StreetAdvisor Blog

StreetAdvisor joins forces with realestate.com.au to bring you local voices!

We are very excited to announce that StreetAdvisor.com.au and Australia’s biggest real estate website, realestate.com.au, have partnered to launch a new community known as local voices.

Throughout Australia, StreetAdvisor will be rebranded as local voices becoming an integral part of the realestate.com.au website.

Whether you’re looking to buy or rent StreetAdvisor’s patented technology enables you to see how the locals rate the streets and suburbs that you are looking at, helping you find the perfect place to live.

So come in, get the inside word and share your views on your suburb by visiting realestate.com.au local voices - we want to hear your voice.

What does this mean for StreetAdvisor members?

Other than a new name, the main difference is more people to share and connect with! You will now be able to share your street reviews, photos, discussions and lists with over 5 million people that visit realestate.com.au every month. Your account and profile details are unchanged and the site will continue to be free.

Our goal has always been to help people learn more about their communities while helping others make better decisions about where they want to live. This partnership with realestate.com.au and the launch of local voices gives everyone a much greater opportunity to participate.

See you on local voices!

StreetView is now available in StreetAdvisor Canada

Google has just added StreetView to it's maps for Canada, and StreetAdvisor has added into its new improved scorecards. It's available now for Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, Halifax, Calgary, Vancouver and nearby suburbs, with more areas to come soon. You can see how it looks in these two example StreetAdvisor scorecards.

Acadia Drive SE E Calgary, Calgary, Alberta (Street Rank in Calgary #3, Overall Score 80 / 100).

The Esplanade N, Pickering, Ontario (Street Rank in Pickering #1, Overall Score 59 / 100).

Browsing the Canadian StreetAdvisor site has become a lot more enjoyable. Come and see what your streets look like at StreetAdvisor.ca today.

StreetAdvisor introduces QuickRate - a new fast way to add reviews

If you're browsing through StreetAdvisor looking at streets in your neighborhood or city, and want to contribute, you have many options. You can write a review, or comment on an existing review. You can also write a guide or or post a topic to the forums. But if you don't have much to say, then it can be difficult to know where to start.

To make it easier to express a simple favorable or unfavorable opion about a street, neighborhood or city, StreetAdvisor has built a new kind of review - QuickRate. A QuickRate review allows StreetAdvisor community members to give a place a 1 to 5 star rating. It's a quick and simple way to add your opinion to StreetAdvisor.

To see it in action, we'll visit the Forest Glen neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois (Neighborhood Rank in Chicago #3, Overall Score 84 / 100). The scorecard shows the star rating of the neighborhood in the top left corner.

If you use the mouse to hover over the star rating, a pop-up appears that allows you to complete a QuickRate review or a traditional complete review. To complete a QuickRate review, click on the empty stars to set your rating.

Release the mouse over your preferred score and the QuickRate review is complete! It could not be more simple.

 

If you want to you can fill out some more information to write a complete review. It's up to you. QuickRate allows StreetAdvisor users to share more opinions about their favorite places. Try it for yourself today on StreetAdvisor.com.

StreetAdvisor delivers new site features including new scorecards

In the coming weeks StreetAdvisor will be explaining the details of many new site features and updates including new scorecards, improved StreetView, enhanced photo functions in user profiles and a new 'QuickRate' review function.

The first feature we want to talk about is the new enhanced scorecard for cities and streets. Here is an example of a scorecard for a city. The city in this example is Richmond, Victoria, Australia (City Rank in Victoria #95, Overall Score 72 / 100). You can see that the 'Great for' and 'Not so great for' sections are highlighted in the center of the scorecard.

Below are two screenshots of the new scorecard for streets, in this case Clay Street, New Farm, Queensland, Australia (Street Rank in New Farm #1, Overall Score 100 / 100). In the first one you can see that StreetView is now the default view (if available) in street scorecards.

The second screenshot shows how, if you hover over the 'All ratings' link, a pop-up window shows all the data from the extended rating factors that can be used when writing a review.

With these revised and improved scorecards StreetAdvisor has made it easier for users to quickly see all the important information about a street or city.

To find out what else is new at StreetAdvisor log in to StreetAdvisor today!

The attraction of living near the beach

Even if they are not regular swimmers or surfers, many people find the fresh sea air and the sense of freedom of living near the ocean to be extremely attractive. Beachside property is at a premium around Australia. Here is what some recent coastal residents have to say about where they live on StreetAdvisor.

At Avalon, New South Wales (Overall Score 72.00), TimelyCopy says:

Avalon is a beautiful beachside suburb, bounded on the north by Palm Beach and the south by Bilgola. East is the Pacific Ocean and west is Pittwater, the home of the famous Pittwater yacht Club. When travelling near the Pittwater it is impossible to miss the many up-market yachts. Their colour adds a certain lustre to an already beautiful scene.

Avalon Golf Course is bordered by Old Barrenjoey Road to the west and Barrenjoey Road to the east. Eating and entertainment for residents and visitors is provided by cinemas, shops, an RSL club, 14 restaurants and cafes, as well as bowling and sailing clubs. The Surf Lifesaving club, Soccer Club, Junior Rugby League Club, and Avalon Netball Club provide an outlet for those who are interested in sport.

For me, I prefer lounging on the beach and working on my tan.

Nearby at Palm Beach, New South Wales (Overall Score 64.83), TimelyCopy says:

When I first went to Palm Beach in the northern beaches of Sydney, it was a quiet and sleepy retirement area. There were a couple of restaurants worth remembering of which Jonahs was the best. I haven't been there for some time but it was always worth the trip from Hunter's Hill on a Wednesday evening with the girlfriend who is now my wife.

Now the place seems to be more the home of more mature professionals. Mainly homes amongst the trees with a few units and businesses scattered along the main routes like Barrenjoey Road. There are no large shopping areas yet which is a real bonus.

The main attractions to me are the beaches which are clean. Palm Beach and Whale Beach seem to be kid safe and have plenty of parking. This is great for the weekend visitors even though I would think that the residents may not totally agree.

My memories of Palm Beach go back for more than 30 years and I have watched the area change and mature. It is still a favourite place. It is as laidback as any busy suburban professional area can be but still retains the atmosphere of a beach suburb.

At Dee Why, New South Wales (City Rank in New South Wales #65, Overall Score 58.71), sulley says of Arthur Street, Dee Why, New South Wales (Street Rank in Dee Why #2, Overall Score 87.24) that:

Lived here for 3 years, top end of the street has amazing views to Long Reef and Dee Why Point, out of the way yet within 2min walk of all amenities, and a 10min walk to the Beach. When the new town centre opens, it'll lift the entire area and the streets close by. Big plots are a rarity on the Northern Beaches, but Arthur Street has a lot of them. Very pretty green street, with lots of trees and a great school. Generally very quiet and friendly. Definitely one of the best in Dee Why.

At Elwood, Victoria (City Rank in Victoria #133, Overall Score 70.56), Twin says:

Elwood is unique as you are walking distance if you want the busy life of St Kilda or you can step back and enjoy the more quieter life of Elwood. It's walking distance to the beach and has great parks and tree lined streets. Ormond Rd, the main shopping strip, is always improving with the quality of shops and cafes. It's a terrific place to live.

Is where you live terrific? Or terrible? Share your local knowledge today on StreetAdvisor.com.au.

Putting some small towns on the map on StreetAdvisor

StreetAdvisor receives many street and suburb reviews in city areas, but fewer in regional areas. Gradually, however, reviews for smaller country towns are being added to StreetAdvisor. Here are some of the latest reviews of country towns around Australia.

At Wondai, Queensland (City Rank in Queensland #49, Overall Score 57.29), BunyaDave says of Burns Crescent, Wondai, Queensland (Street Rank in Wondai #2, Overall Score 85.16) that:

Burns Crescent is the sort of street where you know if you need a hand you could ask any nieghbour and they would lend a hand. Also our resident Emu keeps the little and not little kids entertained.

At Yering, Victoria (Overall Score 54.00), lauryn says:

Home to one of Victoria’s first wineries, Yering is a delightful suburb based roughly 40km from Melbourne. Bordering Christmas Hills, Tarrawarra, Yarra Glen, Bend of Islands, Coldstream and Gruyere, Yering is home to a lot of history and features a mansion built in 1854, part of which is today a restaurant, a group of self-contained cottages, the Yering Gorge, an equine centre and part of the Yarra River.

