jonathancowen

When I lived there I remember Sippy Downs was famous for its mosquitos, and parts of Bli Bli flooded a few times. But the new build houses looked nice in both areas.

Hi, this is the weird thing, I was never, and am still not, that attached to the UK. But I just can't seem to think of Australia as home. I have been living in Tasmania for 6 years now and it's been so much easier than when we lived on the Sunshine coast, Qld, but it's still not home. For me it is because it is so much alike UK that it is harder to fit in. When I've been in countries where the culture was vastly different from UK, it was easy. But here it's the similarities that make it hard. It's like looking at copies of things you know well and seeing the subtle differences all the time. I'm probably rambling now, so I'll stop. Cheers, J

Hi, I'm getting my citizenship next month, I'm only doing it because the 'permenant' residency only lasts 5 years and I'm fed up of paying for it and doing the firm's every 5 years. Citizenship to me is a cheaper option, nothing more. I am English, living in Australia temporarily and waiting to go home, always will be I think. I am glad that some people can move here and settle straight in, but for me it's not that easy. But life goes on.

Hi, Nambour doesn't have the best reputation on the sunshine coast so I would recommend having a look at other towns nearby, palmwoods for instance was/is nice. That said I used to work in nambour and when I did sleepovers it was always quiet and had a nice view of the wooded hillside in the mornings. There are a lot of council house and welfare houses there and a lot of disability care homes etc there which reflects the socio economic situation. But you will find a lit of lovely people there too, it was a popular area years ago but the farming industry moved away hence the rundown reputation. J

Hiya, we're doing rather well too! Got here 2 weeks ago on Thursday, have brought a house but waiting for settlement so still camping and have adopted a rescued dog. In short we are loving it :-)

Hello, My wife and I are also moving to Launceston area in Oct/Nov depending how the surf is on our journey South. We have never really been 'club joining' people but once we arrive we're planning on going to some of the meet ups for the many social clubs in town. We have found a couple running clubs and a 'adventure club' (hiking, biking, kayaking etc) we are hoping that these will be a good place to meet like minded people as moving to the Sunshine Coast we found that people in our age bracket (39) are rather reserved when it comes to acepting new people. (That's my polite way of saying that the general man on the street was antisocial) Have you had a look at simular clubs etc for your interests? If so how did you get on? Seeing as the whole country only has 510k people and only a bout 100,000 live in Launceston I am sure we'll bump into you soon. Good luck with the move. Cheers J

Hola!! We finally have a date set to move out of our Sunshine Coast house and statr traveling South for our next adventure. Handing over the keys on Sept 26th, having a week camping at fingal with some friends, then up to Noosa for some Outdoor Ed qualifications while my wife runs a half marathon, then regroup and start South. The plan is simple, 1- Arrive in tasmania bright eyed and bushy tailed. 2- Drive to Launceston and find a place to camp whilst we get sorted. 3- Find somewhere nice to live and buy a house. 4- Travel about for a few weeks exploring and surfing. 5- Find jobs. 6- Get on with our lives. Simple-ish!!!!!!! Any advice always welcome. Cheers J

That's a coincidence, we live in Buderim, used to spend a lot of time in Devon and are moving to Launceston area in the next few months also! Can't wait!!!

Banned cats!!!! I love how Australia has the most insane laws and rules. No matter what you are doing there's a law here to stop you having too much fun! A recent one was a collegue getting pulled over as she pointed out of the window whilst her son was driving.

Hi, When we moved over we thought we'd both buy a cheap $1000 car to tide us over until we worked out what we needed. Using English car prices as a guide I assumed we'd be buying a 5-8 year old Mondeo or simular. Well thats not the case, $1000 buys you something that looks like its been parked underwater for 10 years and then set on fire! I ended up spending $10,000 on a 2003 Nissan Navara and only just changes it recently (3 years on) What I am trying (badly) to say is that in our expereince EVERYTHING costs 4 times as much as you would expect. When we moved over we said that we didn't want to gwet here and only associate with other English people, so even tho the English we met were very nice and welcoming we shyed away and expected to be able to join in with the locals. This was also a mistake. The locals, (on average in MY expereince only) are the most closed minded racist and unfriendly people you could meet. Lesson there, acept any and all that offer friendship at the start! 3 years on and I know 2 Australians and 8 other English people that have become friends. As for will it be a better life for you/anyone here, I'd say it could be. I met a guy who was on holiday here visiting his girlfriend and he loved every second of his time here. I however hate it. But he said he comes from a "dirty little town up North and works in a cigarette factory" I lived out in the country and worked as a body guard to anyone with enough money and reason to want a escort. Horses for courses, or, if the only way is up then come here! The weather is a MAJOR factor, I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, or 'The land that time forgot' and the weather here is fine if you like boiling hot and humid in the summer and really hot and raining, in the winter. I realise that I am in the minority in liking the cooler weather but you do need to consider how you will go living day to day sweating and having less energy and staying indoors as much as possible under the AC. I used to trail run and cycle lots at home but can't do that here as its to hot and so built up and busy that cycling on a main road doesn't really appeal as I used to cycle on country lanes and through forests. As a positive I do a lot more kayaking and have started fishing. I surf most days instead of making the 5 hour drive to Devon its now 3 miles away which is nice. But the waves here are no where near as good as at home, just warmer with a lot more people. Good luck in whatever you decide, and you know what, I reckon its better to regret a mistake than constantly wonder "What would have happened if......" Jonathan

