madsam

Hey all, i'm starting to drive myself crazy looking at all the different suberbs in brisbane and could really do with some help!! our visa's and everything should be completed by jan 09 and i'd like to live about 30-40min away from the city,i have two children one who will be 5 and one who is 1 so would like somewhere with good schools nursery and somewhere for me to be able to take them with no hassle and thats a nice family kind of place. I would also like to be somewhere near the gold coast. i'd like to be close to shops and generally be close to having things to do so that i don't go crazy at home with the kids while hubby is out to work. i know it might sound like i'm asking alot but you never know how good you can have it if you don't ask
If anyone out there can help me it will be much appreciated!!!!!!

thanks love sam and family xxx

Bobbie

Hello, we're off to Brissy July 3rd and im going through exactly the same thing - trying to decide which suburb has it all!! Ourbrisbane.com is great but even better is a book i have just bought, its part of the where to live series, its called 'where to live - Greater Brisbane' and i cant recommend it enough. It covers all the suburbs and gives you all the statistics. Its even got a list of all the school websites! It was about £19 and worth every penny!
Good Luck
Bobbie x

wanderingwombat

Here's a secret link that has all your answers http://britishexpats.com/forum/search.php

WW

Urno

We went through the same thing and i have to say, it's damned hard to pick a spot from abroad. If you don't have a job then you can't really pick a place to live until you get that, and then where do you live until then? And if you don't like where you've picked, you've got a rental to break. That's if you manage to find somewhere you like in the time you've got..

We found that our preconceptions of Brisbane were totally shot away when we got there, and the only way we found somewhere to rent was to shell out, over the asking price! We imaged living in somewhere like Cleveland or Manly (which would suit(ish) your commute time) but ended up in Wooloowin, and working in St. Lucia!

It's hard also to come to terms with where to send your kids to childcare/school because of this uncertainty. And that's if you can get your head around the way they do it and what you're entitled to, and when (factoring in Centrelink)!

Hmm, that sounds pretty negative, but really, unless you've got a job and have a good idea of where your starting base will/could be then it's a tough time (and expensive). Not impossible, because we, and many others, have done it, but quite a stressful time initially.

Bobbie

Whats wooloowin like? Ive recently been in touch with Wooloowin Primary School. It looks lovely.
Bobbie

madsam

thanks so much for the quick replies!! i shall be searching out that book andbuying one then if its that helpfull!! i will also be looking on the linkthat was posted too. i'm just finding it hard looking from the uk and really not knowing what the different areas are like!!
sam xx

Pollyana

Older suburb, quite pleasant, I work there at present. HOWEVER - the monstrosity of the tunnel and the northern busway is going to seriously impact on Wooloowin. Construction is only just starting and the prediction is that the area will be like a bomb site for a few years, after which it will becoime full of rat-runs as people try to avoid the tolls for using the tunnel.

http://www.notunnels.org/node/45

http://www.rag.org.au/tunnel/default.htm

ausi dream

Sorry to jump in , but who was the book by.

Thankyou

madsam

hey, can you give me the author of the book please,
thanks sam xx

Bobbie

Authers are Chantal Dunber and Michele Parer. You can only get it direct from the publisher though i think. Just google 'where to live guides' and it should come up.
Bobbie

Urno

Wooloowin was quite nice, but more expensive to rent/live in (well served by train stations, but also close enough to the city to drive in). We didn't ever get to the school stage whilst living there, but i think Eagle Junction primary, which is nearby is very highly recommended.

I believe you can live in Wooloowin, but still be in the catchment area, but you should check first.

Timber Floor Au

Ormeau

Carbery

When we first arrived in Brisbane in October 2005 our (then) 10 year old boy started at Wooloowin State School. We took him out after one term. If you want details PM me. The school is on a very busy and noisy main road. The actual suburb is quite nice, older Queenslander homes on big plots. Also transport links are good with rail/bus.

Pollyana

....very busy, I agree, and thats before the tunnel building chaos starts.