Hi,

We are due to move to Melbourne in Late July early August 06, and would appreciate any advice on some of the best location for families to live that have good primary schools. We do not want to live in the middle of town and would prefer somewhere near the coast, any advice would be greatly recieved.

we have been in Melbourne 10 years since we migrated, you can expect to have the 4 seasons change.
if you live in the city or close its going to cost you lots of money, most people live in the suburbs somewhat cheaper but still bloody expensive.

Mind you living standards are cheaper as you may know.

schools are both private and public visit them again you will find the people are very friendly, may i ask what part of melb you hope to settle in.

i ask because i work for the education dept in a secondary school public school.

there are lots of people here who seem to think that if they send there kids to private school they will be the bees knees NOT SO, if your child is academic then they can and should succeed in a state school, and that saves you thousands every year.

if you want more info you can email me at home

Sorry, but please don't put personal email addresses on the open forum!

regards

Arthur

I don't have kids, so Arthur's obviously better placed than me to answer that part. But I'd just throw in that I know someone who lives in Middle Park, and they really like it there. It's closer to the sea than we are in South Yarra.

Hi Arthur,

I just thought I would tag onto this thread, as we are heading to Melbourne in Jan 2007. We have two kids, aged 8 & 11 when we arrive. It looks like I will be working in Monbulk to begin, so I was looking at the Monbulk, Belgrave, ferntree gulley area to live in.

Have you any suggestions or recommendations ? Both kids where born here in Holland, so they speak Dutch naturally, but the eldest speaks excellent English, and the youngest is slowly learning. He should have a good grasp when we get there. Both love sports, swimming etc, and the eldest is in the top of his class and the youngest seems to be on about the same level.

hope you don't mind me asking.

Paul.

Paul,
i dont mind at all you asking for any info, I'm happy you are thinking ahead and actually asking questions.

Now then the areas you mention monbulk is in the dandenong ranges a beautiful and stunning area, thats about 25 mins drive from our place we live in rowville.
Monbulk & belgrave are the best of the two you mention, dont expect house prices to be cheap mate they are not but life style is fantastic.

Now then Ive been told there is a lot of dutch people in the areas we are talking about i work with a dutch bloke and i shall ask him tomorrow for you.
Most schools here accommodate kids who like sports, why dont you do a search on the internet for primary schools both private and state schools.

i told one bloke that you dont have to pay lots of money if your kids are academic people here think they will get a better education if they pay squillions of dollars NOT true. all schools here have tours at given times and believe me mate i work in a school you can get 1st class education for very little outlay.

when you get here say hello to the people in the area dont expect them to come to you, they will appreciate it if you actually just say hello we are new here and introduce your family to people, then you watch most of them open to you.

people Australians and lots of other races and very nice people when you get to know people and they invite you and the family for a Barbie jump at the opportunity thats when you will meet lots more of all denominations.

Barbie's are a way of life here, the kids always settle really quickly, may i ask what type of work do you intend to be looking for.

regards

Arthur

PS

if i can be of any assistance at all for gods sake mate just ask.

as i say we are only 25 mins drive from both monbulk & belgrave so give us a call and we can say hello and maybe you would like to visit our place and enjoy a Barbie with us.

Paul have a look at this website this is real mate and its at Belgrave, its bloody fantastic the kids will love it, children & adults go on this train for us a fantastic place to be
http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

Just don't try and ride it on total fire ban days, they replace it with a stinky diesel train instead

Thanks for the quick response.

As you know, the Monbulk area is a big growing area, and here in Holland my trade is exporting cut flowers all around the world. I have had a job offer working for a cut flower company based in Monbulk, so we'll be going out on a 457 in Jan 2007. I visited in Feb and had a good look around at the area, and I did love the look of both Monbulk & Belgrave. Prices seem Ok, but obviously we are used to Dutch prices (almost as expensive as down south in UK)

It will be an advantage for the kids to live in the area because a quite high proportion of Dutch. With regards to the schools, I don't think that initially I will be able to afford private anyway, so I it will have to be State, but so far I have only heard good reports, so no worries there.

I look a couple of times a week on the real estate sites, and the houses in the area really do appeal to me. Good sizehouses , but real outdoor homes, with plenty of garden, big patio's for the barbie and plenty of peace and quiet.

I liked the look of this one.

Monbulk

I also took a couple of pictures of the Monbulk high street (If you can call it that)

Thanks for the invite for a barbie. I have made a note of your mail adress, and i'll keep in touch.

Thanks

Paul

The dinner special looks nice

not cheap, but sounds like a great night out.

There is a dutch community there. We know a family of the same, from Monbulk.

I have sent you an email about a melbourne suburbs ratings list. Respond to it and I will email you a copy.

Arthur,

thanks for your email, its good to know that there are people out there that are willing to put themselves out and offer assistance.

I will be working in the St Kilda area so would prefer to live on the east side, we have been looking at Frankston, Seaford & Mount Martha which appear to offer the type of accommodation that we are looking for but are unsure how long the commute would be into town.

Our daughter is nine years old she loves sports and the performing arts, we are not looking for a Private School but would consider it as an option if required.

As family we love to be out and about enjoying the out door living and hope that Oz will offer us some great opportunities.

Regards Ian & Vicky

Arthur,

Have just come across this thread - hope you don't mind another one joining on so to speak.

We are the very start of the STNI for Vic programme but are somewhat unclear of the opportunities for teaching in Vic despite having worked in Qld and done some studying of sorts in Vic

Friends of ours have returned to Aus and she (Oz by birth and educ at Melbourne Uni with excellent teach record etc.) appeared to struggle to find work. For the first 3 yrs I think she was on) 5 month contracts and not paid over the vacation!

FYI - I have 17 yrs experience - teach ICT and DT with 8 yrs and 6 yrs HoD experience respectively - all in private schools. Put simply can you guess as to prospects?

Any info/feedback welcome.

Bezza

p.s. happy to pm

Hi Arthur

Have just scene that you are in Rowville that is where me and my husband and 2 kids aged 12 and 16 are moving to hopefuly in Oct this year can you tell me what the schools are like there and what your opinion of the area is like we will be living with our cousin for a few weeks when we arrive so any info would really help

Thanks
Vanessa.

Hi

I'm not Arthur ()but live 10 mins from Rowville and my cousin lives there. The schools seem good but the public school is massive. The primary has over 800 pupils in it. My cousin has 2 boys, 4 and 5 and shes getting tetchy at the rate of growth in the school....

Vicky

Despite Arthers opinion on private schools we are sending our daughter to this school in the suburb of Toorak.

http://www.stcatherines.net.au/

Kiwi