Guest the terry's Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Hi all knowledgable people, just a quick dilema that perhaps someone could help us with. We are hoping to move to oz late next year when school finishes for summer, and we are not sure whether to go for Ferntree gully in the city of Knox OR Glen Waverley in the city of Monash. The later would be good as eldest son wishes to become a policeman and with the training centre being there would seem a more logical answer but we also like Ferntree Gully, not too far from most things including training centre. My question is really does anyone know what these areas are really like. We've read everything possible to do with these areas but would like more local knowledge/experience. Does anyone know of someone who lives or works there or would possibly become a penpal ???? Also OH is a 'General Plumber' is there any work for him there? Any suggestions gratefully received.:notworthy: Cheers, The Terry's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 8788jt Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Hi Helen If you don't get much of a response here, there is another website specially for Victoria that you could try. Don't know too much about it but was looking last night and they may be able to help as well. Don't know the exact website address but if you google BritVics, you should be able to find it. Good luck - Joanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the terry's Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Thanks for the Joanne will give it a go. Liked your pic's by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jogrant3232 Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Glen Waverley every time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the terry's Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 Hi Jo thanks for your reply why Glen Waverley everytime, a little more info please. Helen aka the terry's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachel L Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 We're due - if our buyers ever get back from holiday to exchange contracts (aaaarrrghghghghgh) - to move to Glen Waverley at the end of Jan. If anyone has the pros and cons of this that would be terrific. Obviously it's noted for fine schools, but the parents have got to have a life, too, right? Although 'the Glen' did have a collection of asian restaurants that will keep me very quiet for a while.... Rachel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fairbloodydinkum Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 ferntree gully huh?...well, if you can get up into the hills (called the Mt Dandenong ranges) a little..you'll love it....if you go a little bit further..you'll like it more...:yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scurle Posted December 21, 2007 Share Posted December 21, 2007 We currently live in Glen Waverley. We spent a month travelling around the suburbs before coming to rest here. We like the area, which has so far has been quiet and very pleasant. Knox is 2 minutes down the road. The Police Academy is 1 minute in the other direction (ok, 10 and 5 mins!!). We like Glen Waverley for a number of reasons. It is 25 mins from the city (outside rush hour!), 40 mins by train in rush hour! Has a good train service for commuting into the city if needed. Is 30 mins from the Dandenongs, and 30 mins from the beach. The schools in the area are all very highly rated (which in itself drives up the house prices). Knox if further out of the city (not by much), but the train journey would probably have to start at Glen Waverley if going into the city. Both Knox and Glen Waverley are in what is locally known as the rain belt. But in 2 years, we've not seen much to worry about for sure - it is nothing like England!! It is for sure greener than more northerly suberbs. Travelling north or south in these outer suburbs can be slow due to traffic load. The Eastlink will soon be opened which will benefit both area's. There is a reasonably high degree of Asians (Chinese, Japanese) in the area but nothing that makes it unpleasant. The Glen shopping area has a good mix of shops - including a David Jones - which I am told is like a Harrods equivalent . The cinema complex and general restaurant area to the side of the Glen is generally trouble free with a good mix of Asian cuisine. There are to my knowledge only 2 'pubs' in the area. But I think unless you are further into the city, there will not be many 'pubs' anyway in these outer suburbs. What are you looking for in an area, for the parents to have a life too.... ? Feel free to drop me a line if I can help with more info etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the terry's Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Thanks guys for all your kind replies. Does anyone have any photos of the area? I'm certain Ferntree Gully is for us as Glen Waverley is a bit pricey for us. How big are the gardens there (roughly) at the moment ours is about 50ft x 50ft, do you think we could get a bigger garden there? I've tried looking on google earth but it's a bit hard to tell the sizes, they don't mention them in the selling adverts either on realestate.com. Any other comments gratefully received, Cheer all, Helen aka the terry's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racht Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Hello! My husband, 2 kids and I are hoping to move to that sort of area too later in 2008. I think it's very difficult to decide on areas without actually being there and getting a feel for the place, don't you? We thought we would book into a hotel for a few weeks once over there to give us a bit of time to decide. When are you hoping to go? We are lucky in that our children are only 3 and 1, so were in no major rush to get them into a school. Rach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Barnetts Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 :jiggy:Hi Helen We arrived with our three children in August 2007. We had never been before and do not know anyone. We managed to settle in Wheelers Hill, about 10 (ish) mins from Glen Waverley. We wanted to move to Glen Waverley but ended up in Wheelers Hill because we found the rental market hard and took what we could. However, Glen Waverley has great choice of shops and convenient too. Our children 17,16 and 11 love the area and have settled immediately. (One of our sons wants to join the police force too - the academy is down the road!) We love it here, the area is lovely and Glen Waverley would of been our choice. Good luck. Wendy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racht Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Hello to The Barnetts Interesting you say Wheelers Hill....I saw a few really nice houses there. What's it like? Do your kids go to school there? Thanks Rachael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Barnetts Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Wheelers Hill has some lovely houses although we are renting at the moment. Our children go to school Wheelers Hill. Our eldest two boys love the school and our daughter likes hers (although I am not sure about it). It seems ok but we had to find a house first because of the rental market and we did not have the time to find schools first as we were in a motel for three weeks (in Frankston!). However, we are happy with the area for now and spend most weekends looking at properties to buy when we end lease