Flights booked now Short Term Accomodation Needed!

[surhythms]

Hi Guys

 

Its been a while since Ive posted cos Im up to my eyes doing a thesis and organising a wedding :biggrin:before we leave for Canberra. But I now have Fridays off work so lucky me.

 

Well we have our flights booked for Tuesday May 31st 2011 and we fly into Sydney and then will spend a few days there before heading down to Canberra. I have been looking around for short term rentals until we get ourselves sorted with something more permanent. Ive searched everywhere and it seems that the rates for one month can fall between AUD 2300 and 4480 which is PRETTY expensive!!

 

ANyway just wondering if you guys know anything about the area of Kaleen and is it ok? There is a cottage there for rent for AUD 700 per week which fits into our budget. We will have our daughter with us (who will be 13 then) aswell.

 

Ive tried all the following websites:

 

Canberra Furnished.com.aumacmillangardens.comStayz.com.aucanbhol.com.aucanberraapartments.com.aucanberracitystay.comrent-a-home.com.autakeabreak.com.au

 

If Ive missed anything or any accomodations maybe someone could let me know. We also have to find a school and I think I remember Quoll saying that Belconnen High and Canberra High were good government Schools. Ive taken a look at Merici, Dalaman and St Clares which are all Catholic Fee paying schools but the rent in those areas are quite high and I want to be pretty near the school Sarah will be going to

 

Any opinions?

 

Cheers

 

Suzanne

[claireg]

Hi Suzanne, how exciting you have your flights booked. I can't wait to book ours when the time comes.

[Phil & Vikki]

Good one, we wish you all the best. We are in the same position as we have our flights booked and we fly out next Wednesday for Sydney. We have a few weeks accommodation booked by the company and then we have to get out own place. We have been using this site to look around and give us some idea of what we can get. We hope that it all goes well for you all and that you get what you want.

 

http://www.domain.com.au/

[surhythms]

Hi Suzanne, how exciting you have your flights booked. I can't wait to book ours when the time comes.

 

 

Hi Claire

 

Yeah it is exciting but Im a bit nervous aswell. The pipe dream has now turned to reality but its all good Have you any idea where you are going to settle?

 

Suzanne

[surhythms]

Good one, we wish you all the best. We are in the same position as we have our flights booked and we fly out next Wednesday for Sydney. We have a few weeks accommodation booked by the company and then we have to get out own place. We have been using this site to look around and give us some idea of what we can get. We hope that it all goes well for you all and that you get what you want.

 

http://www.domain.com.au/

 

 

Thanks for that we have been looking at the same site for the longer rentals. Lets hope we all get jobs to pay the rent :twitcy:

[Phil & Vikki]

Too true lol. The rental on some of them are a bit high and we think with just Phil working for a bit until the kids are settled, it is going to be a bit of a struggle. But we are only looking at this short term, for a few months until we know what we are doing and then look at buying.

[surhythms]

Too true lol. The rental on some of them are a bit high and we think with just Phil working for a bit until the kids are settled, it is going to be a bit of a struggle. But we are only looking at this short term, for a few months until we know what we are doing and then look at buying.

 

 

Yeah I know what you mean - I wont be working straight away either. The OH has to get a job aswell so that will be our main priority, plus getting somewhere to live, and buying a car, and getting a school :twitcy:.

[claireg]

Hi Claire

 

Yeah it is exciting but Im a bit nervous aswell. The pipe dream has now turned to reality but its all good Have you any idea where you are going to settle?

 

Suzanne

 

I think it will be north somewhere but not sure which suburb yet. Depends on where jobs are, but don't want to be too far out. We are always looking at rentals on all homes site so think we would go for a newer build.

 

We don't have to consider schools either as the kids to young for that yet.

[surhythms]

I think it will be north somewhere but not sure which suburb yet. Depends on where jobs are, but don't want to be too far out. We are always looking at rentals on all homes site so think we would go for a newer build.

 

We don't have to consider schools either as the kids to young for that yet.

