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.