psheehan911

Any advice on this gratefully appreciated.
Moving to Sydney Northern area in Feb 2010, from the UK.

I have several friends recommended many different places to live, like the 'Hills' area, Turra Murra, Wahroonga etc.
But should I find a school first for my 11 year old, and then somewhere to live, or somewhere to live first?

Dilemma.

also any short-term rental apartments for first 4-6 weeks.

quoll

You will probably find that you wont be able to get a school until you have a permanent address - so find your house first, you have to live in it 24/7 and then you will be in a school's catchment area and they will be obliged to find a place for you. If you are going private then it wont matter where you live as long as you can pay the school fees.

Jan4kids

At that age, I'd be placing more emphasis on a reputable High School rather than the Primary.

There's no rush to enrol straight away, so rent a holiday let and get out there...talk to anyone, ask their opinions on local schools, sit outside schools at home time and observe the appearance and behaviour of students etc Visit shopping centres after school and see which schools 'feel' feels right. Drop in unexpectedly on your shortlisted schools etc etc

Sadly there is no league table as such.....but did recently see an OP results list for Queensland.

It can be rather hard to get all the pieces of your life back in the right order when emigrating.

Best Wishes,

Jan

quoll

There is a ranking for NSW schools for 2008 here

psheehan911

Thanks for all the advice. It would be great to hear from any expats with High School recommendations in the Northern Suburbs as well. Luckily we have friends in Turramurra that will advise as well.

MartinH

It depends on whether you are going private or not - if private then think about the school first (and if you have the money I would DEFINITELY go private).