Originally Posted by Big Galah

Yarralumla and Deakin are inner-south, so it's would only be a short, very nice drive across the bridge to the "CBD" (har har - you'll see why) every morning for your husband. If you could manage to rent for a while in these areas you'd love it - but be warned - you'd never want to live anywhere else.(If you had a house on a nice street near the lake you'd see why.) You could use living there as an opportunity to explore the suburbs nearby and get a feel for them, if price-wise they are more realistic.

I was lucky and managed to rent a decent-sized 3-bed cottage in Yarralumla for $300 pw (they were asking $350) back in late 2004, but you'd be lucky to get anything like that now - rental property vacancies in Canberra are now about 1%.

Deakin is next to Yarralumla and is also nice and expensive. Not far from Deakin you have Hughes, which is still nice but not so expensive. You might want to check it out.

Also, with primary schools in mind, there's Garran. As an area I'd say it's on a par with Hughes. Garran Primary has a good reputation, I hear, but has serious competition for places - hence the need to live in the catchment area i.e. actually in the suburb. Garran has also got The Canberra Hospital across the road from the school.

FYI - Some of the other "upper-end" suburbs, should you see them mentioned, are Red Hill, Forrest, Manuka, O'Connor and O'Malley. Be aware you'd be on a par with upper-end Sydney prices in these areas.

Good luck.

Big.

Originally Posted by samjam

Hi, We moved to Canberra 18 mths ago and also have 4 year old twin boys!
We live in the south in Tuggeranong and love it. Feel free to ask away and we'll try to help you.

Originally Posted by zx10r_aus

Have you thought about Jerrabomberra? Or a rural property?


ZX.....

Originally Posted by zx10r_aus

Where in Tuggeranong are you? We are in Richardson.


ZX......

Originally Posted by zx10r_aus

Where in Tuggeranong are you? We are in Richardson.ZX......

Originally Posted by Hel&Will

Hiya

We are looking at emigrating to the Tuggeranong area in October/November. Probably Theodore, Calwell, Richardson or Chisholm - we have relatives in Theodore and Chisholm. Did you settle and find jobs quickly? We have been there twice now and really like Canberra (apart from not being near the sea!) but if you have any advice would be really glad to hear it.

many thanks

Hel

Originally Posted by 3littlefigs

Is the joke the traffic jam getting over the bridge?

Originally Posted by sasbear

Yeah loads - pm me for any direct info - but most schools are ok - we have one of the best primary schools close by - Fraser primary. Government has recently had a lot of closures on government funded schools so it has had a bit of a negative effect. But IMO as a qualified teacher - the schools they closed were only pulling in minority numbers - some class sizes were 7! I taught a class of 3 once

They don't seem to have the same problems with class size as back in the UK, even in High School. Class sizes vary from 11 - 22.

Originally Posted by inge35

Hi,

We are moving to Canberra in August. We have two kids 6 and 8 yrs old so any tips on good areas to live regarding school and housing would be most welcomed. It is all a bit overwelming at the moment so many suburbs and websites of schools that all help is welcome.

Thanks,

Inge

Originally Posted by sasbear

Congratulations on your decision to move to Canberra. It is a beautiful place - Australia's best kept secret!

Are you moving for work? Have you visited before?

Sas

Originally Posted by inge35

Hi Sas,

Yes we're moving for work my husband was made an offer at ANU. ANU is applying for a sponsored permanent visa for the whole family so we are waiting to hear what we have to do next. I haven't been yet but my husband went for his interview and liked it immediately. I think from reading and looking up stuff online it will be right up our alley. It seems like the perfect combination of city life and outdoor live. I love sunny weather. I crave light and the greyness and dampness of the UK is really not agreeing with me.
Both my kids are very active and crave outdoor activities again Canberra looks like the perfect place. We are all looking forward to moving there.


Inge

Originally Posted by sasbear

Great to hear - I adore it here. Specifically the cleanliness and the open spaces - it just doesn't feel like a city at all.

Good luck and feel free to email me if you need any specific info

Sas

Originally Posted by inge35

I love sunny weather. I crave light and the greyness and dampness of the UK is really not agreeing with me.

Originally Posted by Big Galah

Bring your sunnies. Blue-sky days are the norm in Canberra, even in winter.
Be warned, one day you'll find yourself craving rain. I kid you not.

Big.