is it a must to b able to drive.

[Wimpy69]

I had read mixed reviews about Armadale and when my OH said we were going to rent a house from a work colleague of his there I thought he was crazy!! But after living here we love it so much that we have just bought a house in the area. Our teenagers use the Armadale train line for uni/college and they say that it is no different to riding a train in any other country (we have lived in 4 others). There are great shopping malls, nice coffee shops and I've never met anyone who isn't friendly? If you are looking for a nice neighborhood with good bus access I would recommend Mt Nasura, which is also in walking distance to Armadale hospital. Mt Richon is also very nice and like Mt Nasura they have good sized blocks and the houses aren't all crammed in together like some other developments.

[Give me a break!]

The trains and buses are great, but a word of warning about your food shop. When we first arrived I didnt have a car and the supermarket is only about a 20 minute walk away, nice and near.....but 35c heat and trying to hold a couple of carrier bags, with the big bottles of juice etc, well lets just say I was cream crackered and had rather a lot of backpain. So it does depend, I suspect if you chose you area wisely you'll get away with it.

[gobbyjock]

I don`t drive and whilst I can get around ok by public transport, it can have a big effect on other major decisions - Im limited to where I can live - need to be near bus stop & shops and work - you need to be near bus stop as walking long distance to bus stop is a pain - bloody hot in summer and can get pretty wet in winter. Going to a GP or Dentist can be awkward too, so Im taking lessons and will be sitting my test soon - if I pass it will open up a whole load of options for me. It is do able but much easier if you can drive and like I said gives you so much more options for living and work areas.

[boomarang girl]

thanks all,wimpy69 my mind is wee bit easir cos of what you've said,thanks,maybe i should seriously look at learning to drive now!!..depending what work hubby gets he might not be at home 9-5.

[verystormy]

My wife doesnt drive and we live in a bit of an out of the way place. But, she works from home and loves cycling. So to her the 20km trip to the train station when she wants to go to Perth is fine. The shops are only about 5km away and i am always shocked at how fast she does it. I work away, so she has a bike with a basket front and back and manages fairly well. Even take the dog in a bag in a basket some days.

[gobbyjock]

I`ve managed ok - been here 4 1/2 yrs but like I said it`s going to make things much easier and open up more choices workwise, hubby is in the RAN and will be away for 6 months this year and he pointed out that If anything happens to my daughter or the dogs need to get to a vet Im knackered - thats what made me start lessons.