kiwinow

I'm so jealous of all this socialising.

Meanwhile...We have boys aged 17, 15, 12 AND a girl aged 10. Does anyone have kids of similar age? Curious to know what schools they attend and how they find it?

Cookster

Afternoon,

there are quite a few schools in the bay. My 15 yr old daughter goes to Urangan High school. We thought about putting her in a private school when we arrived as she went to boarding school in the UK but thought we would give the state schools ago. She is doing really well and really enjoying school. Son of 12 goes to Sandy Straits Primary next door. He is going up to Urangan High next Jan. Pretty pleased with both schools.

Angela

kiwinow

Thanks for that. I'm swaying toward Urangan for my boys. Just sent for the prospectus, as some of the pages won't load online. I'm a bit concerned about the fact that the seniors only do a 4 day week though (at both schools). I know that it's supposed to give them time for work experience or catching up with homework if they already work, but my son is not highly self-motivated and probably thinks he can sit on the computer all day. I suppose your daughter will be in Year 11 next year like mine?


My primary school daughter will probably have to wait until we find out where to live. We favour Toogoom but realise that the tripping into town might be a problem for the kids, so we can't decide whether to rent in Toogoom to see if we like it and then move into HB if we don't, or whether to rent in HB and then decide if we want to build in Toogoom. And if we try HB first do we want to be very close to the beach or out the other side in Kawungan or Wondunna or somewhere. We liked both but fear the kids might not make use of the beach as much if they have to bike too far.

So where do those in HB itself like to live?

Safin

We're renting in Kawungan. The primary school here is great, even though it's large it doesn't feel bad as they seperate the age groups pretty well. The houses here tend to be a bit older, and therefore often but not always on larger plots than those newer or closer to the waters edge. Also more trees etc. I hate some of the new estates where they've completly cleared the bush and theres nothing grass apart from brand new turf and a few houses here and there that have spent a fortune on landscaping.

It's too far to walk or even cycle to the beach for me and my young kids but my OH does it and it only takes him a few minutes more than it does for me to drive. (so a 5-10 min cycle; downhill going which I could probably do easily and uphill coming back which is what stops me even trying!)

Wondunna is nice and will give you bigger plots but will need to drive into town or be reasonably fit! Also the airport is pretty close. Flights at the moment aren't too bad but who knows in future.

Personally it's close enough I wouldn't spend the money on being seafront. If you have kids you want to be independeant maybe the middle parts of Torquay or Urangan might suit you.

OH wanted to rent out of town (dundowran) but I wanted to be in town to help settle. In hindsight I think if we'd started out of town I'd have found out for myself how annoying the in and out was and could then make a more informed choice of if it would really be a problem for me. Now I'm in town I don't want to buy out of town in case it annoys me.

So I guess i'm saying rent out of town first if you are seriously thinking about buying there. My friend was in Toogoom til recently. She was never bothered by being out of town. Last month she moved to Urraween and loves being in town and wouldn't go back out! Its about what you are or get used to I think.

Have you done a reccie here? Do you have long in accomodation before you have to make a decision. I'd say just drive around the areas you are considering and you'll have stronger feelings once you've really seen them all.

kiwinow

Yes, we've done the reccie which is how we found Toogoom, which we hadn't previously considered. We had thought we were going to settle on Point Vernon but didn't like the new estates for the same reason you stated, and the fact that much of the beach is rocky. Eli Waters -same, although parts are Ok, but lots of sandflies apparently. We liked Torquay and parts of Urangan and I've spied a couple of houses for sale in our price range that are on the Esplanade side of Boat Harbour Drive. We drove around some of Kawungan, Wondunna etc and I do quite like the country feel, but as we both hope to be working full time I don't want the older kids to feel too stranded.

Whatever we decide we'll rent for at least 6 months, as we need to get jobs and work out what we can afford, unless we win lotto this weekend in which case we'll all fly out for a week and choose a house now. It's all getting a bit nerve racking now.

Safin

when do you fly?

Lil Lis

Yeh i have a 16 y o girl & a 13 y o boy both at Urangan High..havent had any concerns with bullying or anything with either of them. Probably out of the private schools here I would lean more towards Xavier rather than Fraser Coast Anglican College as I have heard bad reports about the 2nd one. Anyhow hope that helps. Oh by the way I do have a house for sale in Wondunna if anyone is interested oh wait actually i have 2 for sale in that area, let me know if anyone is interested & maybe i could email some pics to you...we should all catch up for double bubbles friday the 26th september as its my birthday!! Yay happy birthday to me!!!

Lil Lis

Hey when you decide where & when you are wanting to rent come see me (Lil Lis) at Harcourts I will look after you for sure!!

isle

Hi
Happy Birthday to you for the 26th, both born on the same day, both estate agents but on other side of world for another 12 days, we will have to have belated drinks to celebrate when we arrive.
See you all soon.
If any one pm me we may not be able to reply as our internet is being diconnected any day now.
Mandy

Mrs Kiwi

Hey, Lil Lis, my brother Damian works for Harcourts in Hervey Bay too. He is a Pommie bloke, do you know him? X

kiwinow

Happy Birthday Lil Lis.
Good to know you are at Harcourts and we'll definitely be in to see you at some stage. Are properties moving much in HB? Seems like some properties have been up on realestate.co. for ages.
As we're coming over with a dog and two cats (maybe one - still negotiating) and we're arriving from NZ (no quarantine) Dave is planning to go over first and sort out a place to rent and (please God) a job. As we've never rented before we don't have references, but we're hoping that won't matter too much.

Anyway, assuming we sell our house for what we want and preferably before Chirstmas, Dave will go in Nov/Dec and the rest of us will be out mid-Jan. It will be good to meet you all at some stage.

bobbyftm

Hi Angela / Steve , just like to say we had a cracking time at Hervey and would especially like to thank you both for the G & T's and nibbles on board your vessel Very honourable of you both i must say Hope Steve managed to win his race the next morning(don't suppose the extra weight of several Guinnesses will have helped the cause tho') Don't forget if you're ever near the big smoke to give us a ring and a chance to return the deed
Regards Bobby & Linda

Cookster

Evening, really nice to meet you all too. Steve came 3rd in the race on Sunday but had a big baggy head all day!!! Self inflicted, no sympathy!!!!

Will deffo be looking for a return favour in the future, cheers xxxx
Angela

Cookster

Hey im up for that. Hubby away sailing all week, but hopefully back. Just name the time and ill be there!!
Angela

Lil Lis

Yes, he works in the "little office" next to the one I am in with the other 2 property managers! He is a very nice person & has the most gorgeous little girl!!!