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melaniecharlton

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Everything posted by melaniecharlton

  1. melaniecharlton
    Anyone recently had their 173 visa approved? How long did you have to wait? Just about to apply for mum who recently became widowed. Not sure whether to apply offshore on onshore. Thank you Melanie
  2. melaniecharlton
    Hello, We are going to be moving to the Central Coast next year as we just cannot and will not pay the ridiculous house prices in Berowra. We were thinking of Umina beach or Gosford. This is however all dependent on good high schools. If my daughter cannot get into Gosford selective we need to find the next best thing. Can anyone recommend any good high schools and primary schools? Thank you kindly, Mel
  3. melaniecharlton
    Hi Guys, We have friends in Canberra looking to move near the coast. We live about 40 mins from the Central Coast (Berowra) and often go to the beaches on a weekend. In my opinion the central coast looks beautiful everywhere, however, when I speak to Australians they pull up their noses and say "Boganville". Not sure if they are being nasty or not. Are there particularly nasty areas one should avoid on the Central Coast? I am trying to compile a list of areas for my friends to look for suitable houses and schools. Can you help? Thank you kindly, Melanie
  4. melaniecharlton
    Hi guys, just to let you know that you may not have to pay school fees. My husband earns $90k and we have three children in school. I spoke to the NSW school board and they said that we earn too little to pay for 3 children to go to school. So, we were exempt from paying $13.5k ($4500 each) for all three of them. I reckon that on $70k salary for two kids you too wont have to pay school fees. Its worth finding out.
  5. melaniecharlton
    I contacted the NSW school board to ask if we could get discount for sending all 3 kids to school. They informed me that our earnings are not enough to pay for school fees - all 3 children are now exempt from school fees! So, do check and see if you qualify. It seems one only pays school fees if you earn a certain amount.
  6. melaniecharlton
    Hi Read this: http://www.treasury.gov.au/documents/2235/PDF/CP_FBT_LAFH_Benefits.pdf There is an email we can all write to at the end. If enough of us cause a stir perhaps they will reconsider it. Personally I would be happy if they just let us have free schooling. I have 3 kids. If we lose our LAFHA then I will have to homeschool my twins. This is not on! When Aussies come to Britain we dont charge them school fees. I think its a right for every child to have access to free education.
  7. melaniecharlton
    Thank you Fashionably late - I will definitely look into a nanny. Dont think I would like an au pair to live with us though. My only concern with a nanny is that they dont get to socialise with other kids much. They dont seem to have as many childminders over here as in the UK. The other idea is to find a term time only job - but they are like gold dust.
  8. melaniecharlton
    Thank you Shusselman - what brilliant advice! It most certainly is a juggling act - and a very expensive one at that!
  9. melaniecharlton
    Ah! Thank you so much everyone. I reckon I am going to have to wait for my twins to go to BIG school before I start work. Being on a 457 visa I wont be entitled to any rebates either. I thought perhaps that I could manage to pay for all 3 somehow, even on a 457 - but this will not be the case. Wish I had my mom here to help out!
  10. melaniecharlton
    Hi All, I am a mother of 3 kids. One is 9 and I have 4 year old twins. I am desperate to get back to work but am wondering how this will be possible. Do you know roughly how much before and after school care costs? What on earth do I do with them in the holidays? Are childminders expensive? What about nannies? Any thoughts and ideas would be much appreciated, Thank you kindly, Melanie
  11. melaniecharlton
    Hello, My husband got a job transfer through his employer in the UK and we are now living in Sydney. He has been in this job since May. Anyway, a senior exec at work hinted that he should apply for another position within the company that he has always wanted to do. Would this be a problem with the 457 visa? Its a similar role. He is currently in a technical customer service role and the new role is a technical sales role. Its a very small company with only 6 people. They do however struggle to find qualified people in Oz. If he got the sales role they would need to fill his role. Either way, each role is important and needs to be filled. Thank you Mel
  12. melaniecharlton
    Hi 3FatCats, Where are you living in Sydney? I too am not a city person so we decided to move to Berowra. It feels more like a village living here. I have been here for 3 months now and it feels more like home to me than the UK ever did, however this is because I am South African. You just have to get yourself out every day. Dont stay cooped up inside your house. The more you do and see, the more people you meet and the more opportunities to settle down come your way. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, nature and weather. Its surely beats the grey skies of England? Try and stay positive and make it work for you. xxx Mel
  13. melaniecharlton
    Hi Guys, Went to Avoca and it was FAB! Kids loved the rock pool. Very family friendly. Whats this about the Gosford skirt Fleabo? I will explore the other beaches next. Thanks all xxxx Mel
  14. melaniecharlton
    Hello Central Coasters, I live in Berowra and fancy heading to the beach tomorrow with my kids. Just looking at a map can you rate the following beaches, dont know which one to go to. Can you advise which are good for kids or if I should avoid any? Pearl beach Ettalong beach Pretty beach MacMasters Beach Copacabana Avoca beach Terrigal beach Forresters beach Bateau bay Shelly beach The Entrance Long jetty Toowoon bay Wamberal Thank you, Mel
  15. melaniecharlton
    I am South African and moved to the UK to marry my British husband. I lived there for 12 years. It took me 10 years before I felt truly happy and settled. I was so homesick for South Africa. When I returned to South Africa for a 3 month holiday it did not feel the same. It was as if I did not fit it and was a foreigner. And in the UK I did not fit either. So, I kind of felt extremely lost and that I had no identity. I have now been living in OZ for 3 months and I can honestly say that I feel more at home here than I did in both the UK and SA. It just feels right for me. I can however empathise with your feelings of being emotional and unsettled. I think you should just go with your intuition.
