Footscray

Do have those suburbs in your city, 
on the wrong side of the tracks?

You know, the ones that nice girls don't go to?

Nice girls don't go to Footscray ... 
oh, and maybe Frankston

You know the place that is the butt of all jokes...
What do you call a 30 year old Footscray or Frankston girl? 
Answer: Granny

The sort of place that might have been nice once, 
and might be nice again,
but it's industrial heritage dominates?
It's hard not to think of chemical plants in Footscray...

So imagine telling your friends that you now work in Footscray?
And imagine telling your friends that you really love the place 
'Yes Footscray' you say, as they imagine they've misheard.

The Footscray they think of as a horrible part of town, 
full of junkies and muggings!

It would be fun to buy a house there, you say
but you already know you've missed the moment.
Footscray is becoming trendy!
Property prices have soared.

Footscray is really multicultural;
Italian, former Yugoslavian, Vietnamese and increasingly East African migrants 
have over the years all set up home in Footscray in large numbers.
This diverse culture is what makes Footscray special.

It is within 5 km of Melbourne's CBD
with good public transport links, 
has some kick ass local restaurants 
and one of the cheapest markets in Melbourne.

Footscray's reputation as violent and 
unfriendly is slowly changing.
This area is a major location for the settlement of migrants and refugees
 it has a vibrancy that excites...
Some say it is even gentrifying...

I love my Fridays in Footscray
Every week I discover something new.
It's a cheap place to eat and shop...

I am learning how to do battle in Footscray
but it's only with the other women with their shopping trollies
at the Footscray market!

We walk along the Maribyrnong river trail

which the city skyline in the distance.
This area once the industrial corridor has been renewed.

We find the Newells Paddock wetlands reserve
and wish we'd remembered some bread for the ducks.

There is a lot of money going into Footscray
these bike and walking paths and 

the new upgraded train station are impressive!

Footscray Park is a wonderful Edwardian park
that you could take ages exploring.

I am lucky to be back in Footscray soon,
living on the wild side!

Linking with Jenny Matlock's Alphabe Thursday
F is for Footscray!

Linking with Friday My Town Shoot Out 
Thanks to Mersad and the wonderful volunteers

Linking with Blue Monday - thank you Sally