help finding the right spot in sydney

[Guest Geordie A]

hi all

im hoping a few of you can offer some advice on the better locations to live in sydney.

i have a good offer on the table for a job based in rosehill/parammatta. i have a beautiful wife and two young girls (both under 3) and would want to live within 30 mins of the office by car (so for the first time in my career i can enjoy breakfast and bedtime with the family in the same day!!) which puts living near the coast out of reach. could anyone advise the better places to live. schooling will soon become very important, as does a sense of community, amenities such as parks, shops and restraunts within walking distance and a great gym with chid care would be great. we have up $800-$1000 a week available for rent. we have researched around the west pennant hills, ryde areas, are we on the right lines or is better available?

any help you can give will be gladly recieved

regaards and thanks

Geordie

[spottydog 11]

Do a search on here on the Hills district, probably the area would be good for you as it is very family friendly and the right side of Sydney for Parramatta

[Guest Geordie A]

thanks for the help spottydog, any particular parts better than others?

G

[Joebloggs 184]

Best of the Hills is Castle Hill, North Baulkham Hills, Cherrybrook or anything else within the red area on this map is fine.

 

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/attachments/reccie-arrival-reports/2993d1301999845-coming-sydney-area-good-bad-ugly-img.pdf

[Ellie 2 601]

Best of the Hills is Castle Hill, North Baulkham Hills, Cherrybrook or anything else within the red area on this map is fine.

 

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/attachments/reccie-arrival-reports/2993d1301999845-coming-sydney-area-good-bad-ugly-img.pdf

 

Can't really agree with you there. Your map doesn't include places like North Rocks, Northmead, Winston Hills and parts of Old Toongabbie, which are all very good places to live. The OP might like to look on the website, http://www.myboot.com.au which gives a very good description of every suburb in NSW. I know if I had to drive to Rosehill each morning I'd rather drive from, Baulkham Hills, Winston Hills, Northmead or even North Rocks rather than Castle Hill or Cherrybrook.

[Joebloggs 184]

Can't really agree with you there. Your map doesn't include places like North Rocks, Northmead, Winston Hills and parts of Old Toongabbie, which are all very good places to live.

 

Thats because it's a map of the Hills, I did include a part of Winston Hills in that map but the bit that latches on to Toongabbie plus Toongabbie itself I would not class as the Hills.

 

You are right theres nothing wrong with North Rocks & Northmead but same as the above not really the Hills

[Ellie 2 601]

Thats because it's a map of the Hills, I did include a part of Winston Hills in that map but the bit that latches on to Toongabbie plus Toongabbie itself I would not class as the Hills.

 

You are right theres nothing wrong with North Rocks & Northmead but same as the above not really the Hills

 

Actually, Northmead and North Rocks are part of the Hills Shire Council as are parts of Winston Hills, if I remember correctly, - the postcode is the same as Baulkham Hills. Both Baulkham Hills and Parramatta Councils petitioned the State Gov. for the area, Parramatta won approval because Baulkham Hills was already a very large area. However, these areas have always been considered part of the Hills District as long as I have lived here.

I agree with Toongabbie but the bit attached to the end of Winston Hills, that was the bit I was thinking of, is included in the Hills electorates etc, and is completely different to the rest of the suburb.

[Guest smileykylie]

Having driven on windsor road today I would look closer ( Winston Hills, Northmead) like Ellie says as you will cut down your travel massively and give you more time at home (Cherrybrook is quite a commute on that horrible road). Also there is a variety of houses there, small, big, lovely cottages in Winston Hills and it has easier access to parramatta and the city than further up. Who cares which council area it is in?? As long as it has what you need. One thing you won't really have is access to restaurants in these areas, but not many things are walking distance in a lot of outer suburbs.

 

Personally I find the hills really soulless particularly Castle Hill and the newer suburbs. Have a look at domain.com.au and see what accommodation is about.

 

PS if you move to any of those areas you will definitely have to become a Parramatta Eels fan:tongue:

 

One final thing - the pub at Winston Hills is pretty nice and has good food!!

[Guest Geordie A]

many thanks to you all for the constructive advice and will look at all locations you have mentioned. do any of them have stand out schools?

we are heading out to visit at the end of may and will visit all the areas you have suggested to see how the land lies.

ps parramatta eels replace my beloved wigan!!!! maybe the eels can be my second team

[Guest sue buchs]

Hi Geordie,

I moved here in May and it was my first time ever in Oz, we researched areas for months and found a little haven know as Winston Hills, the houses are very nice and prices differ, there are some good schools local with plenty of parks within walking distance.

