jamesnparry

Hi

Maroochy River resort is ok, please do not get alarmed, but it is a large cluster of holiday style chalets, around a lake with a restaurant-bottle shop and about 3km from maroochyodre........if that is where you thinking of 3 month stay - would suggest you look at places which are central - so you can walk/cycle places.....

as another posted said, it is now low season, and you can try to drive a bargain for a 3 month furnished to get you on your feet......gumtree is a good source for furniture and plenty of bargain shops to buy crockery and other items...

another matter you need to consider is if your child is going to school - try to focus on somewhere not too far from school

as others have said renting - can only be achieved by sucking up to the property agent.....if you have or are renting in uk, try to bring as many glowing references with you as possible...make sure you have emails address as that will be easy for them to then pass on a creditable 'renters' proposal to an owner....

the most you can pay up front is no more than 4 weeks rent......to help you prepare or become aware of rental matters check out Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA)

we have been on sunny cost almost 4 yr.....winter ( now until 1st Sept) is a great time - warm days and fresh ( still double digits 12-15 degree) nights....and most of the tourist have gone, so locals spend time chatting at counters, or to checkout staff, so it may feel slow or laid back ......so enjoy it, as summers get warm and hummid, and tourist flock in .....and finding parking places gets fun.

Hi

I work in Noosa and live a few minutes from Mooloolaba - Noosa is a great place for the family, hastings street is fantastic, and also gympie terrace area in noosaville .....with any accommodation, you are now going into low season, so try to book direct with the place your going to stay and try to be polite and ask for a deal, pushing a deal too much might get you the rock bottom room, so be fair, and being aware low season, and there is plenty to choose from, will help with any booking.

agree for kids, to see auzzie zoo....but if your not staying in noosa, do drive up the sea road ( david low way) and see all the beaches as you drive up....i do it every day and still after 4 years its a like being on holiday the drive is fantastic

who every said Noosa on the beach - thank you - I will mention it to the manager

HI,

 

has anyone heard of Regis Aged Care and if so, does anyone know what they are like to work for?

 

Regards

Teanel

Hi My wife is a Clinical Manager for one of the regis facilities - recruited from UK and arrived in Nov 2012

pm us and I will ask her to reply

Thank You, any recommendations of places to stay in Noosa? x

two areas to stay - Hastings st, ( for the beach and nice restaurants or gympie terrace - noosaville - for the inlet-estuary .....august is low season - so try to deal direct with the place rather than web sites......for 3 nights you should get a good deal......... before noosa you could consider mooloolaba - again try to deal direct with places to get best rates....if you want a swim in the sea - noosa would be good all the time, and if you really want to pack it in do a day trip up to fraser island with one of the tour 4x4 buses...

You say what could you buy for $700,000.00 can I sell my wife for that please ??????

Just asking because I am here at the moment and bored witless! We went back to UK for a year but had to return as one of our kids had a heart attack and are now living around the corner from my duaghter. Have lived in Brisbane and Gold .coast before with no problem but perhaps because I find myself homesick for the UK I have a different attitude now and miss the UK humour so much and the ease of chatting to complete strangers there. I am losing me again!

There are plenty of poms on your door step to have a laugh and joke with...... we will hit 2 yrs here on sunny coast, and despite what other say - a place is the people you meet, the friendships you make, and the attitude you have.................but the scenery here is great, and every day is Paradise.......and again before others knock and attack, yes we as a family have lived in some amazing places.......

as said, pm us, and lets have a laugh at the tourist sun bathing on the beach, while the locals are wearing fleeces and wearing hats as its only 23 degrees..................

We are looking at options for moving to Queensland maybe next year and quite like the look and feel of Buderim. As a retired couple we feel it would offer us a community with a social life. However, after doing more research we have seen a couple of reports suggesting that the area around Buderim is a high bushfire risk area. OH has a great fear of fires and I am concerned that we may have to rule out Buderim if there is any risk at all.

 

Any opinions on bushfire risk or comments from retired couples in Buderim would be greatly appreciated.

we live in Buderim, and yes there are tree's there and also buildings, and cars, which are a fire risk also............if you discount Buderim, then you might as well discount the majority of places which has a tree or long grass.

The fire dept and SES do back burning to reduce the "fuel which feeds fires"....and remember when it is hot here, it is also when it is the wettest ( summer is rain time), so people and buildings have been here for over 100 yrs plus.....fire dept have engines all near by, and you would be hard pushed - along with 1000's of other folks to have a fire nearby - without a rush of sirens and people putting things out. However there is always the possibility of some idiot starting things....and that could be any where.

