Johndoe

Rental is tough everywhere atm. That said, from my experience, new migrants tend to get first shout as the realtors know that they're cashed up, won't trash the property, are reliable for rent, and are keen to get a foothold. Basically, migrants are considered to be top tenants.

5 minutes from Sandgate Take a look at Bracken Ridge. Lots more town houses since I posted this review 6yrs ago and many of the older cottages have been sold and redeveloped as has the shopping centre. Bus and train to the city every 15minutes. Now also has a nice public pool and huge skateboard park. Also Fitzgibbon. A relatively new development bordering Bracken Ridge.

Meat and Potato pie is a killer for me. I never had one I didn't like in the UK and try as I may, I can't make my own to match. It would go well with the mushy peas I'm buying on amazon which are "chip shop recipe" unlike those sold by woolies and Coles and at $1.90 a tin I'm well stocked with them. Also getting my Bisto from Amazon at $6 unlike Coles and Woolies who have now upped their price from $6 three months ago to currently $8.50 although on special atm at $6.70

Strangely enough, I was driving a Ford Zephyr at that time also. They were renown for losing their bonnet (mine flew up on the motorway!) and you often saw them with luggage straps through the bonnet to the radiator grill or bumper. I used to spend a lot of time in the Pilling/Cockerham/Glasson Dock area area either fishing or bird spotting. Lovely area.

Nearly signed up for Binge on the strength of that programme but pulled in the purse strings before I did. No doubt it'll appear on ABC or a streaming network at some time or other just as Dr Foster did. I'm on the 2nd series of "The Bay" on Stan atm as I love to see the scenes of Morecambe where I used to fish almost every weekend when I lived in Garstang.

Don't bother! One episode was enough even though I like her. Anything where the characters talk to the camera I find extremely annoying. I've taken to streaming SBS despite the ads which are nowhere near as long as watching live. If you don't mind sub titles there's a lot of very good Scandinavian Noir programmes.

How many properties have you lived in that have Queenslanders as neighbours and how did you know they were such? I've lived in 6 properties in Brisbane and never had a problem with neighbours. Also, until recently backyard fires were illegal in Brizzy and even now only allowed if they aren't a nuisance or a current fire ban is in place.

If it ain't broken, don't try to fix it. I have 3 sons back in the UK and two here so I'm always going to be torn, but the two here came as rug rats and as much as I miss the UK and my 3 older boys (they were in the forces when I migrated) my allegiance has to be to my two younger sons. They are Aussie through and through and although they are young adults and make their own decisions. I also have grandchildren here and there. if I were in a situation such as yours, I would try to put all thoughts of a return to the UK to rest. There have been many posts in the past from returned folk who have said that their friends and in some cases even family had "moved on" and things weren't the same. OTOH, there have also been many happy returnees. Myself, when I get what I call, "the moodies" I remind myself that it's simply the familiarity of my past that I yearn for and that the past is gone and it's the present and future that matter.

North Lakes can be a nightmare commute if you're heading for the city. It's totally "self contained" with regards to amenities but you only need a bingle on the access rd and you're buggered for the day. Lots of town houses being built in Bracken Ridge atm which is an easy commute and Fitzgibbon has come "en vogue" of late.

I'm running a 4 bed home (no mortgage) and feeding two of us and paying all bills on under $30000. prior to one of my sons joining the navy I was feeding 3. I don't scrimp on utilities or food, and don't, and never have, taken any keep off my son(s). I run a fourby that's over 20yr old but prefer many short stay trips as opposed to long holidays. With what Qld has to offer I have no desire to travel further than within the state and perhaps a few trips to NNSW

I'm still running a Prado that I bought in 99 and it's just broke the 300,000km on the clock. Apart for the usual servicing, brakes etc, the only thing it's needed in all those years is new leads and the clutch twice. The timing belt every 150000 is the most expensive outlay as labour intensive. I'm hoping to get it to 400000 if I don't cash in my chips first.

In my past experience of putting up PIOers on arrival and helping them find accommodation, new immigrants are likely to get first shout at a property lease as the agents know full well that you have money, are likely desperate to please, and are more likely to "behave," than someone who has been in the rental sector for a while and is looking because they have lost a lease, even if (visibly), through no fault of their own.

Always put 'em back Bob as they're a worthy fighting fish. Only ever kept one and that went in a tank. Couldn't keep up with feeding the bugger. We actually looked at stocking them but was refused a licence to do so.

Tailor straight from the water is my favourite taste but it doesn't keep more than a few hrs, or freeze well, and is crap from the shops. Fresh flathead is a 2nd but not the atlantic species sold in shops. Anything from a reef is quite nice but I'd give my right arm for a piece of halibut which is not available here.............texture and taste perfect

Spelling

What Cal says. It only takes a minor bingle on the highway or North Lakes Access (only two ways in or out) and the commute becomes a nightmare. Contrary to it being nicknamed "Little Britain" (which seems to attract some migrants) only 8.5% were born in Britain and the majority are Australian born at 50%

Yup! I don't have any super as I've always been on home duties since coming to Oz and I have to rely on both my UK and Oz pension. I manage well enough as I don't have a mortgage and there's only myself and Jake to feed and my utilities have plummeted since Josh wet into the Navy. If you are claiming both in Qld you don't get the full pensioners discounts on rego and utilities though.

Ditto to that................Just a cranky old fart's view

Just discovered a load of Brit stuff on Amazon. Ordered 6 jars of my fave heinz sandwich spread, 6 jars of shippams crab paste, 4 boxes of Paxo, 2 jars of cockles, 2 Golden Fry yorkshire pudding mix, 2 heinz ploughmans pickle, and 2 atora shredded suet (can't wait to have some dumplings). Some of the stuff was a silly price but everything on my list was well priced and free postage Not British but ordered 8 packs of Lavazza mode mio coffee capsules (which came the following day) at $6 a pack when they're $11 in coles and woolies

Used to fish it regularly when I had the kayak. Amazing how quickly it fills up once the tide turns. Nice high sandy banks and deep clean water where it breaks through. The kids used to love dive bombing there. Lovely pic.

Consider myself lucky that I never had the parent dilemma when I emigrated. My older 3 boys were all in the forces at the time and I rarely saw them anyway so that wasn't much of a problem either. Two of my grandchildren (from one of the latter sons) now live here so I'm blessed in that way. I feel for those who miss their loved ones though.

There is a bloke down the street that does/did this. If he thinks you are looking, he will bag it but the moment he's out of sight, he throws the bag into the bushes on the parkland. I collected and saved 5 bags then left them on his doorstep one night. Seems that he's got the message as there's no more bags in the bushes. <Big grin comes across my face as I think of him trying to figure out who left them>

I'm closer to Scarborough but agree with Bob Hatton re city commute. Work/commute should be a major consideration if you're going to work outside of the city. Scarborough still has lots of potential for growth and has shifted (well) upmarket in recent years.

Hard to explain but for me it never seems "normal" because nothing is typical or usual. Forty five yrs of UK "normality" can't be deleted from ones consciousness by 26yrs here IYKWIM. Every day is new for me. Having had two life threatening health situations, nothing has felt "normal" since.

Yeah but you have to destroy them. They can't be returned to the water.