Guest mikewheble Posted August 18, 2011 Share Posted August 18, 2011 Hi all, Well, that's it, date is set...off to NSW 28th September!!! Really can't wait. One slight issue; I am coming out on my 475 regional visa whilst waiting for my 121 PR Employer sponsored visa to come through. As I'm coming out on the regional visa, it means that I have to live in a regional area of NSW. My employer has done a bit of research and has recommended the following area's to live for a couple of months until my 121 comes through. The area's he has recommended include: Bowral, Mittagong, Cole Vale or Hill Top. My job will be in Bondi Junction and I realise that it will be a commute and a half however, it will only be occasional as I will be working from home. Can anyone recommend one of the above areas please? There will be myself and my wife and so would like a bit of nightlife (an odd bar or two) and a cafe etc. Thanks for all your help. Regards Mike & Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave53 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I was interested in your post . We live near to Picton , which is not too far from the areas you mentioned . I know all the towns you are interested in . Colo Vale and Hilltop are not towns by the way . They are both small locations , with little or no shopping , bars or pubs . OK for that get away from it all sort of life , and did I mention it was cold too !! .Bowral is the pick of the crop , with quite a few restaurants , cafes and bars . It is seen as a "upmarket " town attracting city people at weekends in particular , and has prices to match , in particular house prices . It is on the main Southern rail line , and has regularish ! trains to Sydney via Campbelltown . It has a hospital too , which is often an overlooked facility when choosing somewhere to live . The town of Mittagong is only about 4 miles from Bowral , and on the same rail line , it is smaller , has less bars and restaurants , but has cheaper living . As I said , we live in Picton , which is about 25 miles closer to Sydney , enjoys slightly warmer weather , has a few pubs and cafes , is on the same rail line and is much cheaper in the housing dept , yet still retains a country feel about it . Would this be regarded as " regional " ?? ... if it is , then take a look around Picton , you may be pleasantly surprised .. I hope this helps .. Dave C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Bowral is lovely! Hubby has a friend who lives there and works in Sydney. However, he's rented himself an apartment in the city, so he doesn't have to commute each day. Love Rudi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zman Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Bowral is where reasonably wealthy, anglophile retirees head. It's one of the few places on the mainland where English type winter weather can be experienced (not as cold as Canberra but with humidity higher it can seem colder). Some suburbs are particularly nice (Burradoo) and expensive. Overall, the town has more in the way of good quality restaurants and cafes than other regional towns but I'm not sure it "buzzes" at night. As with many Oz towns (and suburban areas), it's the local club where people socialise (e.g. Bowral Golf Club). As Dave has noted, Hill Top is not really a town, more a settlement. Don't know about Colo Vale but suspect it's the same as HillTop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mikewheble Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I was interested in your post . We live near to Picton , which is not too far from the areas you mentioned . I know all the towns you are interested in . Colo Vale and Hilltop are not towns by the way . They are both small locations , with little or no shopping , bars or pubs . OK for that get away from it all sort of life , and did I mention it was cold too !! .Bowral is the pick of the crop , with quite a few restaurants , cafes and bars . It is seen as a "upmarket " town attracting city people at weekends in particular , and has prices to match , in particular house prices . It is on the main Southern rail line , and has regularish ! trains to Sydney via Campbelltown . It has a hospital too , which is often an overlooked facility when choosing somewhere to live . The town of Mittagong is only about 4 miles from Bowral , and on the same rail line , it is smaller , has less bars and restaurants , but has cheaper living . As I said , we live in Picton , which is about 25 miles closer to Sydney , enjoys slightly warmer weather , has a few pubs and cafes , is on the same rail line and is much cheaper in the housing dept , yet still retains a country feel about it . Would this be regarded as " regional " ?? ... if it is , then take a look around Picton , you may be pleasantly surprised .. I hope this helps .. Dave C Hi Dave 53, Thanks for the info, it is extremely helpful. Having checked out regional areas where I can live, it looks as if Picton isn't one of them :-( The areas in NSW include the post codes: 2311 to 2312 2328 to 2411 2420 to 2490 2536 to 2551 2575 to 2594 2618 to 2739 2787 to 2898 Having had a further discussion with my employer, I am going to bring my travel dates forward and so am off to Toronto on 11th September for a week (work) and then come to Sydney on 17th. I think I am going to get them to rent me an apartment in the city for a month or two and if the 121 visa hasn't come through by then, head to Mittagong or Bowral. My wife will stay in the UK for another month and complete packing etc. Thanks again. Any help at this stage is really appreciated. Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mikewheble Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Bowral is lovely! Hubby has a friend who lives there and works in Sydney. However, he's rented himself an apartment in the city, so he doesn't have to commute each day. Love Rudi x Hi Rudi I posted a response to Dave53 in which I am going to head to Sydney for a month or two and then onto Mittagong or Bowral if my PR visa hasn't come through. Do you know how long it takes from Bowral or Mittagong on the train? Thanks in advance Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Mike I am sorry, I have no idea! When we were in Sydney we live north-west. I only replied because my hubby's bestie is down there in Bowral with his family, but works in Sydney. Sorry I can't help. Love Rudi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Hi Mike 'hubby's bestie' Love Rudi x I hate to be critical but I don't think blokes have 'besties'? It's OK for sheilas with their girlfriends but blokes have mates and perhaps might just describe one of them as a 'good' mate, but no further! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zman Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 Mike The train service is, unfortunately, not like InterCity in the UK and it takes a fair time to go from Bowral to Sydney. You'll probably find that, in addition, you'll need to go to Central and then catch another train to Bondi Jnctn. Check out the following link for more info: http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/timetables_by_line.htm#landingPoint Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mikewheble Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 MikeThe train service is, unfortunately, not like InterCity in the UK and it takes a fair time to go from Bowral to Sydney. You'll probably find that, in addition, you'll need to go to Central and then catch another train to Bondi Jnctn. Check out the following link for more info: http://www.cityrail.info/timetables/timetables_by_line.htm#landingPoint Cheers Zman, thanks for the advice Regards Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted August 23, 2011 Share Posted August 23, 2011 I hate to be critical but I don't think blokes have 'besties'? It's OK for sheilas with their girlfriends but blokes have mates and perhaps might just describe one of them as a 'good' mate, but no further! LOL - well whenever he calls, I tell my hubby that his boyfriend is on the phone......... My hubby never describes his friends as his "mates" - not sure why really! Love Rudi x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave53 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Mike , Yes Zman is correct with his assesment of the rail service .. His attached link to the rail network is a very good stating point ... I know from personal experience that there are only 3 !! direct trains/ day from Bowral to Sydney , and the times are really not helpful . Failing that you will have to change at Campbelltown and Sydney Central station for Bondi Junc . It will take approx 2.5 hrs each way , and that's if the trains are on time , and no track mtce work is scheduled , as is this week , then it's buses replacing trains and an extended trip . I was in Bowral yesterday for work , the weather was fine , temp about 18degs max and 5 degs min overnight , a rather "balmy' day by Bowral standards .. There is a brilliant cricket hall of fame museum at the Bowral cricket oval , mainly dedicated to Sir Donald Bradman , the famous Australian cricketer . If you are in to sport , it is a great day out .. Have fun on your travels and hope to see your postings here soon .. Dave C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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