Originally Posted by IvanM (Post 9785033)

How did you go yesterday?

Originally Posted by pomE (Post 9785074)

The Hills district would certainly fit your needs for good schools and green open space, although you might have to think more about your rental budget.

I work in the CBD and commute in from Westleigh on the train every day (which goes thru North Ryde). Takes me about an hour, so to North Ryde would prob be about 1/2 of that.

Westleigh (in Hornbyshire), is nicely located close to the Northen Beaches and is on the Northern Line. Other areas are Hornsby itself and the surrounding areas.

To be honest, commuting on a bike would be a nightmare. I planned on also commuting, but the traffic is deadly (although there are some cycle lanes depending on your location/ destination).

To give you an idea, we're a family of 3 paying $780/ week. Expensive I know, but we probably pay a premium for having a largish pool.

Cherrybrook is also nice and has some of the best schools/ colleges in the area- perhaps even Sydney. It's not on the train line, but has buses or you can get bus to Pennant Hills and jump on the Northern Line there.

Originally Posted by paddyo (Post 9784936)

Finally.........Do come here with an open mind and an attitude of 'Hey, its something new so things will be different and even Wells can be a shite hole to some people".....!

Originally Posted by Tr1boy (Post 9785537)

Is that aimed at me?:lol:

Originally Posted by paddyo (Post 9785734)

probably an honest self appraisal actually!! :)

Originally Posted by Tr1boy (Post 9785778)

you're not from Wells (somt) are you?

Originally Posted by paddyo (Post 9785792)

lol...nah..I know it well through work but for Wells just insert crap town in UK!!

Originally Posted by gabby_cat (Post 9785860)

You see now I'm just curious how you guys know Wells - most people don't know it exists! (I LOVE Wells)

Originally Posted by Tr1boy (Post 9785870)

I really was born there and lived there until I was 22 and left for Oz. My parents still live there and I cycle with the local race club a fair bit.

Never mind that 900 year old cathedral, Hot Fuzz really put it on the map:lol:

ahh, the penny has just dropped as I've noticed Gabby's location. I thought it was a bit of a coincidence LOL

Originally Posted by paddyo (Post 9786749)

I know Wells because I have worked at the old Italian World War II camp that is now part of Thales!!!

Originally Posted by gabby_cat (Post 9787604)

Thales site closed at the end of November. The staff were split between Templecombe, Bristol and Basingstoke. I took redundancy as I couldn't do the commute with a young family. Thales have produced a book of the history of the Penleigh works, some great old pics in their of the apprentices.

Small world huh!

Originally Posted by dpwilliams (Post 9785171)

Anyone cycling through the NP yesterday probably wouldn't be alive today with the river crossings. I had to drive yesterday :(