nicknsteph

I was about to begin my big list of questions to the experts and got lazy... so have pasted an email to friends which pretty much covers it. Hope you can help!!
Here tis:

Dear Friends,
As the sun rises (with surprising October gusto, just to prove that it
really can and does) over London town we are faced with another day of
wondering how the heck we are ever going to make it to the great land
(that's what I wonder, I think for Nick it is a bit more like... what
am I doing, why is this happening, how did I finally get sold this
vision that looks totally unachievable?). I am
baffled at what a huge task this is. Somehow when you're twenty
something and flitting about with no-one else to consider it's all
easy. Book a flight, throw a few things about and off you go. However,
we will get there. We have to, thankfully it's pretty much set in
steel now.
SO..... One of our major areas of concern at the moment is where to
live. Sling me anything that comes to mind on our shortlist of areas
or any new suggestions.
At the moment the lower North is looking most likely. Leafy and green
with a quick commute to Pitt street and good schools. Need a three
bedroom house. I have never lived North or had any friends there so
any views would be greatly appreciated. Lane Cove seems to fit the
bill with a very quick commute. Mosman and Cremorne seem to be
bizarrely still cheaper then the East (which would be our natural
destination but prices have rocketed and the North is possibly more
uniformily 'nice' with more reliably good schools??) The more
affordable surrounding suburbs, of Cammeray, Narremburn,
Wollstonecraft, Artarmon. Any views on those? Just casting the net
out. Any old boot will do but kind of hoping for a Jimmy Choo.
Other area that has been suggested is Balgowlah and surounds. People
do a bit of tutting as it's over the Spit bridge but surely not that
bad? Drummoyne, Hunters Hill, Artarmon have been suggested as well.
Any views or info on any of these places. 'Great villiage feel',
'really good local school' that sort of thing. We need to nail an area
or two before Nick arrives at the beginning of Decembr and starts
stomping the streets.
Thank you in anticipation!

Timber Floor Au

didnt understand any of that lol..

but its early !!

NickyC

Are you planning on renting - or will you want to buy?

If you're looking at buying a house in any of those areas you'll need rather deep pockets.

If you plan to rent permanently, then Mosman is the pick of the North Shore with Balmoral Beach down the road, short ferry to the city, great shopping and good schools.

nicknsteph

Yes renting. Thanks for your response, we thought Mosman looked like the pick of the bunch. Do you (or anyone) know of any good state schools in Mosman or Cremorne (or Lane Cove which is our other 'focus area')? Have seen that Redlands private school is there which would be a rather expensive desperation back-up but would love to know if anyone has any info on the regular locals. Much prefer to go down that road. cheers.

NickyC

All the primary state schools in those suburbs will be fine - they're wealthy areas so parents are clued-up and won't put up with any slacking or poor standards.

Don't know about high schools - it's very much private school territory so you may find that only a minority use the local public high schools. I don't live that side so can't give any first-hand advice on High schools.

Good luck!

moneypenny20

None of those suburbs are on the Gold Coast so I don't think I can help you Good luck though. I don't know anyone except me who writes long emails