Abzlovell Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Hi all, Me and my family are moving to Thirroul near wollongong in october. were excited/nervous about the move and any advice on the area from wollongong upwards (to austimer) would be greatly appreciated! it is just me, m husband and my 2 and a half ear old daughter. we have a holiday let sorted for the first 4 weeks of our stay but we need to find a rental place after the 4 weeks. any advice on suburbs to live with children, schools, where to buy cars, things to do with toddlers would be great! Thanks Abz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrianbooth Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Hi there. We live in Helensburgh which is a bit north of wollongong but happy to help if I can. We know more about stanwell park and the like which is nice though and also know the nowra area further south. Cars there is a row of dealers in north wollongong where I got my hyundai from. What sort you after? To be honest we would love to work further down south that way but at the moment I work in the city so didn't want to be much further south. Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrianbooth Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 we have a son 4 years old in 2 weeks time and have been in aus 2.5 years now originally from Tamworth Staffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 thanks for our reply. i was beginning to think no poms lived that way on!! we have only visited the area for a few hours when we visited to accept m hubands job but we fell in love with the place! my husband will be working in campbelltown but we wanted to be near the beach, and the sydney burbs didn't really appeal to us. we drove down from campbelltown on the appin road i think and then drove through thirroul, woonona, corrimal and wollongong, so we have literally seen a tiny bit of the place! we really liked the look of woonona and thirroul was also lovely, but didn't know if it was a bit too much out of the way. is there much going on up your way? i suppose its closer to get into sydney? do you know anything about the places i have mentioned? we will obviously have to think about school for our daughter at some point. we haven't got a clue what car we want! whatever is reasonably priced but do they exist in oz?!?! we need to get 2, a small one for my husband to get back and to from work and a family car. how did you find the transition from the UK to oz? abz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 I like Wollongong and it seems to have plenty happening - good beaches, shopping, restaurants, got a University too. I think many Sydneysiders MAY have a lingering prejudice against both Wollongong and Newcastle as still being grim, industrial towns. I was amazed how 'cool' Newcastle is when I went up there recently. I don't know what the daily commute will be like to Campbelltown though - could be a busy road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrianbooth Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Hi again. We are just driving back from a drive down to shellharbour. I'm happy to give you my mob and Skype I'd if I can work out how to do it privately. Albion park rail is good for car places too on main princes highway. Can't miss them all clumped together. I quite like the Toyota camry. Nice sized family car and fairly cheap to run. Some dont like them but they just work and don't break down in my experience. Move from uk was reasonable. But homes sickness is hard. Leaving family and harder is all the friends. We discovered that our son has autism too so that's made it more isolating for us with lots more to cope with. We spent some time in Melbourne first. Caringbah. Nowra. Engadine and mow bought In helensburgh. Use country trains for going to work which are much better than the suburban ones. Hate driving in syd but gong is easy. Friend at work lives in campeltown and finds it ok Adroan --- I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-34.405195,150.883745 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BazzRose Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I'm going to be moving to Figtree in the 'Gong when I get over with the better half. I absolutely love it down there. As others have mentioned, nice beaches, plenty to do and lots going on. Also only about 90 mins by train to the centre of Sydney. Whilst there I highly recommend you check out the Southern Highlands, Port Kiama and Robertson too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RVN Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Hello All areas north of Wollongong are generally a lot more pricey than those south of "the Gong" as it is better known. Lots of pommies down this way you would be surprized at how many! Beautiful location all round. Sea, countryside or the city if you want it. I love this region and am very happy to have moved here. Haven't missed the UK yet!! good luck, perhaps check out the other illawarra and wollongong threads, lots of info on there about the region. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TCASAlert Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Is it easy to get from Wollongong to Mascot via train? I know its the same side but I believe the railway misses Mascot by some Kms? We are looking at Wollongong/Helensburgh primarily as you seem to get more for your money than in Sydney, and it looks a lot more spacious. Only downside is the commute to the airport every morning might be a bit much..