pros and cons of life in sydney and australia in general

[happyinsydney]

Hi, have been lurking for a while,I would like to hear your opinions about the following. We are in the process of applying for a partner visa to move to Sydney for a couple of years (possibly permanently). We are very excited at the prospect of starting a new life in Sydney, but have days of complete panick. We do not know anybody there, my dp has an Australian passport but only lived there when he was a toddler. I have only experienced Sydney on a long holiday when we were childless and with 2 salaries. Now we have 1 ds and 1 salary. Would like to know your thoughts about moving to Oz, pros and cons, etc.

Pinotgrigio - there seems to be a lot for rent in nice areas for 300/350 AUD (2 beds units anyway). Would you agree with this? What are the best areas for families from what you have seen?

Hi HIS,

I used domain.com.au and realestate.com.au when I was looking for somewhere to live. I didn't want a unit though (we'd just spent a few months in Germany in the worst apartment in the world), so I excluded them from the searches. I would say you can definitely find a unit for that price.

I liked Coogee, which is further down the coast from Bondi, but not so 'surfy'. It's a much better price, but further away from the trains (if you need to commute). I think Bondi's going to be a lot of fun in the summer, although it's very 'young' and quite expensive.

I like the Eastern Suburbs very much. I take DD to Coogee beach, Centennial Park, Taronga Zoo, local parks, a mums group in Woollahra, Fox Studios (which isn't a theme park) for bouncy castles, soft-play and petting zoo. There are lots of community things going on at weekends and loads of activities for children.

I'm sure there are lots of other lovely areas too, but I've only been here 6 weeks and that's what I found so far.

I thought Coogee was lovely, I liked Bondi, but a bit hectic, not sure I would want to live there. My favourite place was Watson's Bay which I think is very expensive. Not a big fun of Manly either.

wow Australia sounds so much like SA:

stunning scenery
beautiful weather
friendly people
relaxed way of life
hot christmases (which can also be fab!)
bad advertising
supermarkets with no variety (I cant get Demerara suger)
behind in the technology stakes
feeling of isolation

Australia just doesn't have the crime, poverty and corrupt government we do.

I have sent this thread to DH. It sounds fantastic.

I would move to Sydney like a shot...I loved it there and would love to bring up my children there...
The only problem I have is with snakes and sharks, oh and DH won't even contemplate it!