 

 

Yeah we were thinking of a newer build aswell. We live at least 40 mins outside Dublin City now anyway so we are kind of used to being away from the hustle and bustle. Im not sure what Canberra CBD is like but as far as I recall each area has a town centre. We are going to meet with Julianne in Feb as she is coming to Dublin so I'll try get as much info from her as I can.

[claireg]

Which airline are you flying with Suzanne? We are looking at going with Singapore airlines, seem the best with 2 young ones to travel with for us.

[surhythms]

Which airline are you flying with Suzanne? We are looking at going with Singapore airlines, seem the best with 2 young ones to travel with for us.

 

 

Well we are going with Singapore - we went to NZ last year to visit friends and used them and I have to say they are really good! Ive heard to stay away from Cathay, Malaysia but I think Quantas are "OK" but Ive never used them. The other airline thats good is Ethiad. we tried edreams, ebookers and lastminute.com. We got the best price from lastminute.com - coming in at €2000 for the 3 of us one way. It should be alot cheaper for you as the kiddies will be small.

[claireg]

Well we are going with Singapore - we went to NZ last year to visit friends and used them and I have to say they are really good! Ive heard to stay away from Cathay, Malaysia but I think Quantas are "OK" but Ive never used them. The other airline thats good is Ethiad. we tried edreams, ebookers and lastminute.com. We got the best price from lastminute.com - coming in at €2000 for the 3 of us one way. It should be alot cheaper for you as the kiddies will be small.

 

We used Quantas last time, found them quite good but we had no kids then, everyone seems to recommend Singapore air. Have only done a quick search on their own site so far and came out as £1600 for the 4 of us.

 

Did you get your extra baggage allowance booking online or did you have o phone up?

[Richste]

We are going to meet with Julianne in Feb as she is coming to Dublin so I'll try get as much info from her as I can.

 

Hi Suzanne

 

We are hopefully going to be coming over to Dublin in Feb to see Julianne as well-just waiting on her getting back to us, she is on hols at the moment though, we where going to go to the one in London but thought as we have never been to Dublin it would be a little holiday as well!! Hopefully maybe see you there, we are off to Canberra in July this year so as much info from Julianne as poss would be great.

 

Rich & Steven

[surhythms]

We used Quantas last time, found them quite good but we had no kids then, everyone seems to recommend Singapore air. Have only done a quick search on their own site so far and came out as £1600 for the 4 of us.

 

Did you get your extra baggage allowance booking online or did you have o phone up?

 

 

Now that is one thing I have no idea about - I wreckon we will have to call them up cos we just went ahead and booked. I know if you use moneycorp that they will try and get you extra baggage. Must check that one out

[Guest chasm]

Now that is one thing I have no idea about - I wreckon we will have to call them up cos we just went ahead and booked. I know if you use moneycorp that they will try and get you extra baggage. Must check that one out

 

Folks,

Dave here-( Surhythms OH )I rang the airlines involved and BMI have a baggage allowance of 2x 23kg bag per person checked from Dublin-London according to the very helpful chap I spoke to.

Singapore were a bit of a different story- checked allowance of 20kg per person unless we contact them with proof(scan etc) that our visa is a permanent one and they'll upgrade it to 40kg.This allowance doesn't appear to be available for all visa types though and they couldn't specify which ones qualified and which didn't. the hand luggage allowance is 7kg for them.

 

They were asking me for details of my travel agent so if you're booking via the web you might need to go through this process yourselves.hope this helps.

[surhythms]

Folks,

Dave here-( Surhythms OH )I rang the airlines involved and BMI have a baggage allowance of 2x 23kg bag per person checked from Dublin-London according to the very helpful chap I spoke to.

Singapore were a bit of a different story- checked allowance of 20kg per person unless we contact them with proof(scan etc) that our visa is a permanent one and they'll upgrade it to 40kg.This allowance doesn't appear to be available for all visa types though and they couldn't specify which ones qualified and which didn't. the hand luggage allowance is 7kg for them.

 

They were asking me for details of my travel agent so if you're booking via the web you might need to go through this process yourselves.hope this helps.

 

 

Thank you Dave! Fancy seeing you here :twitcy:

[surhythms]

We are going to meet with Julianne in Feb as she is coming to Dublin so I'll try get as much info from her as I can.

