Saray

Gould Street is located on what is known as Long Island in Frankston and is one of the only street along the entire peninsula that runs along the beach side of Nepean Highway.

With the beach on one side (we are literally a 1 minute walk to the beach) and Kananook Creek along the other Gould Street feels like a peaceful beachside resort but is absolutely central to all the amenities in Frankston. The street is narrow and treelined and is really quite picturesque. When friends come to visit they are always surprised by just how pretty this street is.

As someone who grew up in Toorak and Hawthorn the move to Frankston might seem unusual given its reputation however I think it's probably one of the smartest investments my husband and I could have made.

We are in our early 30s and this is our first home, however I have been a keen observer of the property market for over a decade and also do some work in the industry so I did my research before taking the plunge. Like many people our age getting into the property market was looking increasingly difficult in the areas we had been renting in (we were previously renting in Elwood) so we shifted our thinking. Frankston kept cropping up as a boom suburb and Gould Street looked ideal. The potential for growth here is astronomical and that is already becoming evident with the gentrification of this street.

There is almost no traffic as it is only residential property and the beach is beautiful and quiet.

Our house overlooks Kananook Creek which has recently had a multimillion dollar facelift and is tranquil and clean. The tree trees on the opposite side are protected so our outlook will remain as is. Privtae jettys dot the creek and it's not unusual to see your neighbour paddling down the creek of a Sunday morning in a canoe. It really is quite charming.

The creek also offer a 'barrier' the the centre of Frankston which can be a bit rough but is getting cleaned up more and more.

There is an enormous sense of community spirit and pride in Long Island with a committee and neighbourhood gatherings. I was concerned about the safety of the area but needn't have been.

The median house prices, while substantially less than inner Melbourne - especially bayside - are higher than the rest of Frankston, almost like Gould street is a suburb unto itself. That is no doubt due to the proximity to the beach, peaceful surroundings and large blocks.

On the minus side parking is not great as the street is very narrow however this also works as a positive because it really means only local traffic is nearby.

Another minus is there is not alot of good food or cafe culture around- something Frankston in general is lacking however this is improving. We're foodies so this is something I miss, however it is improving and if plans for a marina and to turn Nepean highway into a treelined boulevard once the bypass goes through come to fruition I expect this will change.

We have not lived here a long time and we're still discovering the area so I'll update when I can.