Living in Footscray-Is it Really That Scary? | My Personal Experience Living Here |Melbourne Suburbs

[@brendanbang6636]

Well done, I’m a Footscray man for over 28 years and you done a great job highlighting Footscray.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you.😀

[@Male666chauvinist]

So have you been smoking happy weed for 28 years or living under some kind of rock????

[@liamschulzrules]

I'm from Adelaide but have family in Spotswood. On my last visit in 2018 we came into Footscrey and it was like entering another world compared to the suburb right next door. Im not for gentrification but I couldn't understand the level of neglect. You have a great voice, ads a nice personality to the video

[@liam3284]

Even spotswood is not in great shape, at least near the science works. I spent half a day walking from Williamstown to Footscray, via the Newport power station and scienceworks.

[@gummybums]

Living 3 years in footscray with no major incidents. Well done. At least you were honest about living there and talked about the way footscray really is. Great video

[@Lkb190]

Good video. I’ve lived in Footscray for a few years now. I both love it and hate it sometimes. I feel at home here, it feels real and unpretentious. The food is fantastic, and so much diversity. The vicinity to the cbd a huge plus. But, I’ve seen so many things over the years, that I’ve developed anxiety now, having to navigate the streets on foot. Mainly the aggressive, drug affected types, when they yell and try to interact.

[@liam3284]

Unfortunately I have come across even more such people in Collingwood and working in the CBD. One time verbally assulted by a drugged out driver in the inner North. Not sure if everywhere has just become worse in the last decade?

[@ken-xm8gh]

It is such a shame that the Maribyrnong city council pretty much neglected Footscray and invested more towards Yarraville/Seddon area. The stark difference between these areas just kilometers away is shocking.

[@Scotty-P]

There's a key reason for that stark "difference" between Yarraville and Seddon, and most of the areas which surround it across the West.

[@thelastaustralian7583]

Seventy Years ago it was Australian, Sweetheart LOL

[@Scotty-P]

@@thelastaustralian7583 Until much more recently than that, it was still majority Australian.

[@thelastaustralian7583]

@@Scotty-P Do you know about the covert genocide going on towards Australians ?

[@Scotty-P]

@@thelastaustralian7583 It's entirely overt! The plots and the plans leading to it, were covert for some time, but now it's acutely obvious what is being done to us.

[@bacsolo3719]

25 years or so ago, it was a delight to go shopping on the weekends, now it not only feels neglected but looks it too.

[@margaretcampbell2681]

Yes it has been neglected

[@liam3284]

Even the foot paths are really run down

[@strb4444]

thanks for sharing your experiences and your voice with us, was really nice to hear :)

[@MelbWestExplorer]

😃thank you!

[@JK-fn7zv]

Thank you I learned a lot. I will be moving to Footscray in two weeks time 😊

[@MelbWestExplorer]

You're welcome! 😀I hope you enjoy your time there.

[@cityend]

Hi Sweetheart! j/k, hi Lee, Thank you for another great video, and even better is to hear your real voice over the AI voice, it really adds to the authenticity of your personal experience! We're also looking to move further out west, so your other videos have been very informative. Look forwarding to seeing more of your videos.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I was a bit unsure about using my own voice, but your comment reassures me that I'm on the right track. Welcome to the west! I'm really glad you found the videos informative. I just wish I could be more productive with creating videos-there's so much I want to share!

[@silkbuttons]

She hates being called sweetheart, she is above that, did you miss that part of the video?

[@belventura3852]

Thank you for the honest and clear review!! ❤

[@MelbWestExplorer]

thanks!😊

[@lastnightsmusic6067]

Good and accurate summary of Footscray. There’s lists of nice restaurants and bars in Footscray too. Mama Chen’s, Pride Of Footscray, Mr West wine bar, bar Josephine, to name a few.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for sharing! Yes, Footscray has some quirky little bars that have a great atmosphere!

[@tonychestnut904]

I've been here for 20+years and find your observations very fair and honest.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you!😃

[@phyllissaid7001]

I lived in Footscray late 70's to early 80's, nearly 4 years. It was very cosmopolitan back then, clean, safe with a diverse population. You did a great job explaining how it is now. Thanks.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for sharing! I’ve received a lot of comments saying Footscray in the ’70s and ’80s had a totally different vibe-more family-friendly and welcoming. Sad to say, some areas are quite dirty and unkempt now.

[@lachlanbeckett5350]

I haven't seen the videos with the AI voice but in this one your voice was great. Very clear and you explained everything really well.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you for your kind words!😃

[@jack22van]

Hello, i remember as a child going to footscray 40 yrs back & it was like heading into carlton / lygon street back then, it was clean, felt safe & you could have a good time. for some reason which is still beyond my understanding, the Vietnamese were allowed to take over all of the business district & it turned into a 3rd world ghetto dump site, it's been this was for 35yrs, such a shame! To give you context barkly street on friday nights was like a festival for families to come out and mingle! i cant believe how far its fallen off!

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for your comment! Yes, it’s hard for me to imagine that Barkly Street on Friday nights used to be like a festival for families...I’d be scared to go out on Barkly Street at night.

[@eric.g.]

Excellent video Lee, great job :)

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you!😀

[@alexmccutcheon7381]

Great video! I grew up in the East but have a few nice memories of Footy, including the hot ham donuts by the station. Sorry to see how many shop fronts look dilapidated or even abandoned at the moment. Some tougher penalties for land banking might help, along with some investment in the streetscape beyond just the station entrance. As everyone has been commenting, there's so much potential in the area with uni campuses and health facilities, and excellent train connections that are only going to improve. The ROI on making it a nicer place to visit should be significant.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks! I was surprised by how many comments I received about Footscray. It’s great to see that people care about this little western suburb, despite its not-so-great reputation.

[@vpower3187]

West Footscray was nice to grow up in during the 90s. Quite the childhood with friends from many different cultures, with Footscray Park close by lot's of fishing adventures and bbq's with family friends. Took the tram to Maribyrnong Secondary College which was also a great school with a breakfast club and many other facilities, we occasionally snuck out to Highpoint shopping centre from time to time :)

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Hi😃, thanks for sharing your experience with West Footscray! It sounds like a really nice place to have grown up.Do you think it's better or worse now compared to the 90s?

[@vpower3187]

@@MelbWestExplorer It looks much more developed and expensive nowadays. Visiting Footscray is still a pleasure for me, very nostalgic and nice scenery but i imagine the kids these days would be mostly indoors with social media and their Ipads, there is no way it would be better than the 90s.

[@Sindiesel36]

Great video! Great editing great voice over well done

[@MelbWestExplorer]

😀

[@maybee6918]

I think you have a lovely voice, subtitles help but your voice is quite clear. Great vid, very informative.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

😃Thank you. I recorded the same voiceover multiple times, trying to make it better.

[@DrunkJester]

I've known Footscray since 85. I went to school for a bit later on, hung around, and was even featured in an ABC program. There is so much change. The last time i went, i couldn't believe how many empty shops there were being close to the city. i don't understand why it isn't more vibrant it has so much potential that the council really should pull their fingers out. ✌️&❤

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Yes, I noticed many shops have closed down on the west side of Barkly St. I hope the best for Footscray; it always feels like home.

[@liam3284]

When I ask the shop keepers, they almost always tell me the rents are too high. I read that commercial property has now a 20% vacancy rate in the inner suburbs! Not sure why the landord want to keep the rent so high even if they have an empty shop!

[@bembeegaile]

footscray is the best and still has character and heart, unlike its counterpart suburbs in east, south east and north of melbourne. all of which have been so gentrified to the point that those suburbs feel clinical and soulless. Sure, their footpaths are better but give me a shitty footpath any day. Footscray ROCKS! ❤❤

[@MelbWestExplorer]

That's the spirit of Footscray!

[@Scotty-P]

Don't you mean, 'diversified'?

[@mkf628]

what's missing is a $19-per-scoop ice cream vendor

[@stopngo1019]

You need to check out Long Islands, NY gentrification now called Wong Islands, NY everythings looked so futuristic especially Brooklyn skyline from Dumbo toward the end of island.

