - A proper livable climate - Host to the most significant major national/international sporting events - Australia's finest restaurants - Australia's finest shopping - Australia's cultural capital - Australia's grandest historic city architecture - Stunning river esplanade, parks and cityscapes
Then, if you're talking Greater Melbourne and the fringe environs, plan on spending a LOT more time (after doing some homework on where to go) When you live here you don't mind being the envy of others, but if you do choose to stay away from our fair city, happy travels anyway
*quote: traveller.com.au
Gday...
I reckon I gotta fully agree with ya list of dot points ... however, that "proper liveable climate" is definitely also not boring - it is a truism that Melbourne - four seasons in one day. Also, there are not many places that go from 38deg on a summer's day to 19deg in the space of an hour ... or go to bed with mercury bumping 35deg and wake up at 3am to put on two blankets as it has dropped to 12deg with the change.
Traffic - yeah, I know all big cities have traffic ... but geez the Monash Carpark is incomparable ... and the East-Link HMMM. I was heading outta the city one arvo a couple of months ago, about 4.45pm, and the 'traffic report' came on the radio giving the situation on all the outlets. The bloke said that the East Link was travelling smoothly with no hold-ups.
We were in the middle lane of four lanes - all packed bumper to bumper and moving at 15kph. I said to the Melbournian beside me "He must be joking!" ... me mate replied "Nah, its going well. This is normal. It IS flowing smoothly. At least you're moving - sometimes ya don't get to move at all."
If Melbourne was JUST the things in your dot points then I would gladly go back and live there - but that traffic and the hopeless public transport system is just too horrendous for me to tolerate.
I lived in Melbourne from 1961 to 1972 - Brunswick, Coburg, Hurstbridge, Canterbury then in 1972 built a new house in Sunbury. I worked in the CBD from 1963 until 1982.
Left Sunbury and went to Gippsland in 1982 - best thing I ever did.
and now full-time on the road - I refuse to go anywhere near any big cities unless it is COMPLETELY unavoidable.
Cheers - John
jules47 said
11:45 AM Mar 9, 2018
Gee John - you worked in the city when I did - did you go to the Thumpin' Tum - Tuesday dance above Gaylords menswear in Bourke Street? Concerts at the Town Hall, or Festival Hall - Myer Music Bowl - there was so much to do - cheap eats at the cafe's in Swanston Street - Crown Café had the best pie and mash - capucino was a drink and dessert in one. And of course the footy on Saturday!
Santa said
11:58 AM Mar 9, 2018
"A proper livable climate"
Made me laugh.
-- Edited by Santa on Friday 9th of March 2018 11:59:37 AM
rockylizard said
11:59 AM Mar 9, 2018
Gday...
Main, and most favourite, Catcher - Flinders Lane.
But also these - some weekends, we used to just "drift" between each of them - depending where the best girls OOPS ... I mean where the best groups were.
Cheers - (actually the best girls were always at Catcher) - John
jules47 said
12:03 PM Mar 9, 2018
I loved the Tum - Catchers was ok-Opus always had great bands - Lynne Randell - loved her.
rockylizard said
12:16 PM Mar 9, 2018
Gday...
Yep ... Lynne Randell was easy on the eye I admit ... not sure I liked her singing.
My favourites from the era (for looks ... oh yeah and their voices are -
Francoise Hardy Patsy Anne Noble
Dinah Lee
Cheers - John
jules47 said
12:26 PM Mar 9, 2018
The Strangers - guitarist John Farrar married Pat Collins, wrote a lot of stuff for the BG's.
My brother (3 yrs younger) STILL lives the city life - always doing something in Melbourne, lives in Union St. Windsor, works in Port Melbourne - always at gigs, still keeps up with some of the guys from back then - was roadie for Dingos for a while, couple of other bands as well.
Melbourne - the place to be!
Santa said
12:36 PM Mar 9, 2018
jules47 wrote:
Melbourne - the place to be!
This quote never fails to intrigue me, if Melbourne is the place to be why do we see so many of em in other places, you would think having found nirvana there would be little or no desire to leave.
rockylizard said
12:40 PM Mar 9, 2018
Santa wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Melbourne - the place to be!
This quote never fails to intrigue me, if Melbourne is the place to be why do we see so many of em in other places, you would think having found nirvana there would be little or no desire to leave.
