First 5 weeks in Sydney...

[MsJulz]

Hi Everyone. I read so much on PIO before moving out here and what I found most useful were people’s real life experiences of the first few months. So here is my account.


We moved here 5 weeks ago from Edinburgh, OH and 2 little ones (4 & 2). We moved into a furnished holiday let in North Curl Curl, Northern Beaches. I felt it was quite expensive but was great to be so near the beach and important to feel comfortable, especially when first arriving.
Our first few days covered the usual – car hire, tax file number, Medicare, bank account etc. (oh, and I had pre-ordered an online shop from Coles which was delivered the first morning we were here, was brilliant). We had hired our car for only 2 weeks so made it a priority to buy a car pretty quickly to save on long term expense.


Next was where the heck to live, Sydney is massive (compared to Edinburgh). We visited quite a few areas including the Hills. I had read a lot on here about it but after driving there it felt very far out. No offense to anyone living there but for me personally I felt like we could have been anywhere, it was a bit like a giant housing estate. My priority, I realised, wasn’t the huge house but to feel like I actually lived in Sydney, or my expectations of it anyway. We also carefully considered Sutherlandshire, which was great, but I think my heart was set on the Northern Beaches.


After scouring domain.com and realestate.com every day we found a 3 bed house in Collaroy, Northern Beaches. It’s a tough rental market and moves fast but thankfully our house had been on for a couple of weeks so the fact we didn’t have jobs didn’t seem to matter. We did offer 2 months rent up front as an incentive but wasn’t required.


OH (accountant) joined a few agencies and after 2 interviews now has a job, great. Takes the pressure off as there are a number of initial outlays.


Next tasks for me (apart from making some pals!) is to find nursery places and a part time job. Bit tricky as the good nurseries have long waiting lists so need to enroll them but don’t want to commit to a certain number of days without a job that fits in? Bit of a catch 22, sure it will all work out.


Anyway, hope this is of use to some people. Oh and btw, it’s totally beautiful here. Weather is great, even in winter, we’ve been to the beach most days. There are parks and playgounds everywhere and people are helpful and friendly. Loving it. Good luck to all those in the process, it’s definitely all worth it.

[fleabo]

Collaroy - lovely spot! Well done - very envious.

We will be down North Curl Curl tmoz for Rugby - the local fryer does Deep Fried Mars Bars - in case you ever feel homesick.

Good luck!

[ClaireStanway]

Sounds like ur finding your feet. Sydney is a great city and you will really enjoy living there.

I hope to be back there soon too.

All the best for the future x

[whoiam]

A big thank you for your lovely post. I too enjoy reading posts from those who have just made the move and are finding their feet. Gives me an idea of what to expect..
All the very best for your future.

[mansawant]

Hi, we r also moving to North Sydney in August and hoping to find nice rental some where in Neutral Bay or Lane cove area.

...Mansawant

[Murta]

ms julz great post thanks!!
sounds a lovelyt spot..how long does it take your oh to commute (if he does).how much was the rental? my oh is a fund accountant and we both hope to work but sydney scares us expenses wise and exactly how you say dont want to live where we could be anywhere. we have 6 and 2 yr old so need to settle where we want to live as dont want o change schools once there

[Stellathedog]

Lovely post MsJulz!!

My daughter is in Russell Lea at the moment, but looking for a place to buy either in North Curl Curl or Collaroy.
She was outbid recently on the 'perfect' house and is finding it difficult to find anything to match it now.

She has a 2year old boy and baby number 2 is due in October, so your findings with the nursery places are of interest to me!

I know, she did put her name down on every list where she is now, until she found a lovely lady for childcare. Occasionally her name gets to the top of the lists and she is offered places, but they don't seem to mind if you say no. I guess there is always someone to take up the places?

Anyway, good luck with your new life there, maybe pass each other in November when I visit, ha ha ha.

Cheers Pam

[guest71686]

Collaroy has always looked nice when i drive through every day to work, only ever stop to get a pie from the most famous pie shop in the southern hemisphere ;)

oh and we had a meal out there once

best of luck

[deelydog]

Hi Everyone. I read so much on PIO before moving out here and what I found most useful were people’s real life experiences of the first few months. So here is my account.


We moved here 5 weeks ago from Edinburgh, OH and 2 little ones (4 & 2). We moved into a furnished holiday let in North Curl Curl, Northern Beaches. I felt it was quite expensive but was great to be so near the beach and important to feel comfortable, especially when first arriving.
Our first few days covered the usual – car hire, tax file number, Medicare, bank account etc. (oh, and I had pre-ordered an online shop from Coles which was delivered the first morning we were here, was brilliant). We had hired our car for only 2 weeks so made it a priority to buy a car pretty quickly to save on long term expense.


Next was where the heck to live, Sydney is massive (compared to Edinburgh). We visited quite a few areas including the Hills. I had read a lot on here about it but after driving there it felt very far out. No offense to anyone living there but for me personally I felt like we could have been anywhere, it was a bit like a giant housing estate. My priority, I realised, wasn’t the huge house but to feel like I actually lived in Sydney, or my expectations of it anyway. We also carefully considered Sutherlandshire, which was great, but I think my heart was set on the Northern Beaches.


After scouring domain.com and realestate.com every day we found a 3 bed house in Collaroy, Northern Beaches. It’s a tough rental market and moves fast but thankfully our house had been on for a couple of weeks so the fact we didn’t have jobs didn’t seem to matter. We did offer 2 months rent up front as an incentive but wasn’t required.


OH (accountant) joined a few agencies and after 2 interviews now has a job, great. Takes the pressure off as there are a number of initial outlays.


Next tasks for me (apart from making some pals!) is to find nursery places and a part time job. Bit tricky as the good nurseries have long waiting lists so need to enroll them but don’t want to commit to a certain number of days without a job that fits in? Bit of a catch 22, sure it will all work out.


Anyway, hope this is of use to some people. Oh and btw, it’s totally beautiful here. Weather is great, even in winter, we’ve been to the beach most days. There are parks and playgounds everywhere and people are helpful and friendly. Loving it. Good luck to all those in the process, it’s definitely all worth it.

Ms Julz, thanks I love these posts too.....we on our way over in sept...me, oh and 2kiddies.....8 & 5. Excited and nervous.....good luck and keep the posts coming.

[trasi]

thanks for taking the time to do this post, i find these threads very useful as moving Erina way end of aug.

Can i ask how much car hire is out there, as i will be looking to do this until i ? salary sacrifice a car (or rent).

xx