I would move – a house is just a house but a school is where your child is going to learn and make friends, you’ll want it to be the most positive it can be for them

I would probably stay in my house – you’ll be happier overall, I suspect.

I think the school your children go to is so important so yes I would move to be in the right catchment area.

I think you definetly need to way up your options – can you apply as an out of zone to the school? most do usually take a certain number every year who are not in the zone. Other than that if you are really concerned about it I would consider the move or look at close by schools that you could also apply to as an out of zone.

I have the same dilemma. I’m going to try to get my son into the Catholic High School which has buses there, but the local school is horrendous. It will be costly to move, but I will if I have to.

Tough one! I think I would go for the not so nice house (as long as it’s not too much of a downgrade) it’s a gamble either way you go

I would consider renting in the zone to get in. Some schools require you to always live in the zone though so it would be important to find out their rules.

home is where the heart is.

Education and a good supportive school are Very Important… so yes I would

Thanks everyone. I’ve toured all the schools in the area and yup out of zone is an extensive waiting list of which we’ve been told there is less than a 1% chance to get in unless we are in the zone. Maybe we need to look to rent within the zone for a year and rent our house out and then move back here – we are 100m out of the zone so it’s just heartbreaking 🙁

Hard decision but most people I know have moved to be in the catchment area. Once you are in…..they wont kick you out when you move out of the catchment area (well they don’t where I am)

i have some solutions for you!

First up- you can make the house better and do renos!
– talk to the school and they might have a waiting list (could be huge if this is the best school in town)
-Or the best option for you is to rent for awhile. Get your child into the school and then move where you like! Once they are enrolled, live where you want. It is only3-6 months in a rental to give your child a great education at a good school.

It’s such a hard decision, and I know lots of people who have considered the same. I think the biggest thing for me is that I wouldn’t want my husband and I to resent living in a house we don’t like, and it being the cause of issues etc. Afterall, your house is your home, and you want to feel comfortable. Have you visited the school you are zoned for an had a good look at it and spoken to the principal and teachers? I know a lot of people go on hearsay, but you might find if you visit the school it’s not as bad as you think. Also, have you enquired at the school you prefer? They may be able to put you on a waiting list perhaps?? I’d do whatever is going to have the least negative impact on your family. Good luck!

My baby is still so little I don’t know what I’d do yet. Is the school just primary or all the way through high school? I would seriously consider it… so many pros and cons

You can make any house a good home. I’d be tempted to move to be in the zone for the better school as so much of our children’s life is spent at school, it needs to be one where they are nurtured and safe. Before you decide anything though, look more closely into the school where you are no as reputations can change, and opinions of what is a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ school can vary. I’d be doing a tour of both schools first. Good luck!