At Moss Vale, New South Wales (Overall Score 83.25), aqua says:

An English visitor might find that Moss Vale is home from home. It's green and lush with a decidedly cooler temperature than Sydney and a fresher, crisper atmosphere than the mugginess which permeates the coastal areas. Lying just in from the coast, Moss Vale is part of the Southern Highlands region of NSW and is only a drive of an hour and a half from Sydney on a very straight and comfortable freeway.

Moss Vale is a fantastic day trip for any visitor to Sydney, and if time permits; a great place to settle down for a few days and recharge the batteries while enjoying the countryside. Surrounding areas offer everything from forest to mountain to sea: so it's well worth the trip.

At Tanunda, South Australia (City Rank in South Australia #4, Overall Score 82.76), BVStar says of Langmeil Road, Tanunda, South Australia (Street Rank in Tanunda #1, Overall Score 85.87) that:

Langmeil Road is a long street, lined with big houses on quite large properties (some up to 1-2 acres) backing on to the North Para River. The views are spectacular, with rolling countryside and cliffs.

This area is only a couple of streets from the Main Street, but feels like it could be 1,000 miles from anywhere. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. The children will grow up with a true sense of adventure, having spent days exploring the hills, the nearby quarry and the creek. There is a large sporting complex across the road, with an oval, tennis courts and a swimming pool.

If you're online somewhere in regional or country Australia log in to StreetAdvisor.com.au today and tell us about where you live! If you're a traveller you can also tell us about what you find unique about the places you visit as you explore the country.

What's new in your neighborhood?

New reviews of neighborhoods throughout the country have been posted on StreetAdvisor recently. Here's some comments from the best of these reviews:

At Scottsdale South, Scottsdale, Arizona Neighborhood Rank in Scottsdale #1, Overall Score 84.79), trikke4life says:

This affordable neighborhood is less than 3 miles from the infamous Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and other high-end shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Yet, if you are looking for a safe place to nestle in with your children, this area has a city park in walking/jogging/strollering distance, boasting an outdoor pool, soccer complex, small lake surrounded by a walking/jogging path, and softball park.

Local grocery shopping includes Basha's, Walgreens (1/4 mile away), Safeway (3/4 mile away) and Albertson's (about 2 miles away). As you walk the quiet neighborhood, you wills see Camelback Mountain in the near distance, clean wide streets, and pride of ownership.

At Mary Holmes, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Overall Score 64.39), bovineovine says:

I really liked visiting this neighborhood. There is nothing like walking down 3rd Ave at night, when Block E is all lit up, activity is stirring and someone undoubtedly is being kicked out of a bar. The local restaurants are a nice place to sit down and enjoy some classy stylish eating without paying the “classy” prices. The only things that make this a good place to visit and not live are the fact that the public transportation is almost non-existent for a major metropolitan and the cost of living is too darn high.

At Overbrook, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Overall Score 65.74), jash18 says:

The rent is low, and it is very easy to find an apartment here. I have lived in Presidential Apartments for more than a year, and I find it a comfortable place to stay. The buildings are a bit old, but they have all the basic amenities, plenty of parking space is available, and each apartment block also has it's own gym, which is absolutely free. And if you want to go shopping, you can just walk to the Target superstore in a matter of minutes.

You also have plenty of dining options available, like TGI Fridays, California Pizza kitchen, and Pei Wei. If are still not satisfied, and want more options you can always go to Bala Cynwyd, which is just a five minute drive by car, and you can shop at Acme or Radio shack, and eat at Chili's or Olive garden. Public transportation is available at regular intervals, and the bus stop is just a five minutes walk from the apartment. Overall this is place that is best for those who want to save some money, and enjoy some comfort at the same time.

At Wicker Park, Chicago, Illinois (Neighborhood Rank in Chicago #24, Overall Score 61.45), jm954 says:

Wicker Park is a neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago and is one of the most loved, hated and well-known parts of the city. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the neighborhood cost a fraction of what it does today to live in and was home to a thriving artistic community. However, as Chicago began a phase of rapid growth in the mid 1990s, Wicker Park fell victim to gentrification.