 

Hi Suzanne

 

We are hopefully going to be coming over to Dublin in Feb to see Julianne as well-just waiting on her getting back to us, she is on hols at the moment though, we where going to go to the one in London but thought as we have never been to Dublin it would be a little holiday as well!! Hopefully maybe see you there, we are off to Canberra in July this year so as much info from Julianne as poss would be great.

 

Rich & Steven

 

 

Hi Rich and Steven

 

Ah thats great - make a weekend out of it when you come over to Dublin :biggrin:. We dont have any ideas of what we are going to ask as yet but at least it will give us the opportunity to ask some questions. Have you any idea where you guys are going to live? We have just been looking into S/T accomodation and its pretty expensive!

 

Suzanne

[Guest chasm]

Folks,

Dave here-( Surhythms OH )I rang the airlines involved and BMI have a baggage allowance of 2x 23kg bag per person checked from Dublin-London according to the very helpful chap I spoke to.

Singapore were a bit of a different story- checked allowance of 20kg per person unless we contact them with proof(scan etc) that our visa is a permanent one and they'll upgrade it to 40kg.This allowance doesn't appear to be available for all visa types though and they couldn't specify which ones qualified and which didn't. the hand luggage allowance is 7kg for them.

 

They were asking me for details of my travel agent so if you're booking via the web you might need to go through this process yourselves.hope this helps.

 

Sorry, another quick fact (can't update the original post!?!)- it's €45 for every kg over the limit as well with Singapore.

[foy465]

We are going over on the 27th Feb to Brisbane and we booked with Singapore. We are travelling on a 457, 4 of us. I rang up customer services to check what baggage allowance we were allowed and was told 40kg each...great I thought!

 

I decided to double check via email and was told that only permanent visas are given 40kg. I stomped my feet a little :biggrin: and they have said as a goodwill gesture we can have 30kg each. Maybe worth a try if anyone is going over on a 457 or similar.

[Richste]

Hi Suzanne

 

We where over in Canberra last year for our reccie and seemed to prefer the south of Canberra (Tuggeranong area) it just seemed not as built up as the north, and more open spaces especially as our dog is coming as well we need plenty of places for walks. But you can never really tell until you live there.

 

The cost of rentals is so expensive in Canberra especially when you see some of the pictures on the agents websites you think you have stepped back into the 70's!!!!! and

they want over $500p/w for it, don't think i'd give them a fiver for it!! :biglaugh:

But hopefully only going to rent for 6 months or so and then start looking into buying somewhere. That's if I can get a job!!!

 

Rich & Steven

[Quoll]

Hi Guys

 

Its been a while since Ive posted cos Im up to my eyes doing a thesis and organising a wedding :biggrin:before we leave for Canberra. But I now have Fridays off work so lucky me.

 

Well we have our flights booked for Tuesday May 31st 2011 and we fly into Sydney and then will spend a few days there before heading down to Canberra. I have been looking around for short term rentals until we get ourselves sorted with something more permanent. Ive searched everywhere and it seems that the rates for one month can fall between AUD 2300 and 4480 which is PRETTY expensive!!

 

ANyway just wondering if you guys know anything about the area of Kaleen and is it ok? There is a cottage there for rent for AUD 700 per week which fits into our budget. We will have our daughter with us (who will be 13 then) aswell.

 

Ive tried all the following websites:

 

Canberra Furnished.com.aumacmillangardens.comStayz.com.aucanbhol.com.aucanberraapartments.com.aucanberracitystay.comrent-a-home.com.autakeabreak.com.au

 

If Ive missed anything or any accomodations maybe someone could let me know. We also have to find a school and I think I remember Quoll saying that Belconnen High and Canberra High were good government Schools. Ive taken a look at Merici, Dalaman and St Clares which are all Catholic Fee paying schools but the rent in those areas are quite high and I want to be pretty near the school Sarah will be going to

 

Any opinions?

