jackson4

Not really. Anywhere around between the Norwest area and CBD is a traffic hotspot. However, if you are travelling out to Norwest, you are more likely to miss the traffic as the morning traffic is usually headed into the city. Live where you enjoy because, to be honest, you aren't really going to escape traffic in Sydney!

I'm not sure I would take my under 2's to Campbelltown and I'm not posh! We went out there a couple of weeks ago to look at a car we found at a dealer out there. We went to McDonald's with the kids to discuss the purchase and they were given balloons. It was a hot day and as we were sat outside by the play area, the balloon popped and the people at the tables around us panicked and jumped up because they thought it was a gun shot (no, not exaggerating). I apologised profusely for scaring everyone with a popping balloon. But, that was a natural reaction from people in Campbelltown...!

Basically, my son was in Yr1 for a year and a half. He completed Reception and up to Christmas of Y1 in the UK and then re-started Y1 in Jan here. He was still the youngest in his class (thankfully for you, that won't be the case with an Oct birthday). However, she will be glad to have the extra time to make friends, settle, learn to write differently (a different script), etc...!

Hi! I can't say much about North Rocks (though it has a nice park) because I don't know it all that well, but I know Beecroft/Cheltenham better. Beecroft prides itself in having a 'village' feel and it is really lovely. Good schools, good junior rugby club, and plenty of other after school activities...I only really know the rugby one detailed but know there are loads. You can't drive through Beecroft without lots of kids activities being advertised on signs around. Cheltenham and Beecroft kind of just run into one another. North Rocks has more 'useful' shops but the shops at Beecroft are lovely and some fab coffee shops (like 'the Beehive') for you to enjoy (most importantly!). I don't know the preschools there as well as we live about 15 min away but I do know that preschools in this area are at a premium and very oversubscribed. We moved last Jan and didn't manage to get our daughter into a preschool until this year (Despite being on a few waiting lists). However, there are lots of playgroups and the like if you have trouble finding a preschool space. Hope that helps a bit!

We live in the general area. The 'top' primary schools in the 15-20 min drive would be Arden in Beecroft (boys and girls), Tara Anglican for girls and Kings School (boys). That being said, they all have waiting lists miles long! Though, sometimes people can pick up spots from children who have moved, etc. As NSP said, there are others on the other side of Lane Cove but I'm less familiar with that area. To be honest, most of the schools (private and public) around Mac Park, Eastwood, Epping, Beecroft, etc.. have a good reputation.

Hi, we live about 15-20 min from Rydalmere and are a family of 4, ages 6 and 3. Would concur with above expenses...but will throw some in for comparison. Rent in general area (Marsfield/Eastwood/Epping) at least $600/week for decent(ish) 3 bed. I spend about $200 food shopping and various other sundries (including my coffee dates!) probably cost another $100/week. Water rates should be paid by landlord (I think...ours are)...we got a shock with a $659 quarterly electricity bill the other day. No gas so don't know. We don't have health insurance either (though ambulance cover is a good idea but it's about $100/year/family). I can get a week on $50 of petrol around town and school runs. Our son goes to a private Christian school so a bit less than $4500...as are Catholic schools. The other thing to factor in is swim lessons, gymnastics, sports, etc... We spend about $50/week for 2 kids and could be more. And if you're youngest hasn't started school, preschools are about $35-60/day. And when you pay $20 for 1 cinema ticket....well, it all adds up quickly! :-) Hope that's a bit helpful.

Whilst technically your son would be able to start school in 2013, I think you will find that most people in Sydney have a culture of not starting their kids (especially boys) if they are on the younger end of the year group. My son's birthday is in April and not only is he the youngest one in the class, but the youngest one in the whole year group in the school. He's in Year 1 and went to three 7-yr-old birthday parties before he ever turned 6. If I realised what it would be like, I would have put him in kindy rather than Year 1. Also, the Sydney preschool competition is fierce. The waiting lists are ridiculously long. So, if you do decide not to send him to school, start researching preschools ASAP. As soon as you settle on a place to live (even general area), put his name on the waiting lists of a few preschools. My daughter was going to nursery 3 days/week in the UK and we've only managed to get her 1 day/week (after a 2 month search) at a preschool here. Community preschools usually run between $45-60/day where preschool places at long day care centres are often higher (with food included). There is no help with fees for people on 457's. Hope that helps...just some lessons I've learned over our first few months!

Sorry to hear your story. Our 6 yr old began Y1 this school year having left a Y1/Y2 split class in a fabulous village school in the UK. He was doing great in the UK, even with the older children in the split class, but has had a few wobbles since starting here. He's the absolute youngest child in the year group (wish we had the option of moving him back down a year but socially would be a disaster for him now). In one term, he had to learn a whole new system of reading, a whole new script (which is prob why your son's handwriting seems so messy...they don't seem to like the 'flicks' they all learned in the UK) and a new way and language around maths. It's a lot to adjust to for anyone, let alone a 6 yr old. Thankfully, we've had a very understanding teacher and she's worked hard to catch him up but it's not been easy on him emotionally. Persist with the school...as the OP said, it's their task to see him succeed. Hope the meeting is helpful.

We got our tickets because our son plays Jr Rugby Union and they released those tickets v early. We also got Wallabies-All Blacks tickets for August. From what I'm reading on the BBC, Wales may not be at full strength in the coming weeks. Thanks for the offer, but think we might pass on the inflatable daffs!

Our kids are younger but have friends out that way. It seems that Cherrybrook Tech is always in high demand. They were considering moving into the catchment just to get their kids in.

We're going to the Sydney one. My little boy (6) can't wait...though is still deciding whether to cheer for Wales or Australia!

I would use John Mason. We used Doree Bonner, received our stuff on this past Thursday, and if I were to do it again, I would have used John Mason. PM me if you want more details. That being said, Grace on this end were fantastic!