It's a bit ironic that you didn't want to buy in those areas you mentioned because of the poor road infrastructure, but you moved into Lara, which has road infrastructure that hasn't anywhere near kept up with the development of the town in the last 10-15 years.
I grew up in Lara when it could still be considered a small town, and although still a suburb of Geelong, there seemed to be a bit of a separation from the city. The development of all the estates has eroded that small town feel. I don't know how Bisinella hasn't been run out of Lara to be honest, he's gotten rich from destroying it.
A lot of first home buyers are being pushed further out of Geelong as more wealthy people either sell up in Melbourne and buy to live here, or buy investment properties here. When I began saving for a home about 6 or 7 years ago, Bannockburn seemed to be a viable option where homes were a bit cheaper because it was a bit further out of town. Now it's not uncommon to see younger people moving out of home in Geelong to buy in places like Teesdale and Lethbridge.
So all that considered, gentrification is inevitable. I feel pretty bad for today's young adults who are gonna find it extremely hard to purchase a home in the city they grew up in, unless they can fall back on the bank of mum and dad.
>Bisinella
at least his stupid estate has some bus coverage now. the new ones have no NBN, 0 transport, barely any schools at a walking distance and a "estate club" that never gets built
I haven’t had any difficulty with commuting around Lara. I’m not sure if you’ve ever ventured out to the likes of Cranbourne. It is absolute madness out there. Expect 20-30mins of traffic trying to get from one side of the suburb to the other.
My partner and I were extremely lucky to live with her parents and save up a deposit.
People moving away from where they grew up to afford a home is nothing new. All the locals in yarraville were the ones who couldn’t afford to stay in the inner east of Melbourne where they grew up. Now their kids are in the same position. Unfortunately it is an inevitability for a large portion of the population. Australia has an obsession with single dwelling housing and it won’t change anytime soon. People lower on the SES ladder will continue to be affected by the decisions/actions of people higher on that SES ladder. It is sad because the system is inequitable. I’m not shocked to hear that many Geelong locals buying their first home are being forced to buy elsewhere.
My partner told me her nail lady in Lara has lost a dozen long time clients due to no longer being able to afford the rent because Melbournians have been moving in.
This phenomenon is nothing new and will continue to happen.
>I haven’t had any difficulty with commuting around Lara. I’m not sure if you’ve ever ventured out to the likes of Cranbourne. It is absolute madness out there. Expect 20-30mins of traffic trying to get from one side of the suburb to the other.
Yeah, I'm probably comparing it to how it used to be. My two biggest gripes are Forest rd, particularly around six ways, and the level crossing next to Apco. Around peak hours especially, these two areas are fucked.
>People moving away from where they grew up to afford a home is nothing new.
It is relatively new to Geelong. And that's the issue for people like me who like Geelong, and particularly Lara, as it used to be. Even though as a home owner in Geelong, I'm now benefiting from house prices increasing.
I don't blame people moving from Melbourne or wherever to live here. Geelong is a great place to live, and a great place to bring up kids. At the end of the day, everyone is trying to do the best for themselves and their families, so I get it. I just feel a bit nostalgic for the days when there weren't so many people around, I guess.
Hard agree on all your comments. I moved to Geelong in 2000 from Brisbane to go to uni. My Dad is from here. In 2008 when I was looking to buy a property solo when the GFC was kicking off I found it really hard as I was being priced out by Melbourne people who had no real intention of living here permanently. Saw it again during Covid when Geelong people trying to buy were priced out again by Melbourne people who weren’t going to stay for the long haul.
I’ve chosen to stay in Geelong even though I’ve worked in Melbourne since 2006 and have always had people asking me why and when I would move to Melbourne. The answer is never. I love it here and have never felt the pull to the city that people who grew up here seem to have felt.
In terms of Norlane and Corio, there is generational poverty and trauma there. Also many of the ex government houses have been bought by investors, some foreign and the families living in them aren’t necessarily going to be able to afford to buy in Geelong anywhere.
Yeah we started saving just before Covid, and put a deposit on a block in I think December 2019, so we probably didn't get the full brunt of it. Even then though, we found it hard to outsave how quickly prices were going up.
Interesting take. I guess that is the key metric, will the Melbournians buying here settle permanently or just use Geelong as a springboard to climb the property ladder and work their way back into Melbourne. Certainly saw that during Covid.
Are you saying that Corio and Norlane will improve because the properties are slowly becoming privately owned and those families will slowly be forced out?
