Kapri

Why don't you book holiday accomodation for a couple of weeks then look around? There are plenty of great areas in the Newcastle / Port Stephens area.

Port Stephens is fab but will be very quiet. It's only 30 minutes from Newcastle though, and 2 and a bit hours from Sydney. There are some parts that are better than others although I'm not sure of them. If you don't get more info on here and if you are on Facebook, search Newcastle & Hunter Expats for more specific info.

Do you like living in Aus? Yes Why? We love being outdoors. I'm having my breakfast outside as I post this. Even in winter, we often sit outside next to the chimnea at night. We take the dog to the beach every weekend, and even our 14 year old enjoys coming with us to do this. We regularly go camping with other families. The kids all go off and play and the adults sit around talking and having a few beers. Everyone is happy! I love the bush and I am fortunate to be able to see it everywhere here. Lots of hills lead to lovely views and there are plenty of local bush reserves. On average, twice per year, I visit the wineries with the girls - great fun! I feel that my daughter has been able to stay younger here, for longer. This is in part due to the fact that we can afford a private catholic school. Lots of reasons really! I love the UK too and wasn't unhappy there. I just prefer the lifestyle here. Would you go back? It's doubtful. Like others, I would never say never. Who knows what the future holds! But it's not on the cards any time soon.

How about Newcastle / Lake Macquarie There are plenty of more rural areas around but still with relatively easy access to Newcastle itself. As a city, it's nothing like Sydney - much quieter, less rat race, but only two hours from Sydney for the big city fix. The climate here is great too.

Hi Paddymacs. It's hard leaving elderly parents, particularly if you're close to them. The weeks before I left the UK were hard. I was so upset at saying goodbye. But now I'm here, life goes on and I've adapted. At least your parents won't be alone. They have each other and your brothers. They will miss you, but they won't be alone. You won't know until you try whether or not you can cope with leaving them. But I think it is important to try - or you'll always wonder, "what if" My mum had a heart attack earlier this year. I took three weeks off work, booked a flight to the UK and off I went. It makes things more difficult (and expensive) but not impossible. I don't regret doing it and now will always keep money aside to get back in an emergency.

Newcastle / Lake Macquarie is a great area. Central coast would be closer - there are some fab areas and some very bogan areas.

The goodbyes are awful, I was an emotional wreck the week before we left. We had a holiday on the way over and that really helped. We recharged our emotional batteries for a week and then arrived feeling ready for our new life.

Newcastle / Lake Mac is a great area to live. Miles of beautiful beaches, dolphin watching at Port Stephen, hunter valley wineries on your doorstep, easy drive to Sydney for the big city fix. The climate is great too (although spring is taking it's time this year!) There are plenty of great suburbs in Newcastle: Merewether (expensive) parts of Hamilton, Adamstown, New Lambton. In Lake Mac: Valentine, Eleebana, Warner's Bay, Dudley, parts of Belmont North. Newcastle centre looks a bit run down in places, so visitors may be put off by that. There is talk of regeneration but I don't know when that might happen. There are new bars etc popping up all the time. It's a coastal city that is surrounded on three sides by beaches. its one of the only places in Australia to have made it into Lonely Planet's top 10 cities. For more specific info look for Newcastle & Hunter expats on Facebook.

Hi Lakaal have you considered trying somewhere other than Melbourne? Edit: I see you're going to the Sunshine Coast! I wish you all the best

We are with Bupa. No complaints - if you use their first providers you get a fair bit back.

I know one person who has been bitten by a funnel web, and he was living in the Blue Mountains at the time.

As others have said, you can't rent without seeing the property (and I'm not sure why you would want to anyway!). Book some temp accomodation, once you're here there won't be any problem.

It's no problem to bring through packaged food such as crisps etc but anything that could be classed as liquid wouldn't be allowed through. Some airports won't even allow you to take bottled water on board that's been bought airside! At Abu Dhabi, I was made to drink mine or dispose of it. Most airlines provide special meals for kids and serve them before the adults.

We had a holiday on the way over. 3 nights in L.A and 5 nights in Fiji. It was the best thing we could have done - we arrived fresh and relaxed. The luggage was a bit of a pain but manageable. I don't see the point in a one night stop over. It just prolongs the journey.

We arrived a year ago when my daughter was 13. My daughter struggled at first but 13 months on and she has now settled. Getting a "best" friend here really helped as did getting out every weekend to the beach etc. She told me recently that she wouldn't want to return to the UK. As others have said, 13 can be a difficult age. I would make it clear that you're not returning and so she needs to get involved in activities here. She'll get there eventually. In the meantime, make sure you do lots of great stuff together as a family.

I'm a mental health nurse and have a huge interest in social issues, as do the majority of my colleagues, so I'm not sure I understand your logic.

The only things on that list that apply to me are; a positive attitude and dislike of cold weather (hatred too strong a word) I dont hate tne the UK, nor do I think Australia is utopia. I think I'm a successful migrant because I've made the most of opportunities that have come my way and I'm lucky not to be gripped by homesickness. I focus on the things I enjoy here (beautiful bush, beaches, sky, sun) rather than the things I dislike.

The great thing about this story is the amount of support for the Brazilian guy. I love that the customers walked out, I would have too!

Our quality of life is better in Australia. We liked where we lived in the UK but my husband had a long commute and worked long hours. We both worked full time but struggled to make ends meet. We tried to get out every weekend, with the dog and the kids, but my ears are very sensitive and the wind would often make them very sore unless I wore ear muffs (which are uncomfortable and unsightly!). I was working in the Nhs, I'd had no pay rise for several years and my case load was ridiculous and unsafe. Things weren't all bad. We had family around and good friends and we loved exploring the local area when the weather was good. We arrived in Australia just over a year ago and our expectations weren't huge. We made friends quickly, we rent a large house with a pool, my husband was given the opportunity to retrain in a new career, my job is far less stressful and I earn more money, we get out every weekend in winter to take the dog to the dog beach and in summer we practically live outside. We love camping and walking etc. i love the weather here, the blue skies and warmth (although not today, it's yuk!) Things aren't perfect, we miss people and some aspects of Aussie culture still feel alien. It all depends on personal circumstances - I wouldn't listen to people who say you won't settle if .... Or you will settle if .... It depends on lots of things including: luck, preparation, personality and whether or not you get gripped by the dreaded homesickness. For us, it's worked out. It doesn't mean I don't like the UK and you certainly won't hear me slag it off. But our life here is better.

Adventure and weather for me. The adventure bit is wearing off but I love the weather. I work longer hours here but I get paid more. I miss family and friends but have no regrets about moving here

I use Natio Ageless moisturiser, with factor 30, for day to day use.

What I miss about UK 1. Family and friends 2. The part of Dorset I lived in was great in summer and very pretty. 3. Knowing everyone at my sons primary school. What I love about Newcastle, NSW 1. Beautiful bush views 2. Easy access to warm sea and beautiful beaches 3. Regular girls trips to the wineries 4. The amazing weather we means we spend so much more time outside 5. The wildlife

Kellie, stop worrying! It's normal to have wobbles before you go. The schools are not better or worse - just different. Choose carefully. It is difficult to be away from grandparents but you can do lots of things together as a family group. The lifestyle is great if you like beaches, sunshine, living outdoors for big parts of the year.. There will be ups and downs - it's a roller coaster! Try to enjoy the ride

No, I won't fly with them. We still don't know what happened to the first one and until we do they are off my list. It may seem irrational to some but that's my view. I don't blame them for the second one - they were unlucky. Having said that, if other airlines were avoiding the area, I think they should have too.

Other than people, I don't miss much. But I do miss the build up to Christmas - it's not the same here.