Anyone moving to Brisbane around end of summer 2013?

[javi1979]

Hi all,

Just wondering if there's anyone on here with their sites on moving to Brisbane towards the end of next summer? My hubby 2 kids (little girl 1 and little boy 3) are hoping to go around that time. Would be nice to get to know others who are going through the same process.

Javi xx

[Jockeylad]

Hi Javi

Good to hear from someone else in a similar position to us. We're looking at moving to Brisbane/Sunshine Coast around the same time (Summer 2013). Just going through the motions of researching everything, although there is so much to learn! I'm really apprehensive,although very excited. My husband was born in Adelaide, his family left Australia when he was about 2 years old; he went back for 18 months when he was in his late teens, and loved it. We met 19 years ago, married for 17 of them and through our married life to date, moving to Australia is a constant hot topic for discussion in our house. About 6 months ago, we decided that we are going to do it, be brave and make the move! We have two daughters, 5 and 13 years. Our eldest daughter is all for it, but I haven't told our youngest yet as I'm scared she will say something to my parents, who I have also yet to tell! I am very close to my parents, as are my husband and daughters. I am dreading telling them - it will be their worst nightmare coming true. Have you told your family and friends yet? If so, how did you go about telling them?
Have you decided which parts of Brisbane you are interested in settling in? I'm finding it hard getting perspective on all the different areas. My wants from an area are - good schools, local shopping areas, beaches, work opportunities, good residential areas to suit family living etc - pretty much what anyone would desire from uprooting your family to the other side of the world!

I think I'm a fairly open minded person, with a desire to see and do as much as I can before its too late. I would rather look back on life when I'm old a grey and think of the adventures and risks I took, rather than have a life of regrets, and if onlys! I've recently lost a friend and two distant relatives; all who passed away before their time through ill health etc, and when this happens to you, life is put into a different perspective; well it did for me. Experiencing these losses probably gave me the push to do it. I've always wanted to, but it is the thought of leaving my parents which has stopped me in the past. Although I know they will come and stay with us.

Apologies, I'm probably depressing you now with my deep thinking! How are you getting on with your research etc?

Keep in touch

Sam

[simott101]

Hi folks,

We should be getting there by April 2013 (fingers crossed)
We've chosen our agent, all the paperwork has been completed & we are in the process of booking the ielts exam!!!
After lots of research and due to the fact that we have friends there, Cleveland is our chosen Suburb. It seems to tick all the right boxes with regards location, schooling and house prices.
Simply can't wait to get there now, we are excited every day!!!

Good luck, Si,Ange,Ben & Abs.

[Jockeylad]

Hi

Do you have to take an IELTS test as part of the immigration process?

Cheers
Russ (Sams OH)

[simott101]

Hi Russ,

Yes, the IELTS exam is all part of the process, but depending on the type of visa you're applying for warrans the actual score you'll need. Si

[javi1979]

Hi guys!!

Sam, totally get where you're coming from. As cliche as it sounds, life really is short and if there's something you want to try you should Just go for it, no regrets and all of that!! No we haven't told family yet. Think it's going to be really tough especially as we live close to my hubbies parents and they adore the kids. It's really hard and we're totally dreading it too.

Our kids are young so feel it's a good time to give it a go as schooling/friendships etc won't be too much of an issue. It is daunting though but extremely exciting too, we seem to talk Oz everyday and have to pull ourselves back to the present. There's so much to plan and research though, so it's constantly on the back of your mind.

We're thinking maybe ashgrove or Bardon based on schools/housing etc. we're going for a reccie in oct so hopefully will get a better feel for things then.

Have you guyz been to Brisbane before? My husband and I lived out in Sydney for a year but never actually went to Brisbane. We've kind if picked it by a process of elimination and a all year round good climate bar the rainy season.

Javi x

[simott101]

Hi Javi,
Weve never been to Oz before but we've decided against a recce for 2 reasons, firstly we felt that we would have a false impression on a 4wk recce as we'd probably be in hols mode and secondly the thousands of pounds spent paying for a recce are going to be put into our moving and setting up home fund.
Really can't wait to get there now and we've been lucky as we already have friends over there so we are Skyping quite often to get instant answers to most of our questions.
Si & Ange.

[Jzombie]

Hi Javi,
We'll be in Brisbane a little ahead of you - July this year in fact. Also thinking of Ashgrove / Bardon based on schools for our 3 kids - and our lifestyles. Similar process of elimination I suspect. We had a big ticklist when trying to decide on whether to stay in the UK or take the plunge. Suffice to say that Australia and Brisbane won with little contest. Our folks were devastated at first on one side, devastated but understanding on the other, pretty much split 50/50 overall but they're slowly warming to the idea. In the end, we also came to the conclusion that we either put our hearts/shoulders/backs into it and give it a go or spend the rest of our lives wondering if we couldn't have had a much better life for us and the kids... good luck with your plans!

[Murta]

we too have estimated (depending on visa and house sale) being out there this time next/summer. We hover over Brisbane and Sydney. Extensively research SYdney to turn aro0und and extensively search brisbane. We love the idea of sydney but realistically the price is mad for what you get so we choose Brisbane. We have a good friend went there with her husband and 3 kids 6 3 and 5 months they are 18th now., they just shipped out with the clothes on their back ( lost jobs etc here) they are in albian creek. i have another friend living in ashgrove immigrated and now married to an oz. she says the following areas are worth a look at..Ashgrove, red hill, paddington, bardon, new farm, the gap..

we also have not informed my mum...it will kill her and me telling her. everything else is in place for us...as in leaving other people and family will miss them of course but will move on...but my mum is the killer...

will keep this thread going with our findings and you never know we could occupy a full street in bardon!! lol
murta

[simott101]

Hi Jzombie,
Do you have any tips or advice with regards to the IELTS exam?

Thanks in advance, Si.