Bonfire2010

My son went from age 9 months (left earlier this year aged 4 years). We were very happy and loved the baby room staff and the little outdoor area they have for the babies.

Ps - a lot of the suburbs have their own Facebook groups aimed at mums and they are very active. I am a member of one for the North Shore and it's been very useful (like an EDF Family Room section), but I know there are other forums for different areas. If you have a look for areas you are interested in you will probably be able to get more information from local mums.

Hi Val We moved to Sydney from ED five months ago and are really enjoying it. The weather is lovely, we are just out of winter, which was like a UK spring for most of the time - we have even been at the beach a few times. There are lots of lovely areas in Sydney, and we have settled in Crows Nest which is on the Lower North Shore. It was recommended to us as having something of an ED feel and we really like it - lots of cafes, restaurants, quirky shops, plus it is very family friendly. It is also only 15 minutes commute to the CBD (central Business District) and the public transport system is good (although Sydney-siders disagree, but I guess they have never battled into Central London!) There are lots of other nice suburbs locally - Mosman is really lovely, but very, very expensive (one of the most expensive areas to live in Aus in fact!), but East Lindfield, Gordon, Pymble, Waverton are a others and all the Public Schools in the area are very good. The Inner West is also very popular with the hipsters and families, we have friends in Balmain and they love it. If you are in the catchment zone for a public school you are guaranteed a place - there is none of the worry that you will not get in. There are lots of very good private schools, but it seems this is where the kids here go for High School, not primary (not sure the ages of your children). There are waiting lists for nurseries which are either 'long day care' which is like nursery in the UK, or 'family day care' which is like a childminder, or nannies/au pairs. However, even with the amount of families with young children in our area (which would rival East Dulwich!) we still got places straight away for both our children (4 and 1 years) at our local, first choice daycare/preschool centre). In terms of culture, sometimes you can forget you are in Sydney - there are so many English/Europeans living here! It's a very multicultural city and my sons friends are a mix of backgrounds such as UK, Japanese, German, U.S., French (and some antipodeans!) Now for the downside! It is very expensive here! Housing costs (renting or buying) are the main concern for most Sydney residents. The cost of living is generally higher than the UK as well, plus day to day things like choice for shopping is not great. There are only two main supermarkets chains here (Coles and Woolworths) so there isn't the competition for customers (although Aldi is becoming massive here which putting some pressure on the big 2). Travel is also quite expensive (flying anywhere isn't cheap), but you can be in the mountains in 90 minutes by car, or a beach (of which there are many) in 15. Sorry, this is a bit rambling! I had a LOT of doubts about leaving London, and I do miss it (I still have a look at the EDF occasionally to see what's happening) but I do think we have done the right thing. Happy to answer more questions so PM me if you like.

More or less agree with what Otta says...still, seems a bit mean to have linked to this thread in the Lounge so that others can basically take the p*s$. If you don't agree with what the OP says then that's totally fine and you've responded here. Flagging it to those on the other sections who rarely see anyone's point of view other than their own seems unnecessary.

:-) It's my son's birthdate!

Hi Cassel I believe she got a recommendation through her doctor as it was related to her alopecia.

A good friend has her eye-brows done as she has alopecia and it really helps her with her confidence. It does fade and it isn't cheap, but for her it is worth it.

They came out and saw me for a check up on New Years Day, so I would think they will work on the Bank Holiday. I would ring them and see what's happened.

Second Mason & Green. Have used them many times for airport runs and they have always been punctual and very pleasant to deal with.

Friddles are brilliant - Em makes amazing looking cakes and they taste lovely as well.

Thanks Saffron! There don't seem to be the issues with primary schools, but nursery places are exactly the same...xx

Many thanks. Am now living overseas so am dropping out of the system completely and wanted to free up our place for others.

Does anyone know how to decline a school place offered by Southwark as part of primary admissions day? Is it to the school or the education dept?

My (then) 3 year old was very into dinosaurs when his baby brother was born, so I bought them a soft toy Triceratops (his favourite) each. He knew he was giving his to his brother as a 'welcome' present, and I put the other one in the hospital crib so that he found it when he came to see me. When he opened it we told him that his baby brother must already love him very much, and they must already have so much in common if they both loved dinosaurs.

I've had my hair cut by nearly all of the stylists over the last few years. My favourite is Pauline, but they are all very good.

Thanks Loz. That's good to know as did a conversion with UKForex and they came out with slightly the best rate of those I have looked at so far. Thanks DaveR. Will have a look at those two as well.

Obviously I have looked into using my bank. As the others have said banks offer a poor rate compared to brokers. pablogrande - thanks, will also check out your recommendation.

Thanks Pickle. Will check them out.

Can anyone recommend a firm to send a substantial amount of GBP to an Australian bank account? Not Transferwise or Transferz as have already contacted them. Thanks

Pedder left a 'sold' one up outside our house for 3 months after the sale they had worked on fell through and we had disinstructed them.

We went for brunch on Mothers Day and they were lovely. They don't have a kids menu but made sausages on toast for my two kids and were very friendly and attentive. We booked ahead and asked for a high chair.

Jelly Belly Pilates is great, and you can take pre-crawling babies.

I second Rafal (Lubeki). He installed our kitchen for us and was reasonably priced, quick and very tidy.

Perfect - thanks ACBP.

I know this has been covered before but I can't find the threads... I am flying long haul with my 4 year old and 15 month old soon. Not too worried about the 4 year old, but am looking for ideas on how to entertain my 15 month old. He is VERY active and wriggly...