Originally Posted by Amazulu

A rail link is on the cards for Ellenbrook as well.

Originally Posted by worzel

When do you think that will be ready though? It only just got announced as in plans for the next 20 years.

Originally Posted by nightnurse2

Probably about the time I'm due for a bus pass

Originally Posted by Gill123

Hello

We are also moving to Perth end Oct/early November and plan to settle in Ellenbrook.

We managed to get our Visa based on my husbands skills in the motor trade but we have no idea where he'll be working yet. We figure that Ellenbrook isn't that far from anywhere so it's a good base. (I keep reading how it's great for families too which is what we are looking for) Basendean is about 30 minutes from Ellenbrook. (I looked this up on Google maps!!)

Have you been to Australia already? We haven't. We are just going to go for it!! We don't know anyone there either so it's all new.

We have two girls - Lucy is 8 in December and Rachel is 1 in October.

I have been in touch with someone in Ellenbrook who has told me which schools are good and bad. I have the list at home (am currently at work) so I'll let you know on this.

It would be great to keep in touch with you and meet up when we arrive!!

Kind regards

Gill

Originally Posted by whinging_pom

I moved to Ellenbrook and I've become a bit hacked off with comments like this. After we announced we'd bought there we got a few similar comments from acquaintances. The reality is this:

1. The suburb, and the surrounding suburbs are lovely. The quality of the landscaping and the amenities are great.
2. We've seen no trouble at all in 18 months.
3. The 2006 census quotes the following stats:
- Median household/family income $1250-ish - 20% above Australian average
- Proportion of managers/professionals 25% -slightly below average
- Proportion of skilled tradesmen - slightly avobe average
- Proportion of unemployed/unskilled - significantly below national average.
This is nothing like the mix in areas such as Balga and Armadale (median earnings about half of Ellenbrook's, demographics dominated by unskilled or lowskilled workers).
5. The suburb has a wide range of housing from about$350k to about $750k. In UK terms it is a "new town" like Milton Keynes and has, as you'd expect, better and worse areas and houses. Yes, there are a few "bogans" but there are as many professional people. This is called a good social mix.
6. Near to the Swan Valley with tons of wineries and restaurants. Lots of nice countryside, good walking/cycling etc.
7. You can get some great sized blocks/houses at a reasonable price by local standards. I.e. room for pool, entertaining and still room for the kids to kick a ball about

It does have its downsides. These are:
a) Rotten public transport outside of rush hour.
b) Lack of local amenities within the area itself (Ellenbrook/Aveley) . E.g. they haven't built a pub yet but two are planned. This is slowly improving.

Both of these mean you tend to drive more than should be the case and the young and single could find it a bit quiet.

c) The housing market locally took a punding this year and dropped about 15% from peak. But it is still in line/slightly above Perth average gains. So it isn't a good time to sell but a great time to buy.

Originally Posted by aston man

take a tip from the ozzies darlin,cruzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...... ...
nightnurse is my pal.........

i love it there it was my first choice....yes thats right..

was it ast?

yes thats right..

no...

yes thats right....ive been a bloody idiot...

Originally Posted by worzel

That soon?

Originally Posted by tawkins1

Hi Gill.
Yes, we visited Perth last October for a 3 week holiday. We visited lots of family & friends in Warnbro, Roleystone, Southern River & Ocean Reef.
We first fell in love with Southern River but over the months have been reading that NOR suburbs are nicer.
We like the sound of Ellenbrook although we didn't visit this place & have read nothing but good things about it. Especially the 'great for families' part.
Me & my OH both drive so public transport wont be a problem for us.
Can you PM me with details of the good & bad schools in Ellenbrook please?
I have contacted a school in Ellenbrook but unfortunatley all schools there are tied into catchment areas so can't enrol till we have a permanent address.
We haven't sold our house here in the UK yet but have 2 couples interested so fingers crossed our flights on the 14/11 will only be one way. It would be gr8 to keep in touch & meet when we arrive

Originally Posted by nightnurse2

Give me a shout when you arrive and I'll show you the sights!
A few of us here meet for coffee now and again and arrange days out to Whiteman Park in the school hols, all are welcome

Originally Posted by tawkins1

Hi Gill.
Yes, we visited Perth last October for a 3 week holiday. We visited lots of family & friends in Warnbro, Roleystone, Southern River & Ocean Reef.
We first fell in love with Southern River but over the months have been reading that NOR suburbs are nicer.
We like the sound of Ellenbrook although we didn't visit this place & have read nothing but good things about it. Especially the 'great for families' part.
Me & my OH both drive so public transport wont be a problem for us.
Can you PM me with details of the good & bad schools in Ellenbrook please?
I have contacted a school in Ellenbrook but unfortunatley all schools there are tied into catchment areas so can't enrol till we have a permanent address.
We haven't sold our house here in the UK yet but have 2 couples interested so fingers crossed our flights on the 14/11 will only be one way. It would be gr8 to keep in touch & meet when we arrive

Originally Posted by worzel

When do you think that will be ready though? It only just got announced as in plans for the next 20 years.

Originally Posted by Amazulu

As we know the government moves pretty slow in WA, so I reckon that if they started in 2010, it would be 2013 to 2015 before it was finished.

Originally Posted by Gill123

Hi

As promised, the list of schools I was given are:

Ellenbrook Primary - state school
Arbor Grove Primary - state
Ellen Stirling Primary - state
St Helena's Cathoical - private
Swan Valley Anglican - private
Ellenbrook Christian College - private (said to be very good)
Upper Swan Primary - state (said to be very good school) 10 mins drive from Ellenbrook
Midland Christian College/school - private (20 mins drive) there is a high school in the same grounds here as a primary school. (Am told is very good)

I haven't any info on whether the top 5 listed schools above are good or not. Maybe someone else will help us on this!!??

Originally Posted by Gill123

Hi

As promised, the list of schools I was given are:

Ellenbrook Primary - state school
Arbor Grove Primary - state
Ellen Stirling Primary - state
St Helena's Cathoical - private
Swan Valley Anglican - private
Ellenbrook Christian College - private (said to be very good)
Upper Swan Primary - state (said to be very good school) 10 mins drive from Ellenbrook
Midland Christian College/school - private (20 mins drive) there is a high school in the same grounds here as a primary school. (Am told is very good)

I haven't any info on whether the top 5 listed schools above are good or not. Maybe someone else will help us on this!!??

State school fees are a voluntary $40 per year

Private is about $200-300 per month per child - I could be corrected on this though. I guess all schools are different.

Hope this helps you!

We also both drive so public transport is no issue.

Good luck with the house sale. I'm hoping we exchange contracts on ours in the next week or so. If not we will have to visit Perth to validate our visas in August. Really don't want to do this though - we just want a one way ticket like you.

Keep in touch and let me know how you are getting on.

You can email me on [email protected]

Gill x