Zed

Thanks all for your posts/insight. 

Its such a hard decision. We can't move anywhere at the moment as we need to grow equity so for now we have to stay put and try be happy here. If by the time we have enough equity to move it will be back to Melbourne. At least there we and the kids have our old connections. I think the thought of trying somewhere new in Aus is just too much and the wrong knee jerk idea to being unhappy here. 

UK is always going to have that pull but we chose Aus for a reason and I think moving from Melbourne to Geelong and not liking it made me just want to give up and move back to the UK when I think in hindsight it's actually Melbourne we miss. 

Hi All,

We've lived in Aus for 13 years now. Originally from Yorkshire. 11 years in Melbourne which was great but we always felt the pull some what. We had one child when we came, he was only 1 so basically Aussie and another here a year later. We moved a year and a bit ago from Melbourne to Geelong to get in the housing market and I'm not settled. I'm questioning everything and just want to belong, and feel happy like I did in the UK. I know I'm probably thinking through rose tinted glasses but the feeling just doesn't go. I'm also trying desperately to be happy here and greatful for what we have and have achieved. Maybe it just takes time to make friends etc but I can't see it happening as my kids are older now. Anyway my question is what affect do you think moving around has on children 13 and 10??? They are settled in Geelong but fo miss melbs friends. How do they cope long term with multiple moves? Is it good for them? Damaging? I keep thinking about going back to the UK, back to melb, trying Perth etc but up routing them stops me. Plus the grass been green effect. Any thoughts welcome. Thanks

Hi there, 

We recently moved to Geelong after 10 years in Melbourne so we could get on the ladder and if I could live anywhere it would be Torquay or Ocean Grove....i don't have the money though. They are both coastal and beautiful. I'd say Torquay is more up market and becoming more hip each day. We are in Leopold which is a suburb between the Bellarine Peninsula and Geelong and is the best of both worlds for us as 10 mins to Geelong and 10 mins to Ocean Grove beach. I love the Bellarine, bike trails, wineries and beaches but in not really into Geelong, though smaller and less traffic to me all the areas are just suburbs. Although if you can afford around the river that too is lovely. One of my Irish friends lives in Newtown and that's a lovely suburb. 

We are a family of 4, originally from Leeds. Still trying to settle here and meet friends so if want to know anything else over a coffee give me a shout. 

Hi all, 

Is there anywhere 45 mins away max travelling time away from Newcastle that we could buy for 700-750k? Not too far from the beach, family friendly, good community feel too. 3 bed house minimum. 

Would sacrifice the beach for country if we could have a bit of land and good community, as long as my hubby could drive to work and there are decent public schools. 

Thanks 

Hi all, 

Is there anywhere 45 mins away max travelling time away from Newcastle that we could buy for 700-750k? Not too far from the beach, family friendly, good community feel too. 3 bed house minimum. 

Would sacrifice the beach for country if we could have a bit of land and good community, as long as my hubby could drive to work and there are decent public schools. 

Thanks 

13 hours ago, BlueKangaroo said:

Everything is going up in price right now! You would probably be ok budget-wise on one of the new build neighbourhoods (Bli Bli, Perigian Springs or possibly Harmony - although I've heard Harmony is a bit cramped).  Bli Bli seems to have a nice community feel and good facilities and would probably be my choice, but I don't really knwo the others. 

If you want something non-estate, Coolum and the whole surrounding area would be my pick (although check out flight path of new airport if you look at Mt Coolum - mind you it's only a few small aircraft a day). There are a few towns north of Noosa (Cooroy or Pomona) which would be lovely if you want a smaller rural town feel (not sure on times to the beach). 

These areas cover many schools.  I don't think there are any terrible schools, but I know a few people are not keen on Sunshine Beach High.  Coolum High used to not have a great reputation, but I hear good things about it now.

Also I heard that getting a rental is really tough at the moment, so be prepared for that!

Thanks so much for this, great info

Hopefully we get some good tips Ken

Hi all, 

My hubby and I plus to kids 10 & 7 have been trying to relocate to Qlds from Melbourne for sometime now and fingers crossed my hubby may have a job lined up in Noosaville. 

Please can you advise on good suburbs no more than 30 mins commute away from his work where we can buy a 3 bed for under 600k... We won't be ready to buy for 2 years so want to rent where we can buy later and not be priced out. 

Good public primary and high schools are important and no more than a 10 min drive to the beach. 

Good community spirt, cafes etc but doesn't need to be bustling. Just things to do for the kids etc. 

Thanks in advance 

Brilliant help. Thanks all

Thank you.....this gives me something to work on. Appreciate your help. 

Hi there, I'm 38 and have lived in Australia for nearly 10 years now. Someone said to me I should continue to pay my national insurance in the UK so I can claim that pension too. I only paid about 10 years worth in the UK and haven't paid any since living here. Can anyone advise if this is true and how I should go about it? I'm reading lots of differing articles online. Thanks

HI there, 

Currently living/renting in the Mordialloc area of South East Melbourne and love it. However, we just cant afford to buy here so we are starting to look elsewhere.

Any recommendations for around 500k that has a great family lifestyle, inc parks, pool, cafes etc, plenty for the children to do when young and teenagers. Not too hot and humid (so not too far North), a beach nearby, good public schools and amenities such as shops, doctors and a hospital not too far away. I'm open to anywhere that is affordable, even if it doesn't have all of the above but is growing. 

Any further advice on Gold and Sunshine Coasts, North and South coast NSW would be really appreciated

Thanks in advance