Maruska

I paid for both kids dental care. I think there is a scheme that allows for free dental care for children but we weren`t eligible, the dental office checked at first visit.

Just to give you a price idea. I went last week, had checkup, 2 X rays and cleaning. My insurance paid 145$, I paid 250 $ out of pocket. Not cheap but fortunately I don`t need to have anything done. We have a pretty basic insurance, you can get a higher level ( higher fee per month) based on what you are expecting you`ll need.

Congratulations :wubclub:. Beautiful baby girl !

Hi there, if you`re about to move in now or during the winter ( June, July, August), it`s a great timing.There are more properties available at this time of year. I don`t think you will need to offer higher amount for rent or 3 months upfront. We moved into the Sutherland shire almost 2 years ago and the only thing required was our bank statement ( as a proof that we could pay the rent) and some form of reference - we had a bank statement of paying our mortgage on time back in the US. The only thing that I would suggest is that once you find a place you really like, sign a lease of 1 year duration. We weren`t sure so we signed up for 6 months every time, after that period our rent was increased. It shouldn`t increase from the initial amount for the duration of the contract ( as the rental agent informed me).

Figure 8 pool isn`t really such a great swimming spot but it`s a great hiking destination. The pool is only accessible at low tide. It`s in RNP, walking from Garrawarra farm to Burning palms beach. My favorite swimming spots are : Wattamola in RNP Darook Park in south Cronulla Shelly beach in Manly Bonnie Vale, Hordens, Jibbon - all in Bundeena nice swimming and kayaing spot is between Bundeena and Maianbar on the walking track Winnifred falls, RNP It`s fairly obvious that I live in the south :wink:

I think he referred you for a Holter monitor - it`s a 24 hour ECG monitor that they hook up at outpatient cardiology, you go home with it and come back within 24 hours. It records your heart rhythm over 24 hours. A&E doesn`t provide this test. If he wants just a regular ECG, that can surely be done in a GP`s office ( and free). Try not to panic, if your GP had suspicion of anything serious, you would have been admitted. Good luck .

You should be able to rent a nice house for less than 1000/week around Sutherland. Can`t comment on other areas but here are some examples: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-caringbah+south-415756875 Caringbah South, a sought after area, very nice, on the river http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-caringbah+south-415584127 or, if you wanted to be on the ocean: http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-cronulla-415511339

Hi there, and welcome to PIO! ad 1) 100 000 is just about doable for family of 3, in my opinion , if you don`t go out to eat much, don`t have to pay babysitter/daycare ad 2) Get an offer in writing, stating that the PR includes whole family ( you and daughter) ad 3) rent - we rent a 2 bed/2 bath in a nice area right by the ocean for 570/week. You could rent a house in a decent area for about 700$ a week but more realistic would be 900$ a week just paid electricity bill and it was 350 $ per 3 months I think so not too bad rentals don`t include appliances like washer , dryer, fridge, you have to get your own with a 2 year old, there is a lot to do and a lot of social opportunities for both of you - moms playgroups etc I have no idea about what the life is like in Mumbai, I`ve never been to India ( but it`s on my bucket list :wink:). Do you think life is going to be better here for you or you just want to try it for the adventure and see how it goes? Do you have any family in Australia or would you be on your own? Sydney real estate has reached beyond crazy in my opinion. Have a look at www. realestate.com.au to get idea about house prices ( and rentals in the area you want to be in). Good luck with everything, whether you decide to move or not :wubclub:

I have to say that even though the winter here isn`t really a winter, I am not looking forward to it a lot. The best part as I remember from last year is that everything looks fresh, green, and a lot of flowers are in bloom at that time. I already pulled the electric blanket out of the cupboard and wear a jacket almost every day. Don`t mind me though, I am a freak of nature and I get cold when it`s less than 25 degrees :cry:. The rest of my family are running around in T shirts enjoying the sun :rolleyes:

We went to Cairns/Daintree in July 2 years ago ( roughly at the time of NSW school hols). It was still warm enough. Great for kids. There are many things you can do with a family - diving/snorkeling the Great barrier reef, crocodile spotting, nature trails, Cape tribulation, exotic fruit farms and home-made ice creams .... Would recommend staying here: http://www.daintreecrocodylus.com.au/crocodylusvillage/Welcome.html they have large tents on platforms ( with bathroom ) and you feel like you are in the forest by yourself, can hear all the sounds, it was wonderful. It wasn`t expensive 2 y ago. option 2 - if you can`t fly due to the expense, mid-north coast is within driving distance from Sydney. Area around Coff`s harbor is very nice and there is a lot to do for kids.

I`ve rented mine. It was nicer than whatever I could afford if I bought one. Buying a dress never even crossed my mind but I am not a sentimental girl I guess :wink:. I don`t know what I would do with a wedding dress afterwards - have it hanging in the closet? With us moving around the world I don`t see me towing a wedding dress around.

Both of those ( but wouldn`t take 1 year old on a canoe if it was just you and him lol) plus : Taronga zoo - can easily spend the day and still not see everything, nice playground/fort at the children`s zoo, feeding farm animals Royal botanical gardens - take some bread and you can feed the eels in the big pond recently they had a fairy trail in there as well Wildlife Sydney zoo - in Darling Harbour Darling Harbour playground - massive, something for everyone, the water playground is brilliant Ferry ride to anywhere take him to the beach to get his hands dirty with sand, shells..... there are excellent playgrounds pretty much everywhere entertaining a 1 year old is soooo easy ( as seen now in comparison to older children)

Didn`t go to Easter show because we were out of town, camping. Got coffee from Hyde Park Barracks café today, nice coffee and lovely staff. Just steps away from my workplace and open on Sunday. I didn`t make it to the museum yet but it looks interesting and I am planning to go one day.

I brought records from our doctor in the US. After giving them to the nurse, they were added within a week. She didn`t tell me, however, that in Australia they require 4 doses of hepatitis b vaccine ( meaning that the dose at birth doesn`t count as the first dose, as it does in the US). I found out after I didn`t get child care rebate for 3 weeks .

There is a chain called "Guzman y Gomez" and another, Mad Mex. GYG isn`t bad at all, although it doesn`t really compare to the "real" thing :wink:. I still miss my Mexican but I switched to Asian cuisine here - definitely better than anything I found in Houston. Laksa, for one, is to die for :rolleyes:. Curries - very nice too. Started eating quite a bit more lamb meat than in the US - I get it from a butcher so it`s fresh and so delicious!