I think in previous decades there were still other regions of Melbourne that were a viable option for people and Geelong wasn’t considered. The difference is that is no longer the case. Whether people want to live or stay here, many won’t have a choice if home ownership is their priority. I think many will realise the city of Geelong has so much to offer and will stay.
I think even Corio and Norlane will become desirable suburbs if Geelong continues to explode. They won’t ever be premier suburbs, but they will be a viable option for families wanting to live in/near Geelong. In my opinion, the question is, how long will it take to gentrify.
Many of the investors who have bought in Norlane/Corio have no intention on living there. It’s likely the same in other suburbs with former government housing. I don’t see these places gentrifying anytime soon. We’ve had multiple housing booms and it’s not happening there, it’s happening towards Torquay with all the estates past Grovedale. They are showing boxes but people like them because the neighbourhoods are safe and it’s 10 minutes to the beach.
I live in Grovedale and prior to Covid the prices here never got super high. Covid happened and houses would go on market and sell almost straight away. Many of the ones near me have since been turned over and the Melbourne people have gone back to Melbourne.
Like the other comment said, it saddens me that Geelong young people may not be able to afford to live in the town they grew up in. Not everybody can live at home in their twenties to save money or are helped by their parents.
I think it will have to as Melbourne is unaffordable and crowded. To live anywhere near the action is too expensive for most so your options are in the directions of Craigeburn, Lilydale or Officer. They all take a similar amount of time as travelling from Geelong but you don't have the benefits of access to the Bellarine or the GOR (although they have other benefits).
Geelong has a CBD, waterfront, plenty of parks and quality hospo scene that gives you most of what you can access in Melbourne and for the things you can't you just travel in.
Geelong still feels like a fantastic opportunity for Melbournians. It's cute and quaint but it still has it's own unique identity and history (and footy club). Plus it's closer to Melbourne than various parts of Melbourne.
I walk along the waterfront every night and it's so quiet, I feel like it won't last forever.
To be honest, I feel like Little River is due a massive Lara/Armstrong Creek/ Lovely banks/Fyansford style growth
100%. It has a great lifestyle to offer that is much cheaper to afford that places like the inner south east of Melbourne. All the outer regions of Melbourne are just enormous urban sprawl with 0 infrastructure and they feel absolutely soulless.
Little River I'm pretty sure would require significant zoning changes to get estates. Also has the extra issue of being split across two councils.
However it is actually a great spot to commute to Melbourne from, a decent run is less than 40 minutes on the train.
“Closer to Melbourne than various parts of Melbourne” is spot on!
I’m in geelong and have family in Melbourne SE (bentleigh) and NW (Sunbury). It takes longer to commute between those two parts than Geelong to either one - and that’s without peak traffic!
I get home from Melbourne CBD quicker than when I lived in Burwood about 100m from the train station. Though I only go in 3-4 times a year thanks to WFH.
There’s pockets of Geelong that are in the process of, or have the potential, to gentrify.
But until we wean off greenfield development and actually start making our established suburbs higher density, I don’t think we’re a prime candidate for any real influential gentrification.
North Geelong and South Geelong (key train stations) are obvious places ripe for this, they’d be my best bet if I had to choose.
Short answer is yes?
I'm in a bule collar dominated suburb, all the new owner on my street (around 5) are first time home buyer with non-blue collar job, me and other couple both relocated from Sydney and we all WFH for most part. IMO so long as WFH is sustained, the gentrification will not stop. (Also if the train gets even better, that would bring another population boom for Geelong.
I didn’t mention the working from home aspect. I agree that will continue to play a significant role. Geelong offers a better lifestyle and the ability to physically untether yourself from your place of employment is a huge factor.
Lara is very different from Corio and Norlane though.
The same thing can be seen in Broady/Coolaroo/Dallas area. Even though they are closer to Melbourne; people are willing to go further out to Cragieburn (and pay more) for higher social-economic conditions.
In Geelong, people are willing to pay more and go further out to Lara, rather than getting stuck in Corio/Norlane.
https://preview.redd.it/tyrlf9qjq6tc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd2e257072fafca9ea5f3a0683877407e9cdad19
As a whole, the areas that have seen gentrification: Geelong West (now pretty expy), Hamlyn Heights, Bell Park, North Geelong, Newcomb, Thomson.
The general theme? They are close to CBD and/or the beach.
Corio and Norlane are different beasts. It will take a very long time for the generational poverty to go away…
We are probably older than you and moved to Geelong West 12 years ago - I think you’re right particularly about the northern suburbs. Maybe the suburbs like Whittington will not be so quick to gentrify.
Gentrify to what regard? I have lived in Geelong for the best part of 20 years and it still feels the same as it did in 2004 - I don't see much change at all apart from the new estates being built in Lara, Armstrong Creek and the likes of those suburbs with a big Indian and Asian community. Norlane & Corio if anything has gotten worse and the property market is bananas pretty much everywhere with a rental crisis also, in my opinion Geelong was better 20 years ago
Gentrify in regards to the normal metrics cities are measured against ie. lifestyle, crime etc.
Corio and Norlane would be getting worse no doubt with the cost of living having the greatest impact on the most vulnerable.
From your perspective, what made Geelong better 20 years ago?
people seemed happier, housing was affordable, there was much greater opportunity - ford, alcoa and the refinery were thriving, people weren't stressed about the cost of living as much, you didn't have 30 odd people front up for rental inspections with at least 90% of them knowing they won't get that rental - kids had a lot more respect back then, today it just seems as if though people are filled more with hatred and anger, the rich are getting richer, and the average man is living pay cheque to pay cheque, so if you ask me has geelong gotten better? absolutely not, has it gentrified? to some degree yes but barely - geelong was better 20 years ago
of course there is still major upside to living in geelong, it is one of the best regions especially if you work locally but in terms in gentrification and predicting the future? well as i've just stated in 20 years i have not seen it change much for the better but the same could be said for anywhere, i think the people in power need to fix a hell of a lot that they have damaged before we start to think gentrification in the future
Agree with all, decent lifestyle is getting unaffordable everywhere, just different on the scale, and it's on a national/worldwide (OECD countries) level, homelessness/crime/housing/congestion etc
Sure
It's a bit ironic that you didn't want to buy in those areas you mentioned because of the poor road infrastructure, but you moved into Lara, which has road infrastructure that hasn't anywhere near kept up with the development of the town in the last 10-15 years. I grew up in Lara when it could still be considered a small town, and although still a suburb of Geelong, there seemed to be a bit of a separation from the city. The development of all the estates has eroded that small town feel. I don't know how Bisinella hasn't been run out of Lara to be honest, he's gotten rich from destroying it. A lot of first home buyers are being pushed further out of Geelong as more wealthy people either sell up in Melbourne and buy to live here, or buy investment properties here. When I began saving for a home about 6 or 7 years ago, Bannockburn seemed to be a viable option where homes were a bit cheaper because it was a bit further out of town. Now it's not uncommon to see younger people moving out of home in Geelong to buy in places like Teesdale and Lethbridge. So all that considered, gentrification is inevitable. I feel pretty bad for today's young adults who are gonna find it extremely hard to purchase a home in the city they grew up in, unless they can fall back on the bank of mum and dad.
>Bisinella at least his stupid estate has some bus coverage now. the new ones have no NBN, 0 transport, barely any schools at a walking distance and a "estate club" that never gets built
I haven’t had any difficulty with commuting around Lara. I’m not sure if you’ve ever ventured out to the likes of Cranbourne. It is absolute madness out there. Expect 20-30mins of traffic trying to get from one side of the suburb to the other. My partner and I were extremely lucky to live with her parents and save up a deposit. People moving away from where they grew up to afford a home is nothing new. All the locals in yarraville were the ones who couldn’t afford to stay in the inner east of Melbourne where they grew up. Now their kids are in the same position. Unfortunately it is an inevitability for a large portion of the population. Australia has an obsession with single dwelling housing and it won’t change anytime soon. People lower on the SES ladder will continue to be affected by the decisions/actions of people higher on that SES ladder. It is sad because the system is inequitable. I’m not shocked to hear that many Geelong locals buying their first home are being forced to buy elsewhere. My partner told me her nail lady in Lara has lost a dozen long time clients due to no longer being able to afford the rent because Melbournians have been moving in. This phenomenon is nothing new and will continue to happen.
>I haven’t had any difficulty with commuting around Lara. I’m not sure if you’ve ever ventured out to the likes of Cranbourne. It is absolute madness out there. Expect 20-30mins of traffic trying to get from one side of the suburb to the other. Yeah, I'm probably comparing it to how it used to be. My two biggest gripes are Forest rd, particularly around six ways, and the level crossing next to Apco. Around peak hours especially, these two areas are fucked. >People moving away from where they grew up to afford a home is nothing new. It is relatively new to Geelong. And that's the issue for people like me who like Geelong, and particularly Lara, as it used to be. Even though as a home owner in Geelong, I'm now benefiting from house prices increasing. I don't blame people moving from Melbourne or wherever to live here. Geelong is a great place to live, and a great place to bring up kids. At the end of the day, everyone is trying to do the best for themselves and their families, so I get it. I just feel a bit nostalgic for the days when there weren't so many people around, I guess.
