Davo1

Hi, Unfortunately I cannot give you a definitive answer but I will possibly be in the same position as yourself with my daughter in 2 years time! I have been told (by educational authorities) that UK Uni's 'convert' the OP to Higher Level (A level in England, Wales etc) and that is sufficient for entrance into Uni. Not sure about England and grants but I would hope that she would be eligible as she is a UK citizen. Maybe worth checking with Uni's in UK now to give you a better idea? Good luck.

Good luck with the move. I have friends in Darwin who seem to love it. Considering there myself too. Hope the move goes well. Keep us posted.

Hi, If I am correct in saying that the 189 visa is the replacement for the 175 visa (ie a skilled independent visa) then she will not need to undertake an IELTS. Myself and hubby both from UK, with me being main applicant and it was only me who needed to do it. Good Luck!

Sorry to hear that Murta Any joy in getting a job to pay relocation for you and the family? Or are you just going to validate then come back?

Haha, I will pass on your regards ! We are off in September.

Nah Stevie, I am married to the Bobby! I am the Social Worker - Davo is my nickname because of my maiden name!

I will most certainly stay on. I love updates too - as it is very useful to hear how others have got on and what tips etc they can impart to others. Thanks again!

Haha, thanks. Its amazing how difficult it was to speak rather than 'spick' at times! Very funny how different parts of the UK use words differently. My OH did say 'canna' a few times which I am sure baffled some!

Thank you very much. It is difficult being on camera so much but it was a great experience to get to go to Australia. Being honest properties were not what I was hoping for but in our own time found fabulous properties, all in great areas, new builds (which is what I would prefer although I appreciate not to everyones taste) and below our budget so was very happy. Would like a nice community with a good School for Nicole and she loved the houses we saw in our own time also, which made it even better. The area we stayed in was beautiful but as there were so many rental properties and/or holiday lets I would prefer a more established community to hopefully meet people. It was also very expensive but I could see why, it was very nice. We leave in September so still busy researching areas, and Nicole has been joining in so that the 3 of us can decide what area of Oz would suit us best as a trio. Thanks again.

Thank you very much. That is very nice of you

Thank you very much. We are extremely proud of her and the young mature woman she continues to grow to be. All very excited to go now, life is too short to have regrets. I will pass your message onto my Husband and daughter - they will be happy for the kind words.

Thank you very much for your kind words! Edited like crazy but we hope we have came across decent enough! Its tough being on camera but wonderful experience. We leave in September. Thanks again!

Hi, Small world! Loved your episode. Are you heading off then?

I am appearing on WDU and although some figures were accurate that we were provided with (from my own experience and research), some were not (from experience I gained in Oz!). However, we were approx £700 better off pcm, purely because of the differences in wages - with both myself and hubby (who work f/t in UK) earning much more in Oz. However, for other families it depends on what they spend their money on each month etc etc. Plus that was having a massive mortgage - but that difference will no doubt be swallowed up with unforseen costs!

Really useful information all. I thought the SC was too far to commute everyday albeit it is beautiful.

Useful information. Thanks!

HI, I appeared on WDU and although some of the figures were accurate and useful, other ones not so much! I went shopping to Woolworths and got a much clearer cost of things. I would definitely recommend going onto their websites and doing a 'pretend' shop to see what prices are like. Good Luck!

Aye big changes in Torry. We are back here living with family now and its totally different to when me and my hubby grew up here. We are on 17th Jan - it will give you a laugh if nithing else! Cheers. Claire

Hey Stevie, Sorry put a post on the other thread! Originally Torry and then moved to Inverurie a few years ago.

Hey Stevie, I suspected you were Stevie with the terminology you use on here! I have been a quine since I was born! You remind me upon my hubby's uncle, he is doric through and through and is the same way despite having lived in California for the past 15 years! I am originally Torry but then moved to Inverurie in the Shire a few years ago. You will be mightly impressed nae doubt with my proper twang on wdu but my hubby is as doric as hell! Massive effort it took to speak rather than spick! Thanks for your best wishes, something to look back on for us. Submitted an application on the off chance, then they called to ask for more info and we had a skype interview and that was it. Probably helped us having a hormonal teenager who couldnae make up her mind if she was gan to come or nae! And being Aberdonian, it helped us save a fortune!

