Where to Live in Sydney???

Levana, There are several A2Kers that lives in Sydney. I'm sure they can help you. I live in California. Welcome to A2K.

Welcome Levana_antonia.

First thought, Wollongong is not Sydney. From the north side of Wollongong to Lucas Heights is a good 35-40 minutes drive.
(I'm sure you know that but, just in case.)

Second thought, $700,000 would get you a decent 4 bedroom house in Sydney. You may have to live without the pool though.

Third thought, Lucas Heights, hmm, are you a nuclear scientist by any chance? :wink:

Adrian,

Your assumption is not too far out!!!

Aware of the distance, lived in the Western Suburbs some years ago. You are right about the house in Sydney but I'm not looking for a rabbit cage in the city with two young children.

Hence the search further south, any thoughts on the suburbs I mentioned or others that way?

You may wish to skip the whole Sydney-thing and move straight to the Blue Mountains, close enough to Sydney, but without a few of the hassles. I could find you some information if you want.

If I was ever going to live in Sydney again I would only do it if I could get a nice spot in the northern or eastern beaches. I lived in the Blue Mountains for 12 months and believe me you soon get sick of 3-4 hours (depending on traffic) commuting per day. For Lucas Heights I'd probably go for somewhere nice like Clovelly, Bronte or maybe even Coogee

Errr,



are on the coast, Lucas Heights is at the foothills of the B.Ms. Hell of a commute.

Errr,

If Lucas Heights is the foothills of the blue mountains then so is Parramatta. :wink:

Lucas Heights is just before Heathcote heading south so Wollongong is not a bad idea. To make the commute easy you would want to stay between Bulli pass and Mt Ousley, so this is a list of suburbs in that area from north to south.

Thirroul = 2515
Bulli = 2516
Woonona = 2517
Russell Vale = 2517
Bellambi = 2518
Corrimal = 2518
Towradgi = 2518
Fairy Meadow = 2519
Fernhill = 2519
Tarrawanna = 2518
Balgownie = 2519
Mt Ousley = 2519

The median house price in that area is way less than $700,000 so you would be getting one of the better/bigger houses.

This site will give you a snapshot of each suburb.

Don't know a thing about the schools but will try and find a link.

Thanks Adrian!!!

No worries Levana, you just make sure there's no meltdowns while you're here 'right? :wink:

Have looked into schools but I don't know any teachers that know the area. The other problem is that in NSW they don't really publish figures on school rankings and the like. They don't want to have people avoiding certain schools because of "perceived" poor performance.

All I can really offer is these two sites;

NSW Department of Education and Training.

Which has a list of all the public schools in NSW and other information you might find useful, such as info' for people moving from OS.

Private Schools of Australia.

Has a listing of all the private schools. In Oz most of those are religious.

I'll go back and edit the list of suburbs to include the postcodes because both sites have a postcode search function.

The only school that stuck out while looking was Smiths Hill High School, which is a selective school in Wollongong. I would bet it's a good school but you have to take a series of tests to get in.

Cheers.

Just went back and realised that your kids are 7 & 5. You won't be needing a high school just yet.

There's not a huge difference between primary schools in the public system, so the choice is basically between public or private.

I'm late, as usual.....

There's a couple of newish suburbs around Lucas Heights area - Barden Ridge, and that other one....<forgot the name>.

Also consider something like Wattle Grove, off the Heathcote Road - a good area and easy commuting.

Living in Sydney, additional questions.
On the back of some knowledgeable feedback provided herein, I have several questions re. living in Sydney. I am researching background prior to deciding whether to accept a job....

1. As I would be working in the middle of the business district (St George's Street area) what kind of commute time and transport method to reach a good residential district? Like previous enquiry, looking for 4 beds and websearches seem to suggest A$700+. If I can avoid using a car everyday to commute, that would be preferred, so place close to rail or ferry links would be ideal. So a list of which districts to focus on and approx. commute time would be appreciated.

2. On visas, although I would be sponsored I note that all visa types seem to have an age limit of 45 years, even for business. I'm just that age now. Is this a real barrier to get a visa, or will the job offer be enough to get the visa irrespective of age?

3. Kids and schools - I assume that there are High Schools in the vicinity of most residential areas. When are the school terms? Any barriers for children of English speaking migrants getting immediate access to local schools?

4. Any ex-migrants who can advise how quickly you can get permission to own property and get a mortgage, etc.

5. What a ballpark income tax rate in Australia?


Thanks.

emgee
Yikes - now there's a list.

#1 Where to live. Depends on what you're looking for.
Public transport is quite good in the inner suburbs, and not quite so flash the further out you go. Click on the light blue words to go to the links.

Sydney buses and trains

Best (or nicest)commute is probably along the ferry routes - click

Eastern Suburbs, and lower north shore - expensive.
Inner west - crowded but interesting
Outer west - less crowded, more room for families; can be a bit barren for amusements.
Beaches - always interesting, but expensive.
Southern suburbs - nice family lifestyle, closer to beaches, not what you'd call exciting - but "nice"
Inner ciry and near suburbs - crowded, lots happeniing, room may be an issue - unlikely to find 4 bedrooms at a reasonable cost.

#2 - Can't answer visa question.

#3. Schools and high schools everywhere, both public and private. 4 school terms - roughly Feb-Easter; Easter-June; July-Sept; Sept-Dec.
Big break is at Christmas, usually 2 week breaks between each term, longer if you go to private schools.

#4. Not a migrant - so - not aware of any problems in buying property, if you have permanent residency - but unsure if you have a business visa. Someone else may be able to help.

#5. Click here for tax rates.


You can hope tht Adrian or Mr Stillwater comes by with other suggestions.

Cheers from synny Sydney (or it will be when the sun gets up....

my son is in studant exchange with Wolongong... and amoung many of his vintures... he is visiting the aborginals (spelling?) today.

Interested in anything about that area...

Margo - When starting out, you have a whole heap of questions and you did a great job of demolishing most of them. We will now be able to focus much better. Many thanks!

Don't necessarily restrict yourself to the far north of Wollongong. Doing so would see you most likely driving up Bulli Pass to get to work. A road that can be pretty treacherous-and the Princes Hwy traffic in that part of town can get pretty heavy. Around Wollongong city would give you access to the Mt Ousley which would probably get you to Lucas Heights just as quickly as living further north and using the pass.

I basically only know the northern suburbs due to my motorcycle riding, having grown up and lived most of my life in the much less crowded southern areas.