99% positive on becoming a POM.....

**mrogers** · 10-09-2007, 09:49 PM

Hi There all, another newbie here. Been dipping my wick now for a good 12 months. I have done the point scoring thingy and get enough, I now need to do the TRA skill assessment which shouldnt be a problem.
But the 1% of me which says "STAY in ENGLAND ITS UR HOME!!!" is really doing my head in. All of you POMS out there, is it a case of doing the BIG move and see how it goes?
I am self employed with a lot to loose but for our family I think Oz is the place to be. Got a 1 year old little girl and dont want her brought up here.
Thats another problem? Where in Oz? Perth, Victoria? Queensland? They all look nice, but they confuse me even more. I have around £140K to buy a house, would like 4 bed detached with double garage close to ocean, would this get me anything? I appreciate different areas will differ greatly. I would have a mortgage, and I know u cannot buy in 1st year anyway. I know once I have picked the 'STATE' I can browse areas once there, but picking the State is the tough bit.

Cant afford to go over, work commitments, 1 year old girl etc...

HELP, any advice would be appreciated.

Mark.

**Ron & Chel** · 10-09-2007, 10:05 PM

Hi mark
If 99% of you says go then go oz is a great place to live and bring up kids we have three little ones we r heading for NSW next year i do have family and ve been there three times cant wait to live there you would get a lovely big house for that sort f money my brother says its like it was here 30 years ago when we were kids they go off on there bikes riding round no worries

**THE JONEZYS** · 10-09-2007, 10:08 PM

WHO SAYS YOU CANT BUY IN THE FIRST YEAR??
We have been in Melbourne for 9 months, my oh is a SE Brickie. We have bought land and are having a house built.......we have even been approved a mortgage if we want one!!
Have a look here for house prices
Real Estate, Property, Land and Homes for Sale, lease and rent - realestate.com.au
If there is anything you wanna know just shout, everyone on here is very helpfull!!
Good luck
Lesley

**NTH SHARMAN** · 11-09-2007, 06:30 AM

Hi Mrogers and welcome to PIO!!

There's no reason why you can't buy a house in the first year. This seems to be a common misconception. I recall being told this by someone when we first mentioned the idea of emigration. "You do know you can't buy a house for 12 months don't you?". I think this was meant as a deterrent but it hasn't worked

Having said that, most people choose to rent for a while before buying. Oz is a big place and even when you've narrowed it down to a state, there are still loads of suburbs to choose from. You can only do so much research from the UK and if, like us, you've never been, its even harder.

We made our choice of Melbourne primarily because of work opportunities for Neil. We obviously made the right choice as Neil has secured a job offer quite quickly. We are going to head to Pakenham at first, and then take our time to look around and do some more research once we get there.

I'm not sure what your trade is but a lot of people tend to choose a state based on demand for their skills.

Keep posting and asking questions. You'll get some good answers to your questions.

Tracey

**AndyandAlly** · 11-09-2007, 06:43 AM

We are hoping to go to the Mornigton Penisula, in Victoria just soth of Melbourne, the weather is not too hot and it's green.... and not too far from the sea, try looking at Frankston South, mount Martha, mornington or even the new builds in Cranbourne North in the link the Jonezys have given...
The Jonezys are already there and maybe they can tell you more, I'm going on what our friends have said they arrived there in August and love Mount Martha.
Regards
Ally
x

**Rachel83** · 11-09-2007, 07:08 AM

Hi Mark
I say go for it! 99% is a pretty good number, and I know I wouldn't bet anything on 1% odds!!
I've been in Aus for 6 months now and although I don't have children, when the time comes I would much prefer to bring a family up here than in the UK. There are so many opportunities to get involved in outdoor activities and it is a much healthier way of life over here. I'm sure your little girl (and you!) would just love it.
Obviously it is not an easy move, as you've found out from the first step of trying to narrow your choices down to a state! I can't give you much advice based on experience there I'm afraid, however I would agree with the advice to rent at least for a little while before buying. That will give you chance to get a feel for the area and have a good look around. I've heard a few nightmare stories from people on here who've bought and found themselves to be in a less than desirable area, obviously these places exist in Aus too!
I'm in Sydney and I would think you would struggle to buy the size of house you're looking for on your budget, unless you go way out of the city. I've heard that Queensland is a lot cheaper (for pretty much everything not just housing!). It all depends on the work you'll be looking for, the kind of weather you are comfortable with, and the way of life you're wishing for. Queensland seems pretty laid back, typically Aussie, whereas somewhere like Melbourne seems almost European, weather included sometimes! I have no idea about WA or the Northern Territories but I'm sure someone on here will be able to give you lots more info. Just keep researching and I'm sure you'll come up with somewhere!
I hope this helps, I'm not an oracle but the collective advice of everyone on PIO has been invaluable to me and I'm sure it will be to you too.
Good luck with everything
Rachel :)

**mrogers** · 11-09-2007, 08:08 PM

Hi Rachel. Just looked at house prices in Queensland, wow, they are cheap. Weather seems to be good too, Perth area seems to be to expensive. Still leaves victoria / nsw. My brother spent a few months in Southport, Queensland. He loved it there. I have looked at states for that long, and is impossible. Every state has lovely areas so what do i go for? All we want is a Great new life with lots of outdoor living. Big house, no crime and safe for Mia to play out as she grows up. Shall I concentrate on Queensland given the above pro's ?

**Liz and Paul** · 11-09-2007, 08:27 PM

Hi Mark,

We are heading out to the Gold Coast, Queensland - hopefully in November, My OH has just come back from there having spent time driving round neighbourhoods and looking at primary schools. We spent a year in Oz a lot of that time in Sydney, but with a family you wouldn't get a typical family home on your budget unless you live quite far inland - unless that's what you're after?

We are after the typical beach Aussie lifestyle, so have chosen the Gold Coast as the winters are warm - it was 22C when OH was there in Winter, the beaches are beautiful, lots of parks and picnic areas all over, lovely small shopping centres. We are heading to Robina/Mudgeeraba/Merrimac areas which are the furthest towns away from the coast and yet only 5-10 mins drive from the beach. Its important to do your research though and go for what feels right for you!

Good luck in your search!

Liz

**Rachel83** · 12-09-2007, 12:06 AM

Hi Mark
Well from the sounds of things you're after a similar kind of lifestyle as Liz has just described, and if it's a choice between Victoria and Queensland I would say that Queensland would suit your wish for lots of outdoor living, beaches etc more. My boyfriend is from Queensland and he loves the place, we are only really in Sydney because there is more work for him here. I'm sure one day he'll want to move back up there!
Maybe concentrate on there for a while since you're having problems narrowing it down, then if you do find it's not what you want you can eliminate it and try looking at somewhere else!
I don't have a great deal of knowledge about the place but my boyfriend would probably be able to help if you have any specific questions about Brisbane or surrounding areas, PM me if you do and I'll help if I can :)
Good luck!