Re. visit\move to Sydney - It sounds like Sydney will tick all of your boxes, the Eastern Suburbs area also sounds suitable. We’ve lived here for a year (moved from London, UK) and initially stayed in Coogee. Coogee is busy but very child friendly with a great restaurant\bar\café scene. For the budget you’ve mentioned you’re probably looking at a one - two bedroom unit in a suburb a short drive\walk from the beach. Kingsford in the Eastern Suburbs is full of young families and you can walk to Coogee in about 20 minutes.

Buying property in Sydney is very expensive, of the friends we’ve made since being here most rent. Other challenges to consider in Sydney are childcare places; the best facilities have long waiting lists.

You’ll find loads of useful information on my blog designed to help mums who are moving to Australia: http://www.mumsgone2aus.com.
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Mum @ Mum's gone 2 Aus
www.mumsgone2aus.com
Blog providing help for mums moving to Australia 

Thank you for your reply. I will review your website and get more familiar with Kingsford and Coogee again.

Thank you again!

More info from others is greatly appreciated.

Live! Laugh! Love!  

I live in Chicago where the weather can be unpredictable and VERY cold in winter. I know and have lived in both Sydney and Melbourne so I am qualified to comment. Melbourne has been "The World's most liveable city" and for good reasons. They have four distinctive seasons but nothing like the humidity experienced in Sydney. Don't be fooled by the Sydneycentrics. Annual rainfall in Sydney far exceeds that of Melbourne. Admittedly the harbour, the bridge and the opera house are very pleasing to the eye and there are a couple of good (albeit crowded) beaches but, apart from all that, there are miles and miles of very ordinary suburbs typical of most large cities.  

I would reccomend the Northern Beaches in Sydney
Great Lifestyle for young children Good Public schools and Private schools
Choice of many beaches
Good Local communities with many activities for children
www.facebook.com/northernbeaches  

I love Melbourne and the people. They are so friendly. I love the trams. The space of Melbourne is amazing, not like Sydney where everything is all cramped up.


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