AaronS

Dee Why is just up the road to the North and a lot more reasonable. Pretty much a straight shot down to Manly via bus....probably 25 minutes or less for the trip. That's a little more suited to a younger crowd (don't know your age)...and there is a broad ethnic mix there (not that this is a bad thing but something you should realize)

Safe travels

Yup, we learned that the hard way but I'm happy we did give it a try.

Indeed....this is the yard behind the pool.

First and foremost it was family. We didn't expect just how much we would miss them. Second, housing prices. Completely out of control.

Offer made on a home and accepted by the seller. Went with a nicer location but same size house as I mentioned before. Beautiful yard with a pool and 10+ meter Oak trees. The home is in near perfect condition on more than a half acre lot. Large fireplace, 2 lounge, 4 very large bedrooms, 3 full bath and 2 car garage.....and fully air conditioned (although I'm used to not using it now). Best high school in the city and in the top 100 in the country. All brand new kitchen appliances as well. All that for $250,000. I'm telling this mainly so people can get a grasp on the difference in housing prices. Keep in mind this is in Austin...the fastest growing city in the US and one of the (if not THE) best economies in the US.

Besides the voltage difference the games work in that region. The Xbox Live member ship does only for signing it though. If you have a membership based in the US you can't access the content for the US. I believe you'll have to get a new membership is Australia. No Netflix either so be prepared for that if you use it.

I think I brought the rain with me to Texas.....rained 3 of the 7 days I've been here. Usually there is no rain right now....guh.

You said a mouth full of truth! When you get here we'll have to make a point to have a beer at some point. I'm eyeing a 2600 sq ft (241 sq m), two story, 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 2 lounge with double garage on 1/3 acre for 190K....in town! Just can't beat the housing prices in Texas. Not to mention that the High School in the area is ranked 45 in the entire country...good for the kiddos!

A week in and its like I was never gone. Work is great. Already practicing with the band and even did an interview about our reformation with a local music magazine. Shopping for houses this weekend. Also enjoying two dollar pints of premium beer and bananas for less than a dollar a kilo. I do have to admit that a piece of my heart is missing Oz though.

30 minutes until the taxi picks my daughter and myself up to go to the airport. Said temporary goodbyes to my wife and little ones as they went to work and school. I managed to hold back until they left...kind of came unglued then. That's my once I'll allow myself that. Onward and upward. Plan in place. They'll be back with us in Austin this December with a house to live in immediately. I'll miss the beauty of the country and the friends we have made. Thanks to everyone here for the support from when I first came around trying to get here until the day I'm leaving. I'll still come around and update of course.

PS - I won't be near a computer for a few days after this evening...just FYI if you are interested and I don't respond quickly after tomorrow. It will be Friday here when I have access again.

Last full day in Australia. Having serious thoughts of not going....nothing to do with this country but everything to do with my wife and two little ones being out of my arms for so long. Going to be a tough 24 hours.

Hey Lucy, congrats on the job. I'm leaving tomorrow but my wife and 2 little ones are staying behind for 6 months to a year. She'll be looking for someone to share our 3 bedroom house with in Frenchs Forest. Cost of living in FF is much more manageable than Manly and Freshwater and the FF public school is great! If you'd like more info please PM me.

4 days to go. Happy and sad at the same time now. At this point I'm trying to avoid anything that will cause me to feel regret for going. This is much more emotionally draining than coming here. Mainly because I'll be away from my wife and two little ones for a bit. On a positive note, our realestate agent has a couple of houses already lined up for inspection. Both around 900sq m with larger yards and pools....and under $200K each. That will equate to about $325pw inclusive of property taxes. Not too shabby at all!

Something we can agree upon. :wink:

I would have liked to but unfortunately my wife's work won't allow for it. It's Sydney or nothing. I guess I could have always just disappeared into the Outback....at least I'd be closer to her that way over going all the way home.

I have a great deal of respect for Australia's ANZAC memorial. The US as a country takes a rather half hearted approach on respecting the fallen soldiers...in fact some even show protect for their sacrifice. Not saying there aren't the groups the have the respect, but there certainly isn't a televised march shown on Memorial Day (like ANZAC day for the US) in their honor.

My daughter and I went to the dawn service.

FOr those that like pizza...Donimo's pick up for 5.90 each on Tuesdays.

So apparently our friends here have told my wife that tomorrow they are getting me drunk and convincing me that I'm not leaving. Nice to feel wanted here....not sure how that's going to work out though.

Exactly what I thought! It was right after some 1500 meter swim at the surf club...apparently the oldest 1500m race in the world?

Cafe at Balmoral: 3 hot choc 1 apple juice 1 long black 1 order hot cakes 1 order french toast 1 fruit cup. $70

I will one up you on this subject. Simply because it's true. Last summer in Texas we had over 90 days above 40....had a few days at 45.....and one....well, check the pic and do the conversion. Was taken Aug 2, 2011

BTW - I set up my email to route to my phone after hours and forward calls to it as well. That way I do whatever and if something comes up I can manage from my phone. Even though that's the culture I can honestly say I seldom worked more than 40 hours a week....most of the time less. A 2 hour lunch was common for me.