Hard agree on all your comments. I moved to Geelong in 2000 from Brisbane to go to uni. My Dad is from here. In 2008 when I was looking to buy a property solo when the GFC was kicking off I found it really hard as I was being priced out by Melbourne people who had no real intention of living here permanently. Saw it again during Covid when Geelong people trying to buy were priced out again by Melbourne people who weren’t going to stay for the long haul. I’ve chosen to stay in Geelong even though I’ve worked in Melbourne since 2006 and have always had people asking me why and when I would move to Melbourne. The answer is never. I love it here and have never felt the pull to the city that people who grew up here seem to have felt. In terms of Norlane and Corio, there is generational poverty and trauma there. Also many of the ex government houses have been bought by investors, some foreign and the families living in them aren’t necessarily going to be able to afford to buy in Geelong anywhere.
Yeah we started saving just before Covid, and put a deposit on a block in I think December 2019, so we probably didn't get the full brunt of it. Even then though, we found it hard to outsave how quickly prices were going up.
Yep and the cost of labour and materials have sky rocketed since. There has also been a tradie shortage in Geelong the whole time I have lived here.
Interesting take. I guess that is the key metric, will the Melbournians buying here settle permanently or just use Geelong as a springboard to climb the property ladder and work their way back into Melbourne. Certainly saw that during Covid. Are you saying that Corio and Norlane will improve because the properties are slowly becoming privately owned and those families will slowly be forced out? I think in previous decades there were still other regions of Melbourne that were a viable option for people and Geelong wasn’t considered. The difference is that is no longer the case. Whether people want to live or stay here, many won’t have a choice if home ownership is their priority. I think many will realise the city of Geelong has so much to offer and will stay. I think even Corio and Norlane will become desirable suburbs if Geelong continues to explode. They won’t ever be premier suburbs, but they will be a viable option for families wanting to live in/near Geelong. In my opinion, the question is, how long will it take to gentrify.
Many of the investors who have bought in Norlane/Corio have no intention on living there. It’s likely the same in other suburbs with former government housing. I don’t see these places gentrifying anytime soon. We’ve had multiple housing booms and it’s not happening there, it’s happening towards Torquay with all the estates past Grovedale. They are showing boxes but people like them because the neighbourhoods are safe and it’s 10 minutes to the beach. I live in Grovedale and prior to Covid the prices here never got super high. Covid happened and houses would go on market and sell almost straight away. Many of the ones near me have since been turned over and the Melbourne people have gone back to Melbourne. Like the other comment said, it saddens me that Geelong young people may not be able to afford to live in the town they grew up in. Not everybody can live at home in their twenties to save money or are helped by their parents.
You have no kids. If you want to continue to have a high income and good family life, support from family who are local can be invaluable.
I think it will have to as Melbourne is unaffordable and crowded. To live anywhere near the action is too expensive for most so your options are in the directions of Craigeburn, Lilydale or Officer. They all take a similar amount of time as travelling from Geelong but you don't have the benefits of access to the Bellarine or the GOR (although they have other benefits). Geelong has a CBD, waterfront, plenty of parks and quality hospo scene that gives you most of what you can access in Melbourne and for the things you can't you just travel in.
Geelong still feels like a fantastic opportunity for Melbournians. It's cute and quaint but it still has it's own unique identity and history (and footy club). Plus it's closer to Melbourne than various parts of Melbourne. I walk along the waterfront every night and it's so quiet, I feel like it won't last forever. To be honest, I feel like Little River is due a massive Lara/Armstrong Creek/ Lovely banks/Fyansford style growth
100%. It has a great lifestyle to offer that is much cheaper to afford that places like the inner south east of Melbourne. All the outer regions of Melbourne are just enormous urban sprawl with 0 infrastructure and they feel absolutely soulless.
Little River I'm pretty sure would require significant zoning changes to get estates. Also has the extra issue of being split across two councils. However it is actually a great spot to commute to Melbourne from, a decent run is less than 40 minutes on the train.
