Rado

We moved here to get a backyard for our kids, having lived in Nth Fitzroy for many years. We fell in love with a gorgeous Federation House that had everything but soon found it very isolating, too suburban and too quiet.
In Nth Fitztroy, we used to have one car and walked everywhere and people would just say hi wherever your went. Mont Albert, we needed two cars and used them all the time - to go get bread, or milk, or the library or anything really. Walking the dogs along the street no-one said hi, went to the park to let the kids play, no-one said hi. After 3 years we left.
Now we are in Hawthorn and it's vibrant, we still have the two cars but they hardly get used and everyone says hi or at least smiles at you. And we walk more and find it a happy compromise.

We moved here about 7 years ago with two young kids and are close to Glenferrie Station. Perfect spot. 5 mins walk to creche next to the library, 5 min walk to Glenferrie Primary (great state school) and 5 mins to Glenferrie Station, which is a major hub. We used to leave our house at 8am, drop kids off at creche/school, get to the train and were at our desks in the CBD at the latest by 8.45am! Can't beat that. Now they are older and it's an easy commute for them to any of the schools around. For us, it's still easy to get into the CBD for work or a stroll down to all the great shops in Glenferrie Rd, or a quick drive to Camberwell. People are friendly and it's nice to walk the dogs around the neighbourhood, either along the leafy streets gazing at all the lovely houses or letting them run around the nearby off-lead parks.
It's also a nice eclectic mix of families with kids, empty nesters and students. Quiet (for the most part) yet vibrant.
But what would I change? Only one thing: less pubs/clubs around and the issues from licensed venues and <30s roaming from venue to venue in the wee hours. State Govt have labelled Glenferrie Rd an activity hub and that brings some issues with it but as long as you don't live in the immediate vicinity, it's terrific.
I doubt we'll ever leave the area.