Do you love Tasmania ???

[Ska]

Hello, just dropped in to introduce myself and tell you my experiences of moving to Tasmania. I had a similar situation to Joanna. I had been travelling on the mainland for some time before flying here for what was supposed to be 3 weeks. As soon as I landed in Hobart I completely fell in love with the place. I was lucky enough to get a visa after 6 months (with some help from Anthony at the Department of Economic Development!) and that was nearly 8 years ago... I am currently back in the UK for six weeks, and have been homesick for Tassie since I've been back here. I fly back home next week and I can't wait!

For me, the lifestyle is unrivalled to anywhere else in the UK or mainland Australia. I am renting property in Oyster Cove, 10 mins to Kingston, 1/2 hour from Hobart and I am lucky enough to have 5 acres and 2 horses kept at home. I couldn't do this in the UK on a regular wage - it just wouldn't be possible. I occasionally miss England, but to be honest, now that I'm here, it is mostly just nostalgia and the fact that I miss friends and family - I actually don't miss the English lifestyle that I had at all.

Great place for those that love the outdoors, open spaces, uncrowded and stunning beaches and not too bothered about living in an oven (I much prefer the seasons and it's nowhere near as cold as the UK in winter!) Mind you, I am a country girl at heart and couldn't be less bothered about the fact that there are no 7/11's and limited nightlife/shops/whatever. Mind you when I do get up to Hobart - not only are there amazing views to enjoy, but a laid back modern city with a slower pace than larger city's, great coffee, breakfast at Salamanca, waterfront dining, world-class sailing on the Derwent, great nights out in North Hobart... The list goes on.

I have managed to build a life from coming here with a backpack, and have never looked back. I have built up my own business and I think that these kinds of opportunities are everywhere here, much more so than the UK (also much cheaper to start up a business). Nowhere is perfect - as the Herbster has said, it just depends what you're looking for... For me though, it's damn close :)

[Herbster]

Originally Posted by Ska

Hello, just dropped in to introduce myself and tell you my experiences of moving to Tasmania. I had a similar situation to Joanna. I had been travelling on the mainland for some time before flying here for what was supposed to be 3 weeks. As soon as I landed in Hobart I completely fell in love with the place. I was lucky enough to get a visa after 6 months (with some help from Anthony at the Department of Economic Development!) and that was nearly 8 years ago... I am currently back in the UK for six weeks, and have been homesick for Tassie since I've been back here. I fly back home next week and I can't wait!...For me, the lifestyle is unrivalled to anywhere else in the UK or mainland Australia. I am renting property in Oyster Cove, 10 mins to Kingston, 1/2 hour from Hobart and I am lucky enough to have 5 acres and 2 horses kept at home. I couldn't do this in the UK on a regular wage - it just wouldn't be possible. I occasionally miss England, but to be honest, now that I'm here, it is mostly just nostalgia and the fact that I miss friends and family - I actually don't miss the English lifestyle that I had at all....Great place for those that love the outdoors, open spaces, uncrowded and stunning beaches and not too bothered about living in an oven (I much prefer the seasons and it's nowhere near as cold as the UK in winter!) Mind you, I am a country girl at heart and couldn't be less bothered about the fact that there are no 7/11's and limited nightlife/shops/whatever. Mind you when I do get up to Hobart - not only are there amazing views to enjoy, but a laid back modern city with a slower pace than larger city's, great coffee, breakfast at Salamanca, waterfront dining, world-class sailing on the Derwent, great nights out in North Hobart... The list goes on...I have managed to build a life from coming here with a backpack, and have never looked back. I have built up my own business and I think that these kinds of opportunities are everywhere here, much more so than the UK (also much cheaper to start up a business). Nowhere is perfect - as the Herbster has said, it just depends what you're looking for... For me though, it's damn close :)

Hi SKA:

Hope you are enjoying your visit home - wonder what your thoughts are on the state of the nation at present? Be interested to compare notes, where are you at pressy?

Guess we're pretty well neighbors, I'll look for you in Kelly's when you get back. Any chance of us buying something like yours, we're renting on acerage at present overlooking Bruny Island & the ferry... but we have to be out New Year's...
Agree with all you said, but I can imagine Tas wouldn't suit everyone, as their Ideal Home: which is fine as those special, unique qualities would quickly be destroyed by a huge influx of people....
But even if you can't think of TAS as your Year Round cup of Tea, certainly put it on your List of Places to visit & explore, to unwind and really take stock of what Life and Living can be all about, as I'm sure it would be a welcome breath of REAL fresh air even for the most sophisticated, die-hard Urbanite...

Love
Tassie Ted, aka: THE

[Colin R]

Well said Ska. My feelings exactly .Tassie is a place all of its own and everyone I have spoken to that lives here Tasmanians or apprentice Tasmanians say the same nice to go and visit places and back to the UK . But glad to get back home. I cant wait to go to Melbourne next week knowing that the next day I will be coming back home to Tassie and not UK.

[Herbster]

Originally Posted by Colin R

Well said Ska. My feelings exactly .Tassie is a place all of its own and everyone I have spoken to that lives here Tasmanians or apprentice Tasmanians say the same nice to go and visit places and back to the UK . But glad to get back home. I cant wait to go to Melbourne next week knowing that the next day I will be coming back home to Tassie and not UK.

Is that the Melbourne Cup, then?!

Have a GRRREEEAAATTTTT Time Sally!

Love & Hugs

[tasormelb]

Hi Guys, These are great posts. We are waiting for a 175 visa and once granted intend to make Tasmania our home. I was going through one of those phases where I am getting fed up with the whole process, frustrated with our agent etc and questioning if it is right moving our children from good schools and their friends here. I had started to wonder if all this hassle is worth it. After reading your posts I feel a lot more positive, you have reminded me why we want to move and what a better life our children will have. My 9yr old daughter is desperate to have a pony and is working her socks off here learning to ride to an acceptable standard and learning how to care for a pony. Yours posts have shown me that it may be possibe to make her dreams come true in Tasmania and my dream of living a peaceful, stress free life if beautiful surroundings will be reached!

keep the posts coming as I so enjoy reading them.

[the terry's]

Hi guys, just a quick note to let you lot know that we've applied for sponsorship from the Tasmanian Gov. and hopefully they will. Thanks Sally and Ginny for your help it's been a great help to us, we can't wait to get to Tassie now, fingers crossed.

Big hugz,

Helenx

[Colin R]

Hi No Melbourne is for the gift and trade fair. Or so Colin thinks............couple of hours in there and then hit the shops!! Dont tell him though. Might try to get to the Melbourne cup in November .

There are some great rides over here . Horses and ponies go down to 5 mile beach and can wade out safely for metres and it only comes up to their knees. Have ridden since I was tiny and had to part with my horses in the UK mainly because of the cost and also lack of land . Riding where we lived wasnt enjoyable anymore with the traffic.
Havent got one over here yet! but it wouldnt be too much of a problem. But with the business and the fact that you dont seem to bounce so well when you get older. It might be a problem if I fell off and broke something. That was the reason anyway. Mind you bit of a joke really because I fell down the stairs a few months ago and broke my leg . Would have sounded so much better fallen off my horse instead of down stairs. !
Horses and ponies are really quite reasonable to buy . Friends have some, he tried the buy 1 get one free ploy havent succumbed yet. It is a great place to bring up children and certainly if they love the outdoors they will have a fantastic childhood .
Ponyclub is fairly big over here and great to get youngsters into.
I too got so fed up in waiting and our Business visa was very quick 5 months the house sold straight away ,exchange rate was 2.42 . Our agent was excellant and is now a friend . I dont know how I could cope with things as they are now . All I can say is Keep your chin up , think positive and life overhere is absolutely worth the wait. Will keep my fingers crossed for you to.
Sally
xx

[em&paul]

Louise(10) is horse mad and wants to ride when we get over there so that sounds great. Both our kids love being outdoors so I'm sure that they will love it.

Things with the visa do seem to be taking forever but keep being told to be patient!! It seems like we've been talking about emigrating for years but the house is now sold so once the visa arrives we can go. Hopefully this will be or last school summer holidays in the UK so planning on making it memorable and who knows in September things may be moving again!!!

Tasmania is worth waiting for!!

Emma

[Colin R]

Hi Emma. Patience was never a virtue I possessed much of. Colin kept telling me it will be OK. It was , hate it when he is rrrrrrrrright.
And you will have Spring and Summer to look forward to over here.
Sally
xx

[em&paul]

And we can't wait.

Emma