 

Cheers

 

Suzanne

 

 

Short term/holiday accommodation is going to be expensive - 2300 a month is actually very reasonable and on a par with what you will be paying for a longer term rental. Some parts of Kaleen are OK, others not so much - it is usually a case of going and having a look. I'm not sure that the HS there would be on my list of schools to look at though.:no:

 

You will find that kids going to non gov HS will travel pretty much all over town so there isnt a particular benefit in being close to the school. I have a friend who lives down in Tuggeranong and her girls go to St Clares so there isnt that "school in the community" feel about it. There are good school bus services to the non gov schools if you dont want to drive them to school. Go with the house you want to live in 24/7

 

Lots of incomers seem to head for the McMillan gardens apartments from what I can gather. They are OK, clean and reasonably accessible. Not exactly the "best" end of town but not too bad (they call themselves Griffith because "Narrabundah" doesnt always have good connotations. I always thought this one looked reasonable Higgins Crescent, Ainslie Real Estate For Rent | allhomes but not had a look at it in person.

 

Lyneham HS usually gets good reports, it has some specialist programs which attract a lot of people - elite sport, gifted and talented, good band etc There are no schools so awful that you really wouldnt want to touch them with a barge pole. However, I would personally avoid all schools in Tuggeranong (esp HS), as do the many parents who truck their kids up the valley to Melrose or Deakin or any of the private schools every day. They were all built at the time when "flexible learning spaces" were all the rage and the resultant conditions are noisy and cramped even with the best teachers in the world.

 

Bottom line is that you pay more for rentals the closer you are to the town centres and pay less for rental but more for transport the further out you go. Swings and roundabouts really.

 

Good luck with your bed hunting!

[surhythms]

Short term/holiday accommodation is going to be expensive - 2300 a month is actually very reasonable and on a par with what you will be paying for a longer term rental. Some parts of Kaleen are OK, others not so much - it is usually a case of going and having a look. I'm not sure that the HS there would be on my list of schools to look at though.:no:

 

You will find that kids going to non gov HS will travel pretty much all over town so there isnt a particular benefit in being close to the school. I have a friend who lives down in Tuggeranong and her girls go to St Clares so there isnt that "school in the community" feel about it. There are good school bus services to the non gov schools if you dont want to drive them to school. Go with the house you want to live in 24/7

 

Lots of incomers seem to head for the McMillan gardens apartments from what I can gather. They are OK, clean and reasonably accessible. Not exactly the "best" end of town but not too bad (they call themselves Griffith because "Narrabundah" doesnt always have good connotations. I always thought this one looked reasonable Higgins Crescent, Ainslie Real Estate For Rent | allhomes but not had a look at it in person.

 

Lyneham HS usually gets good reports, it has some specialist programs which attract a lot of people - elite sport, gifted and talented, good band etc There are no schools so awful that you really wouldnt want to touch them with a barge pole. However, I would personally avoid all schools in Tuggeranong (esp HS), as do the many parents who truck their kids up the valley to Melrose or Deakin or any of the private schools every day. They were all built at the time when "flexible learning spaces" were all the rage and the resultant conditions are noisy and cramped even with the best teachers in the world.

 

Bottom line is that you pay more for rentals the closer you are to the town centres and pay less for rental but more for transport the further out you go. Swings and roundabouts really.

 

Good luck with your bed hunting!

 

 

Hi Quoll

 

Thanks for all the info - its always really useful. I do want to ask you a few question so I hope you dont mind answering them for me

We had a look at a short term rental in Kaleen - I was quoted 700 AUD per week. When you say some parts are ok and some arent could you tell me what you mean? Obviously when we stay in our short term accom it will only be for 1 month or so but we dont want to stay in a nasty area either (easing ourselves in is more important than sitting there sobbing that we hate the place):biglaugh:

 

The non gov schools may be an option for us but if we have to pick a gov school would Belconnen High, Canberra High and Lyneham High be our best bet and if so do we need to live in the catchment area?

 

I definitely want to be in a house that we are all comfortable in and I dont mind living further away from the town centres but Im not sure how big Canberra is so say for example we live in an area far out from Belconnen Town Centre - how long would it take us to get there?

 

I had a look at that property you mentioned (thanks) and the lady told me that the rental has gone up since she put it up previously as she has renovated the place but she couldnt send me pictures of the new renovations... hmmmm

 

Cheers

 

Suzanne