melbal35

Potentially moving to Sydney from Essex in the New Year. Have visited lots of times before and am originally from Melbourne (20 years in UK, married to a Pom) so am really coming at this move to Sydney as a Brit expat! As much as we'd love to move to Melb, it has to be Sydney for my husband's job. So, where's good to go with kids? (boys 7 and 4). We love the Eastern 'burbs but price-wise they're a no-go. Have been told that Northern suburbs/north shore is good but what are they like in terms of house prices, schools (state preferably), things to do - both for kids and for us??? Looking forward to the extra space (and good weather!) but am a bit scared of being stuck out in the 'burbs, knowing no one. Husband doesn't want a very long commute to his CBD job etiher...
Also, when do the little ones start school? Youngest won't be 5 until next Aug - does this mean he won't start until Feb 2007??? Do you have to be in 'catchment' to get kids into schools of your choice - any advice on checking school standards also...
Any advice/tips/pros and cons welcomed...
Thanks!

Alex Hall

Not sure how much of a commute you would class as "very long" and depends how quiet a suburb you are after..

Take a look at the Terrigal and surrounding area on www.realestate.com.au is on the water, might be a bit too much of a commute, however housing costs are more affordable... Otherwise if being close to the water is not too important consider the wester suburbs.. some nice ones, some bad ones..

hth

Alex

JAJ

The Northern Suburbs close to the beach may be as expensive as the East.

Two areas of Sydney that you might want to look at are Epping and the Hills District. The Hills District is in the north west suburbs, and is quite family friendly (long drive to the CBD however). Epping is in the same direction but closer in.

Concerning visas:
- is your husband applying for a spouse visa? (it makes sense to go this route if he qualifies for a permanent visa immediately, sounds like he will if you've been married a while and have children)
- are you a British citizen yourself, and if not, have you thought about applying for naturalisation before you leave the UK?


Jeremy

Rudi

I second a move to the Hills!!!!

Yep - it's a bit of a commute, but lots do it. There is a bus which many people catch which takes you directly to the CBD. Saves that hassal of a drive.

Epping has a train which goes into the city, so it's probably a little more expensive than the Hills district (depending on where in the Hills you are). It's also around 15 mins closer to the city by car.

I'm sure lots of people with have opinions one where you should live!!! But nothing beats a good drive around when you arrive.

Rudi