Help! Is Stuart Park a good area? + Croc ?

[Ardentwhispers]

We're being posted to Darwin (OH is in the army) and we've just found a house in Stuart Park. It seems pretty good but I can't seem to find out much about the area. Does anyone know if it's ok?

What's the crime like? Is it alright for families? Any info at all is helpful. We'll be up there in about a week, but at this point we've never even visited the NT and have NO idea! I'm feeling quite anxious!

Also..this backs right onto a marina - what about the crocs? I'm scared they'll walk right up to the house :laughing: Am I just exaggerating the situation - what are they really like? :ecomcity::ecomcity:

Thanks!

[MsMummy]

:laughing: Sorry, I have no idea and I've not visited to Darwin, but I have the same perception as you that crocodiles may roam the streets and frolic in backyard swimming pools.:yes:

I'll be interested to hear the answer.

[Annabella]

Which side of Tiger Brennan Dve is it? There is a new suburb that is next to the water which I think is part of Stuart Park but not sure if its called Stuart Park or Tipperary? That part is good I think, the older part near the Stuart Hwy is ok but sometimes drunks hang around along the Hwy. I'd live in Stuart Park tho if we were still in Darwin, in the old or new part. I think most areas in Darwin are pretty similar, some suburbs have worse reputation than others but you'll find house prices are still through the roof (for what you get) and friends have bought in a couple of those areas and haven't had any bad experiences, and to be honest I don't think they still have those reputations now. Except parts of Palmerston maybe I'd be a bit worried and probably wouldn't want to live there.

I haven't lived in Darwin for 6 years though but we still go back all the time and haven't heard Stuart Park has become really dodgy or anything. You could try googling Neighbourhood Watch in Darwin and see if there is someone you could ring and ask them?

As for the crocs, highly highly unlikely one will ever come in your yard, but the NT News loves a crocodile story so you hear about it every now and again! I lived there for a long time and never saw a crocodile outside of Crocodylus park! Its a very modern city these days :)

[EandN]

I can asure you, there will be no crocs near your house. Most people go their whole lives in Darwin with out EVER seeing one in the wild.

Stuart park is great I think, well most of it.
You can PM me the street of the house and I can tell you what its like if you want? Right near the local shops is not brilliant as there are a few drunks around and a mens shelter etc (well there used to be).

I lived in Stuart Park and loved it, also had friends there and they loved it too.
If its army housing its probably in the newer area so even better.

If you DH is army though, you are not that close to his work, about 25 min away.
But you are minutes from the city,great if you want to find work.

I loved living in palmerston when I had my DD1, in army housing. The suburb was Durack, and would always recomend it. Close to shopping centers, play groups, library etc.

[tjane]

Stuart Park would be ok, but agree with the drunks and antisocial behaviour that goes on. Especially if the house is near a park or alley.

We are living in Durack and love it. DH can ride his bike to work (at Robertson Army Barracks), or if he drives can come home for lunch if he wants. Crime is minimal in Durack and we have had no problems at all. Other suburbs in Palmerston (like Moulden) are a bit older and have some bad streets that I would avoid.

Durack is really close to the shops and Target too. Also its not far if you want to go to the base and go for a swim or use the gym. (Robertson has the BEST pool in town). But the RAAF base also has a pool so you can use that if you live in Stuart Park.

I suppose it depends on if you are working in town, have kids, etc.

Durack Primary school looks really nice too. Probably 50% (or close to) of the homes in Durack are DHA, others are rented by NT Police, others by professionals.

[Seacretsquirrel]

It depends which base your DH is working at and whether he or you mind a drive.
If he is at Larrakeyah Stuart Park will be great esp if you only have one vehicle, as he will be able to ride a push bike no worries however if he is at Robbo then it will be a half hour drive each way. My DH is Navy and works out of Coonawarra (which is on Larrakeyah) and we live at Rosebery (out at Palmerston) it is perfect for us we got one of the new houses (4 bed lock up garage and ensuite) and they do come up on occasion esp if you jump up and down and explain why the other things on offer are unsuitable! He has a road trail bike to get him to and from work and if he needs to take extra stuff or is going to sea we drop him.
We love it out here (Despite people saying it is soooooo far out of Darwin - not sure how 20-30 mins is sooooo far away:confused:) it is a lovely quiet neighbourhood with lots of parks within walking distance plus the palmerston pool and the Coonawarra base are close for swimming or Robbo too I think (I haven't checked out their pool).

We lived at Stuart Park last time we were up here (opposite the shops and park) and yes it did get a little rowdy sometimes but it wasn't too bad but we didn't have kids at the time either and I think that makes you look at things differently.
Good Luck with your decision it is so hard but remembereven if you lock something down and hate it when you get here (which is what happened to us it was Awful thread-bare carpet, much smaller than it looked and smelt like cat wee live wire hanging from the roof all sorts of fun stuff) you can change your mind!

[Aries]

Just saw this post so its probably a bit late & you've discovered it for yourself!

As the others have said, Stuart Park is pretty good. it is very close to the city centre & one of the older suburbs ( unless you are in the new part!)

The only area I'd avoid is close to the Stuart Highway & next to the shops.

Stuart Park also has a pretty good school. Most people don't know its there because it is pretty well hidden!

Hope you enjoy!

[Ardentwhispers]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the advice.

We've been in Darwin a little over a week now and Stuart Park seemed pretty nice, but the house was too small for us given we have an 8 year old! So we've found a house in Lyons that we're very happy with! Moving in on Thursday, yay!

Now to find a school..lol. Although I am pretty sure we'll go with Wanguri, anyone know much about it??

[Annabella]

My husband went to Wanguri, but that was 15 years years ago now! A few of my friend's kids go to Holy Spirit School just near Wanguri school, its a Catholic school and I would probably consider sending my kids there if we still lived in Darwin. Having said that, i think its all much of a muchness really up there, I don't think many people I know look into primary schools at all unless they are going Catholic... You are so lucky I wish I was in the nice hot weather now!

[Aries]

I don't know anything about Wanguri sorry!

Try to see if they have a website & arrange to have a meeting with the principal at the school.

I know at Stuart Park parents are always meeting with the principal & having a look around the school to get a 'feel" for it.

Also be aware that a lot of schools are now zoned so you can only attend them if you live in that feeder area.

[parkergal17]

All the schools in Darwin Northern Suburbs are much of a muchness really.

I agree with PP and make the time to meet the principal and see how you like it.