richselina
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Hi,
I've seen that you from a post that you live in Hahndorf which I've visited and would appreciate your honest views on life in the hills if you're trying to get to a school in the Easten Suburbs. I have always liked Stirling, but have also considered some of the areas around Mount Barker, but have never been there and would just like a sense of what it's like.
I'm back in October to look at a couple of other schools, one in Athelstone and another in Springfield and also to try to get a sense of where we want to live when we move early next year - Probably Eastern or Hills again!
Any guidance you could give would be most welcomed.
Thanks
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We lived in Norwood and loved it, we could walk into the city if we wanted. We moved to the Hills as we owned a house up here (it was rented out after we built as we returned to the UK for a few years so never lived in it!). We weren’t sure but prices in Norwood had rocketed so we gave it a go. We love it up here.
It does depend what your lifestyle is. We have grown up sons who live away one in Canberra and one stayed in the Eastern suburbs in a house share in Kensington.
We like to be able to walk to cafes and restaurants and like the buzz of Hahndorf even though it can get crazy busy sometimes !
Mount Barker has grown massively but the new estates are pretty nice and more shops and facilities will be built nearer to them eventually.
The other towns up here are also growing but more slowly but have nice cafes and more going on than previously, but a teenager may well not appreciate that!
I would spend some time looking around as things have changed and are still developing up here.
We still go into the city for nights out, theatre and events etc. I am retired and Hubby only works in the city one day a week now so commuting isn’t an issue for us so I can’t comment on that either.
It is definitely a few degrees colder up here, both winter and summer (so swings and roundabouts there). We built our home and specified extra insulation and double glazing As well as ensuring we get sun into the main rooms in the winter for free warmth! Some of the houses up here, especially older ones are poorly insulated though.
It is a very personal thing where to live as everyone likes different things and a different family dynamic.
We love the peace up here and the community spirit without being isolated. A house on acreage where I had to drive to go anywhere is not me. I like to have neighbours I can chat to and pop round for a coffee and we love cycling and walking up here as we can be out in the countryside in minutes.
From here to the bottom of the freeway is 12 minutes, but it takes me another 20 to 30 mins to get to Kensington depending on the traffic.
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Thanks for this. Yep, visa was activated a few months after the grant so we are okay with that. We've also spent about a month in Aus between the grant and now on hols and reccie trips. Do you need two years residency before Sept 2022, or is it two years from when you apply for your RRV ? So if we don't travel out of Australia until say for example Feb 2023 but have taken hols before Sept 2022 for a few weeks then we will be fine ? Thanks
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Hi, We have PR Visas (190) which expire in Sept 2022. Unfortunately we haven't had the opportunity to move for family reasons, but will now be moving in the Spring of next year. I know in order to qualify for a RRV from the expiration of the visa you need to have two years residency as a minimum which we will have, but I'd appreciate understanding whether in the two years that qualify you are permitted to enter and leave the country on holiday, or if you need to have two years continual residency. Would appreciate any guidance on this. Thanks :)
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Hi, Would appreciate views on people that have migrated from the UK to Australia and if you've had your child in private education in the UK you've continued this route in Australia and whether there's a major difference between state and private in Aus ? Appreciate any thoughts. Thanks, R
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Hi, In the UK we take GCSE's at age 16 (Year 11) and then typically A levels at 17/18 (Year 13). Is this similar in Australia or are there just exams at the end of Year 12 ? Thanks, R
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Hi, I'm driving from Airlie Beach to Noosa and would like a couple of overnight stays to break the journey up on the way and looking for some ideas. I had thought Hervey Bay and Yeppoon, but any better ideas would be most welcomed. Thanks so much :)
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Hi, We've been to WA before and spent a lovely week in Perth and Margaret River and want to travel back again this October and looking for somewhere different to stay. Ideally, we are looking for a beach/pool type holiday so that my wife can have a few days relaxing and I can play with my daughter if the sea/pool is warm enough. I'd appreciate any thoughts/comments on the areas we should look at (about 3 hours max drive from Perth) and any recommendations on hotels/apartments. All comments would be most appreciated, especially about the weather in late October in and around Perth. Thanks, Rich
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Hi, With RentalCars they offer an all inclusive insurance so you don't need to (although check) take out any additional insurance. All we did was take out their insurance which was an extra cost, but it was still cheaper than going direct.
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Hi, Have a look at rentalcars.com as that's who I used on a recent trip to Cairns
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Hi, Thanks so so much for the reply. Any recommendations on accommodation in Port Douglas. We've looked at Pool Resort but it's about 10 mins drive outside, so not sure whether we should be in the town or not?
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Hi, I am heading to Cairns for a week at the end of May and don't want to stay in Cairns, but am undecided on whether to stay at Palm Cove or Port Douglas. While there I want to visit the Barrier Reef, Daintree and Kuranda. All help would be most appreciated. Thanks, Rich
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Hi, I'm considering visiting Cairns in June, but only will have 5/6 days there and wondered if this is enough time to explore the area and see all of the main places to see/visit. Appreciate any comments along with places I should plan to see and any recommendations on places to stay - apartments/hotels. Thanks so much, Rich
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What does living in Australia mean to you versus living in the UK?
richselina replied to North to South's topic in Aussie Chat
Makes you wonder why 'quoll' still goes on Australian forums if he/she doesn't like Australia and has no intention of going back ???? -
Hi, We are a family of 3 and looking for some short term accommodation (no more than a month) when we arrive in a few months time. I'm wondering if there are any fellow PIOers could let me know of any accommodation that they maybe aware of or have used when they arrived. We're not looking at serviced apartments or motels, but some friendly owned apartments/B&B's etc. Thanks so much, Rich
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Hi, We are now just months away from our arrival and aside from the moving process (getting a TRN/Medicare/Drivers Licence/car/House etc) I wondered where are the first five places we should visit to get a good feel of life in and around Melbourne for us and our 9 year old daughter. We still haven't finalised exactly where we'll be living as my wife likes the houses in Santuary Lakes and I like Mount Martha and the Hills, but this small thing aside it would be great to read up on some places we should visit. Looking forward to some interesting things to do. Thanks, Rich