It seems like ages since I posted on here while waiting for my CPV (parent) visa last year, getting lots of encouragement, help and advice from everyone on here. I got the visa in May 2007, moved by myself in November 2007, then dropped into a big black hole because of a family tragedy back home. BUT, despite everything, I absolutely love Melbourne. It's a very friendly place, there is loads to do, even for the over-60s like me, and I don't regret my decision one bit. There have been moments when I'd love everything to be more familiar (eg. trying to find the right sort of light bulb...they are my doom, and the staff at K Mart must now dread me asking for help), and sometimes I just wish I knew how things work here, but you soon find out.
In the past six months I've managed despite back-to-back visits from family and friends, to buy a house and move in, acquire a kitten to annoy my other cat who came from England, make some new friends and re-discover some from long ago, buy a bike and explore some of the bike tracks, find all sorts of local activities to keep me busy, get a car and brave the traffic, go away on holiday to Western Australia, see far more of my daughter in Sydney, and start to feel this is home for good now. I can't wait to become a citizen.
If I can help anyone with those little questions about the first few weeks here, while it's still all fresh in my mind (well, you do forget things at my age!!), do fire away. And to any parents who might have cold feet, as I know I did while contemplating doing this alone, there are so many compensations here, I don't think you'll regret it.
How lovely to hear from you again and I am so, soooo pleased to hear that you are settling so well.
Have you got yourself a Seniors Card yet? If not, you are entitled to one and as Seniors Card has nothing to do with Centrelink it has no effect on the CPV Bond:
Hayshake is a CPV 143 holder whose visa was granted at about the same time as yours. He and his wife are now in Murray Bridge, which I think is about 50kms from Adelaide. Hayshake told me about Seniors Card and says that he and his wife are getting terrrific use out of theirs in SA.
Also I was chatting with an Aussie lady in the Chatroom on here the other day. She lives in Sydney and says she has heard that Seniors Card is very good in NSW too.
It sounds as if you are fully occupied with local activities anyway, but have you heard of the Red Hat Society? If not, Google it. It is open to ladies of 50 or over and seems to have Vhapters everywhere. It is an excuse for a knees-up to judge from the photos their publish on the websites of the various Chapters!
Location: Finally moved to our new home at Bonbeach.(VIC 3196)
Posts: 106
Hi Newnico
Glad to hear that you are all settled in now. Like you, we arrived last year and after living with our son and d-in-law for nearly 5 months eventually moved into our new home at Bonbeach. As you say everybody seems to be very friendly and we certainly have no regrets.
We also have bought bikes to go riding around the area,but generally we tend to walk more than cycle. We have just sent off for our Seniors card so when that arrives we'll be using the trains a bit more, all day travel for about $3 I think.
If you ever come down this way do give us a call
Mike and Connie
An oldie settles in