[@kimzor1989]

Your voice over is 1000x better than the AI voice over. Keep up the great work

[@MelbWestExplorer]

thanks!😀

[@Ilona-o3f]

They ( whoever is responsible for cleanliness) really should be looking at challenging issues like simply keeping the place, clean, painted ( lots of paint in Bunnings 😊) the footpaths simply stinks 😷 the shop owners should stop surrounding bus stops with rotten fruits & veggies. The front of the shops should be cleaned & the displays in the windows should have some dress code as we are not living in a third world country, walls should be painted & no graffiti grrr. I remember as an immigrant how Footscray looked like more than 40 yrs ago it was a pleasure to go for shopping. This area has lots of potentials, but everyone should be involved especially the Council. More greenery, more professionals to help people who need support & real help, because it looks like it goes out of hand. Start programs, real reeducation & rehabilitation. This area is very very neglected but has potentials. Thank you for reading 😊

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for your comment! I’m curious-did Footscray have a bad reputation 40 years ago, or was it more like an inner suburb similar to North Melbourne & Kensington back then?

[@Ilona-o3f]

@@MelbWestExplorer I lost my response. It was cute & beautiful, it was a pleasure to take a tram or walk from Midway Hostel. The Mall was very green but later they closed half of the Mall for cars park 😞. The Hub Arcade had lots of food options including Thai Food 🍱 I think they operate now on Russel Street, but not sure. Target was huge with lots of elegant outfits for adults & children. On the Mall we had: Agnus & Robertson Bookshop, Forges was huge, Bradmans with leather handbags & other luxury items made from leather, we had Sussan , Katie’s, Just Jeans, Lincraft & Continental shops - Yummy 😋 all was clean and painted and course we had & still have Footscray Market 😋👍😊

[@Ilona-o3f]

And more thing, we had lovely swimming 🏊‍♀️, kids & adults really enjoyed it. Not sure if I could compare Footscray from before to North Melbourne or Kensington. Footscray was always very unique, there’s no one long street like Chappell street where all shops and restaurants are just on one street. We can walk around Footscray in many directions which make it more interesting. I worked in Footscray for many years, so I have a clear picture how it looked before, to see people totally lost in life 😞 sleeping on the foot paths, such a tragic picture, we are not Detroit , we are country with enormous possibilities 👍🙋‍♀️🇦🇺

[@Didly88]

I completely understand your frustrations. There are two of us subcontracted by Maribyrnong Council to remove graffiti myself and one other person. We both work full-time, five days a week, and sometimes even six. I don't think many people realise how challenging it is to keep up with graffiti removal in these areas. We start at 7 am, painting over walls and pressure cleaning graffiti from windows, often averaging 20 to 30 jobs each per day. The frustrating part is that within 24 hours or less, the graffiti is back. As for safety, it’s becoming a serious concern. I’ve had multiple instances where my life was threatened while I was removing graffiti, and the situation is only getting worse. The drug problem in Footscray is rampant, and the amount of crime I’ve witnessed is alarming. Footscray sees a lot of graffiti due to its train station, where many trains from different areas converge, bringing more foot traffic and, unfortunately, more vandals. So, how do we address this issue? While the Maribyrnong Council could hire more contractors, that would divert resources from other essential services. In my view, the real solution lies in changing the laws. There needs to be stricter penalties for offenders, not just a slap on the wrist and some community service. More police presence in areas that are known for vandals would also deter them. If people really want to see change in Footscray and other parts of Melbourne, they need to push the government to take stronger action and address the growing problem at its roots.

[@BillDelaney]

You did not live there long .......but you are a person that has their eyes open ..see at 6.22 thats the street i was born in 69 years ago Byron street . We left 9 years ago ...just not the Footscray i Loved ......but every thing you say is right ...........how do you know the truth what happened to Footscray ..........Excellent Vlog you have a nice day ......EXCELLENT

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks, Bill!😃 Footscray was the first suburb I lived in after moving to Melbourne (we were in the CBD before that), so it holds a special place in my heart. I have a lot of happy memories from my time there. Can I ask what made you decide to leave Footscray?

