Ok, whats it really like..

[stevopaul1]

Hi,

 

I should be over with wife and kids (8 and 4) later this year on a 457. I've been to Sydney once for about 10 days (thats where we are headed) - mainly working, stayed in Manly with friends. I know its not enough time to get a real perspective but here's what I picked up (by the way, I lived in South Africa for 15 years - I loved the place but I know the sun isn't everything).

 

Observations good/bad and indifferent -

 

-Didnt feel as busy as London (at least standing in it at lunchtime) but I dont live in London (have worked there), I live in North Yorkshire, in a village!

-Public transport seemed good and relatively cheap

-Weather was nice in late Autumn

-Aussies seemed kind enough, welcoming

-Felt cosmopolitan, exciting, good bars/restaurants/places to go

-everyone seems to up early and running or surfing which I like (running)

-the beach is the meeting place for family and friends (that could be a Manly thing)

-there are public BBQ's - much like South Africa

-roads well out of Sydney were very quiet

-things seemed expensive- ish - beer, food (for the home), no supermarkets like Tesco etc

-a lot of buildings and houses looked dull and uninteresting, not much character

-wide suburban streets seemed deserted and unfriendly - I can imagine neighbours rarely seeing each other etc..

-Some houses looked shoddy - run down

-People leave their junk on the pavement?!

 

 

I've got to now find out some real detail on schools and healthcare - particularly as my son has Aspergers Syndrome and needs support at school - we are thinking of moving to Manly as my workpace will be North Sydney - does that seem sensible? Does anyone have experience of schools in the area?

 

looking forward to it and no rose tinted glasses!!

[Quoll]

With respect to your son's education, this may be a good place to start http://www.detinternational.nsw.edu.au/schools/downloads/trp_disability.pdf

 

This is the fee structure for children without disabilities http://www.detinternational.nsw.edu.au/schools/downloads/trp_feespayment.pdf but you would obviously need to find out the additional costs of a disability - you will probably have to pay for the teacher assistant etc Best thing to do is to contact the education office.