Cairnswanabe

My son born June 2004 is currently in Yr 12 in Qld. Qld has the most flexible education system allowing you to go up or down a year - as required - its not strict like other states. This means that he's one of the oldest - its not like the Uk where the age runs with the school year - ie Sept-July - but in Australia it runs with the Tax Year - July-June. Therefore my son could have been the youngest in one year - or the eldest in another.

Locals help required please - I'm moving up from Brisbane to Sunny Coast and would really appreciate some local knowledge on choosing a suburb and those best avoided.(if any) I'm open to all suggestions - would rather have a green and leafy suburb near a major centre like Molooolaba or Caloundra - although I have a read a few negative comments about the latter - - so if anyone could put me right that would be great. I'll have 2 teenagers going to the local state high school and I have checked them out and they all seem on par. Would like to be within 5 mins of the beach - as that's the main point in moving up. Any insiders guide into what the suburb offers eg, pubs, gym. shopping centre etc etc would be greatly appreciated. I Im going to commute down to Brisbane once a week on the train - so any insider knowledge on that journey also much appreciated. I had a look at Mountain Creek - which looks great - Sippy Downs - too far from beach for me - and Buderim - nice but I cant see myself cycling up that hill. I'd like to get out an about in the suburb with parks and walking trails etc etc, but still be close enough to enjoy the ocean and a bit of entertainment. thank you in advance

Appreciated. Can I ask are there any suburbs best avoided.? I'm considering Sippy Downs, Mountain Creek ,Little Mountain but Im open to all options in my price range. I would really like a green and leafy suburb rather than a brand new development and something with 5/10 mins drive to beach. Preferably would like to be close enough to cycle. Any insight would be most appreciated. Thanks

Thanks for the insight. I have been to Buderim which is very nice and but out of of my price range on the top of the hill. Do you think it would be better to be down the bottom of the hill from Buderim ror in Buderim region itself like suburbs you have suggested. Appreciated your time in responding. thanks

Apologies for piggy backing on the same thread...but I to am moving to the Sunshine Coast and wondered if I could get a local perspective on a few suburbs as well? I dont want to rent - but literally pick the right suburb firs time. I know what im looking fo. Basically, I would like to have a suburb with a fewfacilities around me or near by, - be no more than 20 minutes from the beach and definitely have a village/community feel - preferable an actual village centre. I do not want to live on a new housing development without anything (been there and done that). Ive been looking a Buderim , Mountain Creek area. Ill have 3 teenagers - 2 of which will need to go to State school - but I also want them to be able to access local facilities and be independent. Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the info. Very informative

Thanks for all the info. Very informative and greatly appreciated

Hi there. Can anyone give me some advise please. We are hoping to moving to Brisbane Western Suburbs later this year after 6 years in Perth. The suburbs I've looked at are Kenmore,Chapel Hill, Ferny Grove or the Gap. My husband likes Bellbowrie/Mogill (which look great), but I want to be near the high schools and I want my kids to be able to walk/bike to school. Can anyone tell me of how walkable these suburbs are and what facilities they have? Also, whats the main difference between these suburbs. i know these suburbs are green and leafy, which really appeals to us and in stark contrast to where we are now, but facilites wise - which one is better. Whats important to me is to be near the high school/primary school, a playpark , a gym or leisure centre for fitness classes, swimming pool for VAC Swim, easy access to the city, basic shopping (for milk or bread) plus nearby to a shopping centre for anythig else. At the moment we leave in Perths suburia in a newish flat subdivision which lacks anycharacter (or trees) DH wants a suburb rolling hills, and greenery (basically a mini Scotland would suit him fine!). So after extenssive reasearch Ive narrowed it down to these suburbs as i dont want to move the kids once they start school (so I haveto be in the school catchment zones for Kenmore, The Gap and Ferny Grove High Schools with a nearby primary school as well) and I know that all the schools are good - plus as there are 5 of us, I cannot afford to come over and do a recki. Finally, can anyone tell me about rentals over there? Are they easy to come by? and has anyone every made the move from Perth, and if so, could you give me a ball park figure of what the cost was for a 20ft container from WA to Brissy and how long it took to get there.

I agree. We have been here 5 years and we are bored. bored bored! We have 3 young kids, and yes they love the beach, and the playparks but there is more to life than going to beach.!! Hubby said what shall we do this weekend that doesnt include the beach or a playpark, and we couldnt think of anything! We have travelled down south on holiday to busselton through to albany etc but after 5 years even the kids get bored with the same old same old. I dont know what I thought my oz dream would be like, but perth certainly doesnt add up. its great for weather, beaches, play parks etc but cuturally it lacks. also the isolation factor is setting in, as I have no interest in going to Asia or Bail (been there without kids and definately do not want to do another beach holiday/tourist trap. We finally after much deliberation feel that this is not the australian dream and we need do do something for us, not just live in a suburb on the edge of the freeway doing the 9-5. Although its a big gamble, east coast is where we want to be. Trying to get a job when you are in WA is so difficult, that we have decided we will just have to make the move at the end of the year. That way the kids can start a new school without too much disruption. I wouldnt go back to the UK, we have made the committment to stay, but it has to be the right choice. Finally the prices are outrageous. fish and chips for 5 in a pub $160! not good!

Depends what age your family are but here's what I do with my visitors... Rockingham foreshore for fish & chips, swimming, Play parks etc kalamunda on 1st Saturday of the month for the local markets..and to go walking around the walking trails (easy even with kids/older people) Kings park (of course) day trip to the city and take the sighteeing bus Freo on a Sunday for the street entertaineers/markets . prison tour at night good fun Hillarys boat harbour yanchep & national park wineries. whiteman park/guildford area day trip on one of the ferrys to freo or up to wineries on a day tour perth zoo or caversham wildlife park for the local wildlife casino for a night out If they have kids - lots of playparks to keep them occupied but by far the best is apple fun park in Donnybrook (nr bunbury) 2 hours south of perth

I work in finance and hubby works in food retail although he has recently been made redundant. Hence we think now is a good time to go. However don't know if cairns has enough job prospects and it would be a big risk for us moving if we can't get work. My eldest son is yr5 so would like to pick a real family place where they can make friends and play safely outside. Perth has the jobs but we don't feel like we are living the Australian dream (or what we thought it would be)

Hi there. We currently live in perth and have done for the last 4 years but would love to live in cairns which we have visited a few times. We are considering upping sticks and moving over there. Can anyone tell me what the job scene (unemployment rate is) and what he schools/area is like around redlynch for 3 primary kids to live?