There is a gym near the school with child care facilities also a bus route and Winston Hills shopping mall, here you can get most things its a 20 min maybe less drive to Parramatta, and a 40 min drive to Sydney, hope this has been helpful for you and good luck:smile:

[Cal2 409]

My OH has a job offer in Manly, will the commute from the Hills be shorter/longer/not worth doing?

thanks

[Ellie 2 601]

My OH has a job offer in Manly, will the commute from the Hills be shorter/longer/not worth doing?

thanks

 

I wouldn't do it!!

[Guest the4ofus]

Geordie - I've just picked up this thread, as we're moving out to Sydney with our two littlies (aged 3 and 1) in November and I wondered how you got on during your visit at the end of May? Did you find a great suburb? Any input would be greatly appreciated. My husband will be working in Sydney but we are interested in the area you have identified and we won't be able to get out there for a reccy until later in the summer. It would be great to hear from you! Did you also look at some schools in the area? Many thanks!

[Jennifer Shields 10]

My husband works in Auban next to Rosehill. 3 sons grew up in St Clair.Great schools,a real community and for the price of the rent you can own your own home.M4 gives you 45 mins to beaches and Blue Mountains.Gym look up Valley Fitness St Marys . which have child care and is 10mins from St Clair. Try st.Clair Australian real estate for property and St Clair community centre which tell you what is available for adults and children.

 

Ryde, Pennant Hills are expensive and not much of a community.Travel on the Parramatta CBD in the rush hour can be hectic.But to get to St Clair it is quike straight on the M4 and home in 25 mins.When it is school holls my husband dose it 20 door to door.Wishing you good luck in your new life . :wink:

 

 

 

 

m hoping a few of you can offer some advice on the better locations to live in sydney.

i have a good offer on the table for a job based in rosehill/parammatta. i have a beautiful wife and two young girls (both under 3) and would want to live within 30 mins of the office by car (so for the first time in my career i can enjoy breakfast and bedtime with the family in the same day!!) which puts living near the coast out of reach. could anyone advise the better places to live. schooling will soon become very important, as does a sense of community, amenities such as parks, shops and restraunts within walking distance and a great gym with chid care would be great. we have up $800-$1000 a week available for rent. we have researched around the west pennant hills, ryde areas, are we on the right lines or is better available?

any help you can give will be gladly recieved

regaards and thanks

Geordie

[Guest Geordie A]

Geordie - I've just picked up this thread, as we're moving out to Sydney with our two littlies (aged 3 and 1) in November and I wondered how you got on during your visit at the end of May? Did you find a great suburb? Any input would be greatly appreciated. My husband will be working in Sydney but we are interested in the area you have identified and we won't be able to get out there for a reccy until later in the summer. It would be great to hear from you! Did you also look at some schools in the area? Many thanks!

howdy

we had a short (only 4 days on the ground) but very successful visit. the main purpose of our reccy was finding good areas to live which had good childcare, access to sydney and a short commute for me to get to rosehill. the visit was invaluable. no matter how much research you do on the internet and how many questions you ask, there is nothing like going to see it, feel it and smell it.

before we set off we thought that west pennant hills / baulkham hills would be our ideal location. however once there and after we had been to these areas we discounted them as they dont fit with what we want. they are good areas and you can get a massive house for a reasonable price but they didnt float our boat. we reassessed and moved nearer to sydney. we found hunters hill, gladesville and lane cove on the north side of the river and cabarita and concord on the south side. all have ferry links to sydney and a relatively simple commute to rosehill, and are adjacent to the river (suppose they would be if they have ferry links!!)

we favour concord and cabarita as they are closer to rosehill and have a good shopping street with loads of resteraunts and a sense of community. they also have excellent sports facilities and childcare which suit our needs.

hope this helps and if we can help wit anything else just let me know

regards

geordie

[Jennifer Shields 10]

Delighted that you have found somewhere you fancy.

 

Just a note about the ferrys they do not always run in winter.Lane cove is hell in the rush hour and the tolls are pricey .Cheack with the RTA for yearly fees.

Also the two places you mention on the south side have high crime area. But if you are only renting you can get settled first and try it out.

 

Hope all goes well for you and Australia is good to you.

[spottydog 11]

Just a note about the ferrys they do not always run in winter.

 

Dunno what this is referring to, I about 3 years of catching ferries (over 6 years of being here) I have only seen one morning when the ferries didn't run which was due to a strike. I've certainly not heard of Sydney ferries not running because it's winter, in terms of calms seas winter is much better than summer here based on the prevailing winds

[Steve n Mel 10]

Concord area is a great choice we used to be in the area as Mel worked in the city, so good for ferry and trains close by, and personally my office is close to your place in silverwater. However Mels given up work so we moved out west to st Clair as were often in the mountains for a walking with the little guy rather than in the city and a lot more space for $$, we were a bit hesitant as we started in the city and have slowly moved out, but west has worked out real well with a great community for families.