Property values increased, the city of Chicago began growing, and the neighborhood found itself populated by an influx of young professionals and families, often moving there from outside the city. No other in the neighborhood has such a large percentage of young people. An array of businesses whose variety is only rivaled in the Loop itself moved into the area. Art galleries, record stores and any sort of strange shop or store a person could think of line the commercial streets. At all hours of the night, the streets of Wicker Park are buzzing with activity.

At Downtown, St. Louis, Missouri (Neighborhood Rank in St. Louis #3, Overall Score 76.38), cityguystl says:

Downtown St. Louis is a very special place -- but it's a shame the majority of the St. Louis area feels otherwise. Yes, the city government isn't the most efficient, but more people in the area need to embrace urban living and appreciate the downtown we have.

The biggest downfall of downtown St. Louis is the passive local government, who spends more time looking out for their "good ol' boys club" than the residents. The other problem is the seemingly overwhelming focus on parking and cars -- parking garages are the most important commodity, and many people refuse to use (or vote to fund) public transportation.

As a result, bus service and light rail services are highly inefficient and under-funded. People in the area generally view St. Louis downtown as unsafe at night; this is untrue, unless interacting with different ethnicity is scary to you.

StreetAdvisor is a special place too - where you can share you experiences about where you live, or research the places you'd like to live. What is the cost of living? What are the transport problems? How good are the schools? StreetAdvisor.com is the place to discuss all of these local issues.

New city and suburb reviews in Queensland Australia

In previous recent posts we have looked at some of the better suburbs and cities in Victoria and New South Wales in Australia. This post continues on with this theme to look at what is new in the state of Queensland.

Bardon, Queensland (City Rank in Queensland #23, Overall Score 73.20) is an excellent suburb to live in, in the greater Brisbane area. It's most definitely on my top ten list of suburbs I'd settle down in. It's streets are mostly quiet and tree lined, featuring lovely cottages and renovated old Brisbane dames. It's close enough to the city for a quick commute and the public transport system is excellent from here.

The road works that plagued the area in the last few years are now over and traffic is a lot more manageable. There are some great schools and daycare centres here, not to mention awesome cafes and boutique shops. Bardon has all of the benefits of living in the city, without the noise, hustle and bustle and grittiness. I do so love Bardon.

Hawthorne, Queensland (City Rank in Queensland #26, Overall Score 72.19) is located on the south east side of Brisbane, close to both Balmoral and Bulimba. I think that it's a fantastic suburb with much to offer anybody, from the elderly, to the young families that reside there. The Hawthorne cinemas have long been an institution in the suburb, with most people in Brissy attending them at some time in their life. With an old world charm, they offer a cheaper alternative to the faceless theatre complexes.

The cafes in Hawthorne are excellent and there are some fantastic public primary schools in the district. The commute into town is a comfortable drive, but there's also ferry and bus options. It has a rather well to do feel to the area and it's quite green with plenty of parks. Mums pushing prams are common sight.

Ipswich, Queensland (Overall Score 74.00) is about a 40km drive west of Brisbane and is a thriving community with plenty of growth. There is plenty to do including looking at the many historic buildings this town has. The suburb has some really good restaurants and bistros as well as plenty of shopping with major shopping centres as well and smaller boutique and specialty shops scattered area the district. Living in Ipswich has many advantages with schools, sporting and recreational facilities and home prices still with reach but rising quickly.

Toowong, Queensland (City Rank in Queensland #37, Overall Score 66.04) seems to be right in the thick of things, but manages to retain it's charm and individual flair. Chock a block full of students from St Lucia, it's buzzing with energy and fun. There are some awesome restaurants- i.e Sushi, Italian, etc. The shopping is great with almost all of the retail outlets you could ask for. The main drag past the suburb, Coronation Dve, is a little busy for me, but further west in the burbs are some cute character houses that are still quite affordable.

The pubs in the area are famous with Brisbane Uni students and the night life is sensational. Transport is great, with ferries, buses and close proximity to the CBD. I thoroughly recommend the suburb for anybody, from student to young families.

