Moving to Melbourne

[lou17]

Hi

I am about to move to Melbourne with my husband and our 3 boys (11 and twins of 8). We have looked at the Where to Live in M.... guide and have been scouring the internet for houses to rent/buy. We will probably rent for the first 12 months and then buy when we have decided on areas etc.

My hubby has had a short visit already, to meet new work colleagues, and has had a quick tour of the Bayside area. We are all going over next week to visit prospective schools and to try and decide on an area to live.

Anybody got any advice on areas to live/schools etc ? Must admit I'm feeling abit worried about move ! Think its just fear of the unknown !!

Have just found this site and this is my first visit !

xx
Worried of the Netherlands (!)

[tracy123]

Hi and welcome to pio can you give alot more info on what you want And the price of what you can afford. What are your kids into? will they try new sports or do only want to play soccer? where will your husband be working? will you be working what do you do? all private info but as ive said many times its no good saying one place if it does not fit your needs!!!
Thanks
Geoffrey

[lou17]

Ok ! Heres the low down !!

James, my husband, will be working on Kilda Rd and we are planning/hoping/wondering if he can use public transport to get to the office. I expect the roads are the usual city madness in rush hour......

Our twins (8) and very keen football (soccer ) players and the whole family seem to get roped in every w/e here ! They are generally very keen on sport - cricket, swimming but mainly footie. Our eldest (11) is not so keen. He is, however, a budding thespian and is very keen to get involved in some drama groups/projects.

House wise - we would probably have between 1-1.3m $ to spend. The sites we've looked at on the internet give quite a wide choice in this bracket. More for your money if you move further inland. Ideally 4-bed tho and we would probably go for a more modern one. The auction system is new to us and I am keen to know more about it. Presumably the prices shown are only guide prices and the house will sell for more ? How much more tho ?!

I would like to get back to work at some point in the future but probably not for a while. I want to make sure everyone is settled first. (Thats my excuse, anyway, and I'm sticking to it !!).

As I mentioned we are coming out next week and plan to visit a couple of schools that can accommodate our boys and also to visit the Brighton, Hampton areas.

Thanks so much for replying ! Any info/tips you can give us will be much appreciated !

[tracy123]

Hi
with your budget a house or area will not be a problem. Since your husband will be working on St kilda road, tram would be the quickest way to get to work so what I will do is give you the tram routes that way you have an idea of what suburbs the trams run through. MELBOURNE Train & Tram map if you find Albert park, St kilda road runs next to it.
I have also a junior soccer web site listing all the clubs for your kids Football Federation Victoria as for your other son if you go to google.com.au and type in junior drama clubs melbourne loads of sites will come up.

If you can work out what club your 2 boys want to join and the drama club that your other son likes on the tram line that goes past your husband works, You have found the suburb thats right for your family (cross fingers)
Other than that travel on a few trams and you should get the feel for what you like.
I hope this info has helped
Enjoy your trip let us know how you get on, if you need any more info just let me know
Geoffrey

[Nick&Sharon]

Hi,

If you wan to receive a copy of "Where to live in Melbourne" I have recently been sent it and has proven very useful in identifying the areas for schools, crime, house price guide etc etc.

I have recently been offered a job in the Melbourne Office with my present company and just awaiting all the details and sorting visa etc. so very early days at present.

If you send your email address I will attach the pdf. (3MB)

Regards

Nick & Sharon
Soon to be in Melbourne

[lou17]

Hi Nick and Sharon,

We already have a copy - but thanks for the offer ! You're right, its very useful !
We definitley like the look of the Bayside area but will try to look further when we come for a visit next week. I'm really keen to see Melbourne and I think I'll feel much happier about the move when I can get a mental picture in my head when talking about it (!?) Does this sound strange ??
Hope you know what I mean !

Good look with all your plans.

Best regards,
Linda

[lou17]

Hi,

Fantastic ! Many thanks for all your advice. I will have a look at the clubs/drama sites straight away. As expats living in Holland, the sports clubs were no problem to find but the promise of an english speaking drama club for my eldest son was a real 'bonus/bribe' for us !

We will make sure we hop on and off a few trams too. It will give us an idea of timings etc into James' office etc.

Am going off to look at your sites now !

Many thanks again !

Linda