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. 

19 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

Yes, it does make you an oddity, and so am I.  So is Ramot, I think, and many others on these forums.  That's the point I'm making.  We're the kind of people who can move to a new country and feel as though we really belong (while still acknowledging where we came from).    I used to think anyone could do that, but the more I see people suffering homesickness and feeling adrift, the more I think we are in the minority.  We just don't see it, because the kind of people who are strongly attached to their homeland, don't usually migrate.  It's only when someone gets dragged out to Australia by their partner or family that we see it.

Personally, I feel lucky to be in that minority.  But I've had people say I'm unlucky because I'm missing out on that deep sense of attachment to my homeland. 

I am Australian brings a tear to my eye. I don't care if it's corny

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

On 01/05/2021 at 19:33, Red Rose said:

To those Brits with Australian citizenship, do you consider yourself: Australian; British / Australian; or British (with an Australian passport)?

I have a lot of Australian friends with British passports, but none of them refer to themselves as British, whereas I get the feeling that pomsinoz are more likely to refer to themselves as Australian. 

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

Well we are living in Lonnie! At Yountown. Loving it. How are you going jonathoncowen?

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!!!

We are moving to Tassie early October and are so confused about where to go! I really need to be within visiting distance of Lonnie as my friend is ill but not too keen on the area. We thought of Ulverstone or Burnie but it's a bit far for her to do return trip at the moment (chemo for multiple myeloma) but we'd both prefer to be in Hobart LOL. I have lived in SE Queensland for 32 years and am at Sunshine Coast at the moment which is new for me but near my daughter, having spent an absolutely wonderful 11 months renting a unit overlooking Paignton Harbour in Devon. We are so missing the beautiful weather there and I am drained here back in this heat.

to make matters more complicated we need a furnished place as we now have stuff here and stuff stored in UK and there are mo places to rent in Hobart. Where is the happy medium?

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.

Carpenters will be happy on $43 per hour if they know someone to get foot in the door.

 

Caravans cost per week will surprise you, its not a cheap option.

 

Send him over to get established for first 3 months - and if he can do it and keep the cost of running a house hold in UK it works. Let him sleep in the tent during this time.

 

With young kids to consider be careful. Things changed here dramatically since 2008, and even since Abbott got in.

 

Cats have been outlawed from some suburbs (they are not allowed out at night) -

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.

We're planning to move there for much the same reasons as everyone else - the stunning scenery, the friendliness of the people, the space and lack of congestion, just the general feel of the place. It's a special place.

 

Jonathancowen, please tell me about the surf! I keep meaning to ask about it. Pleased to hear you seem to rate it.

Hardly any people...Beautiful scenery and wildlife...simple life feel...would be even better if we didnt have a parasitic state Govt...Beats the rest of crowded Oz hands down as long as you have a way of making an income outside..

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

If you haven't made a decision give CHRIS BELL at Bell's Removals a call. 0362299099.

No way affiliated with them but they moved us from the mid north of NSW to south of Hobart and were excellent.

We have just used them again to pack us up for the trip to the UK. We depart Hobart for the UK on the 12th.

We didn't check prices because everyone else we contacted didn't want to go out of their way and come to where we were.

They packed and loaded into their truck (no container), drove it to Kingston, and then unloaded it from the same truck to our house. No double handling.

No issues, no problems and we had about two houses full (which we have reduced massively) of gear.

Should you use a container make sure those doing the paperwork know the difference on a map between Perth and Tasmania.

Containers seem to take extremely long holidays on train carriages in Australia without even telling you they are going either.

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!

Try, Chess, Kent, Pickfords, Seven Seas and PSS as well as smaller local companies then play them off against each other.

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

Hi Hun, unfortunately 99.9% of agents won't rent to you until you have seen the property yourself and to be honest when you see how good agents are at trick photography you probably wouldn't want to.

Try and get yourself a holiday apartment for a couple of weeks when you first arrive to give you chance to look around.

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'

This is may be a silly post.

I have been in Long distance relationship with an English man in the UK. It has been 5 years already.

We agreed to do fiance visa for me and I will migrate to the UK next year.

However, last night he told me he is confused and wants to hold the paperwork.

In your opinion, especially men. Do you think it is just excuse for not getting together or he is just unsure.

In this kind of situation, what should I react?

 

I feel I am in deep pain now while everybody is celebrating the new year. I am just stuck at the back of the room and feeling lost.

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

Pabs, i'm on a peace mission and anyway even if they don't love me what they gonna do? set their ferrets on me?

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!!

Better the devil you know, it's boiliing here, constant wind to ruin the surf and no changes on the horizon :-(

no snow , no wind , no rain have counted 2 days of frost ......its going to hit at some stage , but at the moment very mild ....the other night in the car 12c , i walked the dog at 6am the other day with 2 layers on .......8c today .......the bad stuff may come later as it did last year ( march ) ......less colder it is the better ......15c -25c permanently ....if i could have my way ....dont like the winter ....snow on xmas eve and xmas day and that would be it for me

Hiya, we used global moving systems (or something like that) they were pretty good, only broke a few bits and the price was almost half of what other companies wanted.

Good luck Jonathan