To be honest, live here, enjoy the relaxed and great location Buderim and surroundings are, fires should be the last thing to worry about - more like the price of second hand cars - and how to survive watching TV when there are 45,000 adverts every half hr

Hi as the other person says, stick with Mooloolaba, as Auz zoo is easy access from there. its nice beach, and everything around you, sunshine plaza, kawana, easy to go to maleny and montville, and the a good walk along the beach - and still takes my breath away - walk on sun shine and sunrise beach before go to noosa heads, and stroll along Hasting st. Not knocking twin waters, but it is bit noisy with the planes overhead, and also you need to go out to see the real sunny coast, so yes stick with Mooloolaba, and listen to the accents when you have a coffee at the surf club, alot of poms. If you still have some jet lag, get up early ( 5-5.15am) and go for a stroll along the beach front, and you come across walkers rush hour, amazing how hectic the walk ways get with strutt your stuff oldies..... but yeah you will see the daily life on the coast starts at 5am - and its a nice time to have a coffee and watch life unwind... please be prepared as so many say - its expensive.....so don't be shy to bring pack lunches to the beach or auz zoo.....what ever you do ......do it slowly as that is the pace, having a million places to see will mean you will miss the spirit of the place

don't want to up set folks, but bond is the bond, and as reference by others under QLD legislation you can not charge more the 4 weeks rent as a bond, and that bond is then forwarded and held by the RTA. http://www.rta.qld.gov.au/Renting/Moving-in/Rental-bond-deposits-and-utilities

with paying up front, try to stick to the normal - either 1 week 2 week or monthly. I appreciate that it is sometimes hard to secure, but please consider - either a the up front is sometimes held in the "trust account" of the real estate agent, and not passed on to the landlord, or is in fact passed on to the landlord and then the power balance is the favour of the landlord, and you might decide the house or neighbours, or other matters do not work out for you, and then your money is tied up - and not easily accessible. The advice is not throw money at trying to secure, but rather build a relationship, visit 2 or three agents in person, on a dily basis if need be, and be polite, "just popped in " wonder if anything new on the books etc etc... we secured - with bringing in a Latte - and said ohh sorry the girl made too many and gave this one to me at half price, and wondered if you needed a refreshment......so for $2.00 we had a call a few hours later saying got a place for you - come back complete forms and you have first rights before anyone else.... so yes so an interest, and be polite....and keep the money close to you - you might need it

and yes i have been a landlord, a renter, real estate lettings ( both sides of the water) and now for my sins I have ended up in the world of Body Corporate

hope the guidance helps

we live in buderim, yes most things here to keep everyone happy, view, cafe cult.ure, beach 5 mins down the road - mooloolaba/alex headland/cotton tree, great shopping sunshine plaza/kawana, or go 10 mins in to hinterland palmwoods/maleny/monteville, further up the road is noosa, or Coolum, yes great - no matter what your looking for. HOWEVER - the commute to brizzy, umm thats going to be a bind, and if there is an accident, then its comparision is like the M25 or M6 at rush hour. and the evening before a bank holiday.......so to be honest, if your working in or around sunny coast, great, but brizzy......think the minimum your be is Caloundra, if not Landsborough or Beerwah. Your could always think about deception bay.

Thanks guys. I was hoping that a healthy bank statement and 6 months rent may avoid the reference part :-)

sorry to a damper on things, under QLD tenancy law, an agent or landlord can not take more than 4 weeks bond, and four weeks rent in advance if the rent is $700 per week or less. If it is above that - then it is by negotiation. Please check out http://www.rta.qld.gov.au . You can understand that if you part with money, and then the landlord is not actually the landlord, ( could actually be the current tenants) thats a lot of money to part with.

I would advise that bring personal references, and pictures of your house, and how well kept you have it etc.....the more "visual" stuff and support you have the more the agents will give you a break. As the other person said, you might have to see a few and put in applications on more than one, to get a house/unit.

We rent, and had friends references, and photos of our house in uk before moving, and also build a "relationship" with more that 3 agents. we managed to secure a property with in 2 weeks of arriving. We moved after the 6 months was up, and have been in this one for 15 months, and its still about been building a relationship with our letting agent when he/she inspects, and payment on time, and keep it clean etc

It is a roller coaster to get the first rental, but after that, it becomes easier and you then have better "credentials" for the next one.

New'sh curry house in Mooloolaba on the Brisbane rd, close to the sea front.

Called Curry time, run by a British couple.