[@Harry-fk5of]

It's okay. Depends on the time of day and if it's sunny or not haha

[@cynicshminic]

Lived there 2020-2022. It is a nice place, great food. Yes, there's some rough characters around at times.

[@conlitras3379]

This content is Great :) keep it up!

[@MelbWestExplorer]

thanks!😀

[@ddgnp1057]

I used to go there three times a week for uni about 10 years ago and I always felt the main street was nice at least with a lot of Vietnamese bakeries. You get closer to the uni and you start seeing a lot of these old early Victorian buildings with a bit of greenery. Not sure what its like now but I never had any problems. I think Vic Uni was probably filthier than the main street lol

[@mattm.5968]

Been there a few times to the Ethiopian restaurants, despite how great the restaurants were, my girlfriend and i never felt comfortable, as the locals would be eyeing us (mostly her) the entire time. And when we'd walk to & from the station it just didn't feel safe, especially after sunset. However, on the other side of the train tracks... those tree-lined suburbs looked really nice.

[@Scotty-P]

Yeah, but, the food though, eh? (?)

[@bequirk4626]

thanks Lee ,great vlog brought back memories although I havent been there for some years now.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

😄thanks!

[@TheManuel012009]

living in footscray for over 37 years run by vietnamese and chinese things in strange way work very well. I never go to Footscray for premier service it’s always quick, fast and convenient but not a place to hang around for any length of time. Everything at the end of the day comes down to prices and people aren’t going to pay $100 per hour for a consultation when it $75ph in footscray. We can say less australian run businesses but go to prahran market and buy exactly the same products as footscray market and see the difference. Obviously you’re not going to get fine french restaurants or gourmet places in footscray but that’s not what the suburb has ever been about.

[@raghuharsha]

This is what I'm just looking for... Thanks for detailed indepth review of suburb, I think it helps my decision making...

[@MelbWestExplorer]

I'm really glad to hear that it was helpful!

[@TheCharcoalchicken]

Footscray is a great suburb, underrated if anything.. though people have started to catch on over the past few years or so

[@marquee_tags]

Great algorithm recommendation because I'm currently looking at moving to Footscray 😂 On the one hand I've never thought it was very scary. Only in the way I'm sure Brunswick was 20 years ago. On the other hand, I literally got punched in the arm by a cooked dude in Footscray last weekend.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

That sounds awful! I’m really sorry you had to go through that. If you’re open to it, I’d be interested to hear more about what happened last weekend. Your experience could really help others thinking about moving to Footscray.

[@uncreativename9500]

aussie born viet living and working in foots, i′ve been more connected with the viet community here and from my interactions, it feels like SOME of the generation that occupied the area between the late 80s-early 2000s have lost a sense of belonging. i′m not talking about some of the business owners that decided to retire and close up but some of the people i meet at work who like having chats tell me that′s how they feel. to be fair, the area particularly by maddern square has always been pretty sketchy though in recent years it′s felt much worse. despite a lot of flaws that have piled on and continue to pile up about the area, i still love it here.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for your comment. I love Footscray too, even though I only spent a few years there. Maddern Square is definitely an area I’d want to avoid if I’m alone, and I think it’s getting worse in that area.

[@dmattercooks]

Lived in Seddon 2012-2024 and would spend 50% of my time in Footscray drinking, shopping and eating out with friends. Never had any problems. I feel people that are intimidated by others with mental illness or drug addiction probably haven’t been exposed to them much before. So many stories and experiences from there, I love Foots.

[@CazHbokbok]

So true. I moved to Footscray after living in London so hardly noticed any such people. Moved to Seddon to have kids but still go back to Footscray regularly for culture.

[@mkf628]

anglo whitey in seddon and yarraville visiting footscray for kicks and bah mi

[@lilahsadventures5717]

It’s a great suburb that has some serious issues with a lot of people who go there that don’t actually reside there unless they are sleeping rough on the streets mostly they come from other areas though. Footscray does have a very good community of residents that know each other and you often will see a lot of socialising drinking coffee and a diverse community who get along really well. The mental health issues are very serious and something definitely needs to be done as well as the alcohol these are the two main issues there. The market is actually very good only it should be opened more. The rent is too high though it’s close to the city so people pay it. The police have been cleaning up the trouble makers lately really well so hopefully it will start to get back to the Footscray we know.

[@daviddoan68]

I love Footscray in the 90s, it was bursting with businesses and people, mostly Vietnamese/Chinese. Then the local council introduced metered parking which drove a lot of people away. And once that BI-LO supermarket got burned down, it was the final nail in the coffin. Now Footscray is like a ghost town, in comparison to before.

[@stopngo1019]

I thought this looked similar Oakland, CA 🤔 due to graffiti so don't worry country way safer than USA gun shot every day and night in America due to tattoo enthusiast 💪.

[@duprie37]

Coming from Sunshine, I have to say Footscray is a wonderful place! So safe, so clean, so beautiful 😂 😂 No, not really, I actually prefer Sunshine because it's quieter, there's more open space and the rents are cheaper. I have a nice 4BR house with a big yard for $460 pw, I couldn't stand being cooped up in one of those fancy new Footscray hi-rise apartments. But I love visiting, it's the last inner-city suburb to have resisted the curse of yuppie gentrification. Long live Footscray!

[@aNf0m0f0]

Your voice isnt that bad! Congrats, good video!

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Oh thanks! 😃

[@xkimopye]

As a strong 38 year old Caucasian male plumber. Footscray is the only time in my life I’ve actually been concerned for my and my girlfriend’s safety. And this was in the middle of the day. The problem wasn’t the immigrants, but the scary Caucasian people. We were headed in a direction but decided to turn back and leave. Also keep using your own voice, you have a lovely voice. And makes the video authentic.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you for your kind words! I totally understand how you feel. Even after living in Footscray for three years, when I went back recently, it took me a moment to readjust. It’s quite different from the peaceful and sleepy outer suburbs where I live now.

[@vpower3187]

39 here and also strong af, but one afternoon had a kebab with my brother outside a shop we had a guy come sit at the next table to us and started talking to some invisible person, seemed to be having a great time hallucinating so it was a little entertaining lol but definitely could have turned south fast. Another time also with my brother we had a meal indoors and this African guy walks in, orders a drink and just spills it on himself, massive sigh of relief like he was on fire and then walks out. Personally i like the place but sometimes can be like visiting a psych ward.

[@xkimopye]

@@vpower3187 tried to like it, as I love to explore suburbs with different cultures like Springvale, Clayton and Box Hill. But I felt safe in those suburbs. Dandenong feels safe enough, but Footscray is a place I couldn’t enjoy. It’s not for me.

[@thebeliever9253]

@@vpower3187 and what race was the guy that was talking to himself? you seem to point that the guy that spilt his drink was african but didn't mention the race of the other guy for some reason? lol

[@vpower3187]

@thebeliever9253 he was Caucasian lol no reason behind it just forgot to mention it.

[@265hemi7]

Protective services officers at Footscray station, seem to look for trouble, for no reason at all . I was at the customer service window, waiting to be served, The guy asked how he can help, i needed to get rid of a heap of five cent coins, and have the balance paid to my Myki. I asked the guy what's it like working here? . He said it's not as bad as in the past. A p.s.o. comes up to interfere with my transaction, and asks the customer service guy, what's going on here? . What's this guy up to ? (Me) . Any problems? . The customer service guy was almost offenderd by the questions . He says this guy ( me. ) is totally fine absolutely no problem at all . At many Melbourne stations the security just stay in their cabins for most of the shift. I've subscribed.😊

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Hi😃, thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve always wanted to interview some shop owners and people who work in Footscray; I’m sure they have so many stories to tell.

[@liam3284]

This reminds me, I was at West Footscray (the old one) one afternoon, and the all stations train is cancelled, meaning I need to wait half an hour for a train to the city. Sitting there bored, I take a photo of the smoggy city skyline, only for two PSO's to pop out of the demountable and make a big carry on over "you must not take photos of any railway infrastructure". All very strange.

[@shannonbaron7302]

I worked in Footscray and I once had an African man chase me and many others with a block of wood coming out of the train station, I saw him attack a pregnant lady so I rang the police and they said there is nothing they can do to help. That is typical Melbourne suburbia.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for sharing your experience in Footscray. That sounds really scary. 😱 I hope the pregnant woman ended up being okay. Was the man mentally ill, or was he trying to commit a robbery?

[@richardpiva3892]

Never been there, but I think it’s changed somewhat since Romper Stomper was filmed there.

[@louiskats5116]

Nothing wrong with Footscray. My business is there. My Vietnamese hairdresser is there My Vietnamese lawýer is there. My Vietnamese pharmacist is there. My favourite Vietnamese restaurant Sapa Hill is there. Just need the cinema there as they promised old Forges place. All my Vietnamese friends live there. Khoa Nhu Johnny Boy Book keeper Thoa Love Love Footscray

[@PhilC-i7y]

Wonder if it is still like Saigon?

[@Xenomorph788]

My son does judo In Footscray. It was about 7pm when we just exited the studio. We heard screaming and then the shattering of a glass bottle. 3 winos had gotten into it and one was hitting himself in the head over and over while the other screamed at him. It was out the front of Mr West and it was 6.30pm Footscray is a fucking dive

[@Sweetwaterdream]

I havent had a problem whenever I've gone to Footscray other than it looks very neglected. I still wouldnt walk around alone dark at night though.

[@peter-bakestar]

New subscriber here. Look forward to watching your videos

[@MelbWestExplorer]

😃thank you Peter.

[@mdee8784]

This has happened in countless areas of Sydney where large groups of Asian and Middle Eastern migrants have turned once nice neighbourhoods into dumps

[@MH-nj7uu]

Dont forget the drug takers and homeless which are majority Caucasian that make suburbs tent cities.

[@Tom-lc9ni]

I hope Footscrayzy never changes.

[@Dlxxx159]

Your voice is best!!!

[@MelbWestExplorer]

😀Thanks! I’ll keep using my own voice in future videos.

[@chatsifieds]

bring back memories

[@liam3284]

So sad to hear little saigon burned down.

[@peterfoenander6234]

Try living in Sunshine or St Albans ... Ran away from there years ago ..Highest crime rate

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Hi Peter! I’d love to hear more about your experiences in Sunshine and St Albans. Personally, Sunshine seems alright to me, but St Albans has a bit of a sketchy vibe. What do you think?

[@hamesparde9888]

Footscray is pretty sketchy TBH. I go through there occasionally to go to the train station. I remember one time some dude tried to sell me some obviously stolen air pods and I've experienced some other weird stuff around there. It's definitely not the same as other suburbs. It's not crazy dangerous or anything, but it definitely doesn't feel as safe as other places.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm really curious-can you share some of the other weird things that happened?

[@TrueLunacy]

❤

[@liam3284]

Considering moving West, but my memory is from 10 years ago.

[@sharynhughes1061]

Footscray Market see the Council about the cleanliness of the Market.. They want tell who reported the Issue.. so don't worry go and tell the Council..

[@nadazezovski6472]

Footscray was a great suburb in the eighties.😢😢😢

[@kingston163]

Compared to the 1970's it now looks like a dirty, unkept 'hole'.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Hi Kingston, thanks for your comment! Could you share what Footscray was like in the 70s?

[@Playtime-lu8wj]

It is. Like Coburg everyone thinks it will gentrify. Like Coburg - given the demographics it never will.

[@bobkencevski1580]

​@@MelbWestExplorerFootscray was great in the 70s and 80s. Lived on Paisley st and would play in the alleys behind houses no problems, would go to the Grand Cinema on Paisley st as a primay school kid by myself. Lots of European and older aussies. Had a very good vibe, it was the meeting place because of the trains and bus junction. Along came footscray market was good at first tghen downhill very fast.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for sharing this with me. I googled the Grand Theatre and found out it was closed in 1987. An interesting local history to read. I walked past that street many times and didn’t even realize there was an old theatre there.

[@kingston163]

@@MelbWestExplorer There were two other cinemas: one in Leeds Street (showed continental films) another was in Barkley street away from Leeds Street end.

[@splashpit]

Born and lived in outer Melbourne for 57 years and iv heard this area or that area is rough and dangerous well lv also lived in France for a year in both Paris and Marseilles and I can tell you people here don’t know what rough and dangerous really is !

