thechollys

Congrats on the visa. We arrived in April and brought our car with us. Our visa was granted last July and we also wanted to buy a newer car before coming out. However, our research found that we wouldn't be able to obtain an import licence unless we had owned the car in the UK for a minimum of 12 months (do double check on that though). We therefore decided to bring out our current car. It's not an easy process at either end. We had the added hassle that we're in ACT and the car was delivered with our belongings to a removal company in NSW. As we weren't able to coordinate the pickup from the removal company with the ACT inspection date we had to have the car inspected in NSW then obtain an unregistered vehicle permit (UVP) to drive it home. We then needed another UVP in ACT to drive to have it inspected before obtaining another UVP while waiting for our import plate. I know it sounds like a real pain but, depending on the car you bring, it really can be well worth it. We are pleased that we brought ours. If you have any questions please feel free to put them up here.

It's different from the UK. If you pitch up at the agents they just tell you to register online. They're closed Saturdays because that's when they have open houses for viewing and the auctions. If you go to domain.com.au you can register there for the type of property and areas you're looking at. Although I do find it's a bit hit and miss with e-mail notifications. You should pick up Canberra weekly, it's free and I think it comes out on Thursdays. You can pick it up near supermarkets in the shopping malls. It has all properties in there. We also pick up The Canberra Times on a Saturday which has a property supplement. Only thing with that is you need to pick it up early because it has the viewing times for properties on that day. Hope this helps.

Hi We're in a rental at the moment but recently started to look at the market for buying next year. To be honest we're looking in the Weston Creek/Woden Valley areas only so I can't speak for Canberra as a whole. We're currently in Chapman and a few properties here have been on the market since April. One we saw we thought would sell easily but it didn't and they've now taken it off the market. There are a few we've seen which are up for auction in August so we're going to go along to see how much they go for. I have heard that there are many which are not selling because they are not reaching their reserve price. When we've viewed properties we've asked the agents opinion on the effect of the new housing in Molonglo on the market. They are all of the view that prices will increase. However, we are sceptical and think that's estate agent "optimism". Will keep you posted on sale prices at auction. When are you looking at moving to Canberra? Hope this helps.

We used John Masons. The packers in the UK were great guys and really helpful. They use Wridgways here in Queanbeyan where they have a bonded warehouse where the container is emptied and cleared by customs and quarantine. All timings have been excellent. Ship left UK on 7 April and arrived in Sydney on Sunday 20 May as estimated. Our belongings arrived in Queanbeyan on Thursday, will go through quarantine tomorrow and be delivered to us on Wednesday. Dawn at Wridgways has been brilliant and kept us appraised every step of the way. We also brought our car and she emailed me to say that she watched it being taken off the container and assured me that it had been securely packed by Masons and looked great. Obviously we haven't seen anything yet and hopefully there won't be any breakages but I'll let you know by the end of the week. Fingers crossed!

The Australian education system is different from the UK. I have friends who are established teachers in the UK and who favour the Australian education system. I feel that in the UK the system was all about results and not focussing enough on individual development. Having said that, I can't say that I didn't also have reservations about the education system here but I think you have to think of it as a different philosophy. It's like a lot of things about Australia, or indeed any country which is a new experience, it's about learning to accept the differences. I have worked with many Australians in the UK who certainly didn't have any problems competing in the workplace. Ultimately, the systems are different and it's a number of factors, the education system being only one, which will influence the outcome.

Hi there. We've only been here a couple of months and would love to join in.

Forgot to say that we're renting in Chapman which has a fantastic primary school although the properties to buy are expensive. Personally I like the Weston Creek and Woden areas of Canberra. Tuggeranong is pretty but I don't know what the suburbs are like there. I agree with Quoll about the newer areas although they seem to be the places where a lot of Brits flock to.

Moved to Canberra from London 2 months ago and still loving it. In Australian terms it isn't near the beach, but we were never near the beach in the UK, it is cold but nowhere near UK standards. It's great to still have the seasons but warmer ones than we're used to. If you think that at the moment we're in the equivalent to the end of November in the UK then the weather is so much better. We're eating al fresco in the middle of the day, without heaters, and the washing still dries outside. The sun shines often, although we do know that the last two summers were wet but that wasn't just in Canberra. The rain has been really good for the city as it's really green and there are stunning views with every drive we make here. It's certainly nothing like Milton Keynes. There are an abundance of really good restaurants and they're busy mid week too. We've spent holidays in all of the major cities in Australia but like Canberra because nowhere within the city is far from anywhere else. After living in London, Canberra is a breath of fresh air, literally. Rush hour is like a busy Sunday morning in London. I love Melbourne and have friends who live there and they don't enjoy the commute. Canberra is fantastic for families, it's just like living in a giant park. There are things we miss about the UK but they're things that are different about living in Australia generally not just Canberra. To sum up, we love Canberra which has everything we could want or need. If the beach is a big thing for you then that would be the only downside to living here. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for the responses. We might have to look at other options as our cat is due out of quarantine on a Saturday in Sydney but the catteries I've looked at are closed pm on Saturdays. :mad:

Anyone used any good catteries in Canberra?

Hubby had his cut yesterday at Curtin shops. Only $20.

Our cat is currently in quarantine in Sydney and we are living in Canberra. I understand there are animal transport services who will collect pets from quarantine and deliver them to your home. Has anyone used any of these that they would recommend? Thanks

Sun fab. Let's hope it stays that way.

Thanks for the advice, it's really helpful. It's reassuring to hear that it shouldn't take us as long as we thought to secure a long term rental. However, we do have a cat which means some places won't be open to us. My next task is to put together a rental pack as hubby flies out 2 weeks today. So while I tie up loose ends and deal with shippers here he is going to visit the schools we're keen on and look at rentals. Let's hope the rain has let up before we arrive. We've never seen Canberra in the sun, perhaps a good thing considering we loved it under cloud should make it all the more beautiful when the sun shines.

Hi, We're a family of 4 - mum, dad, 10 year old daughter and 2 year old female cat (who is very clean and quiet). We're heading out to Canberra very soon, dad arrives on 21st March and the rest of us at the beginning of April. What we don't have yet is some short term accommodation for our first couple of months there. Does anyone know of any good websites which advertise short term lets or, even better, can anyone recommend somewhere they may have stayed? We really aren't too fussed about the area. All we need is somewhere clean to use as a base to look for something longer term. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks