Ellie 2

I think not wanting to over stretch themselves shows some common sense. No I am not making assumption about Scots people. Money has always been a commodity that had to be used with care in most Scots households. I know this because I am one. It is only in recent years that there has been government help for families.

Sorry to disappoint you but 3 of my 4 sons were the same and 2 of them are Scots born! Never mind you will have the pleasure of watching your grandchildren do the same to them. The only problem is if you're like me you'll spoil the grandchildren rotten.

You are assuming that they are stupid enough not to have negotiated a salary that will support the lifestyle of the family. I give people more credit than that. I would also expect that as they are Scots they would be able to manage their money pretty well.

No, I did not miss the point. Even a blind man could see that you were pointing out the pitfalls of the 457 visa, but surely someone could have said that if they decided to come on that visa that they would/could encounter more difficulties than they would on a pr visa but that it was still possible to have a good life.

I had to smile when I read "Please don"t take the advice and pointing out of pitfalls negative, fore warned is fore armed." Why did I smile? I have read all the posts and there is not one positive amongst them. No mention of the fact that theymight just have a decent life here. Another thing that bothers me is people are constantly told they will struggle if they don't have a large salary. Not everyone in Sydney has a "large" salary yet they seem to get on fine - mostly because they have learned to shop smart. I'm not saying things will be easy - emigrating never is and it is harder now than when I came with my family 50 years ago. However, if your prepared for the fact that it will probably be tough for the first few years you can still build a good life for your family.

Working in the Parramatta CBD I would suggest that you look at the suburbs of Northmead, Winston Hills, Baulkham Hills and perhaps North Rocks. All are very good suburbs and as well as being close to Parramatta have all of the amenities that a family would want. The rentals, listed on realestate.com.au, in these suburbs range from $540 t0 900 for a 4 bedroom place. There are good catholic schools in these suburbs as well as sports facilities. Hope this helps.

For the first few years I was here I wore summer clothes all year. Couldn't understand why people were going about all rugged up, but I suppose it was because I had come from Scotland and anything over 14 is considered a heat wave. After many years I still don't much like the heat but I do sometimes complain that it's freezing.

Parramatta itself isn't the best place to live if you have children - it's fine for couples. As has been said the suburbs north of Parramatta are great for children. Plenty of parks, sports clubs and the schools are really good. It obviously takes longer to travel to Sydney but the express bus which travels along the M2 has shortened the commute and the Northwest rail link will also help. There is also the station at Seven Hills, which has good parking,you could use if you live around Baulkham Hills, Bella Vista or Winston Hills. I had a look at the crime map and have come to the conclusion that it is too general i.e. it labels a whole local government area with one statistic. All suburbs in one council area are not the same.

I know there is a preschool at the Entrance. I think it is a community one and it has just reopened after being very badly damaged in a storm last year. That may not be convenient for you, but there would be plenty of others on the Coast. The only difficulty may be that they will have no places left in July. Some primary schools do have preschools attached but the children do not go 5 days a week. They attend either 3 or 2 days eg. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, Friday. However these are even more difficult to secure a place in as they cost much less than the private ones. http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/gotoschool/types/preschoollist.php

You might get plenty work in. around and north of the Coast up to Newcastle, then commuting wouldn't be a problem. I know a chippie who lives on the Coast and he very rarely has to come to Sydney for work.

It isn't nearly as pleasant to live in and around Sydney now as it was in1968.

EJMac said salary was $140k including super so shouldn't he be working things out on $125k minus tax?

Looks like your mind is still in UK distance mode. lol ! 25 minute drive is nothing here. People drive 100k for an afternoon drive and lunch. If you go to the Northern Beaches you will have a much longer commute to the city for work.

Baulkham Hills High School is missing from that list. It is ranked 6th, after Sydney boys and before Hornsby Girls.

Parramatta has plenty of good restaurants , wine bars, I think, cinemas and a theatre. Used to have nightclubs but don't know if any still exist. Plenty of trains to and from City and there is the ferry but don't know how late it runs. Google nightlife in Parramatta and you'll get a good list.

The Hills District is worth consideration. Lots of tradies live there, Should be plenty of work around with the redevelopment of Parramatta and the new airport at Badgery's Creek.

A lot of tradies live in the Hills District. It might be worth considering as there should be plenty of work locally with the redevelopment of Parramatta and the new airport at Badgery's Creek.

If they don't have it, they can't lose it. I don't see why they should be force to become citizens. They are legally entitled to be here and have the privileges. They have contributed to the country.

Maybe he thought that he was a citizen. Coming here 51 years ago his parents, as they were British, would have had virtually all the rights and privileges that a citizen has and when he became 18 he would have gone on to the electoral roll. In those days they used to come round the houses checking that everyone who was 18,and entitled, was on the roll. However , that does not excuse him from responsibility for his actions.

Give me a top loader every time. Had one for years when washing for 6. Clothes were brilliantly clean. Got a front loader a few years ago because one of my sons is an environmentalist, cost a fortune. Wish I had bought another top loader. Can't fathom why some don't like them. I really can but won't say as I don't want to start a war!!

Carpenters don't normally use public transport. Tools required for a job usually weigh a ton. If I were you I would rent, short term, just outside of the CBD until you have an idea where your OH will be working. However, as trades work all over the place, in the long term. you would be better finding a suburb you like and settling there.

So did I.

I think that you have been very lucky. There were only public hospitals when I had my 4 sons. I had 2 in Scotland and 2 here when there were no private hospitals or such as everyone paid medical benefits. With my 3rd son my fund sent me a cheque because the RNS didn't have a private room available at the time! The cheque covered the difference between the cost of a private room and what I was given. Those were the days when funds paid everything - no gaps or exclusions. As I said before Gough stuffed the health system up.

Private cover is a safe guard for the things children do to themselves and for things like grommets, braces, tonsils etc. As I have boys, I was always glad of my cover.

i totally disagree. Have found the public sector horrendous and have never been "seduced" into unnecessary treatments. Perhaps, as has been suggested, the private patients you see should change their fund.