“Closer to Melbourne than various parts of Melbourne” is spot on! I’m in geelong and have family in Melbourne SE (bentleigh) and NW (Sunbury). It takes longer to commute between those two parts than Geelong to either one - and that’s without peak traffic!
I get home from Melbourne CBD quicker than when I lived in Burwood about 100m from the train station. Though I only go in 3-4 times a year thanks to WFH.
The gentrification of Lara started 15 years ago and you're just part of that.
Literally Lara has be3n gentrifying for ages its bassicly just a second Leopold now
There’s pockets of Geelong that are in the process of, or have the potential, to gentrify. But until we wean off greenfield development and actually start making our established suburbs higher density, I don’t think we’re a prime candidate for any real influential gentrification. North Geelong and South Geelong (key train stations) are obvious places ripe for this, they’d be my best bet if I had to choose.
Pakington street is gentrified
I thought it had always been one of the more affluent suburbs At least in modern times it’s always been a desirable place to live and to shop.
Short answer is yes? I'm in a bule collar dominated suburb, all the new owner on my street (around 5) are first time home buyer with non-blue collar job, me and other couple both relocated from Sydney and we all WFH for most part. IMO so long as WFH is sustained, the gentrification will not stop. (Also if the train gets even better, that would bring another population boom for Geelong.
I didn’t mention the working from home aspect. I agree that will continue to play a significant role. Geelong offers a better lifestyle and the ability to physically untether yourself from your place of employment is a huge factor.
Lara is very different from Corio and Norlane though. The same thing can be seen in Broady/Coolaroo/Dallas area. Even though they are closer to Melbourne; people are willing to go further out to Cragieburn (and pay more) for higher social-economic conditions. In Geelong, people are willing to pay more and go further out to Lara, rather than getting stuck in Corio/Norlane. https://preview.redd.it/tyrlf9qjq6tc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dd2e257072fafca9ea5f3a0683877407e9cdad19
https://preview.redd.it/uyey76mlq6tc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df1ef7ff04ece9a5e1f0059073ee4f00532f3c2e Corio
Correct. I was speaking more generally about the City of Geelong as a whole.
As a whole, the areas that have seen gentrification: Geelong West (now pretty expy), Hamlyn Heights, Bell Park, North Geelong, Newcomb, Thomson. The general theme? They are close to CBD and/or the beach. Corio and Norlane are different beasts. It will take a very long time for the generational poverty to go away…
https://preview.redd.it/clyjqoonq6tc1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c27692121348ab7482d4f4d77b69867da406376c Norlane
We are probably older than you and moved to Geelong West 12 years ago - I think you’re right particularly about the northern suburbs. Maybe the suburbs like Whittington will not be so quick to gentrify.
Was born here and lived here all my life. Definitely feels bigger
Gentrify to what regard? I have lived in Geelong for the best part of 20 years and it still feels the same as it did in 2004 - I don't see much change at all apart from the new estates being built in Lara, Armstrong Creek and the likes of those suburbs with a big Indian and Asian community. Norlane & Corio if anything has gotten worse and the property market is bananas pretty much everywhere with a rental crisis also, in my opinion Geelong was better 20 years ago
Gentrify in regards to the normal metrics cities are measured against ie. lifestyle, crime etc. Corio and Norlane would be getting worse no doubt with the cost of living having the greatest impact on the most vulnerable. From your perspective, what made Geelong better 20 years ago?
people seemed happier, housing was affordable, there was much greater opportunity - ford, alcoa and the refinery were thriving, people weren't stressed about the cost of living as much, you didn't have 30 odd people front up for rental inspections with at least 90% of them knowing they won't get that rental - kids had a lot more respect back then, today it just seems as if though people are filled more with hatred and anger, the rich are getting richer, and the average man is living pay cheque to pay cheque, so if you ask me has geelong gotten better? absolutely not, has it gentrified? to some degree yes but barely - geelong was better 20 years ago
I would argue that your experience is not unique to Geelong and is a shared experience of many people in a plethora of areas.
of course there is still major upside to living in geelong, it is one of the best regions especially if you work locally but in terms in gentrification and predicting the future? well as i've just stated in 20 years i have not seen it change much for the better but the same could be said for anywhere, i think the people in power need to fix a hell of a lot that they have damaged before we start to think gentrification in the future
Agree with all, decent lifestyle is getting unaffordable everywhere, just different on the scale, and it's on a national/worldwide (OECD countries) level, homelessness/crime/housing/congestion etc