Jurls

Asmol is slightly cheaper version of Salbutamol than Ventolin (which is a brand name). How often does he use it? If you use your reliever medication more than 2 times in a week, guidelines recommend having a review with your Doctor.

Hi Mike, I'm afraid I know nothing about football (of any sort) or much about local bands as I don't get out much these days. However, I do know a fair bit about twins as I have a set myself! I highly recommend connecting with Canberra and Region Multiple Birth Association, who have quite an active social group. It's a good way to meet people and there are always people moving to and from Canberra. I'll PM you with some details. Alternatively MeetUp is another good way to find groups of people with similar interests. Playgrounds: Lots of playgrounds in most of the local and district parks, but be aware that nearly all Canberra playgrounds are not fenced and in the case of the district parks, tend to be near large bodies of water. The newest playground however is fully fenced and is called Boundless http://www.boundlesscanberra.org.au/. I haven't been myself yet but it is very popular from what I've heard and has been a great community project. It is near the Carillion, opposite Russell, parking is limited but you can park at Russell and walk across the bridge to the park. Google will give you articles and reviews about Canberra playgrounds, for example http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/playgrounds-lure-little-superheroes-20130714-2pyez.html Softplay: I'd probably recommend Lollipops at Majura Park for the indoor softplay, solely because they offer a discount to multiple birth families so you will find it cost effective. There is also.... Kid City at Mitchell Lets Play at Nicholls Monkey Mania at DFO I highly rate "Play Up", which is the permanent exhibition at the Museum of Modern Democracy...you can enter for a gold coin donation pretty much. Suitable for children your age as plenty of building blocks and drawing etc. It's excellent! http://moadoph.gov.au/exhibitions/play-up/ Canberra is a great place for young families and small children. Cheers Janet

I might add here that I'm neither in Gungahlin or Tuggeranong myself and don't feel strongly either way! :laugh:

I think if you asked the people in Tuggeranong they'd regard Gungahlin as bogan country. Nowhere is that bad in Canberra, there tend to be good and less desirable pockets in each suburb. Where to live depends more in preferences of schools and where you work, budget etc.

You can work for ACT Government with PR. It's the Federal Government departments that require citizenship. So for example you could work for ACT Health but not the Department of Health.

You've just made me realise I'll have been out of the UK ten years come the beginning of December!

Ah well not a biggie if you budget for it. :wink:

For me...anything above 30 degrees is unpleasant, 35 positively unpleasant and 40 unbearable..... I'd rather have Winter days any day of the week....gorgeous blue skies, it may be cold at night and early morning but Canberra winter days are beautiful on the most part.

There are murders and drug busts though, just not as many as other places. I agree with most of what you said except my top don't like is Summer... haha

Australia is ahead of the UK in terms of asthma management and education. For example, Australian schools carry salbutamol in their first aid kits and a large amount of money is spent on education of school staff around asthma first aid. Asthma Action Plans are encouraged and regularly reviews with the GP. Assessing asthma control is a key focus at the moment. Improvement in health will really depend on the triggers and again whereabouts you move to. There are also seasonal triggers to watch for, bush fire smoke can cause a lot of problems here for people with asthma for instance. Have a look at Asthma Australia's website for more information. There is a Foundation in every state and an Infoline. You can also sign up for Asthma Assist and receive newsletters etc.

Slightly different circumstance but my children have triple citizenship. They were born in NZ when we lived there (I was on PR and my husband an Australian citizen) and they have NZ birth certificates and passports. They also are Australian by descent (through my husband) and British by descent (through me) which we applied for shortly after moving to Australia. We will probably maintain the British and Australian passports but not the NZ.

lol, I really like Canberra...it's really grown on me in the last 4 years

Actually since 2012 it is far more difficult to obtain a spouse visa from the UK than Australia I think. The key thing about the financial requirements being that the British sponsor is the one who has to earn the £18,600 (or more) to meet the requirements and they don't take the family income as a whole into account. This immediately is an issue if the British sponsor isn't the main breadwinner, perhaps they have been at home bringing up a family for example. To discount the spouses earning power is ridiculous as most people consider their finances as a family. More information on requirements and who it affects can be found here http://britcits.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/introduction.html The legislation has effectively exiled many Brits overseas, meanwhile, any European can live and work in the UK.... Having said that, I too, as Pumpkin noted, this legislation was not in place in 2009 so I am not sure what caused the OPs attempt, to fail back then.

Changi all the way

We have heating costs in Canberra :wink:

Varies by state. ACT Government funds 4 year old preschool for 15 hours a week in Canberra. There are voluntary contributions though. Some schools here are starting to offer a 3 year old program, not sure if fees apply.

Not any more. They are building Molonglo practically right up to the crossing (A bend or 2 after anyway) and diverted some of the road somewhat so there is no benefit to going that way at the moment really in my opinion. They've put a fair few houses up!

I drive West Belconnen to Chifley most days, 20 minutes door to door. Actually William Hovell is a LOT better since they put extra lanes in Parkes Way. No tailback, lovely.

My British CV got me my job too. But look, the job market might be a factor in this as well, with the APS cutting staff it is quite competitive at the moment. What sector are you looking for work in?

Even the Daily Mail thinks Uttlesford (NW Essex) is good! lol http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2587625/Best-rural-area-live-shadow-Stansted-airport-Little-known-district-Uttlesford-beats-118-regions-factors-including-employment-health.html

Dunmow has had a LOT of building going on in the last 8 years. Heaps. It's a shame they aren't building schools and doctors surgeries at the same rate as they are putting up houses. It seems very popular with people moving up from London, just seems that the locals are a little frustrated with local infrastructure or lack thereof. However, Dunmow has an EXCELLENT Butchers.....which alone would make it worth moving to. That and the Flitch Trials which happen every 4 years :biggrin:

Hi, just came across this and wanted to mention....I flew to Auckland, landed in the afternoon, stayed the night, had appointment with my CO in the morning and was back on a plane to Australia in the afternoon. It may be different as I applied and had my visa processed in New Zealand but certainly I didn't bother staying in Auckland for a few days. I think the main reason for this is that they want you to enter Australia on the correct visa so it goes into the system. If they were to grant the visa while you were onshore then you wouldn't have entered the country on it, if you see what I mean. Again though, for anyone in this situation, just check with your CO as you would have to advise them of your plans anyway. :biggrin: