I only stumbled on to this site yesterday in sheer desparation, trying to find out if there where other Brits in our, or close to the area we are at and after spending alot of time reading different threads, I can't tell you how much better I felt! just reading about everyones experiences and knowing I wasn't 'going off the rails' so to speak helped so much. i can't believe I havn't come across this site before now? I first read MelW thread on 'I'm struggling' and tears sprung into my eyes immediatly, as that was exactly how I was feeling yesterday and the several days before, I really hope you are now feeling better now? I found myself getting up in the middle of the night looking at the houses for sale in the UK, then getting really confused because I don't really want to go back, but not sure if I can stay either?
We have been here now almost 10 weeks, we landed in Melbourne on 8th December (me, OH and our 2 sons 8 & 11) and after a couple of days of what felt like us sleepwalking everywhere, we picked up our hire car, which we thought would be big enough (Ford Fairlane), but actually wasn't, we had migrants allowance - 160kg 6 large cases and the 4 hand luggage bags....... So we ended up ditching two of the cases at the motel and spreading contents wherever there was a spare space in the car, we then took a very cramped but comical ride to Sale in Gippsland, which is where we had ear marked to live.
We then like everyone else, spents days sorting out house to rent, bank, medicare, schools etc. It was manic, as in between I was also trying to think about Christmas presents for my sons and stuff to make it feel Christmassy for them. Before we left I was so focused on sorting the house sale and getting over here, I really hadn't given Christmas alot of thought. We were lucky though, it wasn't to long before we found the lovely house we are in and ironically the couple we have rented it from, were actually going to travel in the UK for 9 months, so we struck up a deal to rent there furniture too, we are paying $450 a week, can anyone give me comparisons?
Sale is a lovely town, its got a bit of everything it seems. We chose it because it was only half hour to Ninety mile beach, a couple of hours drive to the mountains in the winter if you wanted to ski (we don't, but would like to try) is near to Lakes Entrance and only around 3hrs to the City. But now we are wondering whether we may be too far out, it is quite quiet here, we arn't city people as such, we come from a town called Flitwick in Bedfordshire, which isn't a big place, but it was near to big places. (I do appreciate you have to travel a fare bit to get anywhere in Oz, no where is near to anything here)
Over the holidays we went down to the Mornington Peninsula and did all the tourist things and I really liked it there. Trouble is we have got the boys into school now and they seemed to of settled well so far, they have just started to make a few friends, so feel guilty to uproot them again? We were in touch with another British couple through a mutual friend, who have been out here in Sale for a year, they have been very helpful with advice and finding our way around.
My other half is a bricklayer and has found it very difficult to get work, as soon as we arrived in Sale he went off looking, spent days travelling around all the building sites, sending C.V's off, joined all the agencies, rang all the building companies, no one came back to him, which really suprised us. We didn't expect for one minute to get here and step into work, we came ready to do whatever it took, but they didn't seem to want to know. After 8 weeks he has finally been given a break with a guy and is now on his second week, which is brilliant. Has anyone had any similar experiences, is this a standard thing? he is earning $28 an hour, are there any other brickies out there who could fill us in on the going rate where they are?
I have read reply's from people down in Mornington, I would be very grateful if anyone could give us their views on what its like to live there please, or anyone else in a trades position where they are. We've even been thinking of moving out of Victoria altogether, although OH was sponsered by Victoria Goverment and I think we need to stay in Vic area for 2 years? I do like the weather here as well, I love the sun but also like the cooler days and the bit of variety you get, thats why we opted for Victoria.
On a whole so far I like Australia, we didn't come with the dream of the grass being greener, just a different shade. I feel it's a safer place, the lifestyle is great if you are looking for more quality time together, there's alot of fantastic place's to see and visit, the fact there is more space makes you feel different. The unexpected suprises have been: how unhelpful the work front has been, the cost of the shopping in comparison to wages (I don't know if I dare to say that?) and how difficult I have found it just trying to make friends, but I'm sure in time and lots of positive actions on my behalf I'll get there eventually eh.
I have just read through this and apologise for it sounding a bit muddled, state of mind and all that, next one I'm sure will be different.
Just wanted to welcome you to PIO and thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Your post was really interesting.
I hope now you've found this site you feel a bit less homesick, I'm sure it won't be long before you start to build some friendships with some of the other PIO'ers out your way!!
Everyone is very helpful and friendly on here. Someone more useful than me is bound to be along soon!
Congratulations on making the move, keep posting and letting us know how you're getting on!
Best wishes
Mrs Tyke x
__________________ "You can lead a fool to wisdom, but you can't make him think" TRA passed 26/09/07 - IELTS passed 15/12/07 - score 9.0 - 175 Visa application lodged 22/01/08 - Case Officer 31.07.08 - Meds done 13.08.08 - Police checks sent 19.08.08 VISA GRANTED 2.10.2008
Hi, it's always nice to read other people's thoughts on where they have settled. It really helps those of us who are still waiting to get out there! Good luck. Regards, Caroline.
Thank you for the welcome Mrs Tyke, I will keep posting from now on, I wish you all the best with your application, I remember that stage well, we lodged ours in Jan 07 and was granted our visa in July 07. I'll keep an eye out for you to see when you have any news.
Hi
My husband is a brickie and there is so much work on the Gold Coast, he started off earning $30 per hour and now he is on $36.
I know you are not in this area but thought you may be interested to hear the brickie rates up here, good luck with everything
Hi LynneS,
Posted you a personal messge, $450 a week does sound a bit expensive, we moved to Sale 3-4 weeks ago. Our rental was $300 a week but we knocked them down to $270. Not working at the moment so if you fancy a coffee one day, you have got my phone number.
Karen x
Location: From Bury,Manchester To Jimboomba, Brisbane
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Looks like your going through a tough time but youve got yourseves so organised it would be a shame to give it up.Theres no deneying the first few weeks are hard,especially with kids but keep smiling and one day youll wake up knowing you made the right choices.We have been here nearly 18mth and its only this last few months ive stopped comparing things to the uk,i dont 'miss'' anything because ive found alternatives,ive made a few good friends i can rely on and that alone makes one hell of a difference.Just get out there and meet as many people as you can,it really does get easier!
Cal x
Hi Lynne and welcome to PIO, I know you've been feeling homesick but your 'antics' with the cases made me smile. I hope we can make the things a little better for you. A problem shared is a problem halved (I think I just made that up but never mind ... you get my drift lol).
