Looking for a place to live when you’ve got kids means more than just finding the right house. It’s about finding a safe, affordable home and making sure it’s in a good school zone. Trust me, as a number-minded person, I’ve spent hours figuring out how to balance both.
Here’s how I’ve been doing it. It’s not super fancy, but it works for our family.
Step 1: Start with School Rankings
First, I head to BetterEducation. I check out the 2023 rankings for public primary schools. I go one by one, searching for schools that look decent and match what we want for the kids. It’s a bit of a process, but it helps me focus. The next part? Finding out if we can actually afford to live nearby. Spoiler alert: It’s not always easy.
Step 2: Search Real Estate Listings
Next, I jump over to realestate.com.au to check the rental prices and house values in the areas where these schools are. I always keep an eye on whether they’re within our budget. We’re not the kind of family that can spend without thinking, so being realistic is key. If the rent or home prices are way out of our range, I have to cross that area off the list. There are no shortcuts when you’re trying to make things work financially.
Step 3: Finding a House in the Zone
When I do find a house that looks like it’s in a good spot, it’s tempting to get excited. But just because it says the house is near a school, doesn’t mean it’s actually in the school zone. So, I double-check using this handy tool: www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au. You just pop in the address, and it tells you if it’s really in the zone. It’s saved me a lot of time and heartache, I’ll say that!
Step 4: More Details on the School
Once I’ve got a few suburbs and schools in mind, I dive deeper by checking ICSEA scores and school data on www.myschool.edu.au. This tells me about the school’s variety, and overall performance. I don’t need a school that’s the top of the top, but I do want one that offers a good balance. You know, not too fancy, but not struggling either.
After going through this process, I’ve searched over 400 schools! It sounds crazy, but I’m determined to find the right fit for us. We’ve finally narrowed it down to a few suburbs, and next, I’ll be introducing some of the ones we’re considering. It’s been quite the journey, but I know it’ll be worth it in the end.
Hopefully, these steps help you if you’re in the same boat—looking for that sweet spot between a good school and a home that doesn’t blow the budget. It’s not easy, but we’ll get there! Keep an eye out for my next post, where I’ll dive into some of the suburbs that made the list.