Ballarat
Aug 20th 2011, 12:19 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Ballarat
Posts: 20
Ballarat
Been offered a job over there so just in early stages of sorting visa. Going to be a 4 yr 457 I believe but whats the area like, any good schools etc. Looked at property rentals and seems a fair bit of choice but we have a dog and only 1 said pets welcome and it didnt look too pretty. Just after general advice from anyone who may know area and stuff.
Cheers
Cheers
Aug 20th 2011, 2:33 pm
#2
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: Ballarat
This is not a flippant reply although it may sound like it.
Ballarat is one of the coldest places (owing to its altitude) in Victoria in Autumn, Winter and Spring. Just bear that in mind. House construction does NOT take this into account and you WILL feel the cold. There is no central heating nor double glazing.
That said, whilst I don't live there, we visit now and again and its a nice enough place.
It is only an hour from Melbourne which is a plus. Lots of other places within easy reach for days out etc.
The locals are very friendly as are most Victorians in my experience.
It's quite a large town and has all the facilities you could want.
Lots of schools though I don't know the reputation of any of them.
If I sound a bit negative, I'm not. I'd settle in Ballarat rather than a large city. Life in "Regional" Victoria is very nice. I live about 250 ks to the west of Ballarat and it's a nice part of the world.
Ballarat is one of the coldest places (owing to its altitude) in Victoria in Autumn, Winter and Spring. Just bear that in mind. House construction does NOT take this into account and you WILL feel the cold. There is no central heating nor double glazing.
That said, whilst I don't live there, we visit now and again and its a nice enough place.
It is only an hour from Melbourne which is a plus. Lots of other places within easy reach for days out etc.
The locals are very friendly as are most Victorians in my experience.
It's quite a large town and has all the facilities you could want.
Lots of schools though I don't know the reputation of any of them.
If I sound a bit negative, I'm not. I'd settle in Ballarat rather than a large city. Life in "Regional" Victoria is very nice. I live about 250 ks to the west of Ballarat and it's a nice part of the world.
Aug 20th 2011, 2:50 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Ballarat
Posts: 20
Re: Ballarat
Thats fine and thanks for replying. Not expecting it to be too warm. Probably prefer it that way.
Had pretty much given up hope on Oz but job offer came out of blue and seemed too good to be true. Looked on a few websites and it does seem a decent place but a bit cooler than other places.
Had pretty much given up hope on Oz but job offer came out of blue and seemed too good to be true. Looked on a few websites and it does seem a decent place but a bit cooler than other places.
Aug 20th 2011, 2:53 pm
#4
221b Baker Street
Joined: Jun 2010
Location: Miles from anywhere, Victoria, Australia.
Posts: 14,125
Re: Ballarat
Thats fine and thanks for replying. Not expecting it to be too warm. Probably prefer it that way.
Had pretty much given up hope on Oz but job offer came out of blue and seemed too good to be true. Looked on a few websites and it does seem a decent place but a bit cooler than other places.
Had pretty much given up hope on Oz but job offer came out of blue and seemed too good to be true. Looked on a few websites and it does seem a decent place but a bit cooler than other places.
Aug 20th 2011, 3:01 pm
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Ballarat
Posts: 20
Re: Ballarat
well i've set the ball rolling so fingers crossed !!
Aug 20th 2011, 8:52 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: Ballarat
Good range of private schools there - all my Ballarat inlaws have chosen Grammar or Ballarat College for their kids. One lot would have gone for Ballarat High but they werent in the catchment area so went private instead.
It's a typical Victorian town - bloody cold whenever I visit (we had sleet one Christmas day about 10 years ago). Some excellent restaurants and you are within cooee of Melbourne.
It was pretty sad when the drought was in full swing but there is water in the lake now (it dried right up and DH walked the length of the Olympic rowing course on the lake bed).
My inlaws like living there but, despite one good wool shop, an excellent needlework shop and a well stocked Family History resource library, I am glad to leave after nearly a week's visit. However, rents will be cheaper than Melbourne and if you fancy the country life you dont have to live far out of town to find it.
It's a typical Victorian town - bloody cold whenever I visit (we had sleet one Christmas day about 10 years ago). Some excellent restaurants and you are within cooee of Melbourne.
It was pretty sad when the drought was in full swing but there is water in the lake now (it dried right up and DH walked the length of the Olympic rowing course on the lake bed).
My inlaws like living there but, despite one good wool shop, an excellent needlework shop and a well stocked Family History resource library, I am glad to leave after nearly a week's visit. However, rents will be cheaper than Melbourne and if you fancy the country life you dont have to live far out of town to find it.
Jan 2nd 2012, 10:03 am
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Lal Lal a rural community outside Ballarat VIC, previously Kent England
Posts: 915
Re: Ballarat
I live about 10 mins from Ballarat and love it feel free to PM me x
Jan 2nd 2012, 7:59 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Victoria
Posts: 1,395
Re: Ballarat
We were there earlier this week and we like it. I'd live there if husband got a job there. Oh, and both times I've been, it's been 35 so it does get hot, just more cold usually!!
