If this suburb were on the other side of the Yarra River, it would be highly sought after and property prices would be astronomical. Ascot Vale has plenty of Victorian and Federation architecture, tree-lined streets, good public schools, a large Italian influence, and a good, friendly village shopping strip on Union Rd. It has become popular with an increasing number of professionals with and without kids.
This is a huge suburb with a the picturesque Maribyrnong River at one end, and the Moonee Ponds Creek at the other. It has plenty of green space, it's on a train line (Craigieburn), it's home to the Melbourne Showgrounds.