[@xian4616]

Nice area!.

[@sharynhughes1061]

Hi. don't forget the hussle and bussle of noise. Cats and Dogs howling and meowing or fighting.. the smell of peoples arm pits. Animal poop on the footpaths. back in those days. In the morning i roll up the kitchen blind only to see another neighbour looking at me. Trains. Trams. Buses. Airplanes. Car Horns. the list goes on. I am very Happy away from all that..To living with Nature. and fresh air..😀

[@tory9492]

Footscray is amazing

[@liam3284]

Worked in West Footscray for years, it was never scary, only the driving of some of the trucks.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

I agree, there seem to be more heavy trucks in the western suburbs. It feels kind of intimidating when driving past them, especially with the noise being so loud.

[@christianpatton142]

Agreed

[@beachman8106]

Thanks for your honest appraisal of living in Footscray. I really appreciate your candid comments. You have a lovely voice.👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️ from Mornington.

[@MariaKades]

shit voice

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks! I think this video can serve as a great platform for people to share their thoughts about Melbourne's suburbs in the comments.

[@notsure1135]

Newport is nice. Been here over 4 years.

[@ceoluis777]

footscray, the only place that's had a Centrelink in just about every street at one time, what they did to Hustlers has brought real shame to the area.

[@scrambleddimension7361]

It can be good and bad. If you keep to yourself you'll be right, but keep your wits at night

[@dorgeousmac9478]

Noice video. If cheap housing close to the CBD is what you want. That's it. Otherwise go to the leafy suburbs east. There is a reason no one populated the west until recently. Flat marshland

[@pawsltd]

Thank you for making this video - very interesting. And feel free to use the AI voice or your natural voice - both are totally fine!

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thank you for your kind words; they’ve encouraged me to create more videos.

[@shravp769]

I think back in 2009 to around 2014 it was scary and ppl were scared. Now it is still a shithole, but I’m not scared anymore when I go there. I don’t think there is so much crime now

[@Jasmine69420]

I lived in footscray from 2014 to 2020 & loved it but eventually I became very saddened by the gentrification. It became too expensive & distressing for artists & drug users and lost the creative charm it had. As someone who was born in Melbourne and has always been poor I am very saddened by how every time I find a new area to live that I enjoy & build community there that the capitalist classes start showing up to events & then start buying up & developing all the land because they think it is a cool spot and begin evicting all of the poor folk who are making it cool to begin with. Areas like Brunswick & Fitzroy are a great example where the culture has become very commodified & pastiche and just feel like everything is fake whilst desperately trying to maintain that edge of the struggle.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for sharing your perspective! I hadn’t really thought about it that way before. You’ve given me something to think about.

[@boganbattalion7088]

I moved here from Sydney about 9mths ago and I go to footscray every week and never once thought it was dangerous, I didn't even know that was a thing! I am white Australian born and yeah I noticed it mostly African and asian but I found everyone to be friendly

[@josmith2002]

Bring back Forges- or Dimmey’s at least. Yeah it’s a dirty little place now- an overpriced dirty little place but still full of characters at least- only now they are helpless mentally ill homeless beggars. The high rise flats look very poorly built so not surprised they have no sound insulation. Not a good place to raise a family- too much asthma causing pollution and in Coode Island’s dangerous backyard. It has a good library at least- a worthy place to donate coats and clothing every winter for their free to take rack. And Footscray’s $2 shops sell Everthing so no need to be a hoarder if you live near there. Safe enough to walk during the day. Very good hairdressers. No longer worth going for their fruit and veg- fish and meat maybe - but no longer not even as half as good as it once was - 😢😭. Has an overpriced secondhand Savers store full of other’s discarded rubbish- like dangerously heavily scratched non stick coated pans for $10, and pilled old clothing which was last time it was washed was 40 years ago 😂. Yep, Fudaskray definitely still has character. Thankyou for this video ❤ it. And your voice adds quality to your narrative 🥰.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your views on Footscray! I agree, the Footscray Library is a great little spot-I’ve been there for the baby rhyme time, nice place for families. As for Savers, I find it overpriced too. Probably better off picking up bargains at Kmart across the street.

