Originally Posted by annep (Post 8527041)

thank you for all the comments

I've e mailed re 176 sponsorship and it looks like that's possible, we couldn't afford to go on a 457 due to college fees and medical care etc.

I work full time and husband part time,my wages would be equal that what we have here combined (more or less) and it seems to be swings and roundabouts on cost of living, what you save you spend elsewhere.

We've been researching for six months now but it's really difficult to see exactly how far things are from each other, especially since real estate.com seem to have changed their layout ! the hospital is in fairfield

We live in Nottingham, about half an hours bus ride to the center.
Son will hopefully be driving by then but husband won't be.
In an ideal world we would be within a reasonable commute for me (about 30 mins) and within reach of a decent center for shops (daughter) and college (son) in a nice community for the little ones and husband.
Please tell me this is possible ??

Anne

Originally Posted by salopian (Post 8528797)

If you want something within about 30 mins commute and your partner doesn't drive you'd need something on the Hurstbridge train line - Alphington, Ivanhoe, Heidelberg, Greensborough, Watsonia, Eltham -

Originally Posted by elice_in_oz (Post 8529086)

These are all great suburbs. I would also look a little bit further out. I live on the Hurtsbridge line near Greensborough and it's great.:thumbup: Great for schools and colleges as well.

Unfortunately, there aren't many 4 bedroom houses around here and they are all around the $500/week mark. Eltham seems to have slightly lower rents though but it's a very large suburb, and you'd still probably pay a bit more to be near the train station. Same goes with Greensborough - very spread out and therefore not always easy access to trains...

As for buying a 4 bedroom house for under $500,000, no way!:blink:

At the moment, prices have gone crazy in those suburbs. The highest sale in Watsonia until early last year had been around $370k. In the last year, I have seen small unrenovated house go for $400 to $500k and newer houses go for over $700k:ohmy: And I would know, we were looking there most of last year.

Greensborough and Eltham are the same. Houses in a good location (near train and amenities) go for silly prices at the moment.

That's not to say that prices won't go down or at least stabilise by the time the OP is in a position to buy, but I doubt there will be much of a slow down as most people who have been priced out of the likes of Ivanhoe, Rosanna are buying here in droves. I know, we were part of them ;)

Not much help I know, but as I said, things might change between now and when you get to Melbourne...:fingerscrossed:

Originally Posted by busterboy (Post 8665185)

The most sensible post that I have read on Eltham in a while. Pretty sick of the 'Eltham is dirt cheap' comments, maybe 5 years ago and probably in relation to other more expensive suburbs, Eltham still presents good value. Average Eltham house requiring a bit of work approx $570 - $620k, good Eltham house $680 - $780k, very good Eltham house with nothing to do and good block size starts around $720k and up to the $1m.

Originally Posted by busterboy (Post 8665185)

The most sensible post that I have read on Eltham in a while. Pretty sick of the 'Eltham is dirt cheap' comments, maybe 5 years ago and probably in relation to other more expensive suburbs, Eltham still presents good value. Average Eltham house requiring a bit of work approx $570 - $620k, good Eltham house $680 - $780k, very good Eltham house with nothing to do and good block size starts around $720k and up to the $1m.