Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
#31
Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
Hi,
We have 3 children (13, 11 & 8). Our oldest goes to Helensvale High School and loves the school, last year his report home was great, but to be honest he has never had a bad school report.
I wouldn't have wanted him to go to Upper Coomera State College due to some stories we have heard but again we have friends who are perfectly happy with the school.
We have friends who have children in Helensvale Primary who are also happy.
Our daughters go to the new Coomera Rivers State school (Opened last year) and i would definitely recommend it, again both of them brought home great reports, the Prinicpal is lovely as are the teachers. My youngest daughters best friend was at one of the private schools in Upper Coomera and she said she is so glad that she pulled her out and sent her to Coomera Rivers instead!
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
We have 3 children (13, 11 & 8). Our oldest goes to Helensvale High School and loves the school, last year his report home was great, but to be honest he has never had a bad school report.
I wouldn't have wanted him to go to Upper Coomera State College due to some stories we have heard but again we have friends who are perfectly happy with the school.
We have friends who have children in Helensvale Primary who are also happy.
Our daughters go to the new Coomera Rivers State school (Opened last year) and i would definitely recommend it, again both of them brought home great reports, the Prinicpal is lovely as are the teachers. My youngest daughters best friend was at one of the private schools in Upper Coomera and she said she is so glad that she pulled her out and sent her to Coomera Rivers instead!
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
#32
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
Any reason you're decided on the Gold Coast?
I appreciate it's lovely down there (in parts) but if you have kids you may limit your time with them.
7am train (so leave home at 6.45am) leave Brisbane 5.05pm, home by 6pm ish - not much time to see the kids and they potentially may need after school care (age dependant).
The commute is the only reason I don't live on the coast. Instead I live in Brisbane and go to the coast just about every weekend (Gold or Sunshine Coast). Best of both worlds - with my job I'd not have much time in the evening to go to the beach anyway, so weekends are fine for me.
House prices are potentially a bit higher but not outrageously so if you live a bit further out (20 - 25min train commute).
Just a thought!
I appreciate it's lovely down there (in parts) but if you have kids you may limit your time with them.
7am train (so leave home at 6.45am) leave Brisbane 5.05pm, home by 6pm ish - not much time to see the kids and they potentially may need after school care (age dependant).
The commute is the only reason I don't live on the coast. Instead I live in Brisbane and go to the coast just about every weekend (Gold or Sunshine Coast). Best of both worlds - with my job I'd not have much time in the evening to go to the beach anyway, so weekends are fine for me.
House prices are potentially a bit higher but not outrageously so if you live a bit further out (20 - 25min train commute).
Just a thought!
now for the commute which is the only negative. with the kids and work we are always pretty tired. our commute to work odd as it sounds is the only time we can relax. at the moment its 40 mins on a bus. our thinking was that 60 mins on train isn't much worse and we can relax, read, do some work for our sideline on the laptop. this is kind of why driving is a no-no.
we really like the look of helensvale but after your comments have looked at where else we could go. saw shorncliffe but don't know much about it. only 30 mins on train. that means we'd be back to see kids by 6 ;-(
can you guys recommend any other good burbs on a train line that are busy suburbs and on way to beaches? we looked at wynnum which was nice but Mrs thought was bit rough
#33
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
I currently work as a teacher in Yatala at a good private school called Rivermount College, which stands 20 mins north of Helensvale. My 2 children attend and seem to be getting on great. Compared to schools in England I have taught in, it is paradise! I have also heard that Ormeau is an upcoming place to live which again is very near to Helensvale so it may be worth checking it out.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#34
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
I currently work as a teacher in Yatala at a good private school called Rivermount College, which stands 20 mins north of Helensvale. My 2 children attend and seem to be getting on great. Compared to schools in England I have taught in, it is paradise! I have also heard that Ormeau is an upcoming place to live which again is very near to Helensvale so it may be worth checking it out.
Good luck.
Good luck.
#35
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
From what I can see the schools may be good but basically you're back in the Hills District, bottom line is if there where any perfect compromises we'd all be doing it.
If your serious you need to take a trip up here & see where you like best.
Last edited by coldbeer; Feb 1st 2012 at 9:37 am.
#36
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
I once got the train from Ormeu, lots who got on there brought their own stools & sat in the isles quite a few just sat on the floor. No chance of a seat whatsoever
From what I can see the schools may be good but basically you're back in the Hills District, bottom line is if there where any perfect compromises we'd all be doing it.
If your serious you need to take a trip up here & see where you like best.
From what I can see the schools may be good but basically you're back in the Hills District, bottom line is if there where any perfect compromises we'd all be doing it.
If your serious you need to take a trip up here & see where you like best.
#37
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
Good luck & feel free to drop me a line if you settle here.
#38
Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
I once got the train from Ormeu, lots who got on there brought their own stools & sat in the isles quite a few just sat on the floor. No chance of a seat whatsoever
From what I can see the schools may be good but basically you're back in the Hills District, bottom line is if there where any perfect compromises we'd all be doing it.
If your serious you need to take a trip up here & see where you like best.
From what I can see the schools may be good but basically you're back in the Hills District, bottom line is if there where any perfect compromises we'd all be doing it.
If your serious you need to take a trip up here & see where you like best.
#39
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
"Back in the Hills" district - a very one sided point of view. I think its personal preference to be honest. 40 minutes from Brisbane, 20 minutes from the Gold Coast, 3 schools, a train station and with everything else we need right on our door step puts us exactly where we want to be. And I would expect that once Ormeau Town Centre is built, which includes another train station, it will become a very popular place to live.
#40
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
Hi itxrd,
Just another point of view on the commute. My oh, does it every day and is very happy. Gets on at Coomera. Either 6:55 or 7:10, doesn't get a seat usually but prefers a good place to lean. Gets on at Central coming home and always sits, which to be fair is when you need it after a day at work. Yes it's a busy but you can use the time to unwind. I see a few people walking to the train station from a new development, near the Coomera Rivers new state school. I think it's called big sky?. There is also a new high school being built near to the area. I thought the info might help to confuse you even more.
Just another point of view on the commute. My oh, does it every day and is very happy. Gets on at Coomera. Either 6:55 or 7:10, doesn't get a seat usually but prefers a good place to lean. Gets on at Central coming home and always sits, which to be fair is when you need it after a day at work. Yes it's a busy but you can use the time to unwind. I see a few people walking to the train station from a new development, near the Coomera Rivers new state school. I think it's called big sky?. There is also a new high school being built near to the area. I thought the info might help to confuse you even more.
#42
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Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
Hi itxrd,
Just another point of view on the commute. My oh, does it every day and is very happy. Gets on at Coomera. Either 6:55 or 7:10, doesn't get a seat usually but prefers a good place to lean. Gets on at Central coming home and always sits, which to be fair is when you need it after a day at work. Yes it's a busy but you can use the time to unwind. I see a few people walking to the train station from a new development, near the Coomera Rivers new state school. I think it's called big sky?. There is also a new high school being built near to the area. I thought the info might help to confuse you even more.
Just another point of view on the commute. My oh, does it every day and is very happy. Gets on at Coomera. Either 6:55 or 7:10, doesn't get a seat usually but prefers a good place to lean. Gets on at Central coming home and always sits, which to be fair is when you need it after a day at work. Yes it's a busy but you can use the time to unwind. I see a few people walking to the train station from a new development, near the Coomera Rivers new state school. I think it's called big sky?. There is also a new high school being built near to the area. I thought the info might help to confuse you even more.
on another note train fare is dear. $20 a day. anyone know why they got rid of the monthly/annual passes? gits
#44
Re: Thinking of moving to Helensvale, Gold Coast
okay nice one. that's good to hear. coomera is just 6 mins closer so that's promising for helensvale. wouldn't kill me standing one way either but its easy to talk ;-). thanks!
on another note train fare is dear. $20 a day. anyone know why they got rid of the monthly/annual passes? gits
on another note train fare is dear. $20 a day. anyone know why they got rid of the monthly/annual passes? gits
I know you said that the commute is wind-down time for you but not if it's jostling all the way surely? Not being able to sit and read/work would for me it would be a royal pain in the butt!
Hope it works out for you!