  16. melaniecharlton
    We live in Berowra which is an hour from CBD by train. Its close to Berowra Waters and Hornsby nearby has some decent shopping and restuarants.
  17. melaniecharlton
    Positive Pixie, We too did not have a house in the UK, nor a fancy car. We do however have 3 kids. But we live in a beautiful area of Sydney in a lovely house and have an old banger of a car. The fantastic thing about OZ is that you are not pressured to 'keep up with the Jones' here. Our neighbours have fancy houses and cars but they couldnt care less what we drive. Its soo relaxed here and very unpretentious. I love it! THe kids have the best quality of life - not stuck indoors in a little piddly terraced house - but outside EVERY day in the sun at the park and with nature surrounding us. Its fabulous!
  18. melaniecharlton
    My husband was on about £40k per year and now he is on $90k in Oz. Although the salary is higher it still equates to the same standard of living.
  19. melaniecharlton
    You know it wont really hit you - even when you are here. I sobbed until my eyes were raw leaving my friends and family behind. That was very traumatic. However, when you get here it will just feel like you are a on a long holiday and you always kind of expect to go home but you dont. Its weird. BUT at the end of the day we all live in a house, eat the same meals, have the same routines so it wont feel THAT different from the UK. Its when you go exploring nature each weekend in the sunshine when you feel in awe. The birdsong each morning is also an amazing reminder of where you are:
  20. melaniecharlton
    I too am a mom of twins and our neighbours constantly send round their 2 year old son. My twins are girls and 4 - they have no interest in playing with a snot nosed 2 year old boy. SO,,,, he constantly harrasses me to play with him. He helps himself to food out my cupboard and annoys me. He was round my house for 4 hours. The dad came round to check on his nappy and then just left saying its good for the kids to play. The nerve! This is happening far too often now and I am getting hacked off. Soon I get to the point of no return and just snap. This is not a good thing as I need to learn to be honest and open with people. It sounds like you are the same as me in that you feel the need to please all the time. People like us just get used - we are too nice and its time to stand up for ourselves. When I speak to my friends they all say they would not stand for this - so why do we? Its crazy. Lets make a pact - the next time the children come round we will be firm and say No. I know we feel sorry for them but really - they are not our problem. Good luck xxx
  21. melaniecharlton
    Yes, we moved out here a month ago. I love it here! Remember though that if you travel on holiday first you will see it in different eyes to just settling here. It takes time to adjust and settle down. So even if you loved it when you visit on holiday it will feel different to when you eventually move here. You will miss the UK but you need to give it time - They say the first 2 years are hard (even if you do live in paradise) but after that if you can stick it out its plain sailing. I reckon the worst thing about leaving is missing the friends and family. Thats about it.
  22. melaniecharlton
    Oh! Betsy - I am so pleased I was able to help your husband. I know how frustrating the wait is. There were a couple of occassions where it almost fell through for us. It was like being on a rollercoaster ride. Awful! You just have to put a picture of your dream on the fridge and look at it everyday and know that you will eventually get there. Good things take time. Good luck with everything. Enjoy your time left in the UK and go and do/see the things you always wanted to. It will probably be the last chance before you leave. You will definitely miss things from the UK - you may not feel that way now but you will. Even I coming from SA miss things about the UK at times but overall I am pleased we moved here and I am settling in very quickly. xxx
  23. melaniecharlton
    Hi Justin, Wow - you live in Fareham. Not a bad place to live in the UK. At least its near the beach and the weather is slightly better down South. I see you are trying for permanent residency? We came over on a 457 visa. Company paid for our move over. The only thing with a 457 is that we have to pay school fees and private medical insurance and dont get any benefits. At least with PR you dont have to fork out every month and can claim certain benefits. Good luck with everything and let me know if I can help in any way.
  24. melaniecharlton
    Thanks Paul - I dont think that Australia is cheap but there are lots of wonderful bargains and deals to be had. I forgot to mention that I love the fact that parking is free in shopping malls - for the first 3 hours anyway. I guess living in Oz one doesnt need to spend money - the weather is usually just perfect for a BBQ and a free outdoor lifestyle.
  25. melaniecharlton
    Lol! Fleabo! That scenario sounds familiar I think teenagers are happy getting any money. All the girls were VERY eager to be my babysitter.
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