Calling all ACT PIO'ers!

[toops]

Hi Steve & Wendy and Toops, just had my visa granted, it looks like the ACT SS are flying though, our meds were posted on 22nd Dec and we thought we'd be caught up in all the Christmas post but we had our visa granted on 14th Jan, so only a month after the meds!

Wow - Congratulations!!! I think I had better get my A into G and auction the house off or get ready to rent it out.

We sent our meds online on 20th Decemeber, finalised 23rd, sent Police Checks to case officer last week.... hope we get a fast processing time.

[Ange DB]

Woo hoo Visa finally granted earlier this month, 2 years earlier than expected, even though it has been almost a 2 year process! I havent been on here in a while so would really like to make contacts of others in similar situations and hopefully meet up in Canberra, we have a 10 month old daughter and 3 year old son so will be looking at ways to entertain them play groups etc.. Hoping to be there this year before August. I think we will stay in serviced accom first, then rent.. then buy! I know the rental market is scarce to anyone any tips or recommendations on accommodation to stay when we first arrive would be much appreciated.

Goodbye rainy Manchester.. Hello sunny Canberra

[toops]

Wow.. another one through!! Fingers crossed ours wont be much longer. We are based in Manchester too. Congrats :-))))

[destinationoz]

CONGRATS - Great news!! See you there as soon as poss !!

[nik_kershaw]

Well done Ange, my wife goes to a mothers group (really it's just a group of friends whose kids are all the same age) and they go to a play group call paint and play, she also takes our son swimming at the local pool with fun swimming lessons.

Our son is 2 years old and is into everything going, if you need any advise of places to go then let me know.

P.S. there is a really good play area at brand depot that is free in the food court. There is a bigger play area in DFO but you have to pay for it, really good though and the kids will wear themselfs out

[ice cream]

Just arrived in Canberra on my husbands 457 visa with our 10 year old son. Desperately looking for somewhere more longterm to live. So what's Queanbeyan really like to live in?? How about Jerrabomberra?

Thanks
Ice Cream

[Quoll]

Just arrived in Canberra on my husbands 457 visa with our 10 year old son. Desperately looking for somewhere more longterm to live. So what's Queanbeyan really like to live in?? How about Jerrabomberra?

Thanks
Ice Cream

Jerrabomberra is fine if you dont mind living under the flight path to Canberra airport. Check it out here Airservices Australia - Aircraft Noise - WebTrak Locations

Bear in mind that Jerra is NSW and so if you want an ACT education for your son, you may not get one and NSW is going to charge you $4.5k pa for the privilege of educating him - cheaper than ACT though!

Queanbeyan is alright - has the reputation of being a bit "bogan" but quite a lot of people live there and work in ACT. It's actually closer to Civic than some of the far flung ACT suburbs. All depends on where your DH will be working really. You probably dont want Queanbeyan if he is going to be working in Macgregor.

[toops]

Did anyone see the programme on relocation ot Canberra this morning? :-)

[MagsInCanberra]

Woo hoo Visa finally granted earlier this month, 2 years earlier than expected, even though it has been almost a 2 year process! I havent been on here in a while so would really like to make contacts of others in similar situations and hopefully meet up in Canberra, we have a 10 month old daughter and 3 year old son so will be looking at ways to entertain them play groups etc.. Hoping to be there this year before August. I think we will stay in serviced accom first, then rent.. then buy! I know the rental market is scarce to anyone any tips or recommendations on accommodation to stay when we first arrive would be much appreciated.

Goodbye rainy Manchester.. Hello sunny Canberra

Hi Ange,
Im on PIO cos im organising 176 for my sis. Ive been in Canberra 12 years. Ive a 1 and 3 year old. Canberra is absolutely brilliant for young families. You can sign up for free playgroups ACT Playgroups depending on where you decide to live. Other free things include storytime at the public libraries ACT Libraries - Storytimes which includes stories,songs and a craft activity afterwards. There are also fabulous playgrounds all around Canberra. Adventure playground at Yerrabi in Gungahlin,John Knight Memorial park in Belconnen and Black Mountain Pennisula. There are more big ones Im sure but these are ones I go to in my area. Most suburbs have smaller playgrounds too. Paint and Play is also great that I saw someone else mentioned.Its on at Ainslie shops and not sure if there is anywhere else.
For paid activities YMCA run great junior gym classes and Canberra City Gymnastics do gym classes for slightly older kids on proper gymnastics equipment.

I know all the names of places mean nothing now but they are all north of the lake. If you end up on that side then you can pull out this mail again.

Also, if you arrive in ozzie winter then bring winter woolies, its clear and bright but is cold in winter (i was caught out by that one!)

Cheers
Mags

[toops]

Whoooooppppeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! We got our visa's on Tuesday, so flipping chuffed I cannot express it properly. We waited 2 and a half years for this moment - just shows you do get them sometime. Good luck everyone out there still waiting, the current timeline is 3 month for SS. :-)))))