If anyone is working in this area or lives near.
I am interested in nice areas to live with say 45 minutes by train or car.
Prefer small village feel if possible and have 3 kids, twins 8 and one 3 year old so need good schools too.
Any advice appreciated.
Most areas east of the Lane Cove river/road are nice but pricey (Killara, Pymble etc are some of the most expensive suburbs). Can't really comment on the NW "Hills" suburbs except that I'm told they are family oriented (Bible Belt??), and don't have such good public transport links.
Depends what lifestyle you want. South off the river is new migrant territory. In the inner west the most villagey suburbs are places like Balmain, Leichardt (Italian) and Summer Hill.
We're in Strathfield which has many good schools (MLC, Santa Sabina, St Pats) but I wouldn't recommend it as a place to live if you had a choice!
We are in Picton , which is a long way from North Ryde and not really a practical commuter distance , however , we have friends in Berowra to the North of North Ryde . It is a good residential area , and is on the railway line and freeway system . may be worth a look at ..
If anyone is working in this area or lives near.
I am interested in nice areas to live with say 45 minutes by train or car.
Prefer small village feel if possible and have 3 kids, twins 8 and one 3 year old so need good schools too.
Any advice appreciated.
The Hills District is a great place to bring up a family. Homes vary in price from reasonable to very expensive and the schools are great.State and private. It is also close to North Ryde. I can understand the reason for a poster calling it the "Bible Belt" but I can assure you it is no more a" Bible Belt" than any other area of Sydney. It's a large area and well worth a look.
Hi Ken,
I live in Cheltenham. That is very quiet and leafy and about 20 mins from North Ryde. With children I would recommend Epping or Beecroft, both have several schools to choose from, public and private. A bit further north is Castle Hill with a big shopping centre but no train link as yet into town, although one is in the planning stages. Carlingford is nice but again has no direct train link into the CDB a yet. All these are within 20 mins to North Ryde (possibly more in traffic). If you go a bit further out Dural, Glenhaven and Glenorie are very much out in the sticks, again no train links. The houses are quite pricey but not when you consider the amount of land yu get for your money. I completely agree with Ellie that the Hills District is worth serious consideration.
Have just re-read my post, 4 days later!! Can't imagine why I wrote that the Hills District is not close to North Ryde! Ofcourse it is. You'd think that having lived in the Hills for 36 years I wouldn't make a mistake like that!
We're flying out to Sydney on 4th Jan 08 and Geoff's new job is in North Ryde too.
After MUCH research over the last 3 months, we're looking to live in Belrose/Frenchs Forest to be in the catchment area of Davidson High school.
Our children are 15,14 & 10 and the first thing that we looked at which led us to Davidson High is that they take part in the Rock Challenge competition, which is a dramatic dance competition that also happens in UK.
I have a big fat folder of crime stats, facilities, etc etc etc & we think we can JUST about afford to live there!
We'll stay in a holiday home type place for the first 3 weeks or so before we make our final decisions.....i'm guessing it's one thing doing research online and another getting the real feel of a place! We'll have a good look around once we're over the jet lag!
When do you go? Hey....it would be weird if you're working at the same company wouldn't it! PM me if you like.......
I'd just like to add to that.......Glenorie is a bit more out in the sticks, and perhaps Dural (some parts) as well, but Glenhaven is only 5 mins from Castle Hill!!! It is a small village - on the edge of the countryside, but yet only a few mins from fabulous shopping. There are two schools in Glenhaven - the Glenhaven Public School and Samuel Gilbert (although strictly sepaking Samuel Gilber is Castle Hill.
Hope that helps. Certainly keep these places in mind, but take a drive around yourself when you get here.
Daphne
Quote:
Originally Posted by diane_d
Hi Ken,
I live in Cheltenham. That is very quiet and leafy and about 20 mins from North Ryde. With children I would recommend Epping or Beecroft, both have several schools to choose from, public and private. A bit further north is Castle Hill with a big shopping centre but no train link as yet into town, although one is in the planning stages. Carlingford is nice but again has no direct train link into the CDB a yet. All these are within 20 mins to North Ryde (possibly more in traffic). If you go a bit further out Dural, Glenhaven and Glenorie are very much out in the sticks, again no train links. The houses are quite pricey but not when you consider the amount of land yu get for your money. I completely agree with Ellie that the Hills District is worth serious consideration.