Life in St Lucia, Queensland (City Rank in Queensland #9, Overall Score 84.11) is surprisingly quiet and reflective when you consider the amount of activity and buzz surrounding the suburb. The colleges at U.Q mean that the suburb is always teeming with young people and the energy that goes hand in hand with the youth. I was once one of those youth and thoroughly loved living there.

The house blocks seem quite generous, the older brick style houses sit on pretty, winding roads and cafes and restaurants all compete for the patronage of bludging students. The transport from the uni itself is also top notch, with ferries and buses available most of the day and night. The village itself offers grocery stores and some great entertainment venues.

You can share the love about where you live today on StreetAdvisor.com.au.

California neighborhood news from StreetAdvisor

As more and more neighborhood reviews are added to StreetAdvisor, we learn more and more about the rich details about life in different neighborhoods. Here are some examples of neighborhood secrets from some great new neighborhood reviews.

At St. Francis, Daly City, California (Neighborhood Rank in Daly City #6, Overall Score 65.20), thea831 says:

This neighborhood is so great. It is quite and serene. The neighbors really care about privacy. It is perfect for the busy professionals and a family looking for a place that is kid friendly and is very peaceful. There has never been a problem in this neighborhood, no crime, no arson, no loud parties.

At Pasadena City College, Pasadena, California (Overall Score 90.00), trivia says:

Pasadena itself is a really great city in the greater Los Angeles area. I’ve spent the first few years of my adult life in the Pasadena City College area. This neighborhood has introduced me to a lot of peers my own age and has also benefited me the education that I have today.

The area is teaming with young adults, hot-spot bars, coed houses and a vibrant night life. This area is so hopping that in my opinion it could rival some of the hotter spots in the L.A. area because the wait is not as long and the crowd is not as big. The people in this neighborhood are also friendly.

At Mission Valley East, San Diego, California (Overall Score 74.77), FiddleSticks says:

Mission Valley East is one of the two largest neighborhoods in the San Diego area. It could almost be called a mini city within a larger city because of it’s extensive restaurants, businesses, residential houses and residential apartments.

Being close to Interstate 5 is a drag because traffic is always clogged and commuters are always charging through the smaller streets to get to their destinations. If you love shopping then you are certainly in the right place. This neighborhood is a shopping mecca and home to some of the hottest fashion boutiques’ in the San Diego area. There are also plenty of artesian type cafes with lots of free wifi.

At Rio Bravo, Bakersfield, California (Overall Score 64.74), WMSUGal says:

Living in the Rio Bravo neighborhood is almost like living out in the country. The houses are not all clustered together. There are a few resorts and a great country club in the area. In my opinion if you don’t like living in the confinements of a city but well within reach of all the modern amentias that a city can offer, Rio Bravo is the perfect choice. The nightlife is somewhat limited in the area and communications and receptions are not as great as in other parts of Bakersfield. The roads are older as well as a lot of the houses.

At Hollywood Park, Sacramento, California (Overall Score 72.00), Claypot says:

Hollywood Park is a decent neighborhood. It is a very typical neighborhood in Sacramento with bungalow styled houses, narrow streets and open parks. There are quite a few businesses in the area that make this neighborhood more lively than a normal neighborhood feel should be.

Traffic can be a problem on the weekdays, especially if you have little ones. There are plenty of cafe’s along Freeport Blvd which is a hotspot for professionals during the work week. There is a nice art school in the area which gives the neighborhood a special artsy feel with quite a few vintage shops specializing in local art work.

At Sycamore Canyon Park, Riverside, California (Overall Score 90.00), MistahPrince says:

Living in the Sycamore neighborhood would be ideal for a person like myself because I love nature. The surrounding scenery in the area is nothing but green and brown. The only downside is forest fire dangers which have happened in the past.

As far as the houses go a lot of them are simple ranch styled home with some of the more being elaborate long cabins. Living in this area is great because it is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city but it is close enough to get anything that you need of great importance. You don’t have to worry about petty crime and loud parties in this neighborhood. In some parts you won’t even feel like you are in Riverside or California.