August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racht Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 So are you looking to buy in Wheelers Hill then? I note you've rented for 12 months. Was that your decision or is that a standard minimum lease round there? We were thinking of doing a similar thing to you. I've noticed that everyone raves about Glen Waverley schools and presume they have a catchment system like here (do you know if that's the case). Ours kids are younger than yours so we do have a bit more time to sort schools but still need to think about it. Does your daughter go to a different school to the boys due to age? Why are you not sure about it? Do you think it is that school in particular or schools there in general? Sorry for all the questions...just trying to get as much info as possible! Also....sorry I realise I'm a pain, but when you have looked at houses, what are the gardens like? All the new builds appear to have none. Thanks for your help. Rach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Barnetts Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 Hi Rach Ok, Wheelers Hill for us is going to be quite expensive - we had such little time to find somewhere to rent and get sorted. It was catch 22 - no jobs, no school etc. Yes they have a catchment area so when we got this house we just put the kids in schools. Not something I would do in the UK but since being here, the lifestyle is so much better for us, it was all about getting our feet in the door. Our boys love it here and the school and their friends they have made. So as long as they are settled, its ok. our daughter goes to a different school and will go to theirs next January (when the school terms start). I had to think of what was convenient as it is near her brothers school so they can walk her to/from school as I am working near the centre of Melbourne (Kew). It is still new to us and we are still learning along the way. People say it is hard for the first year. I think it is but we spend our time at the beach from 4pm till 7pm in the evenings and we are getting there! We decided 12 months lease to give purselves time to find a house to buy in an area we like but as the boys are settled, we have to find somewhere near their schools and friends. But since they were taken to the other side of the world with us and they have settled so well, moving to an area suited to their needs is a small price to pay! My daughters school has two year levels in a class so that is why I am not sure about it although there are only 250 pupils in the school. So teaching is in small classes - not like the UK school she went to (30 pupils in a class with 5 classes in her year). the new builds dont have much of a garden where we have seen, but the houses seem to have enough to sit in the sun, BBQ nd entertain. A question for you - when are you thinking of coming out? What are you going to do for work? At what stage are you? Hope this helps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racht Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Thanks for that. We are hoping to be out by the end of the year. I dont work (stay at home mum). I want to go back to work once they are at school though (I am a lawyer - but want a change). We are close to submitting skills ass for my hubby (he's in IT). It's great to speak to people who are already out there. I guess the first year is bound to be difficult not only missing people but adapting to so many new things that are going on...plus all the stresses of finding jobs, somewhere to live and schools etc. I can only get easier for you from now on! Once again, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Barnetts Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Hi Rach We were lucky that although we had neve been here before or did not know anyone, once we had the house and schools etc, we both got jobs. My skills in the Uk were quite specialised and I worried about getting work here although I would of done anything. In the UK I was an interpreter for the Deaf so coming here, I have had to undergo some training - my choice as it is slightly different sign language, but landed a job not that different to what I did in UK. I work in a prestigious private girls school in Kew overlooking Melbourne and get the holidays at home with the kids. My husband is Gas /plumbing. I do socialise at work and get together with them but my husband and I want to meet people outside of workplace and find friends to have a drink/chat. Its hard when you leave friends and family but we wont give up because we know we have done the best for ourselves and children. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racht Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 You did really well both getting jobs quickly. I think they organise meet-ups on this site, you'll have to keep your eyes peeleed. You can count on us once were out there - we'll meet up, if we ever get there...seems like a long way away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rachelking Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Hi all We just about to move on Jan 5th and we're heading to Glen Waverley. We've already rented a house right near a park and i've asked My Dad who lives in Rowville to go check it out. His wife grew up in the area and said it's really nice. Our house is a new build town house and is great. There are a lot of new builds going up, but they seem to be on the main rd (waverley road) and have huge bonds of $4k!!! I think we we're quite lucky as most of the other properites are quite dated. There seems to be a lot of English heading for the Glen..so hopefully we'll all catch up. MY OH and myself have a 21 month old son..so any Mum's out there looking for playmates, then drop me a line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rachel L Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Hi Rachel We've been in Wheelers Hill (opposite Jells Park) for 6 months now. You won't be disappointed. Give us a shout when you get here. I have a 4 and 5 year-old but we have friends with smaller kids, and ours are very friendly! Have a good trip. Rachel x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest treesea Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 I would prefer Glen Waverley over Ferntree Gully. Glen Waverley has much better transport links for a start. Ferntree Gully is too close to the Dandenongs for me. They do go up in flames every now and then. And being in the foothills it can be quite damp. If you do settle there, try to get a place with central heating. Not usually the norm in Melbourne houses, but winters can be freezing in Melbourne, especially there. I know Glen Waverley is more expensive, but it's worth the investment. The other thing to keep in mind with Ferntree Gully is because it has the Dandonongs on its doorstep, the morning sun is relatively late to arrive. So it would be a good idea to make sure the part of your house/garden you want to be sunny faces north. That took a bit of getting used to after being so long away from the northern hemisphere, i.e. that the sun tracks south in Britain, not north, so the sunny side is the south side of the house. Word of warning to anyone buying - look out for mortgage insurance. That's the bank's, not yours and applies for all mortgages where the deposit is less than 20%. It's not cheap. For instnace, a $470K mortgage on a $500K property will set you back around $9K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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