Gday..
Guess ya don't travel much Santa
I continue to meet probably thousands of people each year travelling around this wide, exciting, land ... and they are from EVERY corner of this brown, dry sometimes flooded country.
I reckon, if I really sat down and give it a good thunk, Melbourne would be the place that the least I have met have come from.
Jest sayin'
Cheers - John
SouthernComfort said
02:18 PM Mar 9, 2018
Santa wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Melbourne - the place to be!
This quote never fails to intrigue me, if Melbourne is the place to be why do we see so many of em in other places, you would think having found nirvana there would be little or no desire to leave.
Curious as to what your real agenda behind starting this thread actually is, Santa? I'm a bit stumped as to how it adds value to the GM forum. Feel free to elaborate for us all would you?
Santa said
02:31 PM Mar 9, 2018
SouthernComfort wrote:
Santa wrote:
jules47 wrote:
Melbourne - the place to be!
This quote never fails to intrigue me, if Melbourne is the place to be why do we see so many of em in other places, you would think having found nirvana there would be little or no desire to leave.
Curious as to what your real agenda behind starting this thread actually is, Santa? I'm a bit stumped as to how it adds value to the GM forum. Feel free to elaborate for us all would you?
No agenda, it was a news article published on the 6th of March, that caught my interest and reflected some of my own observations.
Obviously others on the forum have similar views.
We all have our favorite holiday destinations, Victoria/Melbourne is not one of mine, and is becoming less so as time passes.
SouthernComfort said
04:41 PM Mar 9, 2018
That's a good thing mate, visitor numbers are through the roof as it is so we're happy.
msg said
04:50 PM Mar 9, 2018
Our old house that my dad built is still sitting there. Nothing has been done to it. Still looks the same. (over 60yrs old now) Would love to go back and live there, but I don't have the $1.5m required. lol
RustyD said
04:59 PM Mar 9, 2018
At least you can go across Melbourne on Freeways. More than can be said about Sydney which is probably a reason that Melbourne will overtake Sydney is size in the near future. Close to 4 million seem to like the place, which of course in why it's congested and sprawling.
jules47 said
05:57 PM Mar 9, 2018
I agree the freeways and the toll roads as well Rusty - used to cost us $20 each way from the Hume to Frankston, using Eastlink, and the new Peninsula Freeway - but probably saved min $50 fuel/wear/tear - but most importantly - saved the driver's sanity - and the navigators, made a much more enjoyable way through,
Living near Avoca Vic, now (son) - so lovely up here we came for about three days - we saw our third full moon the other night
SouthernComfort said
09:15 AM Mar 10, 2018
I love Eastlink, it's the best thing that happened to our road system in the last 10 yrs. As jules47 pointed out, on balance the savings are greater than the cost for users.
For what it's worth, along with around 4 million other people, living in this "pocket rocket" state with all its features and foibles suits us just fine thanks very much. Equally, we travel extensively and without exception we find something to enjoy in every city, state or country we visit, and that's probably due to our positive outlook and a willingness to embrace differences - that's what travelling is all about! We wouldn't think of using social media for peddling overt negativity about any particular place we happen not to like so much (let alone an entire state as one poster in here has now declared!), what's to be gained by it other than an attempt to stir the pot? On the other hand, it's great that we have a STICKY to tell others about favourite / magical places we've seen. I wonder why there's no STICKY for the contrary purpose....
Looking at life as a glass half FULL certainly makes us content.
I've always found Melbourne less than enticing, not sure of exactly what the attraction is, now with overcrowding and social problems there is even less reason to visit.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2018/03/06/melbourne-unliveable/
-- Edited by Santa on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 12:39:23 PM
we have been there 3 times. Two times fly. Motel. And last time took our caravan. Had a great Tim seeing the sights but other things happening have turned me off forever. I never be back.
Highest crime rate to boot , theres suburbs in the western area with a 1 in 21 chance of being broken into each year .
Three years ago I changed by tug from a Falcon to a Ranger. Had to change my toll e-tag to an LCV which costs more per trip which was bummer #1. However, unlike cars, you have to use it at least once / 2 years or you get charged an admin fee. Bummer #2. The use must be on a VIC toll road. RACV is arguing this case at the moment.
