Austrial Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Hi! I had promised to post some thoughts after reaching Darwin. The posts others had put before on similar topics had helped me before moving from the UK, so hope this helps at least one person. Please note that the below thoughts are only my personal opinions / experiences and I am a novice in Darwin (one week old). I am writing this in good faith just to give a flavour. This is not meant to be specialist advice and I have no affiliation with any commercial company. Is Darwin a Sauna? I reached here on Aug 16 2014...it is very early days, but, so far I have found the weather to be very pleasant...it is warm but not humid. The locals tell me that from Late September, October the humidity will increase as will the heat and that it will become quite unpleasant till the wet season starts in December. How will children find Darwin? My children are yet to join me, but I have looked at some key things which I thought might be important. There are some good schools here, including Essington School in Nightcliff. If you and your children like spending time outdoors, then during the dry season (several months) they will be spoiled for choice...plenty of safe cycling / playing areas, three decent public swimming pools (including one at Nightcliff just beside the sea), parks and beaches (although it is not safe to swim in most beaches). People here are very friendly and society generally seems to give importance to family / child friendly lifestyle. Is Darwin very expensive? I was frightened when I had read about the cost of living (on forums and websites like Numbeo) in England. In terms of housing or accommodation, Darwin is certainly more expensive than most places in England (save for London)...there is no getting around that. Eating out seems to be more expensive too, but I'm sure locals will know good inexpensive places which I have yet to find. However, in terms of groceries if you are a little careful with your day to day shopping, it isn't that more expensive than England. I found Coles and K-Mart and Woolworths (the last one perhaps a little more expensive?). They have some decent reward cards here..from the outset you may wish to explore reward cards which suit you (e.g. rewards which can convert to cash [this may not translate so well in comparison to some other type of rewards]; link your points to Quantas / Singapore Airlines frequent flyer miles; Woolworths does everyday rewards [can link to Quantas miles], Coles and K-Mart do flybuys) Some credit cards have an annual fees; but they may still be worth having as they may be linked to good frequent flyer or reward schemes and the rewards earned may well exceed the annual fee. This will be particularly good value if you are able to pay the balance off in full. In terms of phone, I was advised to go with Telstra in the NT as it seems to have good reception even in more remote areas. However, in Darwin itself there are a range of providers with Optus being one of the popular ones. If you want to consider pay as you go mobile phone SIM card, then Lebera may be a helpful (and relatively economical) choice. I'm sure there are many other good choices or bundles (e.g. mobile, broadband and TV all provided by one provider - usually they require one and half to two year contracts). As I urgently wanted access to a mobile and internet, I got a pay as you go mobile SIM with Telstra and pay as you go mobile broadband with Optus. I bought an Optus SIM card for 5 GB (I used 3 GB in a week; lots of Skype to UK and abroad:)). The SIM cost me about 50 AUD. These pay as you go options are expensive and I am going to change them soon. As I am staying in an employer provided furnished serviced unit, I do not have to pay rent or utilities for now. I am told that for a furnished 3-4 bed unit in a good residential area (like Cullen Bay, Fannie Bay, Brinkin etc) [there are other good residential areas too] prices could range between 800 - 1200 AUD per week. All in all, so far, I'm lovin' it:cute: Edited August 24, 2014 by Austrial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Hi Austrial, Thanks for posting this thread, I have applied for SS to NT today and look forward to arrive there soon, do you have any idea that I can find any cheaper places to live in Darwin during my initial stay, as I will be searching for job after my arrival in NT ? All the very best wishes to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted August 24, 2014 Author Share Posted August 24, 2014 Hi Aksahdaks Are you coming on your own or will you be coming with family? Will you be staying in a unit / flat or house or are you okay to stay in shared accommodation - like backpackers hostels? As I said above, I am very new to Darwin, so if you give more information, others will come along and help you with your queries. If you want to stay in backpackers hostels - the Darwin Youth Hostel Association hostel in the city centre offers a single room with en-suite for under $40 per night (so under $300 per week) - it has an outdoor unheated pool, internet (wifi) access and is close to bus access. You may wish to look at other types of accommodation by going to http://www.realestate.com.au/rent Good luck with your visit to Darwin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hi Austrial, Thanks for reply. Yes I will be coming by my own, alone. Once I get SS I shall apply for subclass 190. Till I find the job there, I am ready to stay in shared accommodation or hostels, any option which is cheaper. Hi Aksahdaks Are you coming on your own or will you be coming with family? Will you be staying in a unit / flat or house or are you okay to stay in shared accommodation - like backpackers hostels? As I said above, I am very new to Darwin, so if you give more information, others will come along and help you with your queries. If you want to stay in backpackers hostels - the Darwin Youth Hostel Association hostel in the city centre offers a single room with en-suite for under $40 per night (so under $300 per week) - it has an outdoor unheated pool, internet (wifi) access and is close to bus access. You may wish to look at other types of accommodation by going to www.realestate.com.au/rent Good luck with your visit to Darwin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucharmily Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Good to hear it's going well. We've had a great dry season, can't believe it's still breezy and pleasant in late August! When will your family join you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hi Lucharmily, Greetings ! I am still single, and so will be moving alone for now. Hows your exp with Darwin so far. Good to hear it's going well. We've had a great dry season, can't believe it's still breezy and pleasant in late August! When will your family join you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucharmily Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hi, I've been in Darwin since February. It's a lovely place but hubby is working 168 hour fortnights with 6 days off during which I have to work 4 shifts. Rather poor work/life balance which is a shame because there is lot to offer here particularly families. We lived here before from 1997-2008 and had a better time then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hi, I've been in Darwin since February. It's a lovely place but hubby is working 168 hour fortnights with 6 days off during which I have to work 4 shifts. Rather poor work/life balance which is a shame because there is lot to offer here particularly families. We lived here before from 1997-2008 and had a better time then. Gosh, that is a whole lot of hours, almost 4 typical working weeks packed into two! I bet he will need to sleep for most of his six days off. I respect people who are willing to work so hard, but hope it does not negatively impact on his health. Darwin certainly seems family and child friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucharmily Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hi, we had hoped these hours would be a stepping stone to something else but that doesn't seem to be the case. When we were here before, he had a better roster, week on, week off FIFO McCarthur River mine but the economic climate has changed since then. Right now, he's on shift number 12 (nights) and it's exhausting with the 3 little ones! When will your family join you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 Hopefully my kids will come here in Feb or March if things go well, not entirely decided yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 Hi Austrial, I have sent you private message, please check and reply. Hopefully my kids will come here in Feb or March if things go well, not entirely decided yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted September 16, 2014 Author Share Posted September 16, 2014 The build up has begun...the humidity is rising...if any of you are old enough to remember Tarzan comics there was an oft repeated line...old jungle saying...similarly, old Darwin saying (I'm making this up) ....in Darwin, even sweat sweats! However, still loving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Hi Austrial, Good to see you are enjoying. I am still waiting for SS invite, it's been a week after acknowledgement, fingers crossed. The build up has begun...the humidity is rising...if any of you are old enough to remember Tarzan comics there was an oft repeated line...old jungle saying...similarly, old Darwin saying (I'm making this up) ....in Darwin, even sweat sweats! However, still loving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Hi, good luck with your application. Btw, it was phantom comics, not tarzan comics with the old jungle saying line, for the sake of accuracy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Thanks a lot. Hi, good luck with your application. Btw, it was phantom comics, not tarzan comics with the old jungle saying line, for the sake of accuracy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 I just love sitting on the shore watching the waves, boats and beautiful sunsets...at east point, the waves have cut crevices into the rocks. When you stand on the rocks, you hear waves lashing below...the sun, lapping waves, the occasional jet and a distant tanker on the horizon...oh a vista perfect! Still loving it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucharmily Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 I'm not loving the humidity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted September 28, 2014 Author Share Posted September 28, 2014 I agree..the humidity is increasing, the good news is that the sauna is free! .... On a serious note, I'm finding that using too much AC is also problematic...in that I feel congested as if I have a cold... The trick is to find the right balance in temperature I guess! Got to rush to work...I'm not a morning person....and Darwin wakes up so early for work! (yes 6.30 am is early waking time for me:) Got to sleep earlier, I tell myself each day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucharmily Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 yes I'm not a fan of the aircon either - much prefer a breeze through the louvre windows. And early mornings? Really struggle with the school run for an 8am start! Lucky it's school hols right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aksahdaks Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 (edited) NT SS rejected my application. Any idea, when can I reapply Edited September 29, 2014 by aksahdaks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted September 29, 2014 Author Share Posted September 29, 2014 NT SS rejected my application. Any idea, when can I reapply I am sorry to hear the above news Aksahdaks. Did they give you any reasons? I'm afraid I cannot help you with your query about reapplying as I came through a different route. As you know, I am very new to Oz myself. But on PIO I'm sure there are threads relating to your query. Would it be worth considering an agent for your next application? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austrial Posted September 29, 2014 Author Share Posted September 29, 2014 yes I'm not a fan of the aircon either - much prefer a breeze through the louvre windows. And early mornings? Really struggle with the school run for an 8am start! Lucky it's school hols right now
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