Hi sorry for the delay. It's open to a lot of swell directions and its a realistic option to be on the East coast and say "Nah, not big enough" and then drive to the WEst coast and surf that. Also it's open to the Antarctic swells which if the Arctic swells are anything to go by, pack much more pounch than the stuff that the Sunshine Coast picks up! (Today, 6ft @ 16secs = FLAT!) Another big factor is the crowd, there isn't one! I drove past 20miles of clean shoulder high beach break on our last trip there and saw 4 people out! Of course if you want a crowd I'm sure you can find one.

Exactly the reasons I'm moving there! (And the surf is better with less people and much better fishing!)

Not yet, but am on our way soon!!! :-) We have also started in Qld, on the Sunshine coast as it was near to my wifes parents but after 3 years here suffering from the heat, humidity, crowds and rubbish surf we're pushing south to less sunnier a-climes and can't freaking wait!!!!

Hi, a typical Christmas here in my experience involves lots of sweating and Giardia!

Hi everyone, Well the time of planning is upon us and its time to work out where we are going to live. So I need a bit of Local Knowledge regarding the surrounding areas of Launceston. We are looking for something semi rural, a nice little village 15-30 mins from Launceston would be ideal. we anticipate spending a fair bit of time Surfing, Hiking, Fishing, Kayaking, MTB'ing and generally getting out and about so access to these things is also a consideration. Thanks in advance Jonathan

Thanks buddy, I'll give him a call today!

Thanks buddy, I've been having a mass quote session now going to take the lowest quote and see can better it, then take that one to the next company and so on. Lets see how much I can save!

Hi, I am after any advise on interstate shipping companies to get a quote from. I am looking for Self Pack/cheapest options. Has anyone done this move and if so how much did it cost you? We only need a 20ft container but already the prices are looking around $6000! thats more than we paid to bring the stuff from England!!! Jonathan

Hi "welcome" back, glad you had a nice time back home. I had exactly the same expeirence when I returned, work, friends etc. We have decided to move to Tasmania in June, driving down the coast surfing and fishing our way South then find a short term rental to check out the area before buying a house. I can't wait as, like you, I've not enjoyed the Sunshine coast expeirence either, it looks great on a postcard but its so boring. To pass the time I'd suggest hitting the gym in a big way, kayaking and fishing and if you can find one, doing a course in something new. I've done a few wilderness first aid, boat licence and other little courses here and there. Maybe something a bit more involved and time consumming would be better for you though. I have to say since I got a 'fun' job at the Endeavour foundation I've found it much easier here, less free time to remember how good life at home is/was etc. And even though it's a million miles away from what I'm trained in (Personal Protection and Counter Terrorism) I really enjoy it. Good luck J

VERY good advice!!

Hi, I can't offer any advice yet but we are also moving to that area. Planning on driving down the coast from Sunshine Coast in June and settling in the Launceston to Burnie stretch. See you there 'neighbour'

A long time ago I was in a long distence relationship with a girl I met in California. All was going well for about a year I guess then I started to lose interest, I didn't just phone up a say its off/over as (man logic) I felt that if I just pulled back a bit then she would already have a kind of easing in period into the breakup and not be completely suprised by it. I'm sure I'll get lots of flack from others for that but I'm just being honest. I always hoped that the relationship would work but in the end it seemed like to much hassle and that, I took as a sign that I didn't care enough for her. I only pulled back for a couple of weeks and then called it off, she was upset but we are still good friends. My advice, cut your loses now, it was I'm sure fun and its always nice to know that there is someone missing and caring about you but I have a sneaky feeling that you'll be happier with a partner who is right in front of you! so go out and enjoy this New year, if you meet someone tonight then get their number and see what happens, if not its get on a plane and suprise himi bunny boiler style ;-) Good luck J

A mate put a ferret up his trousers once. Another friend walked into the firsts kitchen when he heard a screaming noise. He walked in to see friend A on the floor and his brother ripping his trousers off and what appeared to be a strangling manouver on his "parts" Turns out that the ferret had gone up and biten on to his balls! Needless to say that was never repeated!!