Keen to hear suggestions as to the 'best' place to live for a keen windsurfer looking seriously at coming to live in Melbourne for a few years. Prefer slalom and speed but have freeride also. Not that into waves.
Had a good look around the WV website which is great by the way. Be the first organisation I join!!
I know budget will come into it but for easy access to most locations for the type of sailing I enjoy what would be the area(s) to aim for?

Cheers in advance

will you be working in the city?

very CBD, yes

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Scope said...

very CBD, yes

bayside suburbs.. but they're pricey

Highett would be cheaper and trainable in.

Hi Scope, it will be good to meet you and hear news of Chch where I lived for seven years in the 80's, and where I learned to windsurf.

Where you live will partly depend upon budget, unless you have really deep pockets. As mentioned, bayside is beautiful and makes for easy and quick access to bay windsurfing before, after work etc, but is sought after and pricey. But being into speed then access to getting out of Melb quickly to the east - to Sandy Point (aka Mecca ) is important. The Monash freeway is a good artery out except at evening peak times, so if you aren't too far from it then you should be able to make the Pit in a bit over 2 hrs. (I can usually do it in 2 hrs flat from Burwood).

Traffic in Melbourne is a nightmare and you wouldn't want to drive into the CBD each day so figure being near a train or tram line or good bike paths. Are you buying or renting? Renting in Melb is really tight and getting very expensive. Expect to be lining up with 30 others or more for rental viewings. For buying near the bay you will need very deep pockets indeed!

Ricketts point

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll be renting as we are keeping everything going here in NZ etc I had a good look at listings in the Bayside areas before posting as it seemed to be the place to be. There seems to be plenty of places available but from what you're saying, plenty of people looking also!!.
Do you end up in rent auctions?

Pit in two hours sound good!!

Be good to meet you also Pedro

Renting is very competative - our housing market sucks over here, but if your lucky and jump on something real quick when it first appears you can do alright.

I did the same thing as you, scoped out a location before the move and focused on finding a place there. Ended up in Elwood - reasonably cheap 1 bdr - near two little bars and a big pub. Takes me 3-4 minutes drive to beach, close to RPS windsurfing store, friendly locals and everything I need there.

Buying is a different story - a slum (not unlike mine) went for $410k across the road a few weeks ago - 1 bdr, tiny court yard..... nuts!

Flat sharing can also cut down the cost.

Good luck pakihah

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pedro e said...

Hi Scope, it will be good to meet you and hear news of Chch where I lived for seven years in the 80's, and where I learned to windsurf.

Where you live will partly depend upon budget, unless you have really deep pockets. As mentioned, bayside is beautiful and makes for easy and quick access to bay windsurfing before, after work etc, but is sought after and pricey. But being into speed then access to getting out of Melb quickly to the east - to Sandy Point (aka Mecca ) is important. The Monash freeway is a good artery out except at evening peak times, so if you aren't too far from it then you should be able to make the Pit in a bit over 2 hrs. (I can usually do it in 2 hrs flat from Burwood).

Traffic in Melbourne is a nightmare and you wouldn't want to drive into the CBD each day so figure being near a train or tram line or good bike paths. Are you buying or renting? Renting in Melb is really tight and getting very expensive. Expect to be lining up with 30 others or more for rental viewings. For buying near the bay you will need very deep pockets indeed!

I'm with Pedro
30min to St.Kilda
30min to Ricketts
Under 1 hour to Westernport side of Morningtion Peninsula
1 hour to Rye
Under 1.5 hours to Surf Coast
Under 1.5 hours to Phillip Island
2 and a bit hours to Sandy Point
3 hours to Mt Buller
45min bike commute to CBD

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Rox said...

pedro e said...

Hi Scope, it will be good to meet you and hear news of Chch where I lived for seven years in the 80's, and where I learned to windsurf.

Where you live will partly depend upon budget, unless you have really deep pockets. As mentioned, bayside is beautiful and makes for easy and quick access to bay windsurfing before, after work etc, but is sought after and pricey. But being into speed then access to getting out of Melb quickly to the east - to Sandy Point (aka Mecca ) is important. The Monash freeway is a good artery out except at evening peak times, so if you aren't too far from it then you should be able to make the Pit in a bit over 2 hrs. (I can usually do it in 2 hrs flat from Burwood).

Traffic in Melbourne is a nightmare and you wouldn't want to drive into the CBD each day so figure being near a train or tram line or good bike paths. Are you buying or renting? Renting in Melb is really tight and getting very expensive. Expect to be lining up with 30 others or more for rental viewings. For buying near the bay you will need very deep pockets indeed!

I'm with Pedro
30min to St.Kilda
30min to Ricketts
Under 1 hour to Westernport side of Morningtion Peninsula
1 hour to Rye
Under 1.5 hours to Surf Coast
Under 1.5 hours to Phillip Island
2 and a bit hours to Sandy Point
3 hours to Mt Buller
45min bike commute to CBD

Have a look at Dingley Village if you are on a budget. 15 minutes to Rickets Mentone and SE Bayside shore. Close to all arterials that will get to to the desitnations above. and about 1 hour peak drive to CBD. Parking in cbd is 200 per month depending where. Its quiet and suburban there and you can get a great deal.

I dunno, I live in Hampton, bayside and if I want to get out after work in summer i find it easier to bring the car into work with the kit (free parking in Richmond) and then often drive to Port Melbourne or Elwood (which are admittedly sort of on the way home) but it doesnt really make a difference that I live close to the bay.
Also I don't think it helps me too much at the weekend as far as windsurfing is concerned. I can see the sea from home (good for checking) but as i dont have a trolley to push down I still have to setup the car and drive it less than 1km so it might as well be 5km

thanks again guys, saw a nice furnished place in Seaford right by the beach-about 40k to CBD?-too far out?
(Should be a vehicle and Car Park with the job so shouldn't matter!!) My gear lives in my Cruiser during the season here so ideally........i can organise it that way over there.
Nothing worse than missing and hour while you go and pick it all up eh?
Thanks again

I'd move to Adelaide

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Scope said...

thanks again guys, saw a nice furnished place in Seaford right by the beach-about 40k to CBD?-too far out?
(Should be a vehicle and Car Park with the job so shouldn't matter!!) My gear lives in my Cruiser during the season here so ideally........i can organise it that way over there.
Nothing worse than missing and hour while you go and pick it all up eh?
Thanks again

Hey Scope
I'm about 10k' closer to the city than Seaford.
Seaford is not a bad place but try to stick to the north of the station, and south of the train line.
The beach there is uncrowded and good in summer. The only drama is probably the
commute...the main road in - Nepean Highway is littered with traffic lights. On a good day it'd be an hour from Seaford to the CBD...on a bad day probably 1 hour 40 mins.
But mate, the beach on your doorstep is sensational...clean, quite and unspoilt.
Good luck and we might see you out there!!