North shore schools and houses

[Lolu]

Hi all, thank you for your help in advance. We are moving from the GC to Sydney ( originally from Surrey). We have two children aged 5 and 8. Good public schools are a focus, but so is being able to commute into the CBD. My husband will be catching the train every day so we want a commute under 1 hour. We are looking at paying about $1000 a week for rent- give or take. Just trying to figure out suburbs. Lindfield and Gordon keep popping up. We want low crime and a friendly place to live. A nice local strip of coffee shops etc would also be a bonus. I will be working at one of the nearby hospitals, eventually. Not that I’m the focus. Just trying to figure everyone else out first. Also how do you get into the public schools? Currently my girls go to a private school which seemed easier to access.

[Jon the Hat]

You get into the public schools by living in the catchment area - it is guaranteed (very unlike Surrey).  essentially you apply once you have proof of a signed lease.

I would say good quality houses in NS looked quite challenging for less than about $1200 a week when I was looking a few months ago.  (The job offer fell through so we are off to Perth now)

[Lolu]

Thank you for your advice Jon. I’m finding it very difficult to try and understand the suburbs and where is best suited to our budget and needs. We are looking at Bella vista now. Just trying to see if they have descent primary and secondary schools.

[Marisawright]

19 minutes ago, Lolu said:

Thank you for your advice Jon. I’m finding it very difficult to try and understand the suburbs and where is best suited to our budget and needs. We are looking at Bella vista now. Just trying to see if they have descent primary and secondary schools.

As you're only up on the Gold Coast, I suggest your best plan is to come down to Sydney for a week.  It's almost impossible to work it out from a distance, but you'll be able to judge some suburbs just by driving around.  An awful lot of Sydney is faceless dormitory suburbs. They can be leafy and green but there are hardly any shops, no pubs and no cafés.  You'll soon spot those!  

Lindfield and Gordon are both nice middle-class North Shore suburbs so I'm sure the schools would be fine.  If you see affordable housing in those areas, check the distance to the railway station.

I wouldn't call Bella Vista "North Shore". It's Hills District.   A long way from the city but popular with young families.

Homely.com.au has reviews of suburbs

Edited June 7, 2019 by Marisawright

[Guest AltyMatt]

Maybe consider somewhere around Crows Nest. Lots of good dining options and a villagey feel along Willoughby Road.  Good schools and a few hospitals nearby - North Shore public and private,  Chatswood etc.  Easy commute to the city too. Rentals are expensive but you should be able to find something for 1000 / week

[Tootsie]

On 30/05/2019 at 05:44, Lolu said:

Lindfield and Gordon keep popping up. We want low crime and a friendly place to live. A nice local strip of coffee shops etc would also be a bonus.

Hello

Lindfield and Gordon are safe and leafy areas to bring up children.

Other nice areas to live in would be Berowra Heights or Hornsby Heights, both under one hour to the CBD

Plus some excellent public and private schools in the area of Hornsby.

Best coffee in Sydney is on the upper Northern Beaches where you are spoilt for choice (which doesn't help you!)

Which hospital will you be working in?

 

 

 

[Tootsie]

On 09/07/2019 at 18:45, AltyMatt said:

Maybe consider somewhere around Crows Nest.

 

Not sure a great place to bring up children - as no open spaces to play

But fantastic for coffee, food, services, village feel, etc....

I love both Crows Nest and Lane Cove for the "village feel"

I suppose it depends on whether children are free-ranging or not