Having read all these great new opinions on StreetAdvisor, now it's your turn to contribute. Log in today to write a review of a street, neighborhood or city or post a forum topic.

City and suburb recommendations in New South Wales, Australia

In my last post I listed some of the highly recommended streets in popular suburbs in the state of Victoria, Australia. This post will do the same for the state of New South Wales. It's a satisfying experience to be able to tell others about what you love about where you live!

At Forster, New South Wales (Overall Score 81.11), scottinforster describes Gleeson Avenue, Forster, New South Wales (Street Rank in Forster #1, Overall Score 81.11) like this:

As a couple in our early 30's, when we moved into Gleeson Ave we were the youngest residents in the street. Actually we were the youngest by about 30 years.

The good thing about having retired neighbours is that they're there to look after the place when you're away.

We couldn't believe our luck in buying a place in this street. What makes Gleeson so special is that the street runs straight to the Nth end of One Mile beach - the locals end. Across the road is an 18 hole golf course with an excellent 19th hole.

The street is sort afters by locals in the know and over the past six years there has been a few newer residents, and I am happy to say they are younger again. So now we're not the youngest and our daughter will have more kids to play with as she grows up.

At Eschol Park, New South Wales (Overall Score 85.66), ProudCtowner says of Spumante Close, Eschol Park, New South Wales (Street Rank in Eschol Park #1, Overall Score 85.66) that:

The street is almost too good to be true, really. Two minutes away is a walking track that spans almost 2km. It's got a conventional shopping centre 10-15 minutes away by walking, or 2 minutes by car. For $3.20 (or $1.60 for concession) you can travel by bus to the Campbelltown CBD, which contains everything you need.

The local pubs there are very... local, and it has its fair share of clubs both formal and informal. For an extra dollar or so, you can also take the same bus to Macarthur Square, which to me is retail heaven! The street is good for anyone who loves a friendly, serene neighbourhood. I've been living here for around 17 years, and have noticed the steady incline of the neighbourhood, and of the CBD's businesses. Campbelltown's flourishing, so come along to Eschol Park to enjoy the view...

At Liverpool, New South Wales (City Rank in New South Wales #14, Overall Score 70.79), senia says that Bathurst Street, Liverpool, New South Wales  Street Rank in Liverpool #1, Overall Score 72.00) is

Great for professional couples or families. Close to hub of Liverpool city with Westfield, Hospital, schools and transport nearby. Walking distance to restaurants, parks and CBD life.

At Hunters Hill, New South Wales (Overall Score 88.15), PhilipSigglekow speaks highly of Abigail Street, Hunters Hill, New South Wales (Street Rank in Hunters Hill #1, Overall Score 88.15). He says that:

Hunters Hill is a heritage area and my home is a 3 year old 5 bedroom 3 bathroom on the high side of the street with views looking at Chatswood CBD. I built a new house in Hunters Hill because the historical growth of the suburb is 10.6% since 1930 which is better than money in the bank.

People stay here forever it is a tree heaven and neighbor friendly with a bus at the end of the street that takes my girls to the front door of their school or a 15 minute trip on the 506 to town hall. Several major shopping centers are within a 15 minute drive and I am only 10 minutes from the CBD in non peak hour traffic.

At Pyrmont, New South Wales (City Rank in New South Wales #9, Overall Score 73.42), Ella says that Tambua Street, Pyrmont, New South Wales Street Rank in Pyrmont #1, Overall Score 84.38) is

A fantastic place to live. There is a park at each end of the street: the park at the intersection with Bowman Street is on the waterfront with lovely water views and the barbecues and seating are great for enjoying your purchases from the nearby Sydney Fishmarkets. The street is quiet with no through-traffic.

There is a great friendly vibe and the area is clean and safe: we know our neighbours, the residents have CCTV monitoring, a 24 hour security patrol and the strata cleaners keep the street clean and tidy. The strata by-laws do not allow short term letting and the property and rent prices tend to attract professionals and retirees and not students or young singles.

There is a great range of local cafes and restaurants within 5 minutes walk from the street and it is very close to the city. Light rail, ferry and bus services are all close by too.

With this many great reviews available, choosing where to live could get complicated. Why not share the love about where you live today on StreetAdvisor.com.au.