moving to Sydney

**Chris & Aileen** · 29-01-2008, 01:48 PM

Hi everyone
we are moving to Sydney in May and would like some advice on good family area's to rent near some good primary schools (our son will be 5 in may) and easy commute to the city (up to 45min by train)I know its proberly to much to ask ,but if anyone has any advice that would be great.

regards Chris

**mutikonka** · 29-01-2008, 11:48 PM

There should be a sticky on this question it is asked so often. Really, it depends on what price range you're looking at - Sydney is expnsive for property. Many people have suggested "the Hills" suburbs (Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills etc) but this area doesn't have good train services. If you can afford it I would go for the North Shore - just look at the suburbs along the north shore line (Chatswood, Gordon etc) - a nice area for kids.

**koala12** · 30-01-2008, 07:27 AM

Hi Chris & Aileen
Welcome to the site and glad to hear some more people are coming to Sydney - it's a great place and you'll love it! Difficult to advise on areas as not sure of your budget - there are some nice areas on the North Shore and also the other side which are all near the City and beaches.....depends on a lot of factors.

**vanita suman** · 30-01-2008, 07:50 AM

Hi Chris,

We lived in Sydney from Jan 2001 to Jan 2005 and came back to England to be closer to family whilst my son was little. He is now just over 4 years old and we are going to move back to Sydney hopefully later on this year (as my son would be starting school in Oz in Jan 2009).

We used to live in Glenwood which is in the Hills District and will definately be moving back to the Hills District - I am looking at Castle Hill this time but would move back to Glenwood too as it was a lovely suburb. The schools in the Hills District are all meant to be very good an I used to drive to Blacktown station (about 10 minutes drive) and get a train from there to the city which would take rouhly about 40-45 minutes.

I like the Hills District because it is family orientated with good schools and houses are more affordable than being very close to the city. For me, it was also far enough away from the city but close enough when we wanted to go into the city like on weekends etc.

Hope that helps.

Vanita

**Sunsh1ne** · 30-01-2008, 07:59 AM

Hi Chris and Aileen

We're also moving to Sydney in May and have a boy who will be 5 in June. It's good to hear of other people going to Sydney as I rarely read about people moving there - normally Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane and I was starting to wonder why so few go to Sydney - I expect its to do with expense but as my brother is there it makes sense for us to be nearby.

I'm also looking for surburbs so am very interested to read the replies. We've decided to get a short term rental for a week or two before we go and once there go all out to find something a people longer term likes 6 months or so. This should give us sufficient time to really recce about where we want to be.

We did visit in April this year and loved the North Shore area - my husband liked St. Ives which is a bit inland but not much. People are right though it does depend on budget and from scanning on line anything goes !

Good luck with the move.

**Chris & Aileen** · 24-02-2008, 03:35 PM

Thanks for the message Michael and apologies for not responding sooner - a combination of computer trouble and a manic time with medicals, cvs and visas etc! But all on track now, just the countdown to May and organising 60,000 other jobs!! We were looking at the North Shore as I (Aileen) have a cousin in Wahroonga already. But just wondered if the areas were still as nice if you move slightly further in towards Sydney along that same line - Pymble etc...

**Chris & Aileen** · 24-02-2008, 03:38 PM

Hi Vanita

Thanks for your response and sorry not to come back sooner but life here has been a bit mad, but now with visas sorted and notice handed in and party organised..... we're getting there! I had heard the Hills was nice, but ideally we would like to be within walking distance of a station so Aileen can get to work in the city and we're only planning on having 1 car! We have been focussing a bit on North Shore, but interested to hear your comments. What did you think of the North Shore? Was it just too expensive?

Aileen and Chris

**Chris & Aileen** · 24-02-2008, 03:41 PM

And good luck with your move too! It's all mad isn't it what with all the things to be done!

We are looking at the North Shore and also will be renting short term in the centre and then staying with a cousin for a while so hopefully will have time to do some digging too!

Perhaps we'll be heading out at almost the same time!

Chris and Aileen

**Stuju** · 24-02-2008, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Chris & Aileen

Hi everyone
we are moving to Sydney in May and would like some advice on good family area's to rent near some good primary schools (our son will be 5 in may) and easy commute to the city (up to 45min by train)I know its proberly to much to ask ,but if anyone has any advice that would be great.

regards Chris

Hi Chris,
The north shore is a very nice area and some say affordable - justa thought have you looked at the "Central Coast" (depends on your work and how close to Sydney you want to be)
The coast is alot more afforable than Sydney and has alot going on for familes to (theres afew others on this site moving to the coast) its is about one hour by train from Sydney and approx 1 hours drive from Sydney depending on the time of day that you drive it - hubby drives to Sydney most days and takes 1 hour to get to the north shore first thing in the morning.
All the best with your move
gizmo

**Liz** · 25-02-2008, 11:08 AM

Hi Everyone
I am also moving to Sydney with my family later on this year. My husband had a few weeks out in oz last year to choose what he thought was an affordable but nice area for us. We've decided on North Shore a place called Frenchs Forest. (If anyone can tell me anything about FF I would love to hear).
Good Luck to everyone.
Liz