sarah123

We have just used Robinsons from UK to sydney. We have used them previously (ping pong poems!) and found them excellent. We have a 5 bed house but decided not to move most of the furniture although the kids (7&8) had lots of toys so settled on a sole use 20 ft container. This was £4.6k and took the stress away of what we could/couldn't bring. Also, furniture is quite expensive in Australia so whilst we didn't ship sofa or dining chairs, we did ship beds (not mattresses) and dining table. We used Letton Percival for insurance too and they have been excellent so far. We were packed up 2 days ago and currently "camping" until we fly!

Hi, Thanks for the Lane Cove library tip..... i will check it out tomorrow! I did join the playgroup NSW and have been to a couple of sessions. They are a great idea although it is the people that attend that really make/break it in terms of making friends and support. We are getting much more confident being out and about with 2 monsters so definitely up for a coffee if you are still interested. I also did a mothers group with the early childhood centre although it was not really for me as I am a second time mum, much of the info was a repeat. It was also on a wednesday when I have both children and my older child (now just 15 months) was not allowed to go! hence, I went to one session and have not been back! it was worth a try though Sarah

Hi, We moved to Artarmon in Oct and I have a 14 month old and just had number 2 (she is now 2 weeks old!). I have been working since I arrived and suddenly on maternity leave with 2 very small children and have no idea where to start to meet others in the same boat - did you have any joy with your search? Also, your children are also very close in age, I would be very interested in any tips you have to keep them both entertained!

Hi, I have a 14 month old and just had our second baby 2 weeks ago. We moved to Artarmon last October and it is beautiful. My partner works in North Ryde which is close to Epping and has the option of driving or taking the train to work - either are good with a commute time of circa 20 mins depending upon traffic. I am yet to discover the baby groups in the area as I was working up until 3 weeks ago but any hints would be welcomed.... all the ones I can see are geared at first time mums and cannot cater for a toddler as well. I used to use Sure Start in the UK and really liked the flexibility.... I have not found anything similar as yet but again, any ideas welcomed. Particularly how to entertain both children! The best thing about Artarmon is the proximity to amenities and the leafy green surrounds. There are some awesome parks here and it is very family friendly. In terms of rental, availability and price are the biggest stumbling block. We pay 800 per week for a 4 bedroom house but you will find that the availability of good quality rentals on the lower north shore is very limited. We were fortunate to have a relocation agent that did much of the hunting for us. If not, we would have struggled to find suitable accommodation. I can happily recommend their services as they also helped find childcare too and again, this is a minefield in Sydney. There is a lot to be said for 'who you know' to get in the front of the queue in a tight market for rentals and child care!

Hi, We (me, OH and 8 month old son) are moving to Sydney end Aug (4 weeks!) and we will be based on lower north shore. It is very family friendly and great access to the city. The eastern suburbs are great for travellers/beach etc but there are some 'undesirables' to be found. Having said that, I am sure there are in every suburb. The downside with LNS is the cost although anywhere that would be considered a family home in the eastern suburbs would be very pricey too, if you can find something that is not an apartment..... I guess it comes down to what you are looking for in terms of lifestyle. Eastern suburbs is much more trendy and the beaches are typically a younger crowd (my opinion only!). I found the LNS more family oriented but I am biased as I have made my decision. Have you looked at domain.com.au or realestate.com.au for ideas? I guess the other consideration is where you/OH will be working as this may make a decision easier. The commute and tolls may dictate where you live as these can be pricey if you live far away from work and have to travel over the bridge or on the motorway each day. Best of luck.

Thanks so much for this. Although a citizen, I still feel like a newbie! I have ping ponged for years and hope that this is the final move and we eventually settle. My son was born in the UK last xmas so there will be a close age gap and I am a little nervous to be moving, with a small child and another on the way! As you say, the NHS is good but from the sound of it, Australian pubic system is better so I will do my research and take your advice. Thanks again

Hi, My OH and I are pregnant with our second child - we are 13 weeks so far and our flights to Sydney are booked for 4 weeks time. I was granted citizenship last year although have not lived in Aus for more than 12 months. I kept my health insurance but it was a singles cover - very basic. I will not be covered for any maternity benefits and I am struggling to find out affordable options for maternity care. Does anyone know what I am entitled to or what I will expect to pay? I am happy to go through the public system as it is my second child and expect to have a normal delivery. I assume I cannot upgrade my insurance to cover maternity benefits? Help please!!!!!:eek:

