Hi Stela,

We lived in Gordon Avenue, Chatswood (just off the Pacific Highway) We left Aus in Jan 2002 and came back to the UK.
We are now in the process of moving back (but to Brisbane this time!!)
My hubby is from Sydney and said that crime on the lower North shore was very common due to it being a particularly affluent area (the police also told us this at the time) Our neighbours had metal bars on the windows!!!! :scared:
Shortly after we were burgled I was chatting with a couple of patients on my ward who lived in a the same sort of area and many of them had similar horror stories...one told me how her house was robbed by druggies whilst her 9 month old sat in his playpen watching them
When she walked into the room and confronted them, they begged her to let them go as they needed the money so badly for heroin..... nice

Sorry, I'll just ask hubby about good areas....back in a min

He says it all depends on how much money you have to spend, and where you need to be.....

God what a nightmare for you, makes you go cold doesn't it We were in WA last week and we were saying how the houses didn't seem very secure - was a bit of a worry, especially as my brother in law smokes and kept going outside for a smoke and then coming in and not locking door!

Same thing happened to a couple of my mates in Victoria Park; apparently it is not uncommon for the thief (or thieves) to wait a few months for the insurance to come through, then pop round to nick all the new stuff.

Bugger of a thing to happen; you have my sympathy.

Yes, we were told that too...as we were moving back, we didn't bother replacing much from the time time.....they trashed the place again...but when we checked they'd only pinched a packet of Oreos. hehehe

whoops, sorry, meant to say 'first time'

LOL!

They waited for you to claim on the insurance and buy new goods... It's quite a common technique, sadly. (Edit: - Which I see Vash already mentioned... )

I'm really sorry this happened to you.

I think I'd wait in with a baseball bat and surprise the bastards.

Hi, thanks for that info, that area sounds dreadful :scared: . def wont be going there . The areas we have been looking into are between Newcastle & Sydney coastline, we like the look of a place called cococabana?, has your husband heard of this and its reputation?. Yeah Brisbane is nice place, my best friend lives in Redhill. Sydney is the choice for us, with my husbands job, i hope it goes well for you, and you get your visa soon .



Stela

Do you not have a lockable screen door outside the proper door? We have one, so when the washing or drying's happening, the main door is open but the screen door is locked but the room is still ventilated.

Really sorry about the burglary. It doesn't bear thinking about with children in the house. Mind you at least they shouldn't be traumatised by it.

We have a screen door but it doesnt lock ...

bummer. Can you have one fitted somehow?

Could you attach one? I should think Bunnings would be able to sort that.

If you're in a rental, ask the landlord to secure it for you....

We are in a rental and the moment it hits 9am I will be on the phone to agent.