reckon! The NRL is one of the reasons I migrated to Australia. Even in Melbourne you can follow the Storm. I had a season ticket.

BM

What is Williamstown in Melbourne like as a place to live with a family?

Sydney or Melbourne or Wigan eh? As others have said Sydney and Melbourne are different and each city has it's own good and bad points and it's best left to each individual to decide what is best for them, but as the question is posed I say Melbourne of course. It's not quite the same comparison but I would liken it to say New York or Paris - it depends what you are looking for. Melbourne can't compete with the harbour, opera house and bridge that's for sure.

As far as Williamstown goes as a place to live with a family - great, but I'm biased because I come from there and will be going back to there. It is Melbourne's oldest suburb and would have been the capital had it not been for a lack of fresh water (since rectified by piped water!!). It is on a peninsula with water on 2 sides, the north side faces the city, Hobson's Bay and the mountains behind with spectacular views; the other side faces the open sea of Port Phillip Bay but has views across from the SE suburbs one way to Altona/Point Cook the other way. Prices though are quite high (average $665K) and vary in relation to proximity to the sea (a decent house on the Strand can set you back over $2 mill; an old weatherboard in a back street might be under $300K . Realistically, it would probably be difficult to get a decent sized family home for under $300/$350k which a search on www.realestate.com.au (enter postcode 3016 in the search box) will confirm.

We say it is a village within the city and it doesn't have through traffic being on a peninsula although it gets lots of visitors, particularly in summer. There are 3 secondary schools, 3 primary schools, a private school, nurseries and 'kinders' as well as a good range of shops, restaurants, doctors, etc, etc. Do a search on Williamstown in this forum as I've posted the odd thing or two and photo and feel free to PM me if you want more information.

http://williamstowninfo.com.au/index.php
http://www.melbourne.citysearch.com....1/50/75/3.html
http://www.williweb.net/
http://www.williamstownonline.net/

OzTennis

A Williamstown pic:

OzTennis

Thanks for that, what about the east coast, places like Sandringham or Elwood, or somewhere in-between

Sandy and Elwood are nice suburbs too but a different type of suburb to Williamstown - property prices even dearer than Willy ($720K and $770K respectively) and you'll pay a hefty premium for water views. I personally would prefer Sandringham to Elwood but it is that little bit further out which can mean in summer and peak hours a longer journey to CBD. Again, plenty of schools, shops, sporting facilities, etc, etc in both.

OzTennis

Hope am not butting in but am doing the same as the original poster. I have a 5 yr old and have the option to work in Sydney or Melbourne. Both for the same company, just different positions. Am also bringing my mum over, she's my best friend and also my childminder at mo so HAS to come over too (am single mum etc...).

So have read (thanks to all of you whom have taken the time to offer advice) all about the city/jobs etc... but my main concern is schooling. My boy is currently going to a prep school (albeit reception year) but I would really appreciate (if at all poss) some opinions on schooling M vs S etc...?

Thanks to all in advance, have had immediate success on this board previously, so have high hopes.

Cheers (ps Wigan??? is this a bad time to mention the fam is from Leeds???? not me though am shandy drinking southener ;-)