Going to work in Holsworthy in July. Rented accommodation already sorted however wish to buy in surrounding area. Anybody got any suggestions on the nicer areas?

I think if you could provide a few more details it might be easier for people to give you a few suggestions. Are you looking for family oriented areas or for a more urban lifestyle? Also how far are you prepared to commute to work? Obviously budget will also have a major impact on what area will be most suitable so if you could offer an indication on this front that would also help.

Good luck with the move.

Ian

Do a search on Sydney suburbs - this question comes up at least once a week. It should at least help with ruling out which areas won't be possible in terms of budget and commuting distance.

If you're planning to first rent, I'd take your time and have a look around to see where you want to buy. Is this for your own PPOR or an investment?

Thanks all for the suggestions.

We are looking for a family orientated area. I do not want to commute much more than 20-30 mins (working in Holsworthy).

Would like an area near by or nearer coast to south of city.

Any suggestions on areas would help although we are only researching via internet at the moment. We will be renting initially (sorted already).

Budget no more than 700,000 Aus Dollars.

Mark

Holsworthy is not very nice - former RAF/base area. Dont think that you'll want to buy to close to there. Your cash should go a fair way within a 20-30 min drive though

You should check out the newish Georges River suburbs around Menai/ Illawong. Also the suburbs around Sutherland/Engadine. All would have good access to Holsworthy via Heathcote Road and are not that far from the ocean.

You'd get more house for your money in the Liverpool/Campbelltown area but it's much hotter that way and miles from the sea.

Don't know to much about the Sutherland area but think that places like Bangor and Menaii have looked quite nice when we've been down that way!
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Thanks very much for the areas you have suggested. I have had a look and have found some nice properties. Will wait until we arrive now in July and then go out and take a look around.

Holsworthy is still very much an active army base area, in fact one new housing estate with homes in excess of $700,00 (Voyager Point) is right opposite the firing range... You can actually hear the gun shots and bombs in practice...my sister in law recently moved from there....she refused to send her son to the local catholic high school at Liverpool because of the trouble and sent him to one out of area.

Anywhere west of Holsworthy I wouldn't consider buying as it's lower class suburban, there is a lot of trouble around the Liverpool/Campbelltown/Fairfield areas. I would go towards the city, there are suburbs along the M5 freeway which will take you right to Holsworthy (there is a Holsworthy exit). Penshurst/Beverly Hills at the Hurstville exit are nice established areas about 20 mins from Holsworthy and about 15 mins from Brighton Beach, Menai/Illawong are further but are also nice areas, bearing in mind there is very limited public transport to the Menai suburbs so peak hour traffic can be very slow. Also bear in mind that if you travel along the M5 freeway from these areas to Holsworthy you will be driving against the peak hour traffic. Can I ask where are you going to rent initially?

We are in Woolooware in Sutherland Shire, its a 2 minute drive to the beach, a 10 minute drive to big shopping centre, a 40 minute drive to Sydney CBD and there is a train that takes you there too. We are a 15/20 minute drive to a fantastic National Park. which has a lovely river and 3 beaches. I thoroughly recommend it around here, for a family it is perfect and has the best of everything.

try www.justlisted.com.au and put the sutherland shire area in and it will show you house prices. If you can't see anything in Woolooware for your price, try Caringbah south or Gymea/Gymea Bay is also nice

Good luck.

Thanks for those honest answers about Holsworthy and Liverpool areas. It really helps and gives us an idea of where we are going to look at to buy. (Further east towards coast sounds good) We are likely to be renting in Voyager Point/Wattle Grove area initially (so looks as though we will have to put up with the ranges initiallly).

Our main concern is the kids and schools. We want to identify a decent school soonest and then buy near it if we can. We are trying to avoid having to move kids from schools. The disruption of emigrating is enough.

Thanks again and if anyone has further info please feel free to advise.

Also consider Oatley (quite nice, especially if you can find something on the water) and Hurstville. Hurstville has plenty of shopping as well.

To Ginger3710,

Thanks for your honest answer about Liverpool area. Do you have any idea about schools in the areas that you mentioned. (Menai, Illawong,Penhurst & Beverley Hills)Any advice would be appreciated.

Mark

No problem Mark, I actually live in the Hurstville area. Can you give me an idea of what type of schools you want, ie public, private, catholic, baptist etc. And do you want information on high schools/primary schools? Thanks.