'The Clash' question

[Spoiler]

The lifestyle here is good if you live near a beach suburb. If you end up in the suburbs, you could be anywhere. Especially once you get stuck in traffic and its raining.

Thanks. Could you suggest some areas to look at around Sydney - a family friendly suburb (I've got a young kid), that's a reasonable commute from the city.

[norrahe]

Just to add to the pile, go for it, you may never get a chance like this again. If you hate it, you can always come back.

If you have property over here, do not sell it, rent it.

[TheFaQQer]

What's to hate about Sydney?

It's full of Australians.

[Bunk]

It's full of Australians.

So is London

[TheFaQQer]

Now then, I have the opportunity to uproot my family and move to Sydney as a job has come up. Am in the process of weighing it up.

You don't say how big the family is, and who you are including in the uprooting - children? what ages? Parents as well? etc.

We considered emigrating to Australia a few years back, but in the end decided that I just couldn't move halfway round the world and separate my children from their grandparents that far. I know it's a small world these days, but at the moment we live an hour from the in-laws, 90 minutes from my parents, 30 minutes from my sister and her family.

In the 1970s, my parents moved with my brother and sister (then 5 and 3) to America for 2 years. After they told my grandparents they were going, in a fit of pique my grandfather smashed up the climbing frame he had built - if they weren't going to see the children, there was no point having it in the garden reminding him of the fact. I equate the travel experience of getting to Australia these days with getting to the States in the 70s.

I've now moved on to looking at Canada as an option - it's a lot closer for the family to be able to visit

[TheFaQQer]

So is London

Yep - and I hate London, too.

[Spoiler]

You don't say how big the family is, and who you are including in the uprooting - children? what ages? Parents as well? etc.

Me, wife, son (2 yrs), plus another on the way. So, it would be good to go before the kids are school age.

If we go out, my in-laws may also follow. Brother-in-law has been looking at it for a while, but may not qualify on points currently (but if I get there, then I believe this will count for him). If he (+ family) plans on come out, then I would expect the parents (in-law) to follow. I have no problem with leaving family\friends behind (but my wife is probably would, hence I hope the in-laws make it out).

[Spoiler]

Hang on, move to Sydney may be off for now. I was just about to send an email, when I spotted the following on the company's website:

"Company X is a Christian Company, where all applicants are treated with fairness and respect and have equal access to the opportunities available."

[TheFaQQer]

Me, wife, son (2 yrs), plus another on the way. So, it would be good to go before the kids are school age.

They will probably get more out of it if they are there when they are of school age - particularly if you are only planning on being there for only a few years.

I have no problem with leaving family\friends behind (but my wife is probably would, hence I hope the in-laws make it out).

Each to their own - I couldn't move that far away from my family. Up to 8-10 hours flight to get there, fine - anything over that and it gets too far for family to come and visit. If they do, they tend to come for along time - my grandparents used to visit for 6 weeks at a time when I lived in America.

[aussielong]

Thanks. Could you suggest some areas to look at around Sydney - a family friendly suburb (I've got a young kid), that's a reasonable commute from the city.

Yes, I would recommend Manly. Great place.

Don't go to the non-beach suburbs unless you have to for costs.

You do hear occasionally Aus described as a "Christian country" by people that are not religious, so I wouldn't read too much into your other observation (but worth checking out if you have strong views, hehe).