Crossedover Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I have researched Perth as much as one can from my iPad in Durban... And from 5 days there last October!! I was comfortable with my basic choices... Live North... Liked St Stephens school for the kids, decided we would close by... Bla bla bla! Then the first response my husband gets from his CV is in Sydney.... And of course we want it all! My husband will work at the port/ near the port and he does not want to commute to work for an hour twice a day. I want a nice area for my children to meet nice friends, with lovely schools AND it can't cost a bomb!! $700 a week is really all we can afford especially just starting out.... Does anybody have the magic answer for us.... And area suggestions for the 2nd most expensive city on earth!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heymanse Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Maybe BriD can help you. Her husband also works in the area and they have decided to settle in Oyster Bay and they seemed pretty happy. Unfortunately, we are on the total opposite side about 50 min drive (in good traffic) from the airport so I cannot really comment on the community in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 If you say port, do you mean Port Botany where cargo gets delivered, not passenger cruises or other Sydney harbour destinations? If its Botany: There are very few formites in Southern Sydney. Only one springing to mind is BriD, who was all set for Melbourne when husband got job near to the airport in Sydney. Her info would be very current too, so get onto her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Hiya Yeah...I think often we get an area stuck in our head. Plan for that and when the curve ball comes we feel completely lost.If you do mean the Port near Botany Bay, then I would really suggest you look on the other side of Botany Bay in the area of the Sutherland Shire. We have settled in "The Shire" and we could not be happier. We are in the Oyster Bay area and pay $595.00 for a 3 bedroom house with a big garden. My hubby works in Matraville, it takes him 35 mins to drive to work. Having said that...he leaves for work at 6am and gets back after 7pm. So that is something to take into account. Depending on where your hubby will be working, you could check on it's proximity to train lines...the Shire line take about 35 mins into the centre of Sydney and there are plenty of stations out this way.There are some very good schools around here. People are friendly and the landscape is hills and valleys, lots of green and lots of birdlife. The closest beach is Cronulla beach about 10 mins from us, which feels like Umhlanga. I discover new things everyday that I love here...cannot imagine us moving unless circumstances take us far from Sydney.You are welcome to message me if you want any more information. Our plans also did not work out as we envisioned (we started in Melbourne)...but in hindsight, our move was the best thing for us and we are really happy here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 .... And area suggestions for the 2nd most expensive city on earth!!! Those headlines that say that, quoting cost of living studies, are not true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miran Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 Oh boy, exactly the same happened to us...... NEVER PLAN TOO FAR AHEAD...... We were on our way to Adelaide, our first choice. Melbourne was really low on our list. Guess what? We're going to Melbourne. I've really had a hard time for about 2 days, then I started looking at Sunbury with different eyes. It's about 30 km from hubby's work but he is travelling almost 200 km daily now, so he doesn't mind. I'm getting really excited now. It's really a case of mind over matter. I know now we can be just as happy in Melbourne. Good luck, you will end up where you are supposed to be! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossedover Posted July 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 The office is located between Port Botany and Matraville.... Just had so many people say don't go south of the river.... But hey you will always be south of some river anybody know some great high schools that won't break the bank...?? I think that is where I need to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted July 25, 2014 Report Share Posted July 25, 2014 I think that perhaps they are referring to the areas near Matraville. Like Randwick and surrounds. We were also told to steer clear from there. However you cross the bridge over Botany Bay and it is a whole new world. Sutherland shire is full of Australians...There are immigrants but not in intense pockets like the inner south. Very friendly and peaceful. There are a couple of very good high schools. ..I would need to check for sure. ..But I think Gymea high school is considered very good. I will check. .. Obviously I have been focused on primary schools. The shire has some very expensive property because of the bays. ..stunning water views. But non water view property not as expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rozellem Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 Ha ha, depends who you talk to and hearsay has a lot to answer for too. I think Randwick is fab. Couldn't afford to buy a garden shed there myself. I client was telling me yesterday how her daughter is house hunting there at the moment. They have just walked away from a complete renovation project of a house. It was 90 years old, rising damp, all sorts of wood pests, guttering rusted through, leaning retaining walls, etc, etc. Yours to buy for offers over $1.6mil. And people were fighting for it. Crossingover, I have sent you a pm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BriD Posted July 26, 2014 Report Share Posted July 26, 2014 Yeah too true Rozelle. But high prices also because of proximity to Sydney. Witnessed some dumps selling for insane amounts. In the end it is a personal preference. .. And you'll only know what you want and what would work for you once you are here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chapter2 Posted July 27, 2014 Report Share Posted July 27, 2014 Interesting to read the thread. About two years ago my wife and I decided to explore the possibility of relocating to Aus. Brisbane was the first that came to mind....silly reason really but I reckoned Queensland loves their rugby (union) and I do too so that seemed like the obvious starting point for a smooth transition. Much has changed since that inception. We got cold feet and opted to out. May 2014 we picked up on the thought, this time going over into action. Passports already in hand, UB and UM certificates in hand, I wrote my IELTS test a week ago...skills assessment to follow etc etc. I spent countless hours researching and google earthing every corner from east coast to west coast. We have seen ourselves settling in each city from Brisbane to Perth to Adelaide to Melbourne (always been afraid of the high cost of living and traffic of Sydney). Our first choice is Melbourne....but from what I read, it could all change and chuck all planned ideas out of the window. I am in construction (quantity surveyor) and need to be in the big cities where the most opportunities are. To be honest, at this point I would accept wherever I can find suitable employment....holding thumbs it will be Melbourne though...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanessa Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Hi there,My husband has been on the Gold Coast for a week now and will be moving to Brisbane shortly. He is also looking for QS work. He has a degree in Quantity Surveying and a Masters in Construction management. What he has noticed is that there is a reluctance to employ if you do not have Australian work experience. He has many years of experience as well as Solid Project Management experience in Immovable Asset Management having worked for a long time for the CSIR. I will admit he is feeling slightly disillusioned by the icy cool Australian reception in terms of job applications.I still remain positive that it will all fall into place and that our two little girls and I will soon join him.Fingers crossed for you too . : )Regards,V 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SurferMan Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Hi Vanessa,Chin up girl, he will find something, and then you tick the Aussie experience box! See you guys soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanessa Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 We were supposed to go down in December but I dont think we can hold out that long. We are all miserable. So if all works out in terms of my work (my company is allowing me to work in Business Process Analysis as a consultant) , then we will see him in about 6 weeks. (By then I am sure I will feel newly-wed all over again!! ) This weekend he will visit friends in North Lakes, QLD and speak to agents about renting a place there.Geez.. sorry guys, it appears that I am Sorry !! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.