Hi,

My husband, kids (ages 2 & 4) and I will be moving to Sydney in about 6 weeks time and are very excited and scared!!

My husbands job will be in Neutral Bay so we will be looking to live within about a 30 - 40 min commute of his work. Can anyone recommend nice areas to live that are good for familys with small children, ie have good schools, nurserys etc?

Also does anyone have any advice or a list of the first things we need to do once we arrive in Oz, ie, tax file no etc, etc.

Has anyone else moved to this area?

Many thanks

There have been some recently helpful FYI on medicare, tax file numbers, etc. by Georgie G.


It all depends on how much you have got to spend, the shore line of the harbour is pretty expensive. A good idea is to look at www.domain.com.au

Thanks for that. I will take a look a Georgie G's postings.

Not too bothered about being on the beach but don't want to be too far. Would just like somewhere where there are good schools within easy reach and not too remote from everything else.

Try http://www.justlisted.com.au/resident.asp as another good source of property in Sydney...

If I was you and my partner was working in Neutral Bay, I'd be looking at the North Shores area. Very nice!

Gav

Have to agree, lower North Shore is very nice. I live in Neutral Bay and yes it is expensive. But its easy to get to the CBD and has Bus/Ferry/Train connections. There's loads of places for cheap food and also the Oaks is good for a beer and to watch sport.

Neutral Bay is a nice area.
Try to avoid any properties on either Kurraba or Miltary roads.
Military is the main drag from the northern beaches. Kurraba is the alternative route for the 'rat run'. The far eastern end of Kurraba is quiet and leafy though. We had some friends renting a good 2 bedder there for $450pw, with a great roof top area for bbqs and views over the harbour - bridge + OH etc.

Not much further afield there is Cremorne, Kirribilli or Mosman. The last two are slightly more expensive but IMO have a city village feel, with a central area of shops and cafes. Mosman is definitely in it's own class though. Do a search on here for previous. In any of these areas I would look for property closer to the harbour. Views are great, roads are generally quiter and in the heat of the summer you've more chance of a breeze.

We spent last winter in Kirribilli, but were glad to move to the beach for the summer. You could have a look at the northern beaches, just be aware of the traffic congestion on the Spit bridge. You could easily make it to NB in 40 mins though.

Honestly! You go to the trouble of meeting people and they cannae be bothered to even remember your name!

Here's the threads Ron's referring to:

Shipping quotes/prices:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=268288

RTA licence experience (Sydney):
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293250

Renting / Leased accommodation in Aus:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291000

Medicare (Sydney) experience:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293247

Claiming Back UK Income Tax:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294278

Never let it be said they're useful though - just me rambling on ...

You might also find these threads useful:

What to take? What to leave?:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=294158

(I should have added coathangers (for suits in particular) to that thread.)

Leaving UK Checklist?:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ghlight=things

Nichola

Thanks for the advice.

My husbands workplace is actually on Military road so we wouldn't want to live there. We were in Sydney in November last year so had a quick look at the surrounding areas. We will be staying in Kirribilli for the first month while we look for somewhere to rent for a while. We like the lower northern beaches but my husband is concerned about the traffic around Spit Bridge too. Still a 40 minute commute wouldn't be too bad.

Do you know what Roseville and Lindfield areas are like?

Many thanks

Thanks you so much for your useful reply.

I just want to ask another question if you don't mind. Before you had the shippers in did you pack up any of your stuff, ie personal items such as photos, etc. If so what type of boxes did you use and do you need to supply a detailed list of what' s in the box (every item) or do you just give a general list. Did you lable the boxes and what do you put on labels?

My husband want to pack up quite a bit of our stuff himself but I wasn't sure if we need to get marine boxes and if so where can we get them from.

I am beggining to panic a bit now as there seems to be so much to do and so little time!!

Thanks

No one would want to live on or near MR.
We liked Kirribilli, and really only moved as we were forced too.

Can't help on those two places. Maybe someone else can.

Bump!

Hi there,

We packed absolutely nothing ourselves - mainly because the insurers we went with only insured the boxes that had been professionally packed, but also because Aussie customs are more likely to check boxes that are marked 'owner packed' (as I understand it). And the people that actually came and packed paid soooo much more attention and handled everything with more care than Mr GG and I would have done if we'd have packed! I have never seen so much bubble wrap and packing tape in my life!

Personally speaking, I think paying professionals is worth the money. But that's just my opinion. Horses for courses.

GG