lilc85

I appreciate that you've just said that you don't want to change your current regime, BUT just in case they don't do the injections out in Perth, you could consider getting the implant? See what your GP/clinic says as if you go ahead, then that's you sorted for the next 3 years?

Hello, I wasn't sure where to put this little question. It's not as serious or grown up as all the others; mortgages, pensions etc..however.. We're out here for the next year to 18 months and when we arrived, we were covered by last year's annual travel insurance policy. It's just expired though. Do I need it? I can't work out whether I do - I feel like I need some sort of insurance! We'll be doing odd trips about the place to Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast etc for which I know we do need it but what about the general day to day? For some reason, my main worry is if I need to be flown back to the UK for some reason or the other (touch wood) and if I have travel insurance from an aussie company then I guess they won't do that? But then if I'm actually living here, a UK company won't insure me either. I have Medicare and contents insurance for everything in our flat, so do I need more? What does everyone else have?! Hope this makes some vague sense, Thanks.

Definitely go for it! We've just moved out here and finding everyone really friendly. My boyfriend is on less than that a year and we're managing fine. I agree with everyone else though, a flat share may be the way to go as it'll help you with the cost of rent and act as a way to meet people too! Meeting people can always be difficult, I guess if you like yoga etc then the best way would be to sign up for classes and meet people there? I've also found that as a new brit out here, other brits are brilliant at inviting you to whatever is going on - there seems to be a "look after each other" vibe! Especially in doctoring/nursing/hospitals - but then that's just the bit I know about! Good Luck!

Hey, I work out at Ryde Hospital and for the first 6 weeks lived in the hospital accommodation (about 40 mins train into the city) whilst friends all lived in Surry Hills. I have to say that as a 27 yr old, even that's too far from the city! We found it so annoying, finishing work at 6 and then by the time you've got home, got changed, got food and made it back out to the city it's already late and then you're worrying about the last train home! ridiculous. I agree with everyone about living in the middle - I think you'd be miserable as you're not where you want to work and still have to commute and you're STILL not in the city. Only compromise I guess would be if the middle was somewhere along the beach, then it would be a good kind of middle! We've got people working at the hospital who don't want to live at Ryde but don't want to live in the city, so have accepted the commute but get to live in the gorgeous Manly.. We've now moved to St Leonards as have friends in Crows Nest (which I love!). This means that it's now a 10 min hop down to circular quay - sunny day and been invited to drinks down at the harbour? no problem! I now have about a 35 min train commute to work in the morning and have to say I quite like it! As I'm going out of the city, the train's really quiet and I sit there with my kindle, half asleep and read my book in peace - not that bad a way to start the day.. Only comment would be that I don't know what the far out places like Richmond etc are like, they may be far out enough that they have their own community which you could get integrated into and could enjoy that instead? Not sure if that helps, general musings I guess...

Hello, I just thought I'd add a lil something - I couldn't agree with you more about the food. But then we were living up in Newcastle and didn't go out for meals very often so it is a bit of mean comparison! We've found the asian food in particular fabulous - who knew there was so much variety out here! I think it's fair about the prices too, when we first arrived we kept converting back into pounds before going "oooouch"! Getting more used to it now though and it's not too bad really. The housing market is horrible - I've found estate agents attitudes even worse! They're used to having all of us running in begging for apartments and now have developed this snooty attitude. Again, sweeping generalisation I know but that's been our experience so far. We ended up downloading the apps onto our phones and had our thumbs glued to the refresh button all day and then when you see something you like, ring, ring straight away and show them you're interested. I think it may have been Rupert who suggested on here a while back to turn up to your viewings with a folder with everything in it, all your references, bank statements, mothers maiden name, haha, the lot, and we did and it made a massive difference! (thanks for the tip!) As a heads up; it also depends how long you're going to stay out here, we're probably only going to stay out here till next August -it was never going to be permanent, and even then, it's turned out a LOT cheaper for us to get an unfurnished flat and furnish it, then pay for someone else to have furnished it for us.. Anyhoo, that's my penny worth of thought! Best of luck with the settling in, sounds like you're all sorted!

What a wonderful story- I'm thrilled for your gorgeous family! Congratulations :-) xx

Hello Well we're happy with small (ish!).. Either a studio or one bedroom flat, balcony would be amazing, no real need for outside space otherwise.. Furnished is a must. Money: $500 -550 is prob the top end of our budget?

