We sold in Donvale a couple of years ago and looked everywhere from the north east to the south east, down Frankston way. We found that Frankston was pretty eclectic and not something we were used to. You could find a really nice house that was a couple of doors away (or maybe next to) a dump of a house (uncut grass, husks of what were cars etc) Although, looks can be deceiving, it just wasn't worth the risk with a young daughter and all.
We ended up looking outside the norm and ended up deep in the Dandenong ranges. 15 min to Pakenham, 30 to Fertree Gully and along Wellington road and east link, it's 45 min to Ringwood. My wife works in Ringwood and my Daughter goes to Emaus college in Vermont (next to Forest Hill). I was (still am) stunned that they travel that far, but they said that coming home to what we have is well worth the small trip. Thinking about it now, I know people who live in the northern and western 'burbs who work in the east and they have longer travel times. We bought our joint for $380k (10.5 acres of bush, 2.5 acres cleared where the house is, 13 all up
), but up here, the tourists in "Sunday drive mode" drive you mad... But most days through the hills its
You'll love it if you have a quick car.
Just a thought.
Cheers,
Kraig