New to all this!!
 

Hello.. :D

Been offered a job in Sydney (subject to Visa approval)! All a bit daunting and suffering the usual ups and downs! Well I hope they are usual anyway!! Want to go one minute then don't the next...
Anyway..also after any advice on suitable areas to live (I am presuming I will go in the end!!) The job is based in the Castle Hill area but would prefer to live near the beach and a little more central if possible!!! Favourite areas are the Northern Beaches esp. around Manly..is this really commutable or am I being unrealistic??!!! Want to live somewhere quite lively and not too "family focussed" (no offence to the families out there!) as will be going it alone!!
Thanks in advance...

Re: New to all this!!
 

hello and welcome to the madhouse.
theres a few threads about sydney running now, have a wee gander at them for info
;)

Re: New to all this!!
 

Hi SarahJane

Sorry I have no helpfull info for you, just though it was nice to say
" HELLO" from another
Sarah Jane :D

Re: New to all this!!
 

Hello there

Castle Hill is a fair way out and I don't think you would want to be commuting there from Manly. For info Parramatta is actually the geographical centre of Sydney so that gives you some idea of how big it is.

Sorry not much help am I!

Will

Re: New to all this!!
 

Parramatta rd = murder to drive through :eek:

Re: New to all this!!
 

I didn't say live in Parramatta :p just that it was the geographical centre of Sydney.

The thing about traffic in Sydney is that it all depends in which direction you are travelling and at what time. I live in Waterloo and drive to the Northern Beaches for work but I'm one of only a handful that does so the traffic isn't bad. You might find getting to Castle Hill from Manly is ok once you get past everyone who is going to the City, same could be said of going from Parramatta.

Re: New to all this!!
 

good point,
new tip..... work where noone else will :D :D

Re: New to all this!!
 

rofl! :D

Re: New to all this!!
 

Hi SarahJane,

What an exciting prospect! Castle Hill is a bit far out, but I guess you are going against the flow of traffic into the city.
Personally the Inner-West is best for me, but the lack of beach may not meet your needs.
However, I can recommend the Balmain, Rozelle and Drummoyne areas which have lovely harbourside walks. The cafes, restaurants and pubs are excellent, particularly Balmain and they are lovely safe inner city suburbs to live in. Manly isn't my cup-of-team personally, so our tastes may not be the same.

Re: New to all this!!
 

You need to ask the question "which visa?" if you've not done so already. If it's only a temporary visa, be aware of the issues you'll face:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266447


Jeremy

Re: New to all this!!
 

Thanks for all the responses so far!! Quite a few of you are mentioning how far out Castle Hill is? I did actually go there back in Feb whilst I was on holiday over in Sydney..didn't seem that far but maybe I was too much in holiday mode and have forgotten!! Anyone any idea on how long it would take to drive there from the city?? Hoping I can judge it on that?
Not too keen on the Paramatta areas really...inner west maybe? Lived in Glebe for 6 months back in 98 whilst on my WHV!! Just keep thinking would be good to be near the beach? :)

Re: New to all this!!
 

Thanks for the info on the visa too! Looks like I have a lot to sort out?! :eek:

Re: New to all this!!
 

hello and welcome.
this may or may not be helpful...
we stayed in manly last year and also the northern beaches, they were lovely . but I'm not sure about the commuting?sorry

Denise pater and family