EmilyH

Hi All Does anyone have any advice about Primary Schools in the Newcastle/Lake Macquarie area? We are currently living on the Sunshine Coast and considering a job transfer down there. We have three children, 9,7,4 who currently go to a private school, but affording schools for three kids in NSW is looking unlikely. Even though, on our 457 visa, we will have to pay $4,500 per child for a state school, it is still more affordable than $16k per child. Currently we only pay about $7k. If anyone has any recommendations on schools and/or suburbs to live, I would be eternally grateful, I'm going round in circles!! Thanks in advance! Emily

Thank you so much Paul. Really helpful, and much appreciated. They flew us up there yesterday. Great city, great schools, looks like a nice strip of restaurants and things to do. I can't get over the remoteness of the place though? Lots going on in my head, very stressful! Lot of thinking to do. Thanks again emily

I have been reading this thread with interest, as my husband has just been offered a job in Townsville. This sounds like such a minor issue, but my daughter is terribly allergic to mozzies, are there any suburbs you've listed above that you know to avoid…. would we be better sticking to the coastal areas, does it make a difference?!!!! Ridiculous question but perhaps you may know ;-))

My husband has just been offered a job in Townsville. Great promotion, pay rise etc. but is it worth it? We have been living in Bris for a year. I have three kids, 9, 7, 4. Have read a few not so complimentary comments about the place, I don't know what to do? Any opinions or advice would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance

Thanks again... I will definitely take a look at this as it's one of the areas we are interested in to live.... Mt Gravatt seems to have a lot of nice houses for a reasonable rental value. I feel like I am finally making progress with your help!! x

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to me, it's been really useful. It has certainly given me a much easier starting point! So much to do its exhausting but luckily very exciting too. ​thanks again Emily

Hi Everyone We have just had confirmation of our 457 visas this morning and are so excited to be moving to Brisbane in early June, fingers crossed! :biggrin: We have an 8, 6 and 2 year old so really trying to look for areas to live which have good primary schools. After major consideration we think we've decided to invest our funds into a nice area with good state schools, rather than go private. We like the idea of Camp Hill, Shailer Park, Daisy Hill, Mount Gravatt area. Does anyone have any advice about good primary schools in these areas? After much searching I stumbled across what looks like a league table ; http://bettereducation.com.au/school/Primary/qld/brisbane_top_primary_schools.aspx is this reliable?? I've also had a look at some NAPLAN results for certain schools, but frankly I find its pretty confusing?! Any advice or comments would be hugely appreciated. Thanks