Moving from Canada to Sydney - looking for a family friendly suburb that is somewhat affordable.

Ice hockey is not commonly played here (we don't really have the weather for winter sports!). There is one ice hockey club in Sydney, based in Macquarie Shopping Centre (in Sydney's Northern Suburbs). Family friendly, but as for affordability — depends on what you consider affordable.

Rentals for a small two bedroom apartment in Macquarie Park/North Ryde (the immediate suburb for Macquarie Shopping Centre) are around AU$450 a week for a small older apartment; $600+/week for a new one (and will be hard to get as you'll be competing with people who want to live close to the business park). Bear in mind that whitegoods, etc., are not included; nor are bills like electricity.

Go further north to Chatswood for better schools/transportation links to the CBD and you're looking at $500+/week for the older apartments and $900+/week for the newer. Small houses run from 750/week and upwards. You can also go west to Meadowbank for apartments around $400 — bigger than Macquarie Park but much older. Houses in Meadowbank are around $600+/week. Most soccer teams meet up and play at Meadowbank if your sons are interested in soccer too.