Oh dear, where to start! Granted I am Scottish but I understood the family perfectly. I have many non-Scottish friends (English, Irish, African, American etc) and we enjoy taking the mickey out of each others mother tongue on occasion BUT there is a fine line doing that with people you know and do not. IMO when someone hears a different accent they shut down and think they do not understand as opposed to just listening to what the person is saying. I do not think the family were out of line, it was their opinions and we are all entitled to them. Who are we to judge people? If we all thought the same and liked the same thing - this world would be very dull indeed! I wish them the best of luck. What I will say is that everyone has aspirations/expectations of what life will be like for them and things that they want - and what is wrong with that? Yes sometimes people maybe unrealistic but they will soon discover that, but leave them to it - are they really harming anyone?! Disclaimer alert (!!) - I am appearing with my family on WDU very soon and can only speak from our own experience. It was completely embarrassing being filmed and by the 10th time of being told to walk down a street or say the same thing to the camera, patience begins to wear thin! I can only imagine how we have been edited. BUT I do not care!! We got a trip to Australia fully paid for us which allowed us to see if we liked it and could make the move realistically for us. Negatives for us were the houses we were shown were not to our liking but in our own time found brilliant houses that were within our budget and in the area we liked. Positives for us is that we made work contacts for when we get there, got to experience some of the lifestyle and do some recce of the local area. This fantasic opportunity helped us take the plunge and go for it at least 12 months sooner than we would have been able to as I was never going to move to Oz without going to visit at least once beforehand, as that is something that was important for me and my family. So thanks to our trip with WDU we have sold our house, been granted our independent visa and are heading to Oz in September. I have no doubt some just use it for a free holiday (which is crazy cause that filimg was a pain in the a**e at times!!). But for us the programme was used to assist our decision making which it did. Some people in this world are just cynical! Will everyone agree with my views on the houses, lifestyle etc? - No, probably not. Will everyone understand my scottish accent? - No, probably not. Will people laugh at my tears and snot and think I am a selfish git?, Yes probably! Do I care? - no, cause I went to Oz, have now got my visa and am making the move. I may go and hate it but I would rather do that and return home than be in the UK in 10 years time having never given it a try saying what if! Good luck to everyone is all I have to say!

Oh dear, where to start! Granted I am Scottish but I understood the family perfectly. I have many non-Scottish friends (English, Irish, African, American etc) and we enjoy taking the mickey out of each others mother tongue on occasion BUT there is a fine line doing that with people you know and do not. IMO when someone hears a different accent they shut down and think they do not understand as opposed to just listening to what the person is saying. I do not think the family were out of line, it was their opinions and we are all entitled to them. Who are we to judge people? If we all thought the same and liked the same thing - this world would be very dull indeed! I wish them the best of luck. What I will say is that everyone has aspirations/expectations of what life will be like for them and things that they want - and what is wrong with that? Yes sometimes people maybe unrealistic but they will soon discover that, but leave them to it - are they really harming anyone?! Disclaimer alert (!!) - I am appearing with my family on WDU very soon and can only speak from our own experience. It was completely embarrassing being filmed and by the 10th time of being told to walk down a street or say the same thing to the camera, patience begins to wear thin! I can only imagine how we have been edited. BUT I do not care!! We got a trip to Australia fully paid for us which allowed us to see if we liked it and could make the move realistically for us. Negatives for us were the houses we were shown were not to our liking but in our own time found brilliant houses that were within our budget and in the area we liked. Positives for us is that we made work contacts for when we get there, got to experience some of the lifestyle and do some recce of the local area. This fantasic opportunity helped us take the plunge and go for it at least 12 months sooner than we would have been able to as I was never going to move to Oz without going to visit at least once beforehand, as that is something that was important for me and my family. So thanks to our trip with WDU we have sold our house, been granted our independent visa and are heading to Oz in September. I have no doubt some just use it for a free holiday (which is crazy cause that filimg was a pain in the a**e at times!!). But for us the programme was used to assist our decision making which it did. Some people in this world are just cynical! Will everyone agree with my views on the houses, lifestyle etc - No, probably not. Will everyone understand my scottish accent - No, probably not. Will people laugh at my tears and snot and think I am a selfish git, Yes probably! Do I care - no, cause I went to Oz, have now got my visa and am making the move. I may go and hate it but I would rather do that and return home than be in the UK in 10 years time having never given it a try saying what if! Good luck to everyone is all I have to say!

Very sorry to hear about your Dad, thoughts to you and your family at this sad time. Take Care

Very small world!! I lived in inverurie until November this year! Just sold our house and moved back to live with relatives to save for our move! Our show is on 17th Jan - embarrassed about it and some people are cynical that people just use it and do not move but that is not the case for us. Although it was awful being filmed at times, it has allowed us to decide finally to make the move and moved forward our plans by at least 12 months. After the show (we were in Qld in April) I sat my IELTS, we applied for our 175 visa (which was granted in Sept), have sold our house and began searching for jobs. We leave early Sept - loads still to do but looking forward to the challenge. Good Luck!

Hey, I am moving in early September, which feels a long time away but cannot believe how quick 2012 passed - so I am sure it will be here before we all know it! Good Luck