Guest evijac Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Hi All, We are moving to Australia in October this year and most things seem to be going OK. Only problem is where to live! Family consists of my wife and I, 2 boys (18 and 20) and our 12 year old daughter. We currently live in the country and although I will be working in the CBD we don't want to live in the city or any busy urban area. Two areas have caught our eye so far; area between Penrith and Richmond and St Ives. We would welcome advice on both areas, particularly; Schools, Uni, Hospital (my wife is a midwife), access to a marina, transport to CBD, housing (is it rural etc?). Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Prescotts Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi If you're going to be working in the CDB I personally wouldn't recommend living in Penrith or Richmond, yes it's fairly rural but the commute each day would be a nightmare - I'm guessing it would take an hour & a half each way to drive (at least maybe more) I'm sure someone will put me right if I'm wrong. There is a train line but I doubt it's much quicker - the bonus would be that because you're getting on at the start of the line you'd get a seat! I don't think there's a marina as it's about 2 hrs form the sea, there is the Napean River and the Olympic regatta centre :-) We live in Belrose on the Northern Beaches and about 15 mins drive from St Ives. I don;t know it that well - I only really drive through it but there are some lovely houses and tree lined streets and the travel into the CDB is much better - on a good day you could drive in say 45 mins or less or you can drive to Gordon Station which is not far away, and hop on a train & be in the city in just over 20 minutes and you won't have to pay for parking in the city which is really really expensive (unless you are lucky enough to have a parking space at the office) good luck with your search Jenny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sunsh1ne Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi St. Ives is classed as being on the Northern Beaches - it's probably about 25 minutes by car to the beach and has a train station nearby - I think it's a car ride. It's a very middle class area with a large South African and Jewish community (some call it St. South Africa). I wouldn't describe it as rural but it's on the edge of the National Park and has lots of wide streets and huge trees - very leafy and green. The main thoroughfare through St. Ives is the Mona Vale Road and this is very busy however the roads off it are less so and there is a villagey type feel. It is a lovely area and if we decide to move away from the beach (currently renting) when we buy it's somewhere we would like to live. Penrith and Richmond are much more rural and countrified - we've driven through there a few times but I couldn't give you anything more useful than that. There's a train station at both towns and people do commute but I suspect it will be longer than it is to St. Ives. Any questions I'll try and help out let me know. Sunsh1ne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evijac Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Hi Jenny Thank you so much for taking the time to email us your knowlegde of this area. It been very helpful we now feel the St Ives area is where we want to live. Thanks again and our best wishes. jackie and graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evijac Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Hi sunshine Thank you for taking the trouble to email us your thoughts and knowledge. We have had mostly a positive response to the St Ives area as a good place to set up home. I know you dont live there and im not sure if you have children of school age but do you know anything about schools. There does seem to be a few, however it is good if again people can give knowledge and advice on the most popular ones. If you can help with this info i thank you. Once again we really appreciate the time you have taken to email us. jackie and graham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelWaring Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 There isn't much comparison between Penrith and St Ives or the types of people who live in those areas. If you want a nice place to live with decent neighbours and easy access to just about everywhere go for St Ives. You would be mid-way between two very good shopping centres, Hornsby & Chatswood, St Ives also has a very good small shopping centre with a couple of supermarkets and many speciality shops. There are many very good schools, both public and private in the area together with a couple of good golf courses. The best medical specialists and the best private hospital are nearby, you can wait at the public hospital for a few hours or get almost immediate five star attention at the San Hospital with apologies if you have to wait more than twenty minutes for test results. You would be close to the F3 motorway for travelling north and not too far from the Harbour Bridge if you really wanted to go south, seriously there are nice places way down south but not for day trips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evijac Posted July 19, 2009 Share Posted July 19, 2009 hi Thank you for the information and ideas. All very helpful. As you can imagine its very hard to decide where to settle in a new place but with all the info and advice for you guys it has helped us so much in confirmimg our choice to be good. Thank you. Regards jackie and graham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PosmMagic Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 Some of the areas immediately surrounding St Ives are v similar and also worth considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SamW Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Hi, My wife, 4yr daughter and I have lived in St Ives for just over a year. Prior to that we lived in Gordon which is an adjacent suburb. Overall its a pretty good place and we like it here. One thing to watch is that they are starting to build a lot of high-rise apartment blocks here now. Its starting to change the overall look and feel of the area already. Transport-wise you will have to get a bus (or drive) to the nearest station which is Gordon. I work mainly in Crows Nest and catch the bus+train regularly. Closest beach is Mona Vale about 20mins away. Good shopping at MacQuarie about 10mins down the road and the local shops are pretty good. Also there is the St Ives Wildflower Garden nearby which is great for bushwalks and picnics. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest evijac Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Hi Sam, Many thanks. i t looks as though we should be there in Nov/Dec. I've also beeen advided that St Ives Chase and North Turramurra are worth considering, what do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SamW Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 We are currently renting and as soon as we get PR will be looking to buy. Both St Ives Chase and Turramurra are locations we are considering. Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelWaring Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Those areas are very similar. Don't get too close to the Pacific Highway in any of them, that is where the high rises are going. Might be an idea to check with the local councils for the zoning plans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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