It's a horrible congested place these days. Only go through on the freeways towing the van and that's always very early morning and very late at night via the Deer Park Bypass / Western Ring Rd / Cragiebourne Bypass none of which is tolled. NSW and QLD don't appear to have an LCV category.
We live 60 kms south of the inner city & visit the CBD about once a year.
All cities are boring places, that's why we spend half of every year ''up the bush''.
The traffic, even in the outer suburbs, is horrendous.
We are bailing out! Going to sell up and move somewhere like Ballarat or Bendigo or Wodonga or Bairnsdale - large enough to have most needed services, but on a manageable scale. Hopefully these problems won't reach there in the years we have left.
My first job was in Bourke Street, the Commonwealth Bank (State Bank of Victoria then) - for a govt. department - loved it, often didn't leave the city till the second last train, never felt unsafe - always had a mate with us, or a crowd - but no way would I do that now.
The day I sat for about 12 minutes waiting to get out of my street onto a major road, two sets of traffic lights in close proximity.
It used to take me just over half hour to get to and from work, each way - when I left there, it was taking me at the minimum one hour - usually closer to hour and half. As for going into the city - long time since I've been in town - Billy wants to go and take some pics - so we'll see.
Used live in an the outer North-West. Had a 2.5 acre block behind us that was going to be developed into ~50 individual units. The biggest logistical issue was space at the front for 100 garbage bins and 50 letter boxes. The roads from the units to the street were private, too small for garbage trucks, and the postie is reluctant to enter a private road. Also drainage since a paddock would become predominately roofing and concrete.
Surprisingly, although the council was not keen on the idea and all the people around the property were worried that this would de-value their properties, the council had valuers in and were told this development would actually increase our property value.
Eventually a day-hospital went up but we moved back to Ballarat just after construction began.
-- Edited by RustyD on Wednesday 7th of March 2018 09:01:35 PM
Came here from South Australia in the 90's and my wife, kids and I have never looked back.
Traffic is an issue for sure and that is being addressed, but the guts of the city's growth is simple, millions of people want to live here......
Nearly fell off my chair laughing when I read through this!
So the "guru's" being highlighted here are The Gratton Institute, and The New Daily?? Ha! Subjective doesn't even begin to describe this diatribe...
Although I'm more intrigued by some of those in here who've visited Melbourne - with eyes closed apparently? Listen, rather than be suckered in by the above "commentators", ponder for a while as to why Melbourne is the most visited city in Aus* and the fastest growing city for new permanent residents.
All cities have their challenges keeping pace with infrastructure etc., none more so than those exploding with growth. This contortion is frustrating for residents and part of living in a large growing city as opposed to dwelling in the bush, where pretty as it often is, nothing ever happens or changes.
Since some of us have a glass half-full rather than half-empty, so consider just a handful of Mebourne's CBD features worth sampling on your next visit:
- Water you can drink from the tap
- A proper livable climate
- Host to the most significant major national/international sporting events
- Australia's finest restaurants
- Australia's finest shopping
- Australia's cultural capital
- Australia's grandest historic city architecture
- Stunning river esplanade, parks and cityscapes
Then, if you're talking Greater Melbourne and the fringe environs, plan on spending a LOT more time (after doing some homework on where to go)
When you live here you don't mind being the envy of others, but if you do choose to stay away from our fair city, happy travels anyway
*quote: traveller.com.au
The best thing that cities and large towns have is the roads that take you out.
Interesting that I worked with several people who were born and educated in Brisbane but then moved to Melbourne. There reason was that Brisbane was a "cultural void" and Melbourne was the cultural capital. I never really thought of that aspect.
The best pizza place is Melbourne and 100km radius. Not sure what the other capitals are like now, but even the worst pizza in the 100kms radius of Melbourne was better than any other capital city.
Gday...
I reckon I gotta fully agree with ya list of dot points ... however, that "proper liveable climate" is definitely also not boring - it is a truism that Melbourne - four seasons in one day. Also, there are not many places that go from 38deg on a summer's day to 19deg in the space of an hour ... or go to bed with mercury bumping 35deg and wake up at 3am to put on two blankets as it has dropped to 12deg with the change.
Traffic - yeah, I know all big cities have traffic ... but geez the Monash Carpark is incomparable ... and the East-Link HMMM. I was heading outta the city one arvo a couple of months ago, about 4.45pm, and the 'traffic report' came on the radio giving the situation on all the outlets. The bloke said that the East Link was travelling smoothly with no hold-ups.
