Newcastle NSW bound anyone thinking of going in the near future!!

themikey · 03-07-2009, 05:15 AM

Hello

I have lived in Maitland for four years now with my wife, also a pom after moving from South London where I lived for 30+ years.
I work for Maitland City Council (no I don't lean on a broom all day!)
If any of you need any help yell out.

ezeepz · 14-12-2009, 12:05 AM

Kirstie and Marc

Like Yvonne, we also live in Maitland, well East Maitland to be more precise. I work at Kooragang Coal terminal in Newcastle. Have lived in East Maitland for 3 yrs, and OZ of 5yrs nearly (next April). Wife is Helen, children - Jamie(19), Chris(17), Tom(11) and Sophie(9). Let us know how the move goes.

Australia · 14-12-2009, 05:27 AM

Hey Gday,

Been in Newcastle for a month now, and apart from the beaches Im not really loving it....
I have not got a job yet (Hubbie is working as an engineer in Maitland) but finding it hard to find a job think it is the time of year with Christmas and everything.

Thought I was going to love the Oz experience but missing family and friends lots.
Were currently living in Merewether in a house share which is an experience when your married, it was nice to make friends at first but now not loving it.

At the moment dont feel like I want to live here for ever!! missing Britain, fashion prices... everything seems expensive electricals clothes food nothing is cheap......
Plus Australia is behind in so many ways..

Sorry for ranting just not what I expected at all. Came to Oz three years ago at was a lot better but then again it was a holiday...........

AMCD · 14-12-2009, 06:06 AM

Hey 'Australia',

I totally can see where you are coming from in terms of your opinions. Newcastle is very different to other parts/major cities of Australia. There is not that much going on and it is quite a parochial town in my opinion where it is quite difficult to really make friends and settle in. In saying that there are some pluses as well but I myself am here almost a year and considering moving to somewhere else in Australia. If you could get a job, I think that would help a lot though depending on what you do and whether they will be a good social outlets. As for the shared house - I came on my own and went into a share house and I am tired of a shared house as well so I can imagine what you and your husband must be feeling! I don't totally agree on the prices though although food shopping is expensive but eating out is very reasonable and drink although the social life is terrible not helped by the draconian measures they have introduced.

ezeepz · 14-12-2009, 10:45 AM

Kirstie and Marc

This is not going well. I started a reply to you at 7.30pm. since then I have drunk a full bottle of wine (well what I would tell my doctor anyway) and have had 2 false starts on delivering the reply. If the words start to go in a mucking fuddle sort of way then stop reading.

Newcastle is not so bad. Paradise if you come from Sumalia yet a slum if from Epping Forest or Chelsea. It is at the end of the day an industrial town with its two key industies being coal and steel production. The black country in the 60's (no dig intended). Steel has now gone. The region however is amazing. In land are the vineyards (just like france or portugal) mile after mile of vines with quirky shops and wine tasting (take a bus you'll not be fit to drive after). HVG (Hunter Valley Gardens - great for a walk round and the kids will love it - plus the British Lolly Shop - if you need a normal jelly or a bag of Scampi Fries.
Brisbane - well 1 hr flight away - a roung tripover a weekend and if you catch the deals online cheap as chips

Sydney - 2 hrs away in a car - Christmas fireworks coming up!!

Melbourne - 2.5 hrs away (fly) - fashion capital of OZ

Perth 4hrs away (fly) - best city we have seen so far

(thought this had gone to syberspace - hence the next one)

ezeepz · 14-12-2009, 10:58 AM

Kirstie and Marc

I hate forums. Probably because I spent a lot of time tonight writing then I press the wrong button and lose the lot. Have done this 4 times tonight in reply to your message. Too tired now to repeat, but would like to say (from both Helen and myself) give us a call or email - would love to chat or meet. Christmas is a time for friends so maybe we all need a few more.

Too all who read this. How better to meet new people, so open house for drinks on Christmas Eve. Let me know if you want to come over (children and all). We have a pool. We can share stories and beer, kids can swim, and maybe a bite to eat.

Let me know

ezeepz · 14-12-2009, 11:09 AM

themikey

small world and yet we dont find people (I speak for myself). Had our Citizanship ceremony at Maitland City Hall. Fully paid up Aussies now.

If you dont us a broom what do you do? Do you have family?

themikey · 17-12-2009, 09:31 AM

Did you get your plant at the Town Hall!?!? lmao
Congrats on getting your citizanship, Mr Blackmore is a complete nutter!
I drive the councils diggers that everybody has to sit behind going 15 mph in the mornings, and also look after the stock at the council depot in Metford. Drive trucks, the fun is endless.
Erm I have my wife and we are expecting a Baby on the 26 of January (Australia Day)...go figure, all my friends at work are saying that they are going to adopt it and teach it to speak Oztraaaalain!

Australia...there is life outside of Newcastle, take a drive, the place might be backward but they do have cars!
I came here with my wife over four years ago now and stepped off a plane at William Town airport with a bag each and 12 boxes on a ship somewhere in the ocean.
That was it..no jobs...no home... nothing.
A taxie to Ramond Terrace, a room at the local pub, some give and take, some random Australians who gave us a shot and asked for nothing in return.
We live a good life and have some great friends, I laugh everyday and after going back to England now and again to see family and friends, I always like coming back.
This place will give you whatever you want to make out of it!!
Ezeepz, I know one of the blokes at teh Coal loading terminals in Newcastle...he is something to do with the harbour master, a pom also!

KAS · 17-12-2009, 10:09 AM

Hi,
We've been in Newcastle 11 months now and I have a love hate relationship with it. One day I hate this place and and can't get the thought of this has been the biggest mistake of my life,and there are days when I look at my boys and think this is the best place for them example of today my eldest has been on the beach all day with his mates and my youngest has been in our friends pool today,if we were at home they would have been on the playstation!! but it doesn't stop me feeling homesick on our first Christmas in Oz

ezeepz · 18-12-2009, 03:48 AM

Hi Kas

Know the feeling of first Christmas in Oz. We couldnt get used to the fact that it was hot and not cold. My wife still can't. How old are the boys? We have 3, from 19 down to 11 and one girl at 9. As I said in a previous post, we are keen to meet people so if anyone cares for a drink and chat on Christams Eve we have open house. Wont release address in open forum though.