Wow - sounds like you guys really are taking the plunge! I went to Aus in 1999 for 18 months - I had done 2 years of my degree and wanted a break. I was very lucky and a company sponsored me, allowed me to back to the UK to finish my degree and held both my job and sponsorship open for my return 9 months later! I was back in Aus for about 4 years and my 457 was expiring and I was 25 and didn't know what to do - I wanted a change of career and the best place to do that was UK so I headed home. I stayed int he UK for 4 years, did my post grad and developed a career in HR and returned to Sydney in 2007. Unfortunately I split with my husband and my new partner lived in NZ. After a long distance relationship fro a few years we couldn't agree where to settle so we went for the UK as middle ground - we moved here in May 2010 and we hate it!!!!! Hence the move back. So I am a serial ping ponger although I did know that I would find it hard to move back to the UK having done it before but my OH had not and had been away for 10 years and had rose tinted glasses - plus it was a good opportunity to have our son closer to family. OH's job move has come at a really good time for us and we will definitely be staying put in Sydney! Each time I have gone to Sydney, I have found work very easy to come by and have always been employed within a few days - the job market is good if you are willing to be flexible on what you want. In terms of your OH, I have a few contacts I can direct you to. Most of the companies I know in logistics are west based eg, Wetherill Park direction but you never know who they are connected to.... do you have an email address I can some details to? In terms of market research, I was working for an FMCG and they were always looking for MR expertise, particularly in FMCG - let me know if you have experience in this market as I know it is quite niche.... Just one word of warning about jobs..... try and do as much research as you can before you arrive. You will find that the job market tends to quieten down towards Nov and is completely static in Dec/Jan and doesn't pick up until Feb so there is quite a small window for you.... Henry's schedule is great and we have always had our evenings - he has been in bed by 7 since he was 2 weeks old and it has really worked well for us! As you say, it is nice to have your evenings Hope all goes well - I am not an expert on this forum but PM me with your email address and I can get some contact details to you. Sarah

We are in Kent and although we are moving with OH's job, I have lived in Oz before - well, I have ping ponged for a few years so I managed to go from a 457 to residency to citizenship and I finally got my passport this week! Since I have a passport, my son was also entitled and my OH has a kiwi passport so no visa restrictions - we are very lucky but the last 10 years or so of visas was no picnic! I haven't looked at nurseries yet - I think that is really hard to do until we get there but there are plenty around. I have heard that the good ones fill up really quickly though so I am a little nervous hence hesitant about the practicality of working. I guess it will be wait and see. Henry is not crawling yet and refuses to stay on his tummy although he likes being on his feet - I just hope he doesn't start walking before we go!!!! He is a very structured boy (OH is an Accountant!) and his schedule (not my doing honest!) is pretty straight forward so I am hoping that we can tweak it so that he sleeps and gets in to the new time zone fairly quickly... wishful thinking???? He is 'gina forded' if that is a phrase and at the moment he is not very flexible on it so we will see... as you say, it is only a day! (although it could be a very long day!) What do you and your OH do for work? I am/was(!?) an HR Manager so I have a few contacts in a few companies if this is any help, depending on what you/OH does. Will you work or be a full time mum? The 457 sponsorship does seem to have put some companies in a difficult position as I have heard a few horror stories of the Company investing time/money etc only for the family not to like it and it all goes pear shaped... most companies have a 2 year tie in clause whereby if you resign within 2 years you have to pay back proportionally some of the removal costs - this guarantees at least some recovery and helps you out with the costs. Removals are very expensive.... Have you been to Sydney before or do you know very much about living there?

Sounds good to me Where are you based now? We are on the big countdown.... just over 4 weeks and can't wait! OH's company are paying for 2 months serviced apartment in Kent Street in the city so hopefully we will be all settled in our home by the time you arrive. Do you guys have jobs to go to? OH starts 1st Sept in North Ryde, hence the Lane Cove preference... I would like to work on a short term contract whilst I can but we will see how that pans out!!!! Good luck with your move - I do not envy you trying to move with 2 children.... 1 is tricky!

Hi Guys, We are moving to Sydney in 4 weeks and although initially will be staying in the city, we are looking to rent in the Artarmon/Naremburn/Lane Cove area. I am 33, my OH is 38 and our little one will be 8 months and number 2 is due in January! Would love to pick your brains and coffee sounds good - wine would be better but will have to wait until next year! Sarah

Hi Shel, Hows the move preparations going? We leave in just over 4 weeks and it is pretty hectic. Have you decided where you will be living yet? The links were fab ... although I am keen to get there and start looking at what to do with Henry as 4 walls and a baby can be a long day! Sarah

Hi, although your wife is the main visa applicant, depending upon your skills and experience, you might find that your HR work and prospects are better in Sydney. I also work in HR and UK experience is highly valued as the legal system in the UK is complex and Australia, with the new labour government, is following some of the same pieces of legislation and experience with the practical applications of this is well regarded. HR work is also quite well paid compared to the UK. It is worth investigating further..... for info and up to date listing of HR jobs, I recommend subscribing to the weekly circulation of Jobs in HR at http://www.jobsinhr.com.au/subscribe Good Luck!

Thanks for the links, these are great Sarah:cool:

My partner's job has been transferred to Sydney and we will be moving at the end of August. I have lived in Sydney before but I was a working professional - I am now a stay at home mum and Henry will be 8 months old by the time we move. Has anyone got any suggestions on how to meet other mums, baby groups etc so that we can start our network? I am a little nervous about being at home with a baby and no support. Henry is great but like all children, he has his moments!!!!! Sarah