Jacqui

We're hoping to emigrate middle of next year 2002. We don't much want to live in Perth itself, and are considering the cities of Bunbury and Mandurah. Looking for a nice suburb to settle in, with nearby schools/shops etc. Does anyone out there have any information/tips regarding these two places?

Things to consider:

hubby works in IT (what is the work situation away from Perth city?)

three children at primary school (good schools in the area?)

all children keen swimmers, eldest belongs to a competitive squad (hoping to find swimming facilities better in Oz, will need to resume swimming practise asap)

Please feel free to email me if you have any useful information/contacts to pass on. Thanks in advance.

Gerrit

Jacqui <[email protected]>
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Both Mandurah and Bunbury are much smaller than Perth. Of the two I would prefer
Mandurah as it is still possible to commute to Perth.

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Difficult to get IT specialist employment outside Perth.

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Both Bunbury and Mandurah have good range of Government schools as well as some
private schools. Not sure whether M has a private secondary school. B has.

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Swimming facilities and coaching are better in Perth area. Best facilities are in the
western suburbs at the venue for the 1998 world championships. The WA Institute of
Sport also uses this facility.

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Sue & Ian

Hi Jacqui My husband and I live in Mandurah with our 14 year old son who attends the
one of the local high schools here. Mandurah has grown considerably over the past 10
years from a population of around 14ooo in 1987 to over 45ooo now!! We have a large
regional shopping centre and several smaller ones although none are as large as in
the metro area. Mandurah, although not yet connected to the freeway, is only 55
minutes from Perth. On the other hand, Bunbury, which is a lovely spot too, is
another 100 kilometres south and that makes going to Perth a bit of a trip.

Mandurah has numerous state schools and around 4 good private primary schools.
Having just moved back down here from Karratha in the North West, I can tell you
that state high schools are pretty much the same all over - regardless of what
other may say!! I find here that many people are inclined to say that the school
that their children attend is the ONLY school - I must disagree with that.

Regarding swimming, Mandurah has an excellent swimming pool facility and some
excellent coaches. Perth being only one hour away is available for state squad
training. The only downside with the Mandurah pool is that it is still only 25
metres, they are talking about upgrading but that hasn't happened yet. (There are
actually two 25 metre pools in the complex).

Mandurah is a growing area and there are many extremely nice homes. Since we have
been away the canal trend has really taken off and there have been some really
expensive homes built around them. There is much very nice middle of the range
housing in some really well set out estates and prices in Mandurah are extremely
reasonable. It is a buyers market at the moment, I am not in the real estate game
by the way.

If you have any other questions or would like me to send you any info via the
regular mail please let me know. I have a husband that flys/in flys/out to work
and have a lot of time on my hands at the moment when he is away.

By the way, if you are into fishing, crabbing and prawning Mandurah is the spot.
We have a huge estuary and river system. We are lucky enough to have built a
house right on the Serpentine River and I am sitting here gazing over it as I
type. Thought that I would throw that in to tempt you. ha ha.

Thought you might like to look at the type of housing that is available
down here.

http://www.elders.com.au/realestate/...esidential=Y&h
obby=Y&suburb_postcode=Mandurah&stype=buy&property _type=any&price=any&org=1

Regards

Sue Placid Waters Mandurah Western Australia.