Moving to the Sunshine Coast - but where exactly?!

[SammieSnail]

Hey Girls :wave:

We've just made the big move from Tasmania to Hervey Bay but I need to be near the University of the Sunshine Coast to finish my degree.

Hence in the next three months we're looking at moving within an hours drive of the Uni at Sippy Downs.

The clock is ticking and I'm freaking out I won't find somewhere to live before next semester starts!
Now being from Tassie I am totally clueless about good areas etc and was wondering if everyone could give me a bit of advice?

Basically the rent needs to be affordable - We are currently paying $260 per week for a modern three bedroom house- is it unrealistic to expect similar?
Most of the areas I've looked at on the real estate websites are between $300-$400 :eek:

We plan to stay put for around 5-7 years so any information on daycare and schools is also appreciated.

DH will be needing a job of course ;)
So areas with employment shortages are best avoided.

Access to doctors and dentists without ridiculous waiting lists is also a must.

Don't know what else so might add more later

Thanks :goodvibes:

[kat82]

Nambour is good. Rent is't to bad.
If you want child care any where on the sunshine coast you could be waiting some time.
Last time I was there I went back to my old Dr and I know they were easy to get into. There is two schools in Nambour. Both are good.

[3boys1girl]

I live in Sippy Downs like a 10 min walk to the uni. Out here is great and I love it! We have brought our own house now but a couple of years ago we rented for $260 per week for a 4 bedroom house (as soon as we moved out though they bumped it to $300) There is many schools out this way both private and public. There are a couple of daycares as well. I have never had a problem with getting into Drs and dentists.
Rentals are very hard to find out here though because many people want to live here because its great and so close to everything. If u are looking cheaper then Nambour would be the way to go or maybe Caloundra.
HTH :)

[blissfullybonkers]

i think you'd find something you like in maroochydore, coolum, mountain creek,kawana-renting wise, but the house may not be brand new, and id doubt you'd even get a unit for the price your paying at HB.
my dd has been on a cc waiting list for about 5 months, but it shouldnt be much longer......
not too sure about doctors etc but there is a chain of bulk billers around on the coast.

goodluck:wave:

[SammieSnail]

Thanks girls! I will trawl through the rentals in those areas and see what else google can tell me.
I can see what you mean on rentals being scarce.

3kidsmum - Sippy Downs seems nice! We drove through a few weeks ago to check out the university etc. I loved the greenery and everyone we drove past was beaming. Gee did we get lost though cruising around without a map.

Originally we were going to buy where we moved next as we are required to buy a house by the end of the year...long story.... but as the prices are so out of our reach we will most likely buy an investment property elsewhere in Australia.

Yeah I think childcare is going to be the one sticking point.
It's essential for me to go to uni but I need to start July 21 when semester 2 commences....so I guess I'd have to put his name down in the next month for any chance of being able to even physically go to uni.

I'm pretty sure I get some priority to a CC place while studying?
Do you think that would affect the waiting list greatly?

[3boys1girl]

I dont think u get priority because u are studying. I had my name down at Bella Grace at sippy downs for a couple of months. I got a phone call saying that I could have a spot but I decided to turn it down because they have no AC and it was hot! Im going to start her there in April

[SammieSnail]

Gee no air-con is a bit rough 3kidsmum, I thought they'd all have it up here.

I just checked out some of the government websites and it appears I do get priority. Not first priority but second, which is better than third :yelclap:

I thought I would as I was originally going to be studying in Hervey Bay instead of working and the girl at the daycare center got me to fill out forms stating our working/studying status even though there was no waiting list in case I wanted extra days in the future.

If anyone wonders the same thing:
http://www.facsia.gov.au/internet/facsinternet.nsf/childcare/families-priority_of_access.htm
http://www.familyassist.gov.au/Internet/FAO/fao1.nsf/content/-work_study_test.htm

[3boys1girl]

I think 95% of kids would fall in to those first 2 catagories though:yes: