Moving to Geelong soon - HELP

[TheVines]

Hi everyone, i'm an ex pat, i married an Aussie girl and have lived over here for about 5 years (just outside a place called Cohuna- don't even think about it...all dust and flies)

We have recently moved to Geelong and are absolutly in love with the place. We live in MAnifold heights near Geelong West and absolutly love it. i have noticed a large ex pat community over here and have heard about a social club with regular meets. so far i havn't tracked it down (thats what i'm on here for) but uf anyone would like to meet up when they get here or hears of any social clubs PM me and we'll try to get organised.

My wife and i have a 3 year old and a 9 month baby.

To try to answer some questions

a reasonable 3 bedroom house in a decent suburb will coast about 300,000 - 400,000
we shop at safeway and Aldi for bulk goods

Good luck with everything guys, i really don't think you'll regret a move to Geelong. We have a great footy team too

Chris

[Alan Collett]

AC in Geelong here! We have been living here for 7 years in about a fortnight from now - seems like for ever!

All are welcome to pop in to see us in our office at Unit 1, 7 Retreat Road (off Pakington Street, Newtown) if you want to put faces to names!

The above posters are pretty much on the ball. I would avoid Corio and Norlane as places to live. Property costs increase the closer you get to the waterfront. Ditto houses that have views - eg Wandana Heights and Highton - and on the coast (eg Torquay, Ocean Grove).

If you can name the employer I can give you a lead on the suburbs that are closer if you want to avoid a half hour commute into work.

And don't forget to buy your membership for the Geelong Cats footy team - the AFL Premiership team of 2007!

Best wishes.

[JackieD]

A friend of mine has just moved to Geelong, she really likes it, she has two small children, its near the coast and near to Melbourne. She been there a few months only. I can always give her yours email address. We used ********* for our furniture, but think about what you bring seriously as our English furniture doesn.t really go in the newer style Aussie homes. lots of supermarkets. We have only really found three supermarkets........but we live inland, Safeway, Coles and IGA all ok, all much the same.....all have special offers. Lots of cheap electrical and furniture shops all do good deals. Good luck Jackie

[gigglesems]

Hi there and thank you to you all for your replies - it is very much appreciated. My husband was offered a job around the 28th February and we have just been told that our 457 visa should be through within the next two weeks. We still need to sell the house though - eek. Wish we were ready to go. His new employer has been in touch and is very eager for us to get there.

It would be great for those who are heading over soon (or already in Geelong) fancied organising a meet - it would be lovely to get to socialising once there...the thought of knowing absolutely nobody is quite daunting.

We have been looking at property to buy and rent and we are still none the wiser on our best move. As we have a young baby it is unlikely that I will be working for a while yet so we are a little worried that we might not be able to get a decent mortgage. Hence, we have been looking at houses from anywhere as low as $100k - just in case lol!

However, we are trying to remain positive and know that the experience will be what we make it - whether we have to live in Corio or not!!!!

I hope not though.