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steen1976

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Everything posted by steen1976

  1. steen1976
    We were approved on 18th June but so far have heard nothing for a ceremony (Randwick NSW). Have been told the wait is 3-6 months but a phone call to DIBP today indicated that were were not on the November listing and unlikely that we'll be on the December one either. So that will blow their 6 months. But then they're not bound by that. Even though they'll then say you have to do it within 12 months - but they are restricting you to a smaller window. We wanted to take a trip home in December and the wife wants to take extended time there for a few months as she's on maternity so it's a bit frustrating. Quite why these government departments don't have service levels I'm not sure.
  2. steen1976
    Not at all. Far from it. It really is dire here. Oh for the Beeb!!!
  3. steen1976
    Randwick and Coogee are fantastic. Maroubra is good choice though too. But you will have to thoroughly check out the street if you find somewhere as there are some crap areas. The beach is amazing though doesn't have the cafes etc that Coogee and Bondi have. Maroubra juntion is good for shopping too - though there are a few wackos hanging around.
  4. steen1976
    I just google 'serviced apartments sydney' and various options came up. But the cheapest I could find in the city that didn't look like a ****hole worked out to be $750 a week. It was called Napoleon on Kent and while it was basic it was very clean and did the job it was for. You would be very lucky find anything decent for less that $600. I booked for a month but ended up there for six weeks as it wasn't easy finding somewhere long term either and that time of the year could be difficult too - well for the short term lets anyway.
  5. steen1976
    This.
  6. steen1976
    Such a shame that post has been deleted as it's possibly the thickest I've ever read on a forum.
  7. steen1976
    Bloody expensive. Unless you are willing to live in a share apartment?
  8. steen1976
    If I trip over my doormat I land on Coogee beach so shouldn't have the problem. But yeah imagine how much you would pay if London had a beach?
  9. steen1976
    Aye - the $8.80 keeps the scruffs away from our beaches :wink:
  10. steen1976
    This is what I love about forums. Everyone has an opinion - and in this case even someone who doesn't live in Australia :biglaugh::biglaugh: Hey kids this is why every post should be taken with a pinch of salt.
  11. steen1976

    Buying a Car

    steen1976 replied to a topic in New South Wales

    I've just bought a car here myself (in sydney). I was looking at Hondas and Subarus. They work out to be roughly twice the price of the same model in the UK based on current exchange rates. So yeah pretty expensive. Fully comp insurance was around the same price - though I previously had a 2 year old Honda in the UK and an 8 year old one here. In NSW you also have to pay stamp duty on your purchase. No idea about Vic. I reckon for that budget the best value would probably be a Ford or Holden.
  12. steen1976
    While it's right to draw attention to the implications of losing a job on a 457 here I think some posters are going a little OTT. Weigh it up like you do with every decision in life and do what's right for you. We're waiting before going for a permanent visa as the LAFHA is too good. Might be a mistake but we've calculated the risk and don't think it's a big one. Same as we will if kids are on the horizon.
  13. steen1976
    Went to a similar thing a few years ago in Leeds. It was about as useful as a dose of syphilis. Each to their own but I would recommend anyone who may be spending money on this (ticket, travel etc) to seriously think about it. The info you get can very easily be found for free on the Internet, on here or from a free initial consulation with a migration agent.
  14. steen1976
    Is she red and white or does she support the dark forces of Tyneside? Help only forthcoming once answered correctly.... :wink: Nah mate happy to help if we can in any way. From the NE myself but my wife is Irish.
  15. steen1976
    Must say that would be a very low wage to live on in Sydney. I think you will be coming out with roughly $800 a week. If you take a look on domain.com.au you will be able to see what you can afford. I think you would look to spend no more than a third of your wage on accommodation? Perhaps a share would be better than a one bed place? Cars are unfortunately just a stupidly expensive here too. Second hand anyway. I'm buying one on thursday and it's more than three times more expensive as the same in the UK. And it's one of the cheapest of that model for sale around here.
  16. steen1976
    and restaurants, cafes, bars.... :wink: Great beach Maroubra. I lived there 5 years ago last time I was here. Really thought they would have cleaned it up a bit more behind the beach though and opened up more cafes etc. I think the one hotel there shut down? Might be open again now. Great if you just want the beach without the crowds mind. The best in the Eastern suburbs.
  17. steen1976
    Just seen your in Coogee too. We have an aerial socket but just cannot pick anything up. Something to do with the valley we are in here as others have told me the same. Was pretty much forced to get foxtel but probably would have anyway for the football. Pretty much the only decent stuff on there is from the UK. On iinet here and speeds good. Stream iplayer no bother with Expat Shield.
  18. steen1976
    Congratulations. Good luck on the move. This place is a great resource to help you along.
  19. steen1976
    Nothing out of the ordinary there. Not sure what kind of repayment terms you would be looking at on the mortgage there? Assume you know you will need to put quite a substantial amount in yourself to 'only' have a $300k mortgage on a 4 bed in a decent suburb. Not a great time to me moving that kind of money either. I think that's easily manageable though maybe not much to put away in savings. Whenever I work out the cost of something here as a % of my hourly wage Vs what the same was in the UK it's not that expensive at all. It really looked a lot worse looking in from the UK. Homes, cars and pubs aside mind - they are horrendously expensive. Willl you work yourself?
  20. steen1976
    I know only too well after the bother I had with the useless gits at Orange!
  21. steen1976
    They could chase you to the moon if they wanted. However they would need a legal court judgement in australia to enforce it. I've not come across that happening?? Though I've heard of people being chased here. Not that the op ever suggested it mind!
  22. steen1976
    While it's true a ccj can't be issued against a non uk resident that won't stop the defaults etc. It's really not a good idea to do it over something like a mobile bill.
  23. steen1976
    A little glance to the left will reveal my football team. Born and bred there. You don't get a choice. Regular at Roker Park and the Stadium of Light for years till I moved around. Would watch any sport at home but never followed any other team than Sunderland or the national football, rugby or cricket team. Though I've completely fallen out of love with the former of those three. The sooner that prick Capello is gone the better. Here in Oz I wouldn't bother too much with the 'soccer' as it is ****. But I'll get to a couple of Sydney ** games probably. Rugby would be my sport of choice. I played union in the UK for years and had no interest whatsoever in league. I go to Randwick games in the Shute Shield as they play at Coogee oval which is a minute from my gaff. Follow the fortunes of the Waratahs too. But I have to admit to kinda enjoying the league here as well and the Rabbitohs would be the team I've plumped for - only because I lived in south Sydney a few years ago. AFL? Swans would be my team of course but I can take it or leave it. I've no idea what any local cricket leagues are like here??? Will also get to a bit of Horse Racing but prefer the jumps to the flat and there's none of that here.
  24. steen1976
    Not my little broom cupboard in Coogee :frown: Oh well low maintenance = more surf time
  25. steen1976
    Totally agree with that. One is plenty for two people. Sod the sharks, crocs or snakes it's the chickens I don't want to meet. Beer is expensive here. In pubs it's crazy but the offy isn't too bad really. It's only because Asda and Tescos use beer as a 'loss leader' that it seems so much different. Mind I saw a bottle of Brewdog advertised in Dan Murphy for 180 bucks! 40 quid in the UK mind but still.
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