fairystar32

I leave them well alone. We have millions in our garden and several nests. I figure they eat termites, so they can stay. I do keep indoors as clean as possible as I dont want them inside.

We have been with the CBA since we arrived and VERY happy with them. Set it up in the UK and have had NO issues with them since

We have not had it for my children. I do not deem it neccessary until they become sexually active. My eldest has chosen to since have it for Uni as it was a requirement.

We applied Feb, did our test May I think, we have our ceremony on Sunday

Its very easy to apply as others have said, we become citizens in 2 days at our ceremony :biggrin:

We came 4.5 yrs ago and LOVE it here. We lost all our money in the UK selling our house in the downward market, so had to start again. WE now own again, due to a uncle dying sady, have just bought a half acre home and we just got a puppy :biggrin: We have had ups and downs, health wise here and the UK. We would never return for good though, Australia is our home and we will become official Aussies on Sunday :yes: I wish I could bring my sister here though but otherwse, it is our dream .......

Hubby has it for critical and death mine is only accidental ( health issue come up recently and they wont cover me ) We took it out when we bought our house.

We love it here and never ever regretted it, depsite a up and down journey. We have plenty of friends from overseas and all happy here and none want to return

Bring them, I have been wearing 3 pairs of Docs this Winter and my new rocks

More chilled out and dont stress about the little things.. Yep my kids try to avoid shoes! Its an ongoing battle. Outdoors a LOT more

We also have ours in the connecting garage, so dont worry about the vent

We bought a cheap one from the white goods shop which sell shop marked/dinted. Had it 4 yrs now and works great, couldnt be without a dryer, expecially when its hot and humid or torrential rain!

We rehomed our samoyed with a woman who had lost her dog and could give our boy his final years by the beach being adored. We knew we would have to rent and at 11 we didnt wish to put him through it and move from a cold climate to a boiling hot tropical climate, he struggled in the UK summers! I have NEVER regretted it, but I REALLY miss him, actually more now, 4 yrs on than I did intiially.

Hi We just bought our house. A lot of the large banks accept a 5% deposit if you are a permanent resident or citizen, but you have to pay mortgage lenders insurace which is pretty steep! You probably wont find anyone who will give you a 100% deposit unless you have family who can guarantor... Not sure on the ins and outs, but they must be Australia residents/citizens too.

As others said, prices for rent vary in Qld from $300 a week in rare places to $700+ a week, pending what your after. You may find cheaper? BUT not that cheap! When we rented we got our rates paid so paid for electric, house insurance contents and rent. You do not need ambulance Ins in QLD. Doctors vary. A lot are bulk billed so you dont pay and some are not so you pay the gap ( usually around $30+) each visit. Insurance vary. All utilities vary pending how much you use, just like the UK. We are a family of 6 so my costs would not compare to yours. $1600 a mth would just cover rent and food and maybe not much else.

We read thsis story today and gave us a chuckle... Very expensive holiday! Not sure where she is buying green tea from! I buy organic green tea and it costs less than that!

Thanks Telling the agents today, after we sign the papers Only find out we went unconditional this morning Its a popular area not far from the city, so hopefully it will go VERY quickly!!

Thanks just hope we can get this rented out super quick!!!

We will be breaking rent lease on our home in Southside Brisbane. I am seeing if there is any interest. It is a HUGE 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 2 storey home. Nearby to several schools and kindys/daycares. Near to several doctors, dentists, late night surgeries, bulk billed. It is a lovely quite area with a nearby park /foresty area for walks, within walking distance to a late night shop and restaurant and a 24 hr shop. We have NEVER had any issues with damp, water leaks despite all the floods going on in the Brisbane area. We have never even been affected by power cuts during storms. Your welcome to come look around and it is through a housing estate agent, so would be subject to their checks. Rent is reasonable for the area, upon looking at $540 pr week, we are willing to pay $25 a week towards rent until our lease was due at the end of August. it has a decent garden, set back a little from the street, great neighbours, children about but not causing disruptions or in the streets day and night and a outdoor spa. Massive outdoor area, ensuite and walk in, 2 downstairs living areas, LOTS of storage.... Its a GREAT house, if we could afford it, we would of bought it in a heartbeat. Only breaking lease due buying a house. its a very secure house with screens. We have 2 cats, so assuming cats will be allowed, pending application. LMK if your interested, for pictures. Due to move out around the 2nd May.

You have to have frequent inspection and tests. If they are found contaminated, they loose their certification. The butchers I use has to get his certificate every year. One of the farms nearby a non organic pesticide using farm, contaminated their produce and they successfully sued them. We eat the seasonal produce.

We cam on a 457 visa with every intention to move permaently and hoped for the best. We knew we may have to return but the company was sponsering us for PR and it was our only way to get here and last chance due to hubbys age. We also moved with 4 kids. We got Pr quickly after we had been here just over 2 yrs. It worked fine for us and lots that I know. However, it is a risk as if you fail medicals, dont get sponsership, loose job ect... then you may have to return to the UK. It does work for lots of people though, just be aware of the risks

We buy organic due to the contaminets, pesticides etc.. I also believe the nutrients are better. Grass fed animals are far superior ( not finished with grains) the balance in the omegas are as nature intended in organic produce. The health and treatment of the animals. Knowing whats in my food.

Yes, we purchase Organic. I run a local co op for meat from the certified butchers, I buy on a bulk co op for organic fruit/veg, pantry items nuts, oils, flour and seeds. I also use food connect which are guranteed spray/pesticide free and organically grown. I do not buy organic from the supermarkets unless I am desperate and run out.

I agree, we never even considered the exchange rate, we wanted to come and came, never considered it. When we moved the housing market in the Uk was crashing, we ended up at auction and walking away with nothing, so no deposit for a house here, we rented, never rented before.. We didnt grumble or moan, it was our choice and we took the chance. Money certainly wasnt everything. 4 yrs on we have had ups and downs, health issues crop up here and in the UK and its been far from paradise. Its just life, wherever you live. We have never regretted starting again (hubby was over 40) life is what you make it, you only get one shot and money was never a reason to move or not, it was not considered. We moved for other reasons. We love our life here, we have a great lifestyle and are happy despite everything, because we chose to get on with it and make it what we wanted.

Cant find anything on the goverment site? When was it announced?