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Life in the ’burbs

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Craigieburn’s Grand Boulevard.

My suburb felt eerie when I first came here. Now, it’s difficult to leave

During my visit 15 years ago, there were no shops, few homes and no roundabouts, while a central arterial road literally came to a gravelly stop next to the local oval.

  • Peter Waterhouse

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Riders pass silos on Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown North in the 2014 MS Melbourne Cycle.

My suburb is the unglamorous sibling of a seaside gem. But we’re still better

I can’t imagine growing up in a fabulous house by the postcard-pretty beach. Instead, there was something freeing in our quiet spaciousness.

  • Gareth Morgan
Montmorency is the South Yarra of the north. But good luck trying to find it.

My suburb is the South Yarra of the north. But good luck trying to find it

With quirky art, a hidden shopping strip and century-old gums, my suburb is the closest thing to a country town this side of the green wedge.

  • Belinda Johnston
The Basin’s shopping strip on Mountain Highway.

I was warned about our suburb. Then we accidentally moved here

While inspecting a house, we stared out at the suburb, so taken aback by one feature that we forgot to look at the rest of the house properly.

  • Tammy Wong Hulbert
The Valley Lake estate in Keilor East.

No one knew where my suburb was. Then one store changed everything

We were hidden away between a river and two freeways until a local man’s hustle and yellow handwritten signs catapulted us to fame.

  • Margaret Raffle
Life in Brunswick West.

My suburb’s so daggy, our local shops are known as the ‘Square of Despair’

With a retro, neglected vibe and horrific public toilet, our shopping centre almost feels like it shouldn’t count.

  • Sian Campbell
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Hoppers Crossing train station.

My suburb is named after a local landmark. We rejoiced when it was demolished

This working-class neighbourhood once gave me Heart of Darkness vibes. Despite the conveniences, my suburb still has its downsides.

  • Damien Harrison
The Upper Ferntree Gully train station.

My tiny suburb birthed two huge celebrities, but that’s not why we look down on our neighbours

Visitors come to my suburb from around Melbourne for an experience that isn’t available across the city’s flat landscape – even if it is a bit wetter here.

  • Greg Hardy
East Hampton’s shopping strip.

A chance left turn 20 years ago led me to the suburb of my dreams

I stumbled on my suburb by accident after taking a spontaneous turn off the highway to avoid a car accident.

  • Megan Riley
City views from High Street in Northcote.

My suburb is the beating cauliflower heart of Melbourne’s gluten-free belt

Our high street has been named the coolest in the world. The actual coolest. Even if it is only a drop punt away from the “s--- Coles”.

  • Tony Wilson

Original URL: https://www.watoday.com.au/topic/life-in-the--burbs-6g0e