tuckerfa

We moved here in May 2008. It was my idea and I had talked about it since I was about 15! I was 38 when we got here. My dad was in bad health, but the wife, two teenage boys and I had his full blessing to come over here. His biggest regret was that he didn't when he had chance. In September 2008 he died. We had just got our lives here sorted. Jobs, rental, schools etc. We had a little bit of money left in the bank, enough for 1 flight back. The wife insisted I go, but I couldn't. All I could hear in my head was his voice saying, "don't be so bloody stupid. Waste of money to watch a box go in the ground. You have your family to look after now." I understand for everyone it is different, but the way I have always seen it is, that our parents have had their time and did what they needed to do for us, but there comes a time when we need to do whats best for us and our children and not live in our parents pockets. My dad was a great believer in that and that has help me with all the traumer of moving etc. All the best, take care and do what is right for you and your family. Good luck

We have very recently become Australian citizens and are in the process of applying for Australain passports. Our British passports expired about 15 months ago. I am happy just to have an Australian passport, but the wife insists she wants a Britsh one too! At $238 I can't see the point. We are going back for a holiday to England and France next year. Does having a British one have any more benifits than an Australian one? Apart from being less time at passport control in France I can't. I wait to be enlightend.

On the grandparent rule, which a lot of sports use, my kids could represent Egypt!! Shame they don't have a Rugby League team!! LOL!!

We are in Birkdale. About 30 mins from the CBD. We love it here and can't see ourselves anywhere else. We are older than you (both 42) and our boys are 19 & 17, so not much in common, but if you want advise about the area feel free to ask. We've been here just over 4 years and know the south side quite well.

I've just phoned a friend who is a panel beater/paint sprayer.

We looked into it quiet recently. Me, Mrs (both 42) two kids19 & 17, both dependant. We got our PR visa when we were 40. From what we have seen on TV they penalise you for not having private health insurance from the age of 31. To fully insure all of us for hospital and extras it will cost around $1200 per month!! We are lucky if we have $120 a month left from our wages!! The figure they quoted is half our mortage!! The way I see it is. If I split my head open, they are going to stitch me. If I have a heart attack, they'll try not to let me die etc, etc, etc. The same as the UK. If you want to jump the queue, go private. I can't say for anyone younger as to how much it will cost and if it's worth it, but some one our age and income. Take your chances unless you can really afford $1200 per month. Just in case!!

Moved here 4 years ago with 2 boys aged 15 and 13. The grass is greener for us BIG time. Oldest gaining an OP3 (QLD system) after only 2 years in the Qld education system and now doing a Paramedic degree looking to go to med school for a Phd and the youngest now doing an apprentiship in a trade that'll lead to a bloody good amount of money when he finishes. Both living at home, both driving there own cars fully insured. Coming from a small northern English town, miles away from any major city, this would never of happened. I'm voting for the GREENER side of things. Good luck everyone. Hope it works out for you. Give it a real good go. Not just a few half arsed months.

I have looked every where for dry roasted peanuts. I've been here for 4 years and rely on people fetching them when then go/come on holiday and also from friends who have rellies in NZ. Yes they sell them in NZ. This is really sad. I emailed Smiths, who own Knobbys and said about all the UK, NZ and European (I have bought them in France) people and there must be a market for them. They replied by saying they sold them years ago and the market for them got less and less so they decided to stop making them! They also told me that they are stopping making "nude nuts". So sorry. Your going to have to import them.

Wellington Point, Birkdale, Cleveland, Victoria Point. Infact anywhere in the Redlands (South East of the city) is beautiful. We moved here 2.5 yrs ago and love it. A few rough areas, but NOTHING like the UK rough areas. The rough areas here make the nice areas of the UK look scummy! We've been "north side" a couple of times and thought it looked a bit on the rough side!! It's the old north south divide thing. I've talked to people who have been brought up on both the north and the south side and they both dislike the other side of the city!! I used to be a northener (Cumbria) and now I'm a southener (Birkdale). I guess you could say I'm a swinger!! (LOL)

Thanks Sue. I'm working AGAIN!! I'm sure deep down you hate me!! LOL

I always respect the National Anthem of any team, regardless of who they are and what is at stake. My two teen age boys do the same. As soon as it's over we'll shout and scream for the oppersition to get smashed, but that's all part of the game. What really gets our backs up is when the TV cameras are going down the line of players etc and hardly any of them are singing. They should take pride in their nation and sing the anthem with gusto, otherwise it's just another game to them and as long as they are being paid, so what. What ever your Nationality, hold your head up high and sing your heart out!!