yanH

Hi Chels, We'll be along again in a couple of weeks or so, us oldies take a bit longer to recover

Rudi

With the new Lane Cove tunnel you are looking at about 30-40 mins travelling time from Castle Hill to North Sydney. You do however have tolls to pay on the M2 and in the Tunnel!!!

Rudi

Jacque

Try the northern line suburbs for sub $500 per week rentals. For example:

http://www.domain.com.au/Public/Prop...x?adid=4146381

http://www.domain.com.au/Public/Prop...x?adid=5261751

The northern suburbs offer good value for money, in my opinion, as you can still access transport to the CBD, retain that "bush/semi-rural" feel and are close to good schools etc. Hutch is right on with the Turramurra area too, as it's leafy and green in parts, and also has the benefit of a rail line.

I love the Hills, but you do need to be prepared to catch a bus, drive or drive to a nearby railway line for city access. I don't mind the bus or driving (especially since the installation of the terrific Lane Cove tunnel) too much but each to their own. Good luck with the search and the new job offer

Matt

Thanks for your responses guys, they have been post helpful

I like the look of North Curl Curl as the school looks to be somewhere close to what my daighter is used to here where we live in the sticks in the UK.

Just found out I have to pay for schooling whilst on a working visa though......

Also, property to rent looks like it is very hard to come by at a reasonable price in NCC,

I also like the look of Queenscliff but

a) I dont know if that will be too close to Sydney (we are from a very rural area in the UK) and being to close to a big city might be too much of a big move for us
b) If there is a decent school

Thanks

Matt

Jacque

What type of schooling are you wanting- public (free and funded by the govt) or private? (fees range anywhere from $3K p/a up)

nufc

bare in mind that north cc , is only 5 mins drive form queenscliff, harbord, and dwy, so you dont have be in ncc as such, our son goes to ncc school its a great school and area around any of theses surberbs, all close 2gether

Matt

As I understand it, on a 457, I still need to pay if it is a state school

Is that correct?

I dont think I would be able to pay for private with my starting salary

I really like the look of the North Curl Curl School

Matt

Matt

I've been looking at Oyster Bay, anyone got any ideas what its like to live there?

What are the schools like?

Thanks

Matt

yanH

Yes Matt that is right. On a 457 visa in NSW you have to pay $4500 dollars a year per child to attend public school (it might be a little bit more in years 9,10,11 and 12). On top of this you are still expected to pay the contributions which can be up to about $1000 dollars for the year including trips, sports textbooks etc. Also any transport that you might need to school will be at your own expense (buses and trains are free for permanent residents).

Matt

Thanks

Do you know if fees are paid monthly, quarterly or annually?

Thanks

Matt

Sandra

We had to pay ours annually, we had to pay 9000 when they started in May and those fees lasted for a year till the next May. My daughters primary did not let her start until the department of education confirmed they had the money. My sons school let him start the next day.

We then got a refund when we became PR the following year for the part period of the year remaining.

You might be able to discuss with your company about the fees being included as part of your LAFHA. This means you can reduce your tax liability which could be as much as 46.5% if you are earning over $150K

Cheers

Timmmaaahhhh

North Shore would be perfect. Bit expensive in and around Manly - for $500/wk, suggest you move out a bit, towards Frenchs Forest etc. Only 30 mins into town on bus, very rural etc. Plus you're only 10 mins from beach

HeatherandTim

Just want to add my bit to this thread. We live in Frenchs Forest and its a great location. Bushy, quiet yet 10 mins to Manly & Dee Why for great restaurants or beach. I find it safe and a good central location. There are Buses to city but not alot to North Sydney. Driving to North Sydney takes about 25mins. The nice thing about this area is that you are still part of the beach culture. If you go over the Roseville bridge or as far as St Ives then you probably wont go to the beach alot. And one of the great things about living here is going to the beach or at least seeing the beaches on alot of occasions, esp if you have children. Hope that helps.

SydneySwede

My OH is from Oyster Bay and we live in Engadine which is about 20 min away. Oyster Bay is green and leefy; beautiful Como is down the road with a nice marina, a few cafees, a good Thai and several sport teams.
Oyster Bay is not a happening place but Cronulla is about 20 min drive away and there you find lots of restaurants, pubs, clubs, shopping, beach etc.
Commuting from Sutherland or Jannali is ok, about 45 min to CBD. Don't know much about schools. There is a primary school in Oyster Bay and then you'd go to Jannali or Gymea High school I think.
I am very happy in "the Shire"

yanH

As Sandra said fees are paid annually in advance, and run for exactly a year from the day you pay. Also first time around there is an admin fee of $110 per child. Both of our schools said they were unable to let the children start school until they had received notification from the education department that we had paid. I think that took about a week from sending the forms.