NZPom

We're on the Redcliffe peninsula. State schools aren't great but two of my kids are at fee paying schools which are pretty inexpensive. Shorncliffe is nice and the State primary school has a good reputation but is nigh on impossible to find any rentals at all there. Sandgate is also good. It has a railway station, and a not bad 'town' centre. Handy to get to places. Agreed that you should avoid North Lakes/Deception Bay/Caboolture etc.

Hi This isn't a question for me personally, as we are not moving to the UK, but I have been told that someone I know had to take a citizenship test and was denied benefits on returning to the UK, despite holding a British passport. I am convinced that this isn't normal and that there must be more to it. If you hold a passport, and as long as you haven't done anything dodgy, then surely you can just move back, no questions asked? Has anyone else encountered anything like this? Thanks

We're in Woody Point (end of Redcliffe). Have three kids - 15, 13 and 7. Let me know if you need anything. Kate

Don't be put off Redcliffe just because of the lack of railway line. It is only a 10 minute drive to get to Sandgate station (or at least it is for us from Woody Point). It is also a lovely drive over the bridge! Agreed that you're best to decide when you get here. You might even not make a definitive decision straightaway. Try renting in a couple of places till you find the area you like.

shefg, if you've decided on St Paul's, then I'd get a rental in one of the areas nearby and decide from there. It's impossible to decide when you're not living here. I don't like recommending schools as it is such a personal thing and different schools suit different children. The only thing you can do is visit and get a feel for the place and even then, you can make a wrong decision. There are a lot of fee paying religious schools around here (my kids go to one of them). They are heavily subsidised by the church so they are a lot cheaper than St Pauls but they are quite heavy on religion (for obvious reasons) and not everyone likes that. That's a nice budget you have for a house. For that sort of money you could live somewhere really nice! You'll get a feel for where you like when you're here!

You were probably lucky. It's a very common problem there. I'm sure there are people who are fine but it's wrong that they should have so few portals for such a huge place. No matter to us now as we don't live there anymore but it is definitely a problem in NL. You either strike lucky or you don't!

Opinions can be quite divided over St Pauls (as they are with most schools - anywhere in the world!). I have friends who have kids there and love it and I know other people who have moved their kids out of there but that is just the way it goes. I'd also suggest not living in North Lakes if they're going to St Pauls. The areas suggested above would be better for St Pauls and you are more likely to meet like minded people.

PS the comment re ADSL is very true. I was gobsmacked about that when we moved there. Even out in the Boonies in NZ you get better internet connection. Chances are you'll end up on wireless. Be prepared to tough it out with Telstra for a discount as it is very costly (even with the discount. We had to insist on no live streaming at all - including Skype while we lived there). Loving the freedom of being able to Skype friends again now that we've moved!

I can't remember the exact number of Brits there (sure the info is easily available). I think percentage wise it's up near 20% which is quite a lot. I lived there 5 months very unhappily. It isn't for everyone. Then again, I don't like estates, I don't like shopping centres and I especially don't like estates attached to shopping centres so it was never going to work for us. We all make mistakes. Good luck with it. Some people like it there so hope you'll be happy. And remember, if you don't, you can always go elsewhere. A lot of people don't end up in the suburb where they started.

Hi. Can't help you re areas as I don't know much about those places (though had heard Robina was a bit rough) but just to say hi as we also moved from NZ before xmas. My motives were different to yours I think - I loved NZ and we left because of the earthquakes. Considered Auckland but decided to make the jump to Oz. Where in Auckland are you? Anyway, good luck with it all! Kate

Hi. Re Redcliffe, it really depends on what you're used to and what you're expecting. If you want lots of fancy restaurants and somewhere that is very busy/thriving, then you'd probably want to be closer to the city. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes etc in Redcliffe (all over the peninsular) though. Another option for you could be Sandgate/Shorncliffe (though very difficult to find rentals there - we tried). You have the beaches and tracks etc and nice older queenslanders to live in and you have a railway station in both that you can walk to and take the train to town if you fancy a hassle free night out. We're in Woody Point, so we're just over the bridge from Sandgate so for us it's quite convenient for town. I have no idea about night transport - I'm sure it exists but don't know the details - someone will! If you need both outdoors and nightlife, you are going to have to compromise somewhere - decide which is the most important to you!

What about somewhere on the Redcliffe peninsular if you like outdoorsy stuff. The commute isn't bad to Chermside from there and you'll have beaches/cycling and walking tracks etc.

We moved from Christchurch (because of the quakes) just before xmas. We didn't have to come to Oz - we thought of Auckland but in the end decided to give Oz a go. I love the climate (I'm sure you do compared with sunny Dunners!) Like you, I've struggled to adjust a bit. I took to NZ straightaway (we were there for 6 years) and I can understand what you are saying regarding jobs and schools here. We are paying for the kids' education now so at least we are happy that they are getting a good education. We made a very bad choice with regard to the first area we moved to and the primary school there. We have since moved and are a lot happier here. We are committed to making things work here but I think it will be a long time before I think of it as home. I thought of NZ as home almost instantly. What were your reasons for leaving? I'm very mindful of not looking back on things with rosy spectacles (pre quakes, that is). There were things I didn't like but I do think people are friendlier (especially on SI) and it's easier to meet people. Hope it either gets easier for you or else you go back. My daughter is just back from chch. I'm definitely going to arrange a visit very soon - will do me good. At least we don't have far to visit friends, I suppose!

If I were you, I'd start a new thread about those areas. I enquired about Eatons Hill a couple of months ago on here as we were considering it - worth searching for the thread. Our only reason for deciding against it is that we want to be by the sea - it is quite nice there although still fairly modern. Good luck with it all. Think you're very wise to avoid NL - I'm ruing the day we took a rental here and it isn't easy getting out of a tenancy!

I can never make my mind up about Sandgate. It's definitely convenient and I do like the fact that it has a bit of a town centre and I am told it is a good community which is what NL really lacks but I agree it isn't the prettiest of places and house prices are about $100k more once you go over the bridge from Redcliffe. Trying to get a rental there is nigh on impossible anyway so I think we're more likely to be Scarborough/Redcliffe/Woody Point/Clontarf. When we lived in NZ I always found it was the Londoners who were homesick - they really missed the buzz of London. Have you thought of moving a bit closer to town? There might be a bit more of a city feel there?