ScotsQuine

I have used Aero Pets twice and can't fault their service!

Anyone who thinks the driving is better here than back home must not drive much in either country or is one of these "everything is better in oz" folk 'Everything is better in oz', no not at all!! You have good and bad drivers regardless of which country you live/drive in, pretty foolish to think otherwise! I haven't read of any driving practices on this thread that I haven't seen take place in both Aus and UK. Undertaking, tailgating, excessive speed, fatalities etc all occur unfortunately! I've lived in 5 different countries and bad driving it seems is not exclusive only to Aus and UK drivers...

Unfortunately your quote could also relate to those still living in the UK, there are just as many bad drivers who could benefit from going on a driving course as there as in any other country!

That unfortunately could lead to even more confusion, different countries, different rules! In Scotland if someone flashed their lights at a junction it would mean that they are letting you in/you can go first. In Singapore, the same light flashing means that the car flashing their lights are telling you that they are going to go first so you DO NOT move! Perhaps if it was mandatory for all immigrants arriving in a new country to take a 3 month driving course there wouldn't be so many moans and groans about it?

When this happens to me I flick my headlights on for about 30 seconds, this puts your rear lights on, and from behind it looks like you are braking! Car behind you will brake, you don't lose any speed obviously because you didn't slow down My dad drove a lorry in the UK and they would use this trick on a daily basis because cars would be driving way to close behind them! It's not just an Aussie problem, the UK is just as bad.

You have to live in Australia for 4 years with a minimum of one year on PR before you can apply for citizenship. RRV = Returning Residents Visa

You're welcome... Happy packing Not sure where in Aus you are moving too, but if you find a Masters Home Improvements store, keep an eye out on their light globe aisle. They quite often do specials, I stocked up on globes when they were half price

Globes (as they are called in Aus) come in the same fittings as the UK. Standard bayonet and also small bayonet, as well standard screw in and small screw in. Not worth the hassle of packing them tbh. They are not expensive to buy here.

We lived in NZ and we knew within the first 3 months that it just wasn't for us. It took another 16 long months to find another job and move overseas! NZ is more expensive than OZ (in my opinion), but have you checked out the job situation there for you both compared to the UK? You're both still young, no kids, so honestly you can move anywhere easily! I live by the 'Nothing is set in stone' motto, maybe explains why I've lived in 5 different countries lol

Got to agree with you Irishgirl1. We are in the hills too and I'm sure they hang around here longer than 6 weeks?

I don't mind them so much, it's the damn March Flies that I really hate Their bites hurt, and for some reason they (and mozzies!) love me :arghh:

Friends of ours moved out to Brisbane with their 3 kids on a 457 visa last year, and they received their PR 7 months after arriving. So the 2 year rule obviously didn't make any difference to them?

No unfortunately the 457 visa doesn't work like that. If you get fired or leave your job, you would have 90 days to find a new 457 visa sponsor or leave Australia.

We had to obtain a police certificate for both our children over 16 years of age.

The only time I was in floods of tears was when my husband was considering an unbelievable job offer back in the UK lol Luckily for me, he turned it down Seriously though, what you are feeling is very normal!! Your little one is at a great age for adapting and also for helping you to meet new people too. As mentioned above, emails, Skype and Facebook are great for keeping in touch... You're from the Granite City, you're made of strong stuff Quine x

Hi and good luck with the move! We've moved overseas 4 times and my essential items for 'Hand Carry Luggage' would be... Birth/marriage/adoption/divorce certificates Paper part of driving license School reports (for kids) Any paperwork that you do not want to lose Valuable/sentimental pieces of jewelry Any reports relating to ongoing medical issues Proof of no claims (not always accepted in new country though!) External hard drives with all other information you have on your computer As for bedding/kettle and iron, these can always be bought in Australia at Ikea, K-Mart etc.. Think of it as a big camping adventure! It's amazing how much fun it can be and before you know it your container will have arrived!! All the best and take time to enjoy the move