We were in the middle lane of four lanes - all packed bumper to bumper and moving at 15kph. I said to the Melbournian beside me "He must be joking!" ... me mate replied "Nah, its going well. This is normal. It IS flowing smoothly. At least you're moving - sometimes ya don't get to move at all."
If Melbourne was JUST the things in your dot points then I would gladly go back and live there - but that traffic and the hopeless public transport system is just too horrendous for me to tolerate.
I lived in Melbourne from 1961 to 1972 - Brunswick, Coburg, Hurstbridge, Canterbury then in 1972 built a new house in Sunbury. I worked in the CBD from 1963 until 1982.
Left Sunbury and went to Gippsland in 1982 - best thing I ever did.
and now full-time on the road - I refuse to go anywhere near any big cities unless it is COMPLETELY unavoidable.
Cheers - John
Gee John - you worked in the city when I did - did you go to the Thumpin' Tum - Tuesday dance above Gaylords menswear in Bourke Street? Concerts at the Town Hall, or Festival Hall - Myer Music Bowl - there was so much to do - cheap eats at the cafe's in Swanston Street - Crown Café had the best pie and mash - capucino was a drink and dessert in one.
And of course the footy on Saturday!
"A proper livable climate"
Made me laugh.
-- Edited by Santa on Friday 9th of March 2018 11:59:37 AM
Gday...
Main, and most favourite, Catcher - Flinders Lane.
But also these - some weekends, we used to just "drift" between each of them - depending where the best girls
OOPS ... I mean where the best groups were. 
Cheers - (actually the best girls were always at Catcher)
- John
Gday...
Yep ... Lynne Randell was easy on the eye I admit
... not sure I liked her singing.
My favourites from the era (for looks ... oh yeah and their voices
are -
Francoise Hardy Patsy Anne Noble
Dinah Lee
Cheers - John
My brother (3 yrs younger) STILL lives the city life - always doing something in Melbourne, lives in Union St. Windsor, works in Port Melbourne - always at gigs, still keeps up with some of the guys from back then - was roadie for Dingos for a while, couple of other bands as well.
Melbourne - the place to be!
This quote never fails to intrigue me, if Melbourne is the place to be why do we see so many of em in other places, you would think having found nirvana there would be little or no desire to leave.
Gday..
Guess ya don't travel much Santa
I continue to meet probably thousands of people each year travelling around this wide, exciting, land ... and they are from EVERY corner of this brown, dry sometimes flooded country.
I reckon, if I really sat down and give it a good thunk, Melbourne would be the place that the least I have met have come from.
Jest sayin'
Cheers - John
Curious as to what your real agenda behind starting this thread actually is, Santa? I'm a bit stumped as to how it adds value to the GM forum. Feel free to elaborate for us all would you?
No agenda, it was a news article published on the 6th of March, that caught my interest and reflected some of my own observations.
Obviously others on the forum have similar views.
We all have our favorite holiday destinations, Victoria/Melbourne is not one of mine, and is becoming less so as time passes.
I agree the freeways and the toll roads as well Rusty - used to cost us $20 each way from the Hume to Frankston, using Eastlink, and the new Peninsula Freeway - but probably saved min $50 fuel/wear/tear - but most importantly - saved the driver's sanity - and the navigators, made a much more enjoyable way through,
Living near Avoca Vic, now (son) - so lovely up here we came for about three days - we saw our third full moon the other night
I love Eastlink, it's the best thing that happened to our road system in the last 10 yrs. As jules47 pointed out, on balance the savings are greater than the cost for users.
For what it's worth, along with around 4 million other people, living in this "pocket rocket" state with all its features and foibles suits us just fine thanks very much. Equally, we travel extensively and without exception we find something to enjoy in every city, state or country we visit, and that's probably due to our positive outlook and a willingness to embrace differences - that's what travelling is all about! We wouldn't think of using social media for peddling overt negativity about any particular place we happen not to like so much (let alone an entire state as one poster in here has now declared!), what's to be gained by it other than an attempt to stir the pot? On the other hand, it's great that we have a STICKY to tell others about favourite / magical places we've seen. I wonder why there's no STICKY for the contrary purpose....
Looking at life as a glass half FULL certainly makes us content.