Nealmason1986

I couldnt agree more with this comment. We tried to only convert a modest 7.5k English pounds to start with while the exchange rate picks up before we change the rest. This got us around $12,500 ish dollars and i think we will be lucky to have $2000 in the accounts now. We are 3 weeks in and after paying high rental prices for a 6 week fully furnished apartment while we wait for our shipping from the UK. Two weeks rent and a bond on a long term house which we move to in 3 weeks. Essentials, foods and meals out. A new laptop (the one we bought with us broke doh) and just general living costs we have spent over $10k and it feels like loads. Luckily we have started work now and the $ will be rolling in soon and i am pretty sure it will level off when the money because relevant to our spending habbits.

Well there seems to be a few couple who fancy a bit of a meet up? Me and my girlfriend will be living on the south side in waramanga in 2 ish weeks. Anyone know any good places down south where we can all maybe meet for a British meet up session? Any good dates?

I am 27 and my Girlfriend is 27 this month. We are both new to canberra and have been here just over 3 weeks. We would love to meet up and have a few drinks and maybe something to eat. When you get to Canberra some things can be difficult with no financial history here. Get your medicare card. Its easy and classed as ID. If you have a permanent address get your driving licence as well. Alot of stuff here works on a 100 point system. Passport, Medicare and Driving licence easy cover the 100 points needed to help you with applications. Get a tax file number asap. You can apply online and that way when you start a job you have the tax file number ready and waiting. We set up NAB accounts before we came because it made life a bit easier. They have a very good ATM coverage and you can also use REDI machines free of charge. This saves $2 a transactions as you get charged for using other banks machines. I also went with optus for my pre paid phone deal as for $30 dollars you get 250 minutes and you can use them for calling the UK for both landlines and mobiles so this is great. Broadband is a nightmare over here. Expensive and slow and i have had to get a mobile broadband device as i cannot get a contract until i have more pay slips. Again i used optus as telstra have been a nightmare to sign up with due to there strict rules etc. Canberra is really really clean and its a lovely place. Not as boring as alot of people describe it. Most people are government workers or students though so thats a bit boring. Let us know if you want to know anything as we are just going through what you will go through as soon as you get here. Hope you have a safe flight. Neal

I couldn't of put it better myself. It's hard for the first week or so. We are nearly starting our 3rd week. Desperate for a car but if you use busses get a my trip card. Well cheaper. Get medicare cards asap as again this is a form of ID here. Not hard to do either. Cafes are great for Internet. Don't try to get a contract phone because it won't happen until you have pay cheques. Go to Optus. The pre pay deals are better especially for contacting the UK. There pre paid mobile Internet dongle is ok as well.

I am a bolton wanderers fan but a bit of a closet united fan as well. Haha

Hi Guys. I am Neal and i am 27 from Bolton. I am here with my Girlfriend Anna who is also 27 and is from the Isle of Man. We have been in canberra for 3 weeks and about to start work etc. We have noticed a lack of POMS in canberra and was wondering who is out there and if they would like to meet up and maybe have some drinks and make it a regular thing. With the summer coming and BBQ's on the way it would be a good time to start a circle of friends. Also if there are any blokes out there who like a bit of Football please get in touch. I want to watch as much of the Premiership as i can and would love another Brit to go with.

Hi, Myself and my Girlfriend Anna arrived in canberra 3 weeks ago from Bolton. It is cold. Some nights its been hitting 0 but it will warm up soon. We are both 27 y/o. We have probably been through what you are going to experience when you get here. Nightmares with phones etc. My advice. Go to Optus. Get the pre paid deal and you free minutes you can call the uk landline and mobiles. Get in touch.