Originally Posted by stevensfamily (Post 4441417)

Hi, sorry my children do not go to The Peninsular school or Toorak which quote $14 595 as yearly school fees. I understand that if they sit an entrance scholarship exam then the fees are reduced by 50%. I must admit the shools have excellent results but I am afraid that these fees are too much for us to send both kids to private school. We are lucky that both children are doing well in state schools so are happy for them to go to Government co-ed. We could send them to private schools but then that would take away the purpose of us coming to Oz which was to have more family time and reduce the stress of work, both having to have high paid full time stressful jobs. We have not moved over yet but hope to by the end of this year. My family are in Melbourne and my cousin lives in Mornington. We hope to live in Mount Eliza. I have looked at Mount Eliza secondary and my Aunt has recommended Frankston High which has a great reputation. I hope to obtain a job in the CBD and went for casual chats last year (I am Chartered Surveyor and there are a couple of UK companies with offices in Melbourne), my husband hope's to get a part time local based job so he can spend more time with the children ( ex army so he has spent too much time away from them ). Do your children go to one of these schools?

Originally Posted by Dianej (Post 4459654)

Interesting article about Real Estate in Melbourne - the next 12 months looks like a good time to buy property:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...-25658,00.html

Originally Posted by Bordy (Post 4458778)

And just round the corner from where they film neighbours. Maybe Mags can get a part ;)

Originally Posted by CasG (Post 4544928)

Reading some of these posts, I see that people often seem to be looking at suburbs out on the the fringes - ie...quite a commute if you are looking at working in or near the city.

Don't forget that there are some fab suburbs much nearer (we live in one of them...Elsternwick) there is also Caulfield, Hawthorn, Kew, Richmond, South Yarra, Prahran, Elwood, Bentleigh and Carnegie - as well as just to the north of the city - Fitzroy, Essendon, Carlton, Coburg etc.

Places like Point Cook might be alright for people with kids <<<cough>>>
but pretty dismal for those who don't (pretty dismal for those who do in my opinion) - so research places throughly.

If you want some info on the places I've highlighted - then give myself or shakmaty a shout. :)

Originally Posted by Lindsay Clan (Post 4545051)

I agree with Spikey in the fact that more people will move further away from the CBD to be able to afford a better house. We live in Pakenham and have purchased our own home and chose to move here because of that reason. Hubby works in the city and doesn't mind the commute and we have a better lifestyle because of that. After all that's why Metlink have just abolished zone 3 because they realise that the burbs are moving further away from the city and to try and get people to use it more.

Originally Posted by Dolly (Post 4459697)

We've been looking at Williamstown, but also the surrounding areas of Newport, Altona and Spotswood can anyone tell me what they are like. I know Williamstown is meant to be lovely, although fairly expensive.

Dolly:)