A multi cultural melting pot and plenty of Vietnamese eating places.
Footscray, Melbourne
There is nothing else like Footscray in Melbourne. You will either love this place or find it too much of a culture shock and want to leave it. It is like being in Vietnam, in Eastern Europe, in the Horn of Africa, in an emerging cool suburb and a dilapidated one, all at the same time. Recently, arty types have been moving in, changing the face of this once derided suburb. (More information below...)
Footscray is close to the city centre with excellent public transport. The train station is so overdue for a facelift and apparently it's going to happen soon.
Pretty much everything in Footscray is cheap, starting with the Footscray Market and the Little Saigon Shopping Centre. Footscray has the best Vietnamese food in Melbourne and some very good Ethiopian cafes.
It also has a university, a very large park on the Maribyrnong River and is home to one of the best fresh seafood shops in Melbourne, to an interesting arts community, and to Lonely Planet publications.
The shopping area is colourful and rundown, but that is what also makes it interesting. Many of the residential streets, though, are quite nice with a large number of Victorian cottages. Rents here are among the least expensive in Melbourne.
Footscray is a large suburb that has historically been home to the working class, and those on welfare. Like other suburbs in the inner city, more professionals, families and students have been moving in, slowly changing the face of the suburb.
Parking can be hard in the main shopping area. The vibe: round the world ticket. Shoe equivalent: sneakers, slip-ons. Would suit: ages 18+, students, professionals, singles, poor arty types, unpretentious families. Location: Near university, river, parks. 6km from the city centre. Direction: West
