Any ex Sydney-siders on the forum?

[Bonfire2010]

We are moving to Sydney at the end of next month and have no idea where to base ourselves! We have two weeks accommodation sorted out when we arrive, but then need somewhere to rent for 12 months. My husband will be working at Macquarie Park, and at some point I will probably be in the CBD. If you are from Sydney, or know it well, can you give any advice on areas to consider? We aren't bothered about being too near the beach, but do need somewhere easily commutable (I don't drive), with decent public (government) schools. Somewhere like ED would be ideal!

Any tips would be very gratefully received.

[Khind]

I grew up and went to school in Sydney. We lived in Turramurra which is on the North Shore. It would be easy commute to Maquarie Park and the trainline would also take you straight into the CBD. There are lots of nice suburbs along the North Shore line - Pymble, Lindfield, Roseville. Nice leafy suburbs. Perhaps not quite the same village feel as East Dulwich but in my opinion you don't get that so much in Australia. Don't know how old your kids are but for me and my brother it was great - all our friends lived just a stop or two along that line. Lots of school options. Not very close to a beach but we had a pool so that never really bothered us :)

[Strawbs]

I'm a Sydney sider. Macquarie park will be the more tricky commute so go on to www.131500.com.au and look at commute times and timetables from places on the north shore as suggested above), also look up Hornsby heights as you get more for your money there, lane cove and crows nest are other ones but dont have a train station so it's a bus commute. Avoid eastern suburbs as mac park commute will be too hard. Mosman is where we are moving to next year but it has a ferry and bus service and no train station so unless you are going to get a car prob not an option for mac park.

[Strawbs]

Sorry I was rushing that before I put toddler strawbe to bed. If you are likely to work in the cbd your train stations will more or less be wynyard , town hall or central station. I'm not knowledgable on schools as my eldest is 3 and I've been here for 10 years so can't help there sorry. You will quickly find a car is pretty important in Australia ad transport is nowhere near as frequent as here. Where is your temp accom? Tip for you buy all the swimsuits and Havana flip flops you can here as they are crazy expensive there. Cost of living in Sydney is high. Any other questions let me know.

[snowboarder]

My sister is just back from spending 6 yrs in Sydney - I'll give her a nudge to pm you!

[Bonfire2010]

Thanks both. I lived in Sydney for a while (about 15 years ago, pre-kids) so have some ideas on the CBD, train stations in that area etc. (used to work near Wynyard so know around there pretty well). A friend of the family lives in Mosman, Strawbs and it looks really lovely - bit too far away for us work-wise though.

No idea on location of temp accommodation at the moment as all being arranged via husband's work as he is transferring office. Would presume it will be near-ish to where they are based though.

khind - thanks for that info. We were actually looking at all of those suburbs on the train map last night! I think the North Shore will be where we start off. I was also looking at Killara as the schools look really good (my oldest is 4 so will start in Feb).

[Bonfire2010]

Thanks snowboarder - that would be great!

[Strawbs]

Bonfire are you sure your 4 year old will start in feb ie will they be 5 by then? Toddler strawbe is due to turn 5 next year and will start the following jan.

[Bonfire2010]

Hi Strawbs - yep, he's turning 5 in November this year. Plan is to get him into 4 year old kinder when we arrive so he makes a few buddies and hopefully settles in as quickly as possible.

[Khind]

Bonfire2020 - if you have any other questions let me know. It's been a while since I lived in that area because I moved to Neutral Bay but one of my best friends is a kindy teacher at Ravenswood (in Gordon). Happy to ask her which state schools she would say are best or anything else you are wondering about.

You'll love it - such a great place to live with a young family! Good luck!

[Tickle1978]

This is big on our agenda at moment as we plan to move back. We have a house in Killara on North shore. As mentioned abo ve there are lots of good public schools of a primary age such as Lindfield East and Killara primary, all have enrolment policies on their websites. Rental rates are quite high checkout realestate.com.au zip code 2070 and 2071 median rentals around 1000 pw for 3 bed, and competition to rent is quite fierce particularly on east side of pacific high way, which is where train is, v diff to here.

Enjoy, weather makes such a difference, make sure you take kiddies to reptile park in Gosford

[Bonfire2010]

khind - have PM'd you.

Tickle1978 - thanks for the heads up re. rent. Will have a good look at the website over the weekend. My eldest loves lizards etc. so will definitely arrange a trip to Gosford!

[actuarygi]

Hi,

We are from Sydney too. It might be worthwhile to consider Pennant Hills, Beecroft, Cheltenham. There is a dirct train that goes to Macquarie Park and city CBD running every 15 minutes (northern line). And also bus too (621), look up Hills bus http://www.cdcbus.com.au/HillsBus-Maps.html that will get you around, although no where near as frequent as london buses.

[ken2]

Hi - hope you don't mind me PMing you. I've just posted an ad looking for a house sit / swap you might be interested in. We are in sydney.

Thanks

Caroline

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?25,1478039