jocel

Gidgegannup is a great lifestyle choice for those who can afford to make the move out of the city. It is about 40 km north east of the CBD and has major access roads leading in to the area. It is possible to work in the city and still lvie out in the rural splendour of Gidgegannup. It has held a spot on my wish list for many years - ever since I worked with a lady who told stories of her many chickens living under an extensive collection of fruit trees. Their winter habitat was an old train carriage - renovated of course! Apparently the name means 'place where spears were made' and the area was first surveyed in 1852. Today there are many styles of property and many land uses in the area. Most head out to Gidgegannup seeking a rural escape, but others have been there all along with their semi-rural properties providing light agricultural income. If you want horses, chickens or goats this is an ideal location. Children growing up here could hardly complain - despite the lack of huge shopping malls!

Darling Downs is a little bit of country in the city! Well, almost in the city! The area has many lifestyle blocks of a few acres situated at the bottom of the Darling Scarp. SOme are nicely treed while others are cleared inot grenn pastures. Most have well built houses on them to house the families living in the area. This type of quality doesn't come cheap and the price range is up near $1 million - a bit less, a bit more depending on what you get. The infrastructure is a little lacking with a bus heading into Armadale being the public transport for the area. However, once there you have the train to the rest of Perth. There are primary schools nearby and high schools, however parents and students will need to travel a bit further than average to get to them. Major shopping is available in Armadale and all other services, such as medical needs are also met by this major hub. It is some distance to the CBD and Fremantle, however the benefits outweigh the longer distances. If you are looking for nature but not ready to leave the city - this spot could be for you.

Kimberley St is a short street running off Grt East Hwy, with a hotel situated at the highway end. It is mostly villas and townhouses that have been built after old houses on big blocks got knocked down. There are a few older houses still there and they are on large blocks. It is a relatively quiet st and the highway noise is not really too much of an issue once you get used to it. Most houses are relatively well kept up and the people are friendly enough if you ever meet anyone walking out the street. SInce many houses are villas tucked away it is not he type of street to see people out doing their lawn or gardening. It is within walking distance of nice parks, public transport, fast food and the river.

Alexander Rd is a major suburban access road that takes drivers from Hardey Rd at one end of Belmont/Cloverdale right through Rivervale to Orrong Rd and Vic Park. It serves as a way to get onto Leach Hwy turning east and to the city viq the Graham Farmer Fwy or Grt East Hwy. There are quite a few houses on this road and many of the older ones are now being replaced with high quality 2 storey villas and houses. People are making a choice between the busy road and the relatively good location, less than 10 mins to the CBD. Belmont Oasis swimming and rec centre is on this road, as is access to the 'Volcano Playground'. It is a short walk from theis road to the forum if you live in the middle section. Otherwise there are buses and/or a slightly longer walk. It is very busy with Bunning and some other businesses at the Cloverdale end and the traffic could hardly go unnoticed by residents.

This is a great spot to live, with access to almost everything you could need! Walk to The Shops in about 10 mins, the library and restaurants are right there too! In the other direction there is the Private School in walking distance as well. The park is there to walk dogs if you want, or just yourself.

Durban St has a mix of old and new housing. However, it is busy with traffic travelling between Hardy Rd adn Epsom Ave. It is a direct route (via one other street) through to the airport via Brearley Ave so it can get very busy. It also leads directly to Epsom Ave shops and two local primary schools, so it is busy at drop off and pick up times. The houses and yards are generally well maintained though and it is not a bad place to live, well lit and no major problems.

Leake St comes off Grt East Hwy and used to have many character houses from the 1950s. Now, many of them are gone and new villas or 2 story villas are being built to replace them. This brings more traffic to the street and some might say it improves it, but I liked the older houses. Recently, there has been a real change in residents from the older migrants to new professionals and middle income earners - for the most part. The middle section is the nicest, with the part leading up from the Hwy seeming a bit dry. Never had any real problems living there but didn't like the traffic rushing past, even though it is not too busy. Easy access to shops and schools, transport. Only the occassional issue with airport noise.

Belvidere St is mostly known for a small, average looking shopping strip with an IGA, bakery, chemist with Post Office and a few take away stores - eg: Chinese. It has been there for decades and it was once the 'shops' (along with Epsom Ave) for the many European migrants in the area. Now they have now mostly passed and the new crowd is less 'sophisticated' in some respects. Belmont has a wide range of housing, from million dollar houses to homeswest. Mostly the lower end shop in this area, which might put some off. But on the whole, it is fine once you get used to the area. Not many houses left on Belvidere St, and naturally it does have traffic going to and from the shops. It is also a short road and a main access from Epsom Ave to Hardy Rd. For me this street really marks the two sides of Belmont, with the Grt East Hwy side of Belvidere being better the closer you go to the highway and the other side - not so much. But there are still some good spots. Belvidere St has recently had an after hours medical GP added, so that is very useful as are the various takeaways. I have never felt unsafe walking there, familiarity helps.