Do we check it out or just go! (any one done the motorhome way?)
Bernie here, we are currently startying TRA paperwork and thinking of going on a three week trip to Brisbane area at some point (perhaps next Easter). Would anyone recommend this or do we just go for it? It will cost alot (got 2 kids too) but then I guess it's the rest of our lives we are thinking about. Went to NZ but was a bit quite for us. HAS ANY ONE BEEN TO NZ AND OZ? ARE THEY SIMILAR (SOUNDS STUPID I KNOW). Is Australia similar but more built up with bugs?
If we do go we were thinking of doing a motorhome jobbie as kids would prob enjoy this and we did then when we went to NZ last year and it was great fun. OR is it another ball game in Australia? Lots of questions today, can anyone recommend a company for a four berth luxury type (if we do the motorhome we do it in style )
In general answer to your query - looooooads of people do the whole thing without ever having been there.
It's a little bit crazy and I think the sense of it depends on personal circs, such as what committments do you have, would you be able to start a good life back in the UK if it all went t*ts up etc.
Then there's the argument that a holiday will never give you a good indication of what places are like to live and whether the lifestyle will suit you.
However, if you can afford it a reccie will at least let you do research live instead of over the net and build up the excitement of going there for good.
Good luck anyway (and no idea about posh motorhomes - I'm far more common than that!! lol)
__________________ Abi&Dan
Things are going to get a lot worse before they get a lot worse - Lily Tomlin; And then we get to Oz - Abi&Dan
I have been to both Australia and NZ and I don't think I could live in NZ. I think you're right about it being too quiet. Auckland is about the only vaguely busy part but obviously if you like quiet then NZ is for you. The OH (who has never been to Oz) are thinking of going to Brisbane or Sydney within the next few months. I've not been to Brisbane before but it looks busy enough and laid back enough at the same time.
Not sure whether you need to go on holiday or not though. As you say, it's a lot of money.
Thanks guys, think we are just going to get on with applications and see how it goes. When we got back from NZ we said that's it, let it go we are staying in the UK BUT still can't let emigrating go so it looks like we won't be happy unless we just do it!!
Some friends of mine have just gone to Nambour (north of Brisbane) they haven't been there B4 and they think it's the promised land, said kids love school, and made friends already.
If anyone has done the motorhome way or if anyone knows of a good company would like to hear??
Hi Bernie,
We are in the same boat really, although iy is costing an arm and a leg to go, we have decided to do the whole recci visit first...... We have decided to travel by motor home simply because with three young children we think it the most flexible way to travel sleep eat and rest when you need to. Also if we are'nt stuck on one state we can travel to the next while taking in the country as we go, the costal roads are supposed to fab and so I hear are the camp sites.. anyway we will see, done lots of research and totally torn between adelaide, melbourne or brisbane. we are hoping one of them will really swing it in the flesh. Although we will be in holiday mode the only holiday I have ever had that I left really wanting to move to is Cornwall, and I have been to many places. The sad thing is the house prices and lack of jobs has made us look to the other side of the world!!!
good luck....
Hi Bernie,
We are in the same boat really, although iy is costing an arm and a leg to go, we have decided to do the whole recci visit first...... We have decided to travel by motor home simply because with three young children we think it the most flexible way to travel sleep eat and rest when you need to. Also if we are'nt stuck on one state we can travel to the next while taking in the country as we go, the costal roads are supposed to fab and so I hear are the camp sites.. anyway we will see, done lots of research and totally torn between adelaide, melbourne or brisbane. we are hoping one of them will really swing it in the flesh. Although we will be in holiday mode the only holiday I have ever had that I left really wanting to move to is Cornwall, and I have been to many places. The sad thing is the house prices and lack of jobs has made us look to the other side of the world!!!
good luck....
Thanks for that, we were also contemplating Cornwall but like you say house prices have rocketed and we would be increasing our mortgage and we would be with a smaller mortgage in Aus I think.
I hope your trip is good. And I agree that the motorhome is great because you can eat/sleep/stop etc when you want to. When we went to NZ we often stopped and just whipped up a bacon sandwich!!!
Let us know how you get on won't you, especially Brisbane as that's where we would go.
Hi Bernie!
We are going to move to Oz w/out visiting first, bit of a gamble especially about choosing where to live but realistically, can't really afford to visit first! We have lived abroad before so feel we have a good idea of what we are looking for & understand what we will go through re-adjusting etc but at end of day, whole thing is real gamble & until you are living there for an extended period of time, I don't think that you really know how it will be for you & your family.
For us, money better spent establishing ourselves in Oz but only you know what is right for you!!!
LOL
Sally
Do we check it out or just go! (any one done the motorhome way?)
and thinking of going on a three week trip to Brisbane area at some point (perhaps next Easter). Would anyone recommend this or do we just go for it? It will cost alot (got 2 kids too) but then I guess it's the rest of our lives we are thinking about. Went to NZ but was a bit quite for us. HAS ANY ONE BEEN TO NZ AND OZ? ARE THEY SIMILAR (SOUNDS STUPID I KNOW). Is Australia similar but more built up with bugs? 
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