I'm not a great curry eater so I had a mild one, but it might be worth a try if you are local.

tried it, and sadly disappointed, over spiced, and lacking in meat ( chicken marsala ordered) - :arghh:

work in noosa, live in buderim, go through Perigean every day, what do want to know ?

where is your job area going to be....so many places, from noosa, to maroochydore, to caloundra, to beerwah and caboolture....so the place of work for both you and your partner is going to get the best response to help with areas.....rental as alot have said before, if you have rented in uk, get as many glowing references as possible, or copies of money you have available. You can only give one months bond, ( so if agents see you have enough money in an account to cover 3 or 6 months rent that will get you an upper hand). It is a dog fight to get the nice rental, and have the agents on your side, so be prepared to move fast once u see what you want, and put in application within a few hours. However agents to hold on, until at least 4 good applications, then ring landlord or email details to them, for them to say who he/she prefer.

More than happy to help if you pm -

If you are new to the country,have yet to find work and cant prove an income i have heard of people doing this, normally though, they offer it rather than are told. Ive also read on here it is actually illegal for an agent to do this but cannot remember what State this applied to.

 

Cal x

QLD does not allow an agent to ask for more than 1 month ( or 4 weeks) in advance, and a bond of the same time frame( amount). If this is a private landlord, I would really ask for more details, and any bond needs to be registered with a Residential tenancy Authority ....there are scams, and like you would back home, check someone out before parting with money.......you could also say could the owner rent it via an agent ( it might only cost the landlord 5% of rental income to do this, ) Any way, treat it as stranger danger, - do research on whom you give money to

Hi.. My employer is willing to offer sponsorship for my PR visa. Is it defo a minimum of 2years before I can apply?

Thank u in advance! :-)

we have been here 15 months and put in our own application in dec ( after being here 13 months), we are doing it ourselves, and ok - just the same as doing the 457 - but more info.....but we have case officer, and just need to do medicals, and then its all with them.......we paid using UK credit card, which means alot cheaper if we had done it last year...so bargain all in all

we're in sunshine coast, and our first rental did not have a pool, we have a pool, and although the winter months the pool is cold, - ie around 20 degrees, you will find from nov to march your kids will be in it...and nothing better than to come home on a summer day, and just jump in the pool...don't forget people come round, bbq's socialising, it is well worth it.....and the money u save not driving to the beach/the hassle of going here and there, and the enjoyment your kids and friends have, - to be honest can't see not having any property without a pool...............................it is worth it

HI Maerae,

we are in sunny coast, moved from mid wales to here in nov 2012, and every day feels like your on holiday........most locations really come down to jobs, commute, and then work backwards.

Weathers good, beaches breath taking, but things as all will say are not cheap, just got to make sure one of the bread winners hit the ground running....and then it all fits in place, that prices soon are no longer compared with against uk, and you just get on with other matters, as days out, treats at a restaurant, and so on.

We love it, and yes great place for families, great schools, and everything u need in shopping terms.

remember though sunny cost starts from Caboulture to Noosa....a drive of hr and half on a good day. as said focus on work/employment, then schools, then area to live, then places you want to visit when you arrive, then short term rental when you get here..

Hi Evie

we did the adventure - with both our girls aged 6 & 4 at the time. We've been without furniture when we landed, and had a outside table and chairs in side the rental house we took purchased from gum tree - and slept on air mattress bought from local superstore - kmart, and also cheap kitchen stuff, we had no washer no fridge no tv, nothing until 1 month after we arrived. We've been here 15 months and look back with fondness of having time reading, talking, drawing with out any TV's, and have bbq trays to cook things with.......great adventure, camping with having a solid roof and bathroom .....IMO don't do furnished rental, - you appreciate what you need and don't need more .......and value it when things arrive..... all i will say is start decluttering sooner rather than later, time creeps on you so soon.

Schooling, our girls have loved it, and our girls get up at 6am more days than not, and during school days they either swim in the morning at swimming club - Tues+thurs before school, or at weekend do nippers at local surf club from 7am to 10 pm

So - is it hard, - yes - do you get stressed - yes - but as the song goes, life is a roller coaster - you just got to ride it......................and its great......to see your children enjoy the school and out door life...................yeap its a true adventure

Hi all

 

I'm in the process of preparing my UK home for rental while I'm in Australia. I'm comparing a couple of letting agents, is there anything in particular I should look out for or questions I should be asking them before I commit?

 

Although being apart of ARLA shows commitment in some ways - it does not guarantee the lettings manager or employees are good or will not slip up.......gut reactions is important.

 

Consider

1 How will they communicate with you, will they attach photo's or even do video of inspections, and repairs ( before and after)

2 How do they select trades ( do they vet them for quality/chekc that they pay the VAT and not just add it as a bonus - can you pay the trade/repairer direct) do they charge on top of your management fee to supervise repairs

3 In the event of an insurance claim, do they charge to supervise/arrange things

4 Will they agree to pay your rent by a particular time of the month ( so you can make sure it arrives before your mortgage payment is due - leave at least 10 days so if its late, you have time to act from savings or other sources)

5 How to they vet persons - will they send the forms via email to you to agree on who lets

6 what computer software do they use, to remind on inspections/gas safety/electrical safety/repairs/calls from tenants/calls from neighbours etc( re noise/parties/abandonment)

7 How many properties do they manage, and then how many staff looking after those properties ( then divide these numbers so you understand what work load they have, to see if the comment that they see properties every month can stack up)

8 do they take proceedings through the courts to get possesion/recover loss - how many have they done ? ( that gives you an idea if you have to use your own solicitor to do such matters, which if they have selected the wrong tenant with no asset = then its hard to cover the loss and expense of court/possession

9 will they be paying you gross or net of tax

 

 

overall it is good to have all these questions answered so you can see which agent is good/which lettings person knows their stuff, and ultimately who to use

 

pm me if you need guidance

don't forget kuluin primary school....our girls are there, and its is good, no catchment area either...and quick ( 15mins) if you are going to work in Nambour

it is hard to secure a rental from overseas, as terms and condition is that you have to have seen ( or someone representing you) to have seen it before, and contracts have to be signed in front of agency staff etc.... we were in the same boots last november when we arrived with 4yrs and 6yr old, but managed to secure something for 6 months ( our choice) with in 2 weeks...... places to stay are many, and i can give you places and emails of short term holiday places, which are in alexander headland or marochydore or near by

we live in buderim, yes its nice, but on the beach or nearby is best.....

drop us an pm, and i can give more help if needed

ps re labouring work, sippy downs will have hospital construction going on, works just started for next stage last month, so yes good area to get in, and the thai boxing, look at places like boot camp or set ups in the 4556/4558/4572 areas

pete( house husband) ann ( nurse) lizzie(6yr) and ellie (4yr)

I have not been 100% accurate with the my original post, and seeing as it looks like I may be saying someone has done something unlawful, I'd better clear it up.

 

John Mason actually call it a 'non-refundable pre-pay option'. This is to avoid a cost of cleaning the container which can potentially be massive $350 to $600!! So they are NOT offering an "indemnity" as such.

 

PSS are "offering our clients the option of paying an indemnity fee". They dont mention the cost.

 

I got the 2 companies confused, and I apologise in advance for any complaints.

 

Shaun (still bloody annoyed though!)

I think one of the biggest scams these removal companies do is they say that there will be an approx aquis (quarantine fee), and its around 500 dollars.....well in fact AQUIS only charge the amount of 40 dollars for a 20ft container, so why the other 480 extra dollars....i quizzed my scam removal companies and they say it is called a quarantine process fee, and they charge the 480 dollars to unload your container, and prepare it for aquis to inspect......but hang on, did i not pay for the removal company and its agents to handle my goods from door to door.....ohh no sir we handle them, but charge you twie for the same service...........................scam....i was bleeding spitting.......nowt i could do, i had to have my goods.......and yes like you bloody annoyed..........the auz company this end said they clearly advise the uk partners of this extra cost, so its down to me to argue this " additional fee"...........with the uk side as the contract is with them.....do they answer calls, do they answer emails.....no to both..so just waiting the 10 boxes missed on the first container ( yes nice of them to tell me after i put in a claim of missing goods on the so called insurance policy) and then i will send them a letter with the title Small claims court to get their blood boiling and not mine any more

I should have researched the AUz side as the first part of their name is CON.........says it all

I have had friends who us Crown, and this charge is not made, including the aquis fee of $40

Hi all,

 

This is something I really want to do, probably many times when over there. I have my PADI Open Water but haven't dived since 2001 in the BVI! Is it easy to do a refresher course or should I do one locally before I go? Also any recommended dive sites, diving companies, equipment shops etc? Thanks!

Do a refresher course, so you feel comfortable, and then really depends on where you are going in qld to dive for shops etc....there are 1000's of places and shops, but as you will recall - its the instructor or divemaster which you have a "connection" with is the best place/shop to go with....feel they treat you as a person not just a source of income

thank you everybody. It'll be interesting to do the final sums, waiting for quotes to come in. I'll post here the final outcome in case its of use to someone.

sorry to add - but something you need to understand is dealership/maintenance/repairs. Although very common in uk/europe, citreon dealers/repairs shops, you need to see which is near to your new place of stay, and send an email to them to see how much a full service will be. Although C4 is still made, some parts might take a bit of time if not in stock in Auz, and thus yours might be off the road for longer than you want.........i say this from experience with my imported car