trabonita

Hi, Anyone bought a house at auction? I was wondering if the guide price they give is usually around what the house is sold for? Thanks

We are! We are off to Sydney/Central Coast in 2 weeks to validate our visas, can't wait! Hoping to emigrate in early 2015. Where are you planning to go?

I agree that it is down to the family/children not the country you live in. We are very outdoors people, we walk the dog in the woods, we play outside all the time even in winter and we camp. I do think my children will have an even better outdoors lifestyle in Australia because having better weather does make us want to spend even more time outdoors as a family. My daughter is still very young, but she will definitely be the last of her friends to get an ipad etc as I don't want her growing up with electronic things as her first choice for play although I know it will happen!

That sounds so horrible and I really feel for you, no parent should ever have to see their child go through that.

I was asking if you were an expert because your comment was judgemental so I assumed you must know more about it than me? I am a midwife so no I'm not an expert but I do have access to good quality research for and against vaccinations and I do have several expert friends, one who is a GP who has done extensive research on vaccinations, who vaccinated her own children but however, after her research has said if she knew then what she knows now she would not have vaccinated them! I think I know enough to have made a decision I am happy with!

That's very judgemental Peach, are you an expert in Vaccinations? and yes I would take her to the doctors if she was ill, she's never been ill though. I respect all parents whether they vaccinate or not, it's their decision and I wouldn't judge anyone for it. Since you've brought it up however, yes doctors prescribe dangerous things all the time, every year different medications are taken off the market as 10 yrs down the line we find out about dangerous side effects. It's sensible to know all the facts before as a parent you blindly put something into your child's immune system.

I have researched this extensively and have chosen 'selective' vaccines for my daughter. i'm not sure I would vaccinate my next child. It is such a difficult decision and I can see both sides.

Thanks you've been really helpful! I might send you a PM!

Niagra Park, Narara, Wyoming, Lisarow? We are about to embark on our trip to the Central Coast NSW to check out the area and I have a good idea of some areas I want to look at. However, when looking on realestate.com you seem to be able to get a lot more for your money in the above areas, is it because they are more isolated/further from the beach or are they not so nice areas? I'd appreciate any advice on areas to avoid too and I know everyone's tastes are different but there must be areas that are known to be rough? All advice/opinions gratefully received! Many thanks!

I would have thought $100 was plenty per day assuming that you won't be doing tourist things/eating out very often?

We just bought flights to Sydney for £800pp, £3000 is quite steep! Also I would check out airbnb for accommodation for the first month, we use it everywhere. You can get a fully furnished apartment with laundry facilities and lots of them will offer a discount for extended stays.

Not sure if it is the same in NSW, but I know someone who rented furniture in WA for several months until theirs arrived, maybe this is an option?

Hi, I need to buy my baby a new car seat (1-4 age range) but I have heard that Australia does not recognise UK car seats as meeting their safety standards. I don't want to waste money buying one now and not be able to bring it to Aus next year. Does anyone know if there are any UK brands recognised in Australia? Thanks

Thanks, so unless the owners specifically say pets are welcome it will come under the category of 'no pets' when I search?

Hi, I searched on realestate.com for rentals in a large area of NSW we are looking to move to and about 30 came up in our price range. When I added to include pets I was left with one and it was a dump!!! Are all rentals advertised on the big realestate websites or will we find more rentals with local agents too? I'm getting a bit concerned that we are going to be left with little or no choice! Thank you!

That sounds lovely Cez! I shall look at those areas. Thanks!

Hi, So we got our visa's Yay! Planning a trip to Sydney in January/feb time to validate visas and check out areas of the central coast as I think this is where we will settle. We have 3 weeks. I am allocating one week to the central coast, one week for Sydney and the Blue Mountains and we are not sure where to spend the other time. We have been further north before and it is beautiful but it would be nice to go somewhere different this time so just wondering about your thoughts of nice places to visit? Maybe somewhere south of Sydney? We are travelling with our 18mth old and love beaches/walking/wildlife! Thanks!

Hi, I know cricket is obviously very popular in Aus but just wondering how easy it would be to join a cricket club, do they have them in most towns etc? Does anybody play? I'm asking for my husband who would be devastated if he couldn't join a local team as he plays in the UK! Thanks for any info!

Agree with what the others said, however, doulas are becoming more popular everywhere imo due to women taking more control of their births whether this be in hospital or home births. There are still Independent Midwives around in Australia and other birth workers who could probably give you more info depending on where you think you will be going. Like the UK there will be certain types of women wanting doulas in Australia too.

Typically, what kind of temps do you usually expect to see in winter in Sydney? and is this when you have most rain fall? thanks x

So UK child seats aren't legal in Aus? I didn't know this! So there is no point bringing my babies car seat over to Australia? i'm sure my friends took their car seat to Aus last year!