[@e75mark]

Love Footascary😊

[@gregsmith2262]

COVID killed Footscray, so did government neglect. Best restaurants are there but it is a drug hot spot.

[@bcgibson22]

Food!!! 😋

[@titus9895]

RIP to Olympic Doughnuts

[@Male666chauvinist]

Yes lve been waiting for someone to mention about the donuts 🍩 that’s why you went to Footscray to eat them and tell me what happened 😮

[@xian4616]

Nice location.

[@jasonkurtrix357]

she haven't been on 220 bus yet bro

[@Male666chauvinist]

I used to go there back in the day to buy stick movies 🍿 🎉🎉🎉 Couldn’t wait to get back home and shake hands with the unemployed 😂😂😂😂

[@Sub0x-x40]

Its alright, the only scary thing about it is too much chilli on your banh mi.

[@Male666chauvinist]

What happened to the donut stand outside Footscray train station l bet it disappeared because of the changing melons 😂😂😂😂😂

[@JanosBanics]

Of all the shitholes in Australia footscray is actually one of my favourites. It's honestly not that bad the worst I've come across is just ya odd junkie on the buck fin but they are honestly harmless nowadays. Footscray did "diversity" somewhat better than other places. Honestly not to foul at all. It's really not that unsafe.

[@Male666chauvinist]

I can only watch 3 minutes because Lee has different standards of people from my generation born in the 1960’s Melbourne, so basically to me & my generation what was unacceptable has become the expected the (NORM) from people who haven’t got any idea of Australian culture and values & this is why most people can’t insinuate, just look at all the iron fences around Melbourne today, the only good thing about Melbourne is the road out of it, the grey mare is long gone 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks for your comment! You’re very fortunate to have experienced Melbourne from the 60s. I’ve always been curious about what it was like during the 70s and 80s.

[@suicine2859]

So much better than that crappy AI voice. So many more views in this video too. Usually in youtube AI voice means indian person behind channel.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Thanks! I’ll keep using my own voice in future videos.

[@margaretcampbell2681]

Yes a lot of addicts in Footscray.

[@KBZGaming7628]

Hate these suburbs especially Footscray, Sunshine , st Albans

[@robyndwyer4108]

Sooo… I think she mentioned she lived in Footscray for 3 years and was there in 2016 - umm… that’s almost 10 years ago so unfortunately this video commentary is IRRELEVANT! Footscray is a major hub in the western suburbs. It houses a significant hospital and University cultural environment. I hope that the maker of this video has a beautiful suburban lifestyle that is in ignorance of important major advances in our beautiful city. major advances Have a wonderful and possibly slightly close minded life. ☺️ Footscray is one of the coolest and progressive areas in our wonderful city. I should know - I grew up in Footscray and have lived Melbourne for 70+ years so thank you for your opinion. ☺️

[@notsure1135]

Your ten cats must think you’re sooooo cool.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

Hi, thank you for your comment! I agree, Footscray is cool and still holds its character. Sunshine and Footscray hospitals are amazing, from my limited experience as a patient at both.

[@hamesparde9888]

Sorry but it's probably the worst suburb in Melbourne. 😂

[@sticksnstones5407]

Preston markets are a 1000 times better than Footscray markets.

[@alexlanning712]

Living with Franco wouldn't be all that bad

[@DrewKeens]

I was mobbed by 6 Africans a month ago for just walking past them at night. I'm from Brisbane and the African people up here are very nice people but in Melbourne their very disrespectful and a danger to the community. Footscray very dangerous at night.

[@MelbWestExplorer]

It must have been so frightening. I hope you’re doing okay after what happened.

[@leeseet2336]

It's foodscary there

[@ksenijavojisavljevic2034]

Not the only ugly place , but a regular appearance .

[@heyitsgabs21]

pretty sure people are just think its scary cause of racism. its more dishevled than like fitzroy/brunswick cause its a working class area.

[@Proud_Poodle_Parent]

It couldn’t be any worse than Wollongong 😂

[@MelbWestExplorer]

I thought Wollongong would be similar to Geelong-peaceful and beautiful. Is it not?