afterbang

Clear! (and thanks for the statement!, It just sank in that recruitment is your profession isn't it?) And I am a Manager IT Operations (Incident Management and the like) and Project Manager. So not very esoteric So we probably will rely on the missus, and I will do the dishes!

P.S. In regards to your remark: " you could look to working remotely for companies elsewhere in Aus. Plenty of people do this" A friend of mine migrated to Adelaide (software skills) and recruitment agencies asked him if he wanted to FiFo to Canberra, as there was more work for him overthere. :cool:

No worries, I'm not looking for the definitive answer. Especially as times change, sought after skills are no longer wanted, and the other way around. So I will not hold it against neiter Quoll or Sean if it turns out the other way when I touch ground Just trying to get a 'feel' for the market. If everyone says: It can't be done. Then I know my girlfriend needs to do the work. If people say: Yeah I know of him or her and she worked for Federal IT. I know there is a possibility (not a certainty) And yes, I'm not desperate to get back in IT. I have had many jobs in my life. Started as a car mechanic, and now in IT with a lot of different stuff in between. So I'll be alright In the end it's the missus her Visa so I expect her to hit the ground running :wink:

Hmm, Slean has experience otherwise. Now I am confused again...

Thanks for that! About Federal, non-permanent and the waiver. It is something we heard before from one or two people in ACT, but no one was absolutely sure. So you confirming this is really nice!

+1 As far as I know (but I am not an expert as not living there (yet) ) Federal government doesn't seem to hire non-citizens. Local/State government seem to do. But that's all I 'know'!

First time I see footage of it. Still a bit... different? http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-11-18/thrills-and-spills-at-the-act-roller-derby-final/4378576?section=act

Good to know you like Weston. Apart from the fact that it;s not the cheapest area around I think it looks good. In regards to living outside ACT, that would be interessting, makes the search area a bit bigger and more rural/diverse. Probably will end up in the city anyway for the first months. Easier to search for a job, easier to get to know people and socialize, understand how everything works in Australia etc. etc. But to have the option to move a bit out of the city would be nice. Let's see if we can get some statement around this topic from immigration. I know it is not really a legal requirement and they cannot take your visa away or anything, but don't want to run in to troubles at the start or in a later stage when you opt for citizenship. Any experiences on this subject are appreciated of course!

hahaha, was imagining us, sitting on the grandstand, no clue why all these guys keep running back and forth, throwing balls in a very peculiar way trying to hit a very unstable wooden thingie. And that for hours and hours You all probably read Bill Bryson's book about Australia. I can remember the part how he is describing a cricket match while listening to the radio in his car. Somewhere between Canberra and Adelaide if I'm correct. Great stuff for non cricketers as myself Yes, I'm looking forward to a (at least a part) of a game

Fadden is/was on the list, as are the other ones in Tuggers. Nice to get that one confirmed Weston, is also on the list as it looks nice in between some hills, close to Mt. Stromlo for a bike ride. Found some houses we liked (on the internet...and some say a pictures says more than a thousand words... but pictures from real estate are sometimes 'a bit' misleading I suppose, so let's be careful) in Duffy, Holder, Weston, Chapman & Fisher. Next to the tip of visiting the shopping malls we will take the one of night driving into account! Uriarra and Tharwa hardly have any rentals (at least not on Allhomes) but that would really be nice. Bungendore is NSW, and our vias is state sponsored. Think you are not allowed to live outside ACT for the first two years. But if you guys have info otherwise, more than happy to hear about this as we've seen some nice and not to expensive property in NSW close to Canberra. We would be working in Canberra of course. Happy to hear your take on this!

rollerderby ? (scratching his head) Had to look at the site and search for "what is rollerderby" But hey, sounds like fun And Cricket, sounds like, errr, somethin different also! Really not a continental sport, but because of that interessting to watch. Also to watch the audience and meet locals. Thanks people!

Hi Dan, we're not their yet so not of much help I guess. But welcome anyway

Hi Bobj, thanks for the heads up. We will toch down in Sydney on the 1st of December so this one's a bit early But good to see there is still some action left Maybe later that week or the week thereafter would be great! Will keep on eye on the Oval.

Just joking We've signed up for Canberra so no need to defend it to me But it is almost natural, just came back from a get together of Dutch immigrants and they told me, you don't have to defend Canberra, we respect your choice. So looks like I'm already into 'defend Canberra' modus before I even got to the place. How weird is that

Damn, goning to one of the coldest places in OZ, and no game because it is too hot

Thanks, is any of this on in December? Maybe not a championship but a friendly/test match or something similar?

I'm an avid runner, biker and motorbiker. So wherever I'll end up, there should be a way around traffic

Thanks, nice one! And as said, liking or disliking suburbs is subjective. But if someone says: suburb X is cool as it is very child friendly with lot's of good schools, I know that, while I'm not looking for good schools, that prices might be higher due to that fact So even subjective opinions mean something as long as you can read between the lines or can see facts and fiction clearly

No clue, yet But as I said, we are used to travel to work, currently I am on a contract close by (say 35 minutes door to door) but my next contract could easily be an hour. And my girlfriend is used to travel even further. Although we are not looking for the furthest suburb from work we won't count anything out yet. Just trying to get a feel for the place

First of all; I didn't want to be offensive towards anyone. Maybe I was coming on a bit strong with calling people names. Sorry about that. Being a non-native speaker you have to learn your way around with words and their (deeper) meaning. But thanks for the info, your remark about each suburb having it's different style of housing from street to street is a good one. I remember living in an upper class suburb in Rotterdam, but being a student at that time, I didn't live in the upper class streets of that particular suburb I hear positive and less positive remarks about Tuggeranong. Although the suburb talk is always more than a bit subjective I would like to hear all your opinions on that. We will be stepping out of the car and visit the local shops, thanks for that I remember when we checked out Adelaide 2 years back we visited some shopping centers. Gave a good feel for the neighbourhood. Next to that; We will not visit every tourist attraction though, there needs to be something left to visit after our real move OK, keep them coming!

Hi, We will be on a Reccie trip in December. Received sponsorship from ACT and would like to check the area before we make the big plunge when we've sold the house here etc. Will be starting out in Sydney and end in Melbourne but the main goal is of course Canberra! We would like to get a first feel for the city and the suburbs... And yes again... a question on suburbs We are a couple, 40 and no kids. We like to be close to nature and live in the more quiet suburbs. Currently we own a house on the edge of a small village on a 800sqmtr block in the Netherlands. Something similar or bigger block would be great Oh yes price: not over 500 a week. Not looking for a new or very big luxurious house. Just a house on a nice big block with (hopefully) quiet neighbours. We are not looking for the bogan experience Travelling is not too much of a biggie. We are used to 30 to 60 minute drives to get to work (one way) So I guess that within that timeframe any suburb is reachable by car. For now we've come up with Cook & Aranda. Ainslie, Hackett & Downer. And further south things like Theodore, Chisholm, Gilmore, Banks, Callwell etc. (more or less the south/eastern side of Tuggeranong) This is all based on All Homes and Google Street view And then look at things like block size, surroundings and price. Being the first suburbs more established and leafier (and a bit more expensive but closer to city so less petrol to burn) and the latter ones being a bit cheaper and surrounded by hills (I LOVE hills being from such a flat country!) We will be driving around town for as long as it needs to get a first feel for it BUT any advise, comments or insights are MUCH appreciated. Next to getting a feel for suburbs we will make a holiday out of it and do some walking in the hills, Namadgi, Brindabella's and Tidbinbilla. Maybe rent a Mountainbike to check out Mt. Sromlo and do a morning run a long the shores of a lake. Visiting some museums, War memorial, Deep Space Center and all the other touristy things are also part of the itinerary Also here; if you have any advise, must sees or any other noteworthy stuff, like restaurants to visit, markets to check, pubs to meet up locals and/or ex-pat's, watching a game of cricket, anything goes, just let us know!!! Cheers, Michael

Hi, we will be validating our visa in December First visit to Canberra so quite curious! To my knowledge the rugby season is over (?) but we would love to watch a game of rugby or footy while we're there. Any suggestions what or where to watch some sports and support the local team? (as being from the Netherlands I might be wrong on the terms rugby, footy etc... Quite confusing sometimes) Thanks! Michael

Hi Sunniecat, only started reading a few minutes ago but I must admit it's 'awesome' as an ozzie would say One, it's a guy blogging (which is for some reason quite rare). Two, he is in IT (like me), and Three, he's got a sense of humor. I know how I will be spending my rainy sunday! Thanks! For all you other Canberran bloggers; bring it on!

Hi Guys, When browsing throug the Interwebs you'll find many blogs of new settlers but not many (none?) are from people in ACT/Canberra or surroundings. Do any of you now of some nice blogs from ACT-ers? If so let me know

Thanks for your feedback. So I might tick all the boxes but not the right one (i.e. not a citizen and I'm a PM) My background is Windows Server & Network engineering but to my knowledge these functions require a screening more often then PM work as you will have direct access to sensitve data or components. Most of my expertise is in banking and government and I have been screened from top to bottom and left to right. But that probably doesn't count in Australia. ATOS had, till some months ago no presence in OZ, now that they have taken over Siemens IT they have, will have a look from that perspective. Keep us posted in regards to your experiences, especially as ACT-ers are a rare breed