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BazzRose Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Is it easy to get from Wollongong to Mascot via train? I know its the same side but I believe the railway misses Mascot by some Kms? We are looking at Wollongong/Helensburgh primarily as you seem to get more for your money than in Sydney, and it looks a lot more spacious. Only downside is the commute to the airport every morning might be a bit much..... I'd say up to Wolli Creek and then jump on the Airport Line from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest milan01 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hi all, This is my 1st post. Hoping to move in next few months to areas around wollongong with 2 teenagers and a toddler- any advice re schools, housing, suburbs etc :confused:would be greatly appreciated. I have heard lots of things about wollongong emergency dept- any further info would be great.:unsure: Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted October 24, 2011 Author Share Posted October 24, 2011 We have arrived in the 'gong'! Been here 4 about 2 weeks now. First week was so crazy driving around getting our bearing, looking at houses, getting phones and buying a car! Felt really sorry 4 our daughter who was put in the back of the car and had 2 be dragged round with us. But it's all been worth it so far. I had a bit of a wobble at the start of last wk when I questioned if there was enough 4 me and my daughter to do around here, but after a few days of beautiful weather, watching whales from our balcony in the sea, and generally having a fab time, I can see us being happy here! Finding a place to rent is tough and there isn't a great deal to choose from at present. We have 2 weeks to find somewhere 2 stay so fingers crossed we get something sorted. From what we gather the northern suburbs are the places 2 aim 4 so we are hoping 2 base ourselves in either thirroul, bulli or woonona. All have beautiful beaches and seem very family orientated. There is no hiding the fact that it's hard being away from friends and family but Skype and the likes makes it easier! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drwardle23 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Hi, How have you settled in Abzlovell? We've had a last minute re-location change from north west Sydney to W'gong so we are in the 'wobbly' stage as well (although we are not set to arrive until March!). The place does look really nice, but I was worried about the same, ie not enough to occupy my wife and 2 year old (while I'm in work). I also noticed there seemed like a lack of rental properties down that way. Hope it picks up................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 Hi there! So are you moving from the uk or somewhere else in oz? Have u visited the gong before? Well we have been here for about 8/9 weeks now and to be honest I have settled a lot better than I could have ever imagined! In about week 3 when we moved out here I went though a spell thinking we had moved to the wrong area as we had major issues trying to find a place to live and I was going a bit stir crazy staying in a 2 bed flat with my 2 year old when I was used to goin to work part time and seeing friends back at home with the kids! There seemed to be lots of mums going to parks that knew each other and I wondered how I would ever get any friends! However 8 weeks on I'm soooo glad we stayed here, it's such a beautiful place and to get to Sydney is pretty easy! I have been so lucky to get in with a really nice mums group with lots of poms in it too!! It Defo makes a difference meeting people quite similar and just really lovely. I may be in a totally different place right now if I hadn't been so lucky to meet so lovely people! When u guys come over I could introduce your wife to the group, we usually meet at a park or something every week. As most peeps r from overseas they are so welcoming as know what u are goin thru! Obviously depends where u decide to live? Have u looked into areas? Do u have to commute anywhere to work? Rentals are very hit and miss what is about, there seems to be a few in the northern suburbs at the mo (were we live) but it depends what price bracket u are looking in. Hav u been on real easte.com and domain? Real estate is prob better! i think it's pretty dated down here especially shop wise! But it has all the convenient stores u need and I have found a good shopping mall in Miranda which is about a 30 min drive. They do have malls here but they ain't brill! They have playgroups around but it's tough to find a good one! But I've found a few now and i have enrolled my daughter on art classes and swimming lessons for nxt term. If there are any particular questions u want to ask feel free to ask away. It's very daunting the whole move but we are pretty happy and feel settled now! But it's Defo tough to suss out a good area on the Internet! Much easier when your here (not with a 2 yr old in the back of the car tho!!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drwardle23 Posted December 16, 2011 Share Posted December 16, 2011 Hi, Thanks for the positive and cheerful reply! Its reassuring to hear that you (and the guys in the other posts) are settling in OK. It is a massive decisions moving away from family and friends. I'm hoping the benefits for the family will outweight this in the end!? We are still in the UK (Southport). We were supposed to be in Oz by September, but visa issues (+other things) have delayed things. So we now get to sit through our winter (its currently hailing!) and miss the Oz summer! Ouch! I will be working in W'gong but we were thinking of living North of it so we can access Sydney if we fancy a trip there. My wife (Ruth) would definately be up for meeting, and also joining in on some of the nursery groups (and obviously trips to shopping malls (so would our 2 year old daughter, although not sure about our 5 year old son!))....any excuse for a coffee and a socialise! I have checked out 'Domain' and 'realestate', but the rental market does seem quite expensive for the houses for rent. They seem a bit more modern the further north you go? As you say though its really hard to look around and judge an area on the internet, but we'll have to do the same as you......except with a 5 year old in the back of the car aswell! Where did you guys rent/stay when you first arrived out of interest? Thanks for the helpful advise and any further info would be greatly received; and I'm glad to hear you all seem to be settling in well. Have a great weekend! Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pominthegong Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Yes I do! Just seen this post now. Glad to hear you are settling in well Abz, it is a lovely area. Know what you mean about the shopping being a bit dated! We are in Bulli, where did you end up? We moved to Oz nearly 2 years ago and moved to this area in May 2010. I also have a 2 year old, and a 5 year old and a 3 year old in fact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Yes I do! Just seen this post now. Glad to hear you are settling in well Abz, it is a lovely area. Know what you mean about the shopping being a bit dated! We are in Bulli, where did you end up? We moved to Oz nearly 2 years ago and moved to this area in May 2010. I also have a 2 year old, and a 5 year old and a 3 year old in fact! We are in woonona just along from u!! so are you pretty well settled here now? do the kids go to any daycare? i'm really struggling to get m 3 year old into a daycare place! she is on the waiting list for about 3/4 different places and i'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that a place come up at some point, not because i work, but more for my sanity!! iv met so many poms down this way, never thought i would!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Hi,Thanks for the positive and cheerful reply! Its reassuring to hear that you (and the guys in the other posts) are settling in OK. It is a massive decisions moving away from family and friends. I'm hoping the benefits for the family will outweight this in the end!? We are still in the UK (Southport). We were supposed to be in Oz by September, but visa issues (+other things) have delayed things. So we now get to sit through our winter (its currently hailing!) and miss the Oz summer! Ouch! I will be working in W'gong but we were thinking of living North of it so we can access Sydney if we fancy a trip there. My wife (Ruth) would definately be up for meeting, and also joining in on some of the nursery groups (and obviously trips to shopping malls (so would our 2 year old daughter, although not sure about our 5 year old son!))....any excuse for a coffee and a socialise! I have checked out 'Domain' and 'realestate', but the rental market does seem quite expensive for the houses for rent. They seem a bit more modern the further north you go? As you say though its really hard to look around and judge an area on the internet, but we'll have to do the same as you......except with a 5 year old in the back of the car aswell! Where did you guys rent/stay when you first arrived out of interest? Thanks for the helpful advise and any further info would be greatly received; and I'm glad to hear you all seem to be settling in well. Have a great weekend! Steve. So do you guys think you will settle here forever? I found that to have in mind that the move was going to be just a few years (between 3-6 years) made it much easier leaving friends and family. it makes it a very long extended holiday and with that in mind im gonna do my upmost to enjoy my experience as much as possible! nothing has to be forever, so if you don't like it your friends and family in the uk will still be there for you. but i've heard from so many people you need to give the move at least 18 months to gauge if you like it or not. there will be times when you want to go home (like xmas when its just plain strange having xmas in the summer - whats that all about!!!! however saying that its been peeing it down most of the day!!) but you really need to come with a positive attitude. i'm not a positive person really and always fear the worst, but i've had to change my thinking or else i would be dwelling on what i had left behind. please don't miss the oz summer too much, the weather has been pretty rubbish the past 9 weeks we have been here! literally the past month we have had as much rain as england in april! i kinda secretly like it tho as it makes it a bit darker outside so u can see the xmas lights!!! however once xmas is out of the way i would like a bit of sun please!! so we are based in woonona, at first when we came here we were looking anywhere from wollongong to austinmer. a few people told us to stick to suburbs north of woonona, but its personal preference, but between woonona and austinmer are really nice areas! thirroul is lovely but expensive and hardly any rentals! we stayed in an apartment called 'top of thirroul' which is 223 lawrence hargrave drive in thirroul when we first came over. was great with beautiful views but expensive! here is the website with some more holiday rentals on (our is there too!) http://www.discoversouthcoast.com.au/ybi?mod=site-res2&agent=BEVTH&type=Any+Type&town=Any+Location&Yes%21=Yes%21+Search+for+it... (if the link dosn't work its on the bevans (thirroul) website). its also worth looking into sabbatical homes http://sabbaticalhomes.com/Home_Rent_House_Rental_Wollongong_Australia_63358.htm this is a link to a house in bulli but dont know what the price is. but sometimes things like that could work out cheaper than hotel and things as not many people would want to rent a home for a very short amount of time. other option is looking on gumtree and see if any short term rentals are on there? if i come across any other useful websites ill let you know! any more help pls feel free to get in touch! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pominthegong Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 We are in woonona just along from u!! so are you pretty well settled here now? do the kids go to any daycare? i'm really struggling to get m 3 year old into a daycare place! she is on the waiting list for about 3/4 different places and i'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that a place come up at some point, not because i work, but more for my sanity!! iv met so many poms down this way, never thought i would!! I know exactly what you mean re. keeping your sanity! We had the same struggle when we first came down here to get a place, luckily we were fortunate enough to get a place in Woonona actually, but I know now they are full and can only be added to the list. Hope you find something soon. There is an occasional daycare in Corrimal on Short street which I know someone used to use and was ok with it, so it may be worth your while checking that out? It just means you don't get a regular place but you ring up first thing to try and get a place or few hours for 2 weeks in advance. Might be an option for a little break for you. Yes, there does appear to be quite a few of us! I am pretty settled here, although I obviously have the same wobbles every now and again re. missing my family and friends. Hoping the weather picks up a bit for Christmas though! Have you any plans for Christmas, will you be around the area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pominthegong Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 i'm not a positive person really and always fear the worst, but i've had to change my thinking or else i would be dwelling on what i had left behind.please don't miss the oz summer too much, the weather has been pretty rubbish the past 9 weeks we have been here! literally the past month we have had as much rain as england in april! i kinda secretly like it tho as it makes it a bit darker outside so u can see the xmas lights!!! however once xmas is out of the way i would like a bit of sun please!! Gosh! This is exactly what I say re. the darker weather and Christmas lights!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 I know exactly what you mean re. keeping your sanity! We had the same struggle when we first came down here to get a place, luckily we were fortunate enough to get a place in Woonona actually, but I know now they are full and can only be added to the list. Hope you find something soon. There is an occasional daycare in Corrimal on Short street which I know someone used to use and was ok with it, so it may be worth your while checking that out? It just means you don't get a regular place but you ring up first thing to try and get a place or few hours for 2 weeks in advance. Might be an option for a little break for you. Yes, there does appear to be quite a few of us! I am pretty settled here, although I obviously have the same wobbles every now and again re. missing my family and friends. Hoping the weather picks up a bit for Christmas though! Have you any plans for Christmas, will you be around the area? Is it tiny tots your kids go to? i've put my daughters name down there. they seem really good so i'm hoping in the new year a spot will come up there. oh my good god iv just seen the coke ad on tv, i didn't know they had it in oz! i now feel christmassy! sorry, small things.....!! ok now iv gone right off the point.....i had heard about the corrimal place, but i need somewhere close by really as me and my husband share a car at the mo and he drives into campbelltown a couple of days a week, but if im really struggling next year i might go for that and just put her in a few hours when i have the car. i go to the woonona/bulli fitness centre so she goes to the creche there which is doing us well at the mo, she socialises with other kids, and i have a break (if you can call it a break doing exercise!). i have been really lucky to meet some lovely people at a mothers group and iv met another pom through that who has invited us round to theirs for xmas (in bulli actually!!). was dreading having xmas here at first to be honest as thought id really miss home, but now that we are going to be with people i'm quite looking forward to it! how about you guys? if you ever fancy meeting at bulli park or anything while the kids have a play i'll be up for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abzlovell Posted December 19, 2011 Author Share Posted December 19, 2011 Gosh! This is exactly what I say re. the darker weather and Christmas lights!!! we were so sad tonight - we drove round at about 7 coz it was quite dark (for that time of night anyway due to the rain!). i found a link on a websites about certain houses with xmas lights - however we were very disappointed!! 1 house in thirroul looked pretty good, but they hadn't switched their lights on yet! my daughter fell asleep in the car and the rain stopped so it got brighter - all in all it was a pretty rubbish trip out to see the lights! but my daughter wont stay up till it goes dark to be able to see the lights!! rubbish! still dont think they will be as good as back in the uk anyway!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pominthegong Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Definitely would be up for meeting either at Bulli or Woonona Park if easier for you, as we have access to car all days, so can drive there easily. PM me and we can sort out a convenient time to meet up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drwardle23 Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Hi, Thanks for the links for the accommodation Abzlovell. I see what you mean about it being expensive......ouch! We have done the same psychological thing with the time frame. We are looking at staying for 2-3 years and then making a decision as to whether we stay or move on. I agree its generally a less stressful way of looking at things. But you guys seem to be settling in just great. On the weather front I have noticed it seems to have done nothing but rain for the last month...thats not too good!? My wife often does the driving looking at the Christmas lights thing with the kids too! Thanks again for the helpful advise. Take care. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.