ramot

A friend of mine’s granddaughter has done that. She is Australian, but lives in England with her parents. She is in her 2nd year at JCU, and loves it. Although her grandmother lives on the Sunshine Coast she is completely independent, just stays with her for a couple of days at the beginning of the year and then again before flying home for Christmas. Hope that helps.

I wish you nothing but happiness in your future life xM

I’m getting a bit fed up with you having nothing good to say about where I live. It’s a lovely place with plenty of interesting people, who don’t have tattoos or mullets, of course some people do dress as you describe, but not everyone has a lot of money here, and it is a hot climate so buying food is a priority. No one I know dresses anything like your dress code description. Of course your experience with a bottle thrown from a car was totally disgraceful, an awful experience, hooning does go on here unfortunately,, but seems to take place in certain areas, but I have never ever experienced anything like you unfortunately experienced, since living here.

Can’t earn the same money sadly, there is a scarcity of well paid work, and the daily drive to Brisbane is not viable long term, due to the amount of traffic on the BruceHighway in comparison to 21 years ago.

I’m sad that you have had a rather negative impression to the Sunshine Coast, compared to my 21 years living here. I agree there is very little ‘night life’ here, that’s mainly because so many people are up and about early living a healthy lifestyle , swimming, surfing, walking, before they go to work or school. There are well attended clubs and activities for every age and cover almost everything anyone might be interested in. We go to the Caloundra Events Centre fairly regularly to watch a good variety of shows, eg, QLD Ballet recently, Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra is playing on Saturday, all are well attended. I have made a great group of friends, from warm and welcoming life long generations of Australians, to the more recent immigrants, like us from a mix of countries who have made the coast home, making it such an interesting place to live. Our son who now lives in North Brisbane would move back here instantly if he could move his job here, he has many friends here with young families, who have a great life on the coast, and they aren’t covered in tattoos. It is not my intent to cause any upset by the above, I just felt I needed to say that it is a nicer area than might have come across to you, and I wish you all the best for your new life in Australia. Moving here after living in 4 other countries, was the best decision we made for us, and our two children who followed us here say the same xM

Good luck with your move xM

Same, no frills, minimal ceremony and collect your certificate on the way out, we didn’t even have photos, still waiting for my tree

Not looking for problems, just pointing out some of the realities, as possibly one of the very few posters who has actually experienced living between 2 countries for over 30 years, Makes sense to me, to listen, and then weigh up the advice that has been given to help you in your decision.

That is the only reason we have gone back almost every year, for the past 21 years, because we have a son and grandsons there. We wouldn’t bother otherwise, too busy enjoying retirement here. We tried playing at a couple of bridge clubs when there, as visitors are very welcome here. weren’t made to feel welcome, no one spoke to us, no welcome mention before play, even told on one occasion that our bidding, Standard American, wasn’t compatible with their play. We didn’t go back, to either. just seemed a different attitude to ‘outsiders’. Sorry seem to failed to attach to Marisa’s post

Originally we had seriously considered living 6 months in each country when my husband retired, 21 years ago, but as some posters know, I had spent 10 years living partially in Brunei with husband due to his job, and in UK supporting our 3 children aged 13-21 who stayed there for their education. When the time came to retire I realised I needed to call somewhere ‘Home’, I had spent 10 years constantly readjusting to life in each place as I travelled between the 2 places fairly frequently. We also analysed the reality of the cost involved in having a place in each country, this wasn’t a problem when working as expatriates we had accommodation provided, and kept a UK home to go back to. We certainly didn’t want the cost and insurance problems of keeping a house empty for 6 months in 2 different countries, furnishing 2 properties, or the hassle of renting out for only 6 months at a time, constantly giving notice and re renting. We kept a property in London that is permanently rented out, we were only on a long term temporary visa here then, and bought a house that we love here, and until COVID went to UK for just under 3 months a year, as we have a son and grandsons there. It’s not a cheap option, if you include either buying 2 properties, or renting somewhere to live, renting a car?, air fares, possible trips to the continent? We made the right decision for us, we went back for only 6 weeks last visit, and I don’t think we want to make the journey back again unless there is a very pressing reason, as Australia is home, and now at our age, really don’t enjoy the journey.

My comments are based on our 2 weeks holiday in the south west region which we thoroughly enjoyed and I stress not in any way a real example of living there, only observations. I wasn’t used to such different temperatures almost it felt day to day, 42’ one day, very very hot and dry, still 38’ at 5pm, the next day 22’ at 5pm. Most days anything from 22’-28’?, found the evenings chilly, but I come from QLD! My overall impression was how empty it felt, at times we it seemed we had hardly passed a car on the road, driving around, even though plenty of tourists visiting from lots of different countries.. Again very different to the Sunshine Coast also a tourist destination. More foreign workers in hospitality than here. Everyone we came across was very friendly, plenty of ‘older generation volunteers’ at tourist attractions. Lots of March flies and very irritating small flies around. I through my own fault, had a health panic, phoned Margaret River Hospital at 3am and had good advice from a nurse, but didn’t speak to a Dr, was connected to the excellent statewide poisons hot line. Since coming home, even though my husband and I think we are fairly healthy for our age? We both have health specialists appointments this week, so access to medical facilities is an important consideration when retiring. Our friends of a similar age live in Mandurah and love it, and as suggested above, spend a few days further south occasionally, but have also gone to the Cairns area for several months in winter, for years. We took a big chance when we retired and moved to Australia, and have never regretted it, but had visited Brisbane and area many times, so had a fairly good idea of climate etc.

Thank you all for your recommendations, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, with possibly not quite so much, the day the temperature hit 42’! We went to most of the suggested places, The Elephant Beach cafe, Anzac Centre, Busselton Jetty, the Chocolate Factory, Fasse Felix winery, The Voyager, but really liked the Windows Winery, the only winery my husband bought any wine from. Jewel Cave, fabulous inside, the stunning Tree top Walk, and an Eco Boat trip. Vasse Virgin beautiful olive oil skin care. I’ve tried unsuccessfully to upload some photos, not sure why it isn’t working .

Thank you all for your suggestions, xM

Husband and I are planning a visit to south of Perth, obviously the Margaret River and perhaps further south or only a little way inland, for approximately 2 weeks from15th February - 29th February. We have booked the last 4 nights in Bunker Bay, catching up with friends, and will drive around the local area. We have visited Perth several times so don’t need to spend time there, any suggestions please for the first week, preferably in the south of Perth, unless there is somewhere fairly interesting just to the north. Monkey Mia is far too far., and we have been to Broome, and the Bungle Bungles, seen the rock art. Really want to concentrate on south of Perth, so welcome any suggestions. Thank you

Plus 2 car garage with Australian house