HayleyC

Don't know of its been said but you would qualify for centre link payments if you get PR, with two children if you earn less than $150000 per year you would get something.

I think you'd be missing out on the best parts of Australia not going through the middle up to Darwin to see the real Australia!! The places you are going are fun but it's good to get a contrast rather than just beaches. I also think that you'll have a an in your head of a plan but it will all change when you start travelling and meeting other people, you'll pick up lots of new travel ideas. Have fun! This was one of the best times in my life backpacking!!

Hello, I recently went back to the uk in August my little girl just under two, the way there was a total nightmare, it was no problem entertaining her but we couldn't get her to sleep spent hours walking up and down the plane. She finally went to sleep for only two hours and woke up. So only got 2 hours in 14 sleep. She slept in the airport then she was ok for a couple of hours on the next flight then was so tired she wouldn't stop crying for hours the whole flight was asleep and she was so upset abd distressed as she just wouldn't go to sleep! Both my husband and I had no sleep and found it so hard too. She fell asleep finally for a couple of hours then woke up and got reallyupset and cried the whole time when we landed. We had everything you could imagine to keep her entertained did everything wecould to make it a good flight but she just wouldn't sleep as it was so different! she had 4 hours sleep the whole trip back!! We were thinking of changing the flight on the way home for a stop over but in the end went to see our family doctor and he prescribed phenergan. The flight was still hard on the way back but she had three hour stretches of sleep when she needed so wasn't drugged Asleep the whole flight as we didn't give her too much. She was a lot happier and better for sleeping and we were better to entertain her when she was awake. She had about 9/10 hours in total the way back, we were all much happier less stressed and Elsie didn't get distressed and upset. We didn't do this for convenience to us so we could relax we did it so our daughter wasn't so distressed. both my husband and I played and entertained her the whole flight, we just had a bit of help to get her to sleep. Everyone was much happier. Its a controversial subject and very personal to each parent, I didn't want to drug her on the way there but realized we needed to on theway back for all out sanity. It's not something we took lightly and got advice from our family doctor. I believe we did the right thing and would do it again. I hope that helps you with your decision.

It's like the trueman show a bit too perfect!!

Hello, I live in Chelsea with my husband and two year old girl, chelsea is a nice family area with a good beach, cafe's and parks we have a three bedroom house with a nice garden, however Im not 100% settled there, the strip of shops and cafe's has two roads and a train track running along it and find it to much city suburb like think i would prefer a bit more in the country. I much prefer mornington, mount Eliza and mount Martha, however these are too far out as I work part time in the city. If you need to be nearer the city mordialloc has a much better layout and good schools but its harder to get a house and the standard is a bit lower, but don't worry plenty of people do successfully get houses it's just we chose a better house over a better suburb. You should a lot look at edithvale, parkdale and mentone. I can't reall help you with the other suburbs you mentioned lots of people like them but I just Had to live near the beach. Dont worry too much it will all become clear when you come for a holiday, we came here blind as we didn't have enough money to check it out. Good luck!!

It is harder in some ways with children but I found having a child helped me meet people a lot I just kept going to children's clubs and slowly I made more friends it takes a while though. I felt really sad after 3 months but got through it by keeping going to these clubs and meeting people. I felt very lonely at times but worked through it. It's so hard when you have that mind frame and keep thinking what you had at home. You'll come round just stick with it and keep making friends. I use to mention I felt a bit home sick if people asked how I was and it really helped. Don't think you'll bring them down as I bet they use to feel the same!! Good luck!!

Of we went home we'd have nothing and spent all our savings. We always say we will stick it out two years even if we hated it and have a think about what to do after that, we've nearly made it to a year it's been hard at times but doing ok!!

I don't think you should take those lists to seriously, I've been watching wdu and some things on there are wrong it's not as expensive as they make out. I live in Melbourne and do spend a lot more on food here than the uk, however we earn a lot more so it's all relative, which I'm sure has been mentioned many times on this forum.

Would love to go out and watch it but with work to go to and a 16 month year old in bed there's no chance!!

Thanks! haven't updated my profile we live in Melbourne now!

Hello, Since the games isn't on TV does anybody know if you can watch the England game live on line? Thanks, Hayley

Think you'll have a great time! a good place to start off, check out the next suburb Elwood if you wanted to live somewhere long term thats better than St Kilda but for your first month St Kilda would be fun!

Hello, I just wanted to see if anybody know's of any good dog walks in Melbourne (I live in the SE suburbs) at the moment I just walk on the beach and in parks which is fine but on the weekend I wouldn't mind driving somewhere to go for a walk. Is there any nice lake's you can walk round? or walking tracks? I am concerned about snakes though as my dog loves to go in and out of the bushes but I can manage to keep her out of them if I have a ball so it isn't too bad. Thanks Hayley