richselina

It's not easy when you're looking on real estate at suburbs and it's not until you get the 'local' view when you start to understand whether it could be the right place so the comments are most appreciated.

We currently live in Adelaide in the foothills which is very pretty and peaceful, but for work and university reasons we want to up sticks and move to the big city towards the end of this year but not knowing Sydney as well as Adelaide, it's not that straightforward, hence the question about Sutherland Shire.  We're being quite pragmatic about where we live and as long as it's within an hours commute of the CBD, it should work given the balance of commuting and working from home.

Ideally, we would like to live somewhere similar to where we live now which is in a small suburb and surrounded by gum trees and nature but not sure where exactly that would be in and around Sydney.  Being near the beach isn't a major issue for us as we live 30 mins drive from one today, so anything within that distance would work for us.

I have looked at the line up to Hornsby but again don't know that area well so any suggestions would be more than appreciated.

We are planning to spend up to about $2.5m which we hope would find somewhere nice, but realistic that it won't be close to the CBD which is why we're looking further out.

Thanks in advance for any help....

Hi,

I’m scouring Sydney suburbs and you seem to get a lot more house for the dollar around the Sutherland Shire and just wondered if there’s a reason for that and what generally the area is like versus somewhere in the northern suburbs.  

any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Hello,

I'm looking for some general guidance on typically what hoops and period of time you have to wait in Australia after moving before you can apply/secure a mortgage once you're in full time employment.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks

Hi,

I'm seeking from some guidance from PIOers that have recently moved from the UK to Australia to find out what companies were used for the removal and how the service/removal went.

All comments greatly welcomed.

Rich

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

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 :)

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

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

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 :)

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

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.

Hi,

Have a look at rentalcars.com as that's who I used on a recent trip to Cairns

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?

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

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

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

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

I got a shock this morning when I saw the GBP vs AUD was at $1.96 and it made me wonder whether now is a good time to buy AUD or hold off for a few more weeks?

What are the views out there ?

Hi,

Take a look at Seek.com.au and see what types of finance jobs are available and if there are skill matches. It might also be worth connecting directly with some recruiters on LinkedIn to gain their feedback on any hurdles you may find in the way to gaining a position.

Have you considered other areas where more finance jobs are available ? Sydney or Melbourne....

Good luck with the visa application.

Thanks. That'll save me some time I'm sure waiting for the service centre

Hi,

We will be moving to Melbourne in a few months and would like to know whether we can sign up straight away for a mobile phone contract or if we have to go on pay as you talk until we have a residential address etc?

If it's PAYG, who is the best provider to ensure a good 3G coverage?

Thanks, Rich

Hi,

I'm hoping that some fellow PIOers will be able to help.

We are planning to import our Mercedes SLK when we move in a couple of months time and am trying to find some information on whether we can purchase extended vehicle warranties on an imported car when we arrive. Our car is currently covered by the manufacturers warranty that I believe ceases upon export, so we will be left with a vehicle without any warranty.

I would appreciate any help from anyone that has managed to purchase an extended warranty and any reputable companies that this can be done through.

Thanks, Rich

Hi,

I have completed the Form 929 to update the details for my new passport, but unsure where I need to send this to. I am in the UK and I'm told there is an email address but don't have details of this, so if anyone would know the address it would be most appreciated if they could let me know what it is.

Thanks, Rich

Hi,

I'm sure other people have faced this and wondered what they have done. We will be shipping most of our items, but personal items including jewellery etc we plan to take with us. Our home insurance will only cover a certain amount away from home, but as we're above that amount and the amount on our travel insurance I'm trying to find out if there is some additional insurance that I can take out.

If anyone has faced this I would appreciate knowing as I'm very nervous walking around with a rucksack that contains our valuables with no insurance to cover the replacement value?

Thanks so much,

Rich