Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Hi
From reading the postings on this forum, its seems like the majority of people are heading to Perth or Brisbane.

Is Sydney not as popular because of the higher cost of living?

We're hoping to settle in Sydney (family connections)end 2002/2003 and wondered who else might be going that way too?

Sue and Ian

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Hi Sue and Ian

We're Lisa and John and kids, Aimee, Wills and Lily. We applied skilled ind. in Aug 2001 - haven't heard anything yet. But, this Saturday (!) we're off to Aus for 3 weeks - to have a look around at houses, schools, areas etc...to find out where we might like to live. So far, after researching web and reading these threads etc...Perth seems to be in the lead. Saying that, when I visited Aus for the first time (pre hubby and kids), I fell in love with Sydney absolutely. I always wanted to live there - or nearby, but after checking out property sites, I'm not sure that I can live where I want (near ocean, not far from city, good schools, big garden etc...) without spending a fortune. And although we've got quite a bit of equity in our house (we're from London), we're not prepared to move to a new country and start out feeling the pinch financially. Still, when we're over there next week, we may change our minds?!

I'll let you know what happens when we get back.

What about you? What part of Sydney are you looking into? When did you apply? Got any kids?

Good luck with it all.

Lisa B
X

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Hi Lisa
We're looking at moving to the western suburbs of Sydney to be near my parents (handy for babysitting Tom 10 and Joe 8). We had a fact finding mission last year and the west is quite up and coming for businesses etc, and although its not near the beach it has very good road/rail links and we could be in the city in 30mins or sat on the beach in 45mins.
We applied way way back in May 2001 and haven't heard anything yet, but I'm a nurse so hoping to get fast tracked.
Have a good hol, and let us know what you find.

Sue and Ian

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

We are also hoping to go to Sydney. We have friends who live in Castle Hills and will probably end up living somewhere round there.
Our main priorities are getting close to good schools and transport into the city for work and play.
Property is disappointly expensive but it looks more attractive than Oxfordshire.
I'd be really interested to hear what you find out, particularly on the suburbs and schools.

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

check this out

http://britishexpats.com/forums/show...highlight=vote

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Currently in Sydney on work visa - just been here three weeks, up in the Upper North Shore. Son 12 in School, waiting to get daughter in, 9 years old. Sydney is expensive for real estate and rental depending on where you want to live. We want to live in the St Ives area near the school. I believe in real terms (less money for jobs here and I am paid quite well in IT). We are living on a monetary direct comparison of our lifestyle in Reading/Berkshire - Other changes in aspects of lifestyle we have yet to experience (apart from getting to the beach). We are very busy trying to rent and sort out bits and pieces - maybe get sorted in another 2 years.

http://www.schools.thegoodguides.com.au/about.cfm

One site I used, though I did email various schools direct before we got over.

I work in Chatswood so I am currently only having a 30 min commute - don't underestimate the time it takes on the trains and roads at peak travel times - good service on trains but can be slow when it stops at all stations. Speed limits are low which means most of the city is 30 - 60 Kmph and the main highways go to 90/100 kmph - they are really trying to make you slow down here.

We are 25 mins from Mone Vale Beach - Beautiful, with a pool on the beach as well, 45 From Manly if we want the tourist bit.

Sydney is beautiful, we had only experienced Anna Bay, Port Stephens NSW and Melbourne before so was a bit of shock to have to come to Sydney where we only spent 8 hours fours years ago. But having my children play on the steps of the Opera house while we sipped coffee in the sunshine have melted my heart.

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Sue & Ian,

We are moving to just north of Sydney on 25th Nov this year to Terrigal. We are Chris
& Sharon with 2 boys Michael (4) and Wesley (2) and spent 10 days in and around
Sydney last year. It was great and we really loved it. It seems very multicultural
which should be similiar to the feel around London...

We are going to Terrigal, near Gosford, as we want to live by the beach and have
friends close by. Its also small and it is still just possible to buy land and build
although it can get expensive depending on proximity to the beach.

Time feels like its flying by and we will be there sooner than we think...

Best regards, Chris

Sandra <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
    > Currently in Sydney on work visa - just been here three weeks, up in the Upper
    > North Shore. Son 12 in School, waiting to get daughter in, 9 years old. Sydney is
    > expensive for real estate and rental depending on where you want to live. We want
    > to live in the St Ives area near the school. I believe in real terms (less money
    > for jobs here and I am paid quite well in IT). We are living on a monetary direct
    > comparison of our lifestyle in Reading/Berkshire - Other changes in aspects of
    > lifestyle we have yet to experience (apart from getting to the beach). We are
    > very busy trying to rent and sort out bits and pieces - maybe get sorted in
    > another 2 years.
    >
    > http://www.schools.thegoodguides.com.au/about.cfm
    >
    > One site I used, though I did email various schools direct before we got over.
    >
    > I work in Chatswood so I am currently only having a 30 min commute - don't
    > underestimate the time it takes on the trains and roads at peak travel times - good
    > service on trains but can be slow when it stops at all stations. Speed limits are
    > low which means most of the city is 30 - 60 Kmph and the main highways go to 90/100
    > kmph - they are really trying to make you slow down here.
    >
    > We are 25 mins from Mone Vale Beach - Beautiful, with a pool on the beach as well,
    > 45 From Manly if we want the tourist bit.
    >
    > Sydney is beautiful, we had only experienced Anna Bay, Port Stephens NSW and
    > Melbourne before so was a bit of shock to have to come to Sydney where we only
    > spent 8 hours fours years ago. But having my children play on the steps of the
    > Opera house while we sipped coffee in the sunshine have melted my heart.

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

onto Sydney we go! not sure of timing..probably in time for yet another hot Christmas.

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

Leaving for Sydney in a couple of week (hopefully - PreGrant letter received just waiting for final). Been to most cities and still prefer Sydney. Partner is already there on work visa, and we have rented a 2 bed apartment (Inner West - 25 mins ferry to Circular Quay) - water views from Bedroom and Living, Pool, Spa & Gym in complex, and all for about a half of what I pay for a box in London.

Good luck

Re: Anyone heading to Sydney?
 

heading Merrylands, near Parramatta gonna stay in 2 bedroom flat ~200/week. My friends there told me housing is expensive compared to other cities but basics (food, clothing) same everywhere. But as they say everything comes with a price, in Sydney one usualy finds more job opportunities than in other areas...