Well! After months of reading helpful advice on here, I thought it was time to post an update. My boyfriend and I touched down in Sydney on Friday morning aka the hottest day on record!! - a change from the -5 degrees, snow and freezing fog that we left behind in Norfolk! I've come out on a 457 visa and will be working in Ryde hospital (those who are regular here may or may not remember I posted in October with a conundrum about working in Blacktown - I rejected Blacktown for Ryde), whilst my boyfriend is here on a working holiday visa and is hoping to find work in the IT/Computer Programming world.. So..first impressions? Well the flight is looooong, but easy. Etihad Airways were not bad at all, really friendly staff but planes could be updated a little. Abu Dhabi airport is confusing and messy and busy and cold (too much aircon!). Sydney? one word I think - friendly! We couldn't believe it when we arrived and had busy commuters, mid commute, stopping to check that we were alright and did we need directions! Had one lady on the train from the airport making sure we were looking out the right window, so as not to miss the Opera house and Bridge! However, despite wanting to post a general update on the forum, I do actually have an agenda - I want everybody's opinion on suburbs, yes I know, sorry! We have spent our last two days here fighting jet lag and using exercise as a way to stay awake! We are currently staying in a hotel in the centre, but will be moving into Ryde's hospital accommodation as a temporary option before we find somewhere a little more permanent. Having walked lots and lots, I've thought the following: 1) Chinatown, where we're staying (Kent Street), is so interesting! Clean and friendly with lots of good food options, but maybe a bit charmless? 2) Pott's Point is fab, we had a lovely lunch there yesterday, seemed a really good area, however... 3) King's Cross is scary! We were there around Saturday afternoon and it was pretty dingy then already, not somewhere I would want to walk through after having finished a shift at midnight? Also, Woolloomooloo was pretty by the waterfront with those posh flats, but is the rest of it a bit scary still? Both of these mean getting in and out of Pott's Point becomes a bit tricky.. 4) The area around Central station and the bottom of China town isn't that nice either (too harsh or true?) - the atmosphere just changed as we walked down George Street and seemed less fun. There's lots of properties in Broadway on Domain's website, but having walked around there, we've now ruled that area out 5) We walked down to Darling Harbour today and then from there found King Street and then George Street again with all of its amazing shops! This area seemed nice, could be good to live here no? 6) We did venture towards Darlinghurst and Surry Hills - if I'm honest, I don't think we gave this area a fair chance as got put off by some of the streets - could it be Flinders street, not sure. Anyway, I've read that this may be a nice area so we may have to go back. And that's that! That's all we've done so far. I still want to explore Paddington and the areas of by the water, Balmain etc..I think somewhere central may be better for the commute - trains seem to go easily up to Ryde but if we leave nearer the water it looks a bit more complicated. There's also the fact that I will be finishing at silly times (10/11/12 at night) and so want somewhere relatively safe!? I'd love to get anybody's opinion on the above, I know we've got time to explore more areas still, but have we got the wrong end of the stick about any of it? Just a bit of background - We're both in our mid-late twenties and although not wild party animals anymore, I think we'd still want to feel that we were living in the thick of it and really making the most of our year in Sydney! Thanks for your opinions, musings etc!

Hello there, Not sure if this reply will help but thought I'd offer my experience! I had to have a medical for my Visa and the immigration department have specific hospitals that you have to go to, including on in Manchester I think. It was £375 for the medical which included the chatting to the doctor bit, blood tests and a chest x ray. I would maybe speak to whoever has wanted you to have a medical and see if there particular departments or hospitals they like you to go to? If not then I would have thought it would have to be a private hospital who would do it, so could ring them up and ask if they do medicals? Here's the list of the hospitals which Immigration want you to use including contact details for the Manchester hospital. http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/u/united-kingdom/panel-doctors.htm#c Hope that's been some sort of help!? Good Luck!

Hello, That's such exciting news about your Visa! I was just wondering, can you remember when you applied for yours initially? I know that everyone is different and processing times will vary but as I'm still waiting for mine, was wondering how long yours took!? Thanks and good luck with the move!

What a helpful post!! Thank you so much! we're moving out in January and so a couple of steps behind but getting pretty excited and as you've suggested, WILL be super organised, soon! pleased to hear the move's gone well!

Thanks everybody, these replies have been unbelievably helpful! I'm pleased to report that I accepted the job this morning! Can't believe it's finally happened - a job in Australia!! :biggrin: We've looked at a couple of the suburbs and the places mentioned on here seem gorgeous; I like the look of the inner west suburbs, think it would give us the best of both worlds. I think I'll mainly be working in Blacktown, with the possibility of Mt Druitt or even further out, so will have to have a think about commuting. Think the best option will probably be car but I guess it'll take a couple of weeks once we're out there to sort all that out. Like everybody has said, it's a step in the right direction! Thanks for the support and advice, much appreciated!!

Hello, My first post! After a year of searching and trying for a job in Australia, the offer has finally arrived! One year working in Blacktown - Mt Druitt health district, most likely at Blacktown hospital. I've naturally reached for google which is painting a pretty grim view of the area. My boyfriend will be woking (fingers crossed) in Sydney's CBD, can anyone give some advice on Blacktown area? Is it really as bad as it's made out to be? Is it feasible to find somewhere nice for us in between? Being in the 25-30 age range, we still want to feel like we have actually moved to Sydney and not the middle of nowhere, if 'ya know' what I mean! Much appreciated! p.s. gotta submit my decision my tomorrow night, so no time pressure or anything! :arghh: