Melbourne, outer eastern sub's

[Bliss's]

Morning to all - its taken me half hour to work out how to post, so please bare with me. Have read loads of info on this site and thought I should join.

We are the Bliss family, Husband Howard, Me Carol and 2 kids Hollie 8 and Elliott 6. We are currently living in Swanwick, nr. Southampton and Howard and myself (without kids) are coming to do a quick rekkie of Melbourne first week in June. Having been looking on internet in the outer eastern suburbs, Upwey, Ferny Creek, Olinda etc. Fancy this area as it seems quite rural/green/spacious. Does anyone out there live in or around these areas that could give me a feel for things and help us plan our rekkie.

My Husband is in IT and currently working in London so is okay with a commute as he currently does a 2 hour round trip morning and night so to cut this in half would be a big bonus. Loves he line of work so no chance of me turning him into a farmer.

I don't work (hooray lucky me) kids love riding and quadbiking so further out from the city seems ideal all round as we may get something with a few acres to satisfy everyone.

Have loads of questions, schools, commute, houses etc but will save those for now as I don't want to bore everyone before we get started.

So anyone out there that can help enlighten me or able to meet for a drink and interigration while were there, please get in touch.

Many thanks x

[ali]

Hello Bliss & family and welcome to PIO, a friendly community, always willing to offer advice, assistance and point you in the right direction. We don't know all the answers (but usually know a man/woman who does)

Hope you enjoy using our site and making friends.

Good luck in your adventure

Ali

[Abi&Dan]

Can't specifically help, sorry, however am interested in opinions as can't decide where to head ourselves!! There are just too many gorgeous affordable areas

When are you planning on heading out for the final push? We're not till Jan 09 but sure they'll be plenty of people to help with the integration (and drinking!)

[Bliss's]

Thanks for your replies.

Haven't seen much chat on here about the eastern suburbs - does nobody want to live there !!

Abi & Dan - Once we've done our rekkie will tell you all about it for future reference. We haven't started our visa applications yet wanted to do the rekkie first, however if we like it will be going for it big time. Hopefully my husband will be able to get sponsored which will speed things up and cut some of the costs down. If not we'll just have to plod along which I guess will take about 14 to 16 months, which at least gives us time to sell house and plan properly - which would be the sensible thing to do - alas were not always sensible and lifes too short anyway.

Do you guys have kids, what ages and how can you bear to wait 'til 2009! or have you only just started?

Thanks everyone x

[Abi&Dan]

I do agree on the planning bit - I hate having to wait but the reason we're holding till 2009 is to really organise it and be in a good sorted place financially for us. We have no kids yet - now actually waiting till we get there! (though heard bad things about maternity rights ) How old is your tribe?

Good luck with your reccie and let us all know all about it x

[Bliss's]

Abi & Dan:

My kids are Hollie 8 and Elliott just turned 6 - hopefully we will be out before my daughter gets the pre-teenage stropes !!

With regards to Maturnity rights, don't think its that bad. My sister lives in Perth (last 10 years) and has had both her kids out there with no problems at all. Local hospital was very nice, newish, clean and relaxed. I can check with her but I am sure she had a year off with both before she went back to work and had no problems with keeping her job and maturnity benefits etc. I can ask if you like

Cheers Carol x

[Ange]

Hi Carole
We too have been looking at Melbourne, would love to hear from you when you return from your trip. Jo "hammfam" lives in the eastern suburbs, she has been a great help to me i'm sure she could give you some useful information.
Goodluck

[Bliss's]

Hi Ange,

Thanks for the "Hammfam" contact will look them up and see if I can get some info.

Will post our findings when we get back - it appeals to us as we do not want the long term tempertures that Perth has, my sister has been there for 10years and now in her late 40's (hope she doesn't mind me saying that!) is finding it a bit much. She also misses the seasons, which I get the impression Melbourne has to offer. Shes hoping to move across to Melbourne from Perth later this year, which is why we are looking into a move there ourselves. You also seem to get more for your money - property wise in Melbourne.

But hey what do I know, haven't been there yet - hope we like it as we're all up for a new start - big adventure and the kids are really on board, thankfully

Where abouts are you in UK and when you hoping to go out ?

Cheers Carol x

[Ange]

Hi Carol
Where in Merseyside about 30mins drive from Liverpool. Hoping to be in Melbourne October 08 have only just started the long process. Not to sure where about in Melbourne we will be heading to it all depends on OH job. We have a son Josh who is 8 and I would like to be in walking distance to a good school. OH is a welder, i'm not planning on working when I get to Oz (OH doesn't know this yet).
You never know we might be neighbours!
Where about in the UK are you?

[Bliss's]

Hi Ange,

Were way down south in Hampshire, lovely part of the world just getting way too crowded - we don't really want isolation but some space around us would be good. My daughter 8 would love to ride more (she thinks a horse would be a great idea !) and my son 6 loves to quad bike - hopefully all this would be achievable !!?

Hubby wokrs in London in IT and that too is getting to be a drag. Just want more time with kids in an outdoors (y) environment.

I too will not be working and am a bit confused about schooling, kids here are in brill school, by accident really so are lucky there. Not sure what years they will be in in OZ. Have printed off list of schools in areas we are interested in and hope to have a look at a few while were there ...... so many things to squeeze in!

Am very daunted and nervous about our reccie - what if we like it and worse what if we don't !!?

Will keep you posted, Cheers Carol x