Shigella

It’s now 5 years since hubby’s partner visa came through, and 4.5y since we made the move.

I haven’t really been back here in this time, but I got a notification about an updated thread and it prompted me to come back and browse the forums.

One recurring theme is the high cost of living, and the challenges of securing and/or affording a house (regardless of whether you’re renting or buying) and yet at the same time, almost all the questions are about the major cities, usually Sydney or Melbourne.

I realise most people live in major cities, worldwide, but I wanted to raise the profile of the regional centres and let people know how much can be gained by looking outside the major cities to the regional centres.   In Australia, regional centres often punch above their weight: they serve a much wider geographical area and a much higher population base than their published population size suggests.  This means that facilities and services can be very generous, while at the same time cost of living can be MUCH cheaper.

After moving here we weren’t really sure where we wanted to live, so we bought a caravan and set out to travel the country for two years.  We stopped to work when we needed money, often in regional centres, and when it was time to settle down we resolved to accept the best job offer that wasn’t in a major city.  That job turned out to be in Mildura, a regional centre on the Murray River in NW Victoria.  Hubby works in healthcare and secured a package as good as any he could get in a city, but our house cost about a third of what the same house would cost in the city.  While property prices are falling in the cities, our town had the biggest increases in property prices in the state last year (12%).   There is a housing boom happening here, with a massive housing shortage driving new development all over town.  Our British family came to visit 6m ago and were very impressed with our house, saying that their whole house could fit in our front room, and we also have a huge backyard.   There is a large selection of schools. And the zoning is not tight, so if your preferred school is outside your zone there is a good chance you’ll get a place.  Even if it’s on the other side of town, that’s only 15min away, tops.  Sports and activities for kids are abundant (our kids chose to do BMX Racing, but there are all the other options besides).   If you like the culture and atmosphere of city sporting or arts events, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide are an affordable 1hr flight away.

If you’re a builder, tradesman, or have the skills to run your own construction-related business you can pretty much name your price.  Healthcare services are short staffed, and job offers are generous to secure staff and the expanding population means there are many opportunities in education too.  

If you are concerned about the cost of housing or opportunities in the cities, I urge you to look at the regional centres in whatever state appeals to you.  

You can find superb lifestyle opportunities for a fraction of the living cost if you are willing to step outside the major cities.

Hubby's visa had been granted! Almost exactly 7mo after submitting. For those who are waiting and wondering if they'll really have to wait 9mo we were advised to expect the full 9mo waiting period. He only sent off his police check a couple of weeks ago. He was granted a subclass 100, too. Woohoo!

Well we didn't receive any written acknowledgement but payment was taken sharpish (2 days after posting) so I guess that's a clear acknowledgement in it's way. No communication yet but I don't expect any now until after the Christmas break. The main thing is that we squeaked in before the price hike. Good luck everyone and congrats to those recent grants. Happy Christmas and best of luck for speedy visa grants in the new year!

We decided to put our faith in Royal Mail and posted it off Special Delivery today. Eeep!!

Hope we haven't forgotten anything!

Urgent help please:

Hubby is going to take his visa application to the Consulate in person because of the short amount of time until Christmas shutdown.

If you lodged your 309/100 partner visa in person, what address did you take it to?

Many thanks!

Wow! We are similar!

 

You wouldn't think it would have to take so long when we have kids and all we really want to do is "go home". We don't own a house here so basically once it is granted my partner needs to give 1 months notice at work, we sell everything we own and get on a plane! We do have the luxury of going straight to my parents place in Coffs Harbour where we will have free accommodation and child care until we get back on our feet.

 

I didn't feel homesick that much living here before I had the kids but now I feel so isolated and am finding it hard without any of my family around, especially my mum

It makes a big difference to have a place to live with family when you get back. We're going to stay with Mum while we find jobs and a permanent rental, though sadly the area where she lives is not somewhere we'll find work.

Like you, I've never been homesick but having made the decision I just want to get on with it now. It is frustrating that it should take so long for straightforward cases like ours.

Wow, I had to check I wasn't about to answer my own post.

We are in almost exactly the same situation except we've been together 6 years and our kids are 2.5 and 10mo.

We're not as organised as you and I'm still doing the kids Australian Citizenship by descent. As soon as possible we will get DH's Visa application in but can't see it being before November.

I am due to go back to work in December but, like you, the cost of childcare makes this pointless (and I'm on a good wage).

On the other hand, we can't afford to live on one wage and are eating into savings every month we are here so the only option is to get out of here as fast as we can.

I've considered the possibility of going to Oz on my own to start working and DH to follow when his Visa is through and house is sold. My situation is probably a little different in that most of the jobs that come up for me are in expensive areas of Sydney. This makes it uncertain whether it is economically worthwhile because I'd have to pay long day care for two children under three, plus rent accommodation on my own for the three of us. At this stage we are going to just live on savings for up to a year. There's also a lot of organising as far as shipping, selling house, applying for citizenships, passports etc for myself and kids so I'm planning to take charge of all this while DH is working.

Current processing time on the London Consulate website is 8-9mo for partner visas, which is why we're allowing a year. I also wish I'd got off my b*m and applied sooner as I was remembering that last time I looked it was showing 5mo processing time.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you decide to do.

Thanks! Don't know how I missed that thread!

hi shigella,

Its 6-8 months from wht ive read on another forum

 

Try this forum http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/58449-summary-spouse-visa-processing-times-offshore-uk-please-add-your-stats.html

Does anyone know what current Spouse Visa timelines out of London embassy are?

There don't seem to have been any updates from London embassy for aaaages.

Kind of OT but does anyone know whether you have to travel within a certain timeframe after your spouse visa is granted?

Just thinking about logistics with selling houses etc.