MattP81

Hi Andy. I moved to Brisbane last year and did something very similar to what you've got in mind. Certain EU cars effectively double or triple in value when you ship them over here (shipping by the way, is actually quite straight-forward). On a 457 you can only bring one car over but it is certainly worth doing - even if you don't plan on selling it due to the hugely inflated car prices over here. By selling my car here, I'm set to make around £30k....which is basically my insurance for covering relocation costs and car shipping (the import tax will be a bit of a sting) + a bit a profit should I decide to head back to the UK at any point. Like others have mentioned, you do need to have proof that you've USED the car for 12 months. My advice would be to buy as expensive a prestige EU car as you can....hold out on moving a year (if necessary), then make a lot of money from it.

Not been on this forum since moving to Brisbane last April. For the first time I feel a bit homesick so decided to check it out, and this was the first post I clicked on (having worked in Stratford-Upon-Avon for 6 years prior). The Four Alls - excellent pub, they do a great Fish and Chips! I used to play at the golf course about 1 mile down the road (Welford), and we'd pop in here for a pint after the round. What an odd coincidence!

Hi guys. I'm actually flying out on Friday (landing Sunday) this week. Glad I came across this thread - as quickly making some new friends is one of my priorities. Given we're all in the same boat and have the mighty UK in common, I think this could be perfect. I'm looking forward to getting into some new activities and seeing what Brisbane has to offer....and the beaches of the Sunshine and Gold Coasts! I enjoy the bar scene and socialising - but want to get into some adventure sports etc to maximise the weather! I'm actually not starting work until the 30th, so I've got a week to get my bearings if people are interested in showing me around? :-P I'm 30, but used to chilling with people +/- 10 years my age, most of my friends in the UK fall into this bracket! Hope to see some of you soon, - Matt. Edit: Forgot to mention, I'm being put up in some apartments in West End, Brisbane...though I've got 6 weeks to find somewhere more permanent. I've heard there is lots of BBQ style socialising over there - anybody tempted?!

Hey guys, The title says it all. I've been following this forum since the opportunity to work in Brisbane arose back in October. I'm hoping to get the final visa issues sorted over the next few weeks or so, with the aim of flying out towards the end of April. The company I'm with are putting me up for 6 weeks in a serviced apartment near the office - which is opposite the Exhibition centre in South Brisbane. I've checked out the rental rates in the area and across the city region, but will have to wait till I am out there to see what things are really like; and how much free cash I have at the end of the first month before deciding on where to live afterwards! So yeah, I'm wanting to throw myself into the social scene as much as possible. I'm 30 years old and enjoy bars, sport (especially pool - used to be the social sec at Uni), the outdoors and am seeking some adventure! Anybody or groups in the area that are up for a few drinks or activities when I arrive? Also - I've been looking at the option of either locating in the city or in a suburb with an easy walk to the station. What are the trains like? Are they generally packed in rush hours? Are they air-conditioned (I assume so!)...what are the rates like compared to UK commuting? Are they on time? Do they break down/get delayed a lot (thankfully not due to "Frozen points at Leeds, when I'm in Birmingham")! Again, without rambling - what inner city areas are best for the bar scene? I came across Kangaroo Point today - looks quite decent, at least from over the net. Cheers! - Matt.