Steve n Mel

Hi Neil how you are you guys doing? 7 weeks in you must still be in holiday mode I guess which is great, we've been here somewhat longer but just a little north of you guys in St Clair, were late 30s with a 5 year old son

Ah Maryrose has given me a giggle we were the same always living in the city or northern beachs for years we also went with the westie jokes until visiting a friend who lived out west, so quiet and friendly, as always theres good and bad but hey we made the move out west to st Clair and for the first time I have great family friendly neighbours that are all just great a super quiet street with a good plot and big house and half the price of what we had in the city.

​its not all bad out west lol

I think that shows how much I don't read invoices lol, but your right it is pretty good when you consider how much time they spend there.

​

Insurance is $65 a year, that's seperate,lol.. In all fairness she does train around 11 hours a week, so it doesn't work out too bad if you break it down,,, its still a shock when i see the invoice though.

 

​ Cal x

Hey Cal, I must admit gymnastics does seem to be more expensive our little ones paying just under 400 for his 10 weeks, think its the insurance cost maybe?

Oops and a sorry to Bridget for spelling her name wrong earlier, I'm bad,

oh wolves youl find some deals the same way but I must admit on our last uk holiday it did feel much cheaper back there, which was why I jumped in not sure if it was a perception or reality?

Hi Bidget,

Firstly welcome to Oz, certainly from our perspective a family of three we pay out around the same, but wondered how do you find the comparison to the uk now? we've been here 10 years so a little out of touch after only going back to the uk in holiday mode.

We actually lived out by you when we first moved to Oz, great for family and actually pretty easy to get around from, highly recommend hills area to new family's.

hope you continue to enjoy what oz has to offer

​

I will put the disclaimer first ..... these are just our experiences others may spend more or less:)

Its a bit of a random list....

 

Food Shopping

We are a family of 4 - and I have found it cheapest to buy my staples (cereal, pasta, milk etc) at either coles woolies or aldi. I then tend to go to Fruitland (or any specialist greengrocer) for veggies and fruit and then to 'chicken shop' or 'bush meats' for meat. We typically spend $350 per week. This is all in and includes a meaty BBQ, beer wine and packed lunches for kids and husband.

I tend to buy what is on 'special' and will buy in bulk and freeze excess - particularly bbq stuff.

Aldi is definitley a cheap place to shop - so I tend to go there first buy what I can then do coles then fruit/veggies then meat. I am not working so I have the time to do this.

 

Swimming lessons

Generally $18 per child per lesson. This is 30mins and in a small group. Some are paid monthly, some termley.

 

Dancing lessons

$185 per 10 week term for my daughter to prance around imagining she is Darcy Bussell....

 

Toddler Activities

Activities for toddler (like Tumble Tots in the UK) all seem to cost $170 per 10 week term. Lots available Jamberoo, Ready Steady Sport etc....

 

Eating Out

This varies massively - we paid $180 for a rubbish italian meal (2 glasses of wine, 2 risottos and 2 kids pasta and sauce - rip off!). We have also paid $60 for a 'steak and chips' type meal for 4 and thoroughly enjoyed that. Generally if we are out as a family we try to picnic - everywhere is geared up for that. Eating out in touristy areas can be better value - if you are eating as a family and not after a gastronomic experience!

 

Coffees etc .....

About $3 for a flat white and $3 for the obligatory banana bread (to share with the children of course!)! $3 for an icecream at the beach

 

School Uniform

Have just paid $200 for 2 tunics, 2 blouses and 2 pairs of tights!

Haircut for husband -

$20 for him and $15 for kids. I shan't be sharing mine - incase he finds out!

 

Will try to add more as I come across them...Let me know if you have any specifics

 

Bridget

Hi there not been floating around the PIO site for a while and come across your Glenmore park post, we did look around the area a little while ago and seemed a very nice spot we ended up still out west in quiet suburb St Clair which is pretty close, was just a little easier for commute to work. Hows your move going any further updates, happy to help out where we can, there are some more Poms in west syd which I am sure can give some advise too.

Steve & Mel, oh and Mikey (4)

Hi,

 

We are applying for a visa at the moment and hope to be going out to NSW in June/July. Just wanted to meet anyone currently in Glenmore park area for freindship and advice.

We are husband and wife with 8 year old daughter.

Need help with Schools, rent advice, part time job for me, etc !!

we're very excited but would like to know we are not alone !:wub:

Hi Steve

 

Sorry haven't given you a call yet. Been a bit crazy with the house hunting and new job starting ths week. We found a place in Claremont Meadows which is perfect for our first place, we move in Friday. Feel much more settled now knowing that we'll have our own place shortly. I'll give you a call next week to arrange this catch up, will probably be over a weekend if that's ok?

 

Speak soon

Mark

Thats all good mate, we can remember how crazy it is the first couple of months, just drop us a line when you up to it.

Steve

Some great advice from Mark, really is valuable to spend time with the agents so they know what you want and they will give you a good wrap to the landlord, and the domain sites etc is good as a tool to see the approx rental cost but mostly the properties are on so late they are gone.

So where did you end up Mark? youl be in wait of the shipping now then? not fun watching the tracking screen of where all your belongings are in the world and having an empty house.

Steve

Hey were crazy late 1pm but thought we would get lunch anyway anyone still here

Well we should be there all being well, have a sniffly 4 year old at the mo but hopefully will be over it by Sunday, if I could get a contact number or two would be great to find you all.

cheers

Steve

Hey all, we still on for Sunday????? 11am

Hi Mark,

Great that everything is smooth so far, one of the worst things is getting a good rental as there is a shortage and a lot of investors don't keep properties up to date, but there are some good ones out there. I hear that Starr partners and proffesionals ( st Mary's offices) do a fair amount of the rental management in st Clair.

As for a BBQ and beer for sure mate let us know when your free.

Steve

Hi

 

Flights went really well and got over jet lag quite quickly. Managed to get a car sorted and now doing viewing after viewing trying to find a decent house - not easy! We have been up your way a few times now and really like the feel of St Clair and Minchinbury. If you hear of any decent properties coming up for rent please let us know. We'd love to come and catch up for a BBQ if the offers still open? Would be good to catch up with someone for a beer and a chat.

 

Cheers

Mark

Been beautiful last few days, everyone in shorts and T-shirts and looking rather pink - typical Brits! We arrive on 7th April and have a 3 week holiday let organised in Parramatta. We are still looking around St Clair as a potential suburb so will take you up on that offer of a BBQ to get a feel for the place. Will drop you a PM when have got mobiles sorted after Easter weekend. Sister in law is meeting us at airport and are down for a few days from Queensland to help us settle which will be good. See you soon!

SOOOOO did you arrive in one piece, still jet lagged???? I think you brought the sun but also some cold nights

SUNDAY 29th APRIL at 11 anyone? Is that a good time? Beat the lunch rush, wear the kids out on a family fun day Sunday???

Steve, Mel & skinny Karen..... Hope to see you there!!!!

Please spread the word to anyone who might want to come. :-)

Sounds ok with me at the mo, will double check with the social director later to be sure nothings is in the calendar.

Not been on here for a while - meet up was good lots of lovely people though you just never get a chance to speak to everyone at something like that and I think I need a lesson in organising things though - mobile phone number would have been a good place to start! :biggrin: I am always up for another meet up but think someone else would be better at the organising this time!!!

Hey guys, not been on for a while either been busy times, looks like another meets on the go for the etta hopefully catch ya this time round:biggrin:

Hey we are up for it, Steve and Mel with a 4 year old here, let us know whens good

Cheers. Looking forward to catching up with everyone soon too. Hope we bring a change in weather for the best!

Make sure you bring the sun its been looking pretty good back home the last few days, so when do you guys get out here? have a temp place to stay all sorted ? drop us a line for a get together

Hi rachall not sure if it's still up and running but have you looked atLAFHA allowance? Also where is your job offer you may need to live west syd to reduce your costs but west isnt a bad place, we've lived all over syd you just have to give things a shot.

Hey Steve and Mel not been able to get thro to them been trying let's just pick somewhere outside once we get there?

Ok no contact numbers where is everyone???

Ok not too sure if anyone will read this but do you want the table moved outside seen as it is a lovely day?????? If no reply will leave as is, Lynne

OutSide sounds great for us

3 is good for us, still no notification rrrrrr

Hi everyone has a meet up happened yet? we have had no internet for the last 2 weeks.When the next one goes ahead we would love to come we have 3 girls 12,10 and 7. looling forward to meeting new people!!

julie

HI Julie not yet hopefully next weekend the 3rd or 4th, sunday 4th is good for us, anyone else for the 4th???

Hi all, we've been in Oz a year now (457 visa) but initially in Brisbane, where we settled very quickly (have family there). Found QLD very relaxed and people really friendly. Kids and I made lots of friends through school etc. Then hubby got a new job in Sydney, giving us another 4 yrs on the Visa, and we moved here 6 weeks ago. Living in Kellyville now and finding it very different to Brisbane (weather rubbish for a start!). Its a nice enough area but I'm not working at the moment and am really struggling to settle and make friends. I'd love to hear from anyone in the area or moving here soon. I'm 43 and mum to 7yr old twins

 

 

Hi Polly follow pint pots link she's right we were supposed to do a meet up last weekend, and rearranging at the moment, a few small disasters last week, and Sydney weather usually much better than this, it will get better honest.

Lynne

glad Steve on the mend, we will defo be up for a meet weekend after next. We've not met anyone yet, so that would be really nice. I will keep checking on here for timings from anyone else also up for meeting up. My other half (also Steve) will be up for that - we have twins aged 8. Are u on Facebook or twitter or have email?? If u rather I can just check on here for updates.

 

Hope everyone else's move and settling in going ok!! Only been in the hills couple of weeks but love it already!!

Can we rename this site Steve's in Oz???? you girls make life difficult having different names lol.

We have a 4 year old so an afternoon at the Etta or something similar could be good, but were flexible like us he's easy with time. Also happy to facebook.

Steve

Hey guys sorry my hubby has been in hospital for a couple of days. Can we rearrange for another time??

For sure let's make another time, hope everything is ok.

I've been a bit rubbish at keeping up this week as I've been working over in Perth so another time suits us, hopefully soon.