Marisawright

We had a cat flap so our cat could come and go as they pleased - no issues with them going out.;

But how do you know?

I remember a documentary about cats and native wildlife a few years ago. They tracked several cats at night to see what they did. When they presented the statistics to the cat owners, they were absolutely shocked - their cats had never brought home more than one or two kills, and yet they were killing regularly. One of the cats was killing at least one animal or bird every single night!

Also, they were not eating them - cats are one of the few species that will hunt for fun. It's not through any cruel instinct - we all know how much cats enjoy chasing a furry object - a mouse is a furry object, and the cat will keep pursuing and playing with it until it escapes or drops dead. So keeping your cat well fed will not stop it hunting.

http://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-hunting.html

I love animals including cats. I don't think badly of cats because they kill - they are predators, that's what they're designed for. But because they're well fed by their owners, it's unnecessary and if owners can prevent needless slaughter of other animals by the simple expedient of keeping their cats in at night, then surely they should.

Gave me a breakdown, ruined my career and marriage. And it was something neither of us wanted to do. Just stupid homesickness and grass is greener situation.

Jase, I'm very sorry for what happened to you. I think most people underestimate the risks and challenges of moving halfway round the world, and how devastating it can be if it goes wrong. And the fact that your situation is self-inflicted means you have to cope with guilt as well as grief, which makes it worse.

However, as others have said, that's in the past now. What are you achieving by going back over it again and again and again? Will it change anything? No.

All you can do now is start again. The good thing is that from where you are now, the only way is up. I know men hate the idea of counselling, but you do need someone to help you get things in perspective and work out how to take the next step. Don't be proud!

Thanks for the additional feedback. I think you're right - the distances on the map don't do the real distances justice.

 

For the record, I'm not in or from the UK, so I can't 'stay in the UK ', Bungo. I've referred to spots in the UK because this is the PomsInOz forum and I thought using those reference points would be useful to illustrate what I was after.

OK, so where are you? If you're not familiar with Sevenoaks or Kingston either, then you could be giving us a completely wrong picture of what you're looking for. Some of us have travelled, you know - you might find there are people here who are familiar with your country and would understand examples from there.

Well that's the comparison I'm trying to explain. Sydney's suburbs are just that, suburbs. To find outlying villages and towns like Kingston, you have to go beyond Penrith in the west, Sutherland in the south and Hornsby in the north. You will find some lovely suburbs closer in but they were never villages in their own right so don't have that feel.

You're probably quite right about the last part. I'm starting to come around, though, as we continue the discussion (and I continue the search - never looked at so many maps in such a short space of time).

 

As for something within London itself, how about Kingston or Richmond?

Would you call them suburbs of London, or outlying towns?

I've never been. Busy with plans to move over before Feb. But let's talk Sevenoaks then, rather than Canterbury. Bigger than a village, for sure, but still extremely leafy, spacious and tranquil, with some really affordable pockets, and not all that far from the city.

But it's still outside the M25, and a 45 minute commute to the CBD! It's in Kent, not in London or even Greater London. All the places everyone has mentioned are still in Greater Sydney, just like Catford or Peckham or Kensington are in Greater London. Can you name anywhere IN London that has the villagey feel you're after?

I feel like you're imagining Sydney as a much smaller place than it actually is.

Apologies, Oatley it is. Tranquil setting is exactly what I'm after. Think Canterbury (Kent), but closer to the city. .

Have you been to Sydney before? I ask, because if you're looking for an equivalent to Canterbury, then I'm bewildered why you'd expect to find it within the inner ring of suburbs. Would you expect to find Canterbury in the inner suburbs of London? If not, why would you imagine Sydney is any different? It's a big bustling city. Because Sydney is so leafy, you will often find surprisingly quiet backwaters in most suburbs, but quietness is prized - you'll find the cheaper houses are on a busy road, or next to the train station.

Thanks for the blue rinse alert - that could've been a close call! LOL.

 

I'm still after a village atmosphere, but one that feels like history in a heritage sense more than a 70s sense. I get the 70s vibe from the pics I've been able to find of Oakley, but of course very difficult to tell simply from photos. Woollahra looks like it has the makings of a village feel in terms of its architecture, and really the butcher, baker and candlestick maker are nice extras that I'm not too fussed about, though being able to choose the thickness of lamb chops wouldn't be a bad thing Seriously though, the only reason for looking at Leichhardt and others are because of their proximity to the CBD and somewhat of a leafy existence - and Centennial Park isn't far either.

 

 

I recommended Oatley, not Oakley! Huge difference, but it sounds like you're determined to be very close to the CBD.

I'm not sure what you mean by a village atmosphere now. I'd pictured it as everyone-knows-everybody-else, friendly shopkeepers, sense of community, tranquil setting - which is something you don't get in the inner suburbs of Sydney.

I honestly don't think you can get a "feel" for anywhere from photos. I lived in Paddington and Edgecliff for several years and while I like Woollahra, I would never call it a village - unless you think places like Chelsea or Knightsbridge have a village feel. Lots of inner city suburbs have exactly the same architecture and leafy streets shown in those photos, that's typical old Sydney.

One thing to consider is that you can't let your cats out at night in Australia, so if you feel your cats would be unhappy with that, you might need to consider rehoming them.

Some people do put the cat out at night here, but that's only because they're either uninformed or irresponsible! Most Australian native animals are nocturnal, and there's still a lot of wildlife in the cities, so a cat loose at night can do an enormous amount of damage to the local population.

When we are well and we feel that we have years ahead of us (and think we're invincible) we think we have all the time in the world to do certain things. It's like we hold a certain amount of cards which have our dreams, values, beliefs etc written on them and we have them in a certain order of priorities. When you have an SEE these cards all get thrown up in the air and we gather them back up, but then they're in a different order. What was once low down on your priorities may now be at the top.

 

If your cards are now in a totally different order there's a reason for it. Don't ignore it, they're in a different order for a reason. It sounds like you've already made your mind up and are going to return home anyway, but I hope this analogy helps you to make sense of things in a different way

 

 

Wonderful post!

After taking a closer look at suburbs, I'm thinking Inner West and Hills are probably the closest match.

 

Thanks for the extra options! Funnily enough, I've been looking at inner west in those three L-areas. Some very nice options on the Lane Cove and Lilyfield side. One or two options in Leichhardt too

Ah, now I'm getting a clearer picture. When you said you wanted village-y and mentioned Camden, I was picturing a tranquil English-village-style place - but it sounds like what you really like isn't a quiet village at all, it's a buzzy, trendy, leafy, upmarket inner-city suburb with cafes, restaurants, a boutique butcher and an artisanal baker!

Woollahra is lovely but it is very ritzy and therefore a bit stuck-up. Also out of your price range of course. Lilyfield, Annandale, parts of Glebe could work. Be aware that parts of Leichhardt and Stanmore are directly under the flight path for Sydney airport - if you find anything affordable in those areas, that's probably why. People who can't afford those suburbs are moving out to Dulwich Hill and Marrickville - grungy but becoming popular with the hipster set.

On the North side, Neutral Bay or Crow's Nest. Could be a challenge on your budget. Not Lane Cove or Greenwich though - if you were my age (60's) I'd say yes, but if you're not ready for the blue-rinse set then I'd say no.

Hi, only once properly about 4 yrs ago when we were exploring potential places to live. Since then I've only passed through. I've never considered bothering to go re-visit as I thought it was a bit bland, tbh. Maybe I missed something?

I seem to recall you're a surfer so I doubt it would work for you - but the whole of Majors Bay Road is one long line of cafes and restaurants, so anyone who's into a cafe lifestyle would like it.

Mozzies love me. I get bitten every time I go to visit Benn without a doubt. The bites can get as big as a grapefruit and often (once calmed) hang around for weeks afterwards. I am moving to Bunbury so can't wait to be eaten to death. I use insect repellent spray, can't remember what brand, and my fiancée always makes sure to have a citronella coil hanging around if outside. I didn't get bitten after that. Defo didn't see or hear them anywhere in the house either, we just made sure the flight screens were closed and that seemed to do the trick.

Have you tried taking vitamin B1? I used to be a mosquito magnet and was really worried when I went to Kakadu because of dengue fever etc. I went to the chemist in Darwin to stock up on repellent and she told me to forget the repellent and take the B1 instead.

And it worked! Didn't get bitten once.

Been here 7 years, they used to have a few reasonable Aussie dramas, like Rush, city homicide etc. Now it is just fluffy stuff like house husbands, winners and losers.

 

Only half decent stuff is some drama on ABC (that gltch thing was a bit naff though - should have been good) and UK series.

...

 

However, if you like non stop reality shows then I guess it is good, as there is nothing else on.

 

.

I'm afraid you'll find British TV has gone much the same way, while you've been gone.

Like you, the British series and drama specials have always been the highlight of my TV viewing in Australia. So I was looking forward to living in the UK and seeing even more of that kind of programming.

But guess what? There is no "more". ALL the good stuff is bought by the Australian stations and shown in Oz. The rest of British TV is just as cr@p as Australian TV. It's been over-run by the same reality shows - selling property, buying property, renovating property, building property, beauty makeovers, weight loss, embarrassing bodies, buying and selling antiques, cops or customs or airport documentaries. In fact, most of those reality shows were invented in the UK and Australia has just copied them, I think! The other reality genre is the benefits cheat - there are several shows on that topic.

Apart from that, British TV is full of repeats of old series - which are excellent, and I'm enjoying some of them, but they are repeats (some of them several years old), not new shows, and they were all shown in Australia too.

Will check out the area search on Domain, didn't know that was possible - thanks!

 

How about areas like Annandale (http://www.domain.com.au/for-rent/112-trafalgar-st-annandale-nsw-2038-9996617?sp=9)

or Lilyfield (http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-lilyfield-405154559#). Are these decent suburbs?

Yes they are, trendy hipster areas. There are lots of cute little terraced houses too, which might suit you - but do be careful, as they are often postage-stamp size and if they're cheap, they're probably run down! The nice renovated ones would be out of your price bracket, as they're selling for $1 million now and rents have gone up accordingly. You can get a similar feel in Dulwich Hill (which is on the tram line) for a lower budget.

I do think you need to manage your expectations regarding the commute. Most Sydneysiders would be absolutely delighted to have a 45 minute commute to work. People do live closer in, but like London, they manage it by living in shoebox flats and townhouses or dinky terrace houses which cost a fortune - or they bought a long time ago when property in those areas was still affordable (I wish I had!). That's not an option for you with two dogs.

I think Camden is quite quaint. Concord is rather dull, it's on the water but I don't rate it as a particularly nice part of the harbour. !

Have you ever walked down Majors Bay Road? That's the centre of Concord.

I'm currently living in Southampton and notice how the city itself is fairly small, and most people live in places like Bursledon, Netley, Hamble, etc - which were villages once, but have all been swallowed up by So'ton. As a result, they still retain their village-y feel.

You don't get that in Sydney until you get a long, long way out of town. Most suburbs were built as suburbs, they were not villages that got swallowed up - so they look and feel like suburbs. No village pond, no town square, and of course no historic architecture since most buildings are less than 100 years old! Many suburbs will have no pub and few local shops (killed off because everyone shops at Westfields these days). Think of suburbs in London - more like that.

Having said that, I'd nominate Oatley as the most village-y Sydney suburb I've ever seen. Before meeting my oh, I had lived in trendy inner-city Sydney for 20 years and was very reluctant to move to the burbs, which I saw as uniformly depressing! I was instantly charmed by Oatley's vast village green, clock tower, cafes and shops. There is even a pond with ducks, a river with a picturesque pedestrian bridge leading to a pub high over the water - and a train station to take you to the CBD in 40 minutes. It's also a short train ride to the beach at Cronulla. Your budget should be adequate there, but do avoid areas near the railway line (that's good advice in all Sydney burbs actually - the lines carry goods trains at night which are very noisy).

I had never heard of Melrose Park, and I've lived in Sydney for 30 years. Looking at the map, it's next to Meadowbank and I doubt very much it has a village atmosphere!

Concord is a nice area, its main street is one long line of trendy cafes and restaurants (but no pub!) and there are some pleasant nice river walks. On the downside, there's no train, but if you end up working in Ryde or Macquarie Park, it's an easy commute by car (which is not something you can say very often!). Breakfast Point is not far away and a nice development - but it IS a development, all brand new flats and townhouses, no history!

You'll find plenty of villages in the Blue Mountains but it's a long commute - well over an hour.

Look on domain.com.au and realestate.com.au to get an idea of rentals.

Hmm the plot thickens! We are two names drivers on both policies, I wonder if it is the non UK driving licence?

Neither of us has a UK driving licence, both Aussies, we still got our full no claims from Aviva.

12 year Volvo v40 nearly 1500 pound! That's fir me and my husband to drive.

 

i'm trying a few different online ones now and saying UK resident sibpnce birth. I just thought direct line could resurrect an old policy just change the vehicle. I was floored. I live on an island! It's hardly high risk.

Did you try phoning? We got our Aussie no claims recognized by Aviva but we did it by phone

I think it's pretty deliberate. The Australian Government wants to discourage people from visiting Australia and then applying to stay - they want people to apply from their home country, and stay there till they get approved. So I'm afraid yes, it does take longer to apply onshore for a visa.

All female mozzies make the same noise. It's not a "terrible" noise - it's more like a faint whine, but it's persistent and it's annoying. If it suddenly flies past your ear, it's going to be loud enough to wake you up. Plus, of course, you know if you can hear it, you're likely to get bitten, so you can't afford to ignore it.

You can't generalise about a whole city and mozzies. Mozzies breed where there's stagnant water, so if you're near a river with mangroves, for instance, you're more likely to get them than if you're in a high-rise miles from water. But you can have a problem anywhere - we had heaps of them in our Sydney flat, until we tracked the problem down to an old bucket in the rubbish area at the back of the block - it was full of water.

Hi Guys,

 

Thinking about Novated at the moment, and this thread is being quite useful. Regarding the difference you mentioned, it was my understanding that the money you give them is kinda like an account that you use to pay the car related expenses. Hence, at the end of the lease if there is some leftover, it comes back to you (less the taxes)...

Am I wrong?

Firstly there are different kinds of novated leases so check the details of the one you're offered. I had a novated lease and it didn't cover fuel, for instance.

The big advantage of a novated lease is that it comes out of your salary BEFORE tax, so it reduces your taxable salary, and therefore you pay less tax. You have to look at your tax situation and decide whether the tax saved is more than the extra money you spend on leasing.

Personally, I would've been better off NOT having a novated lease (I got it as part of a job offer on joining the company and didn't know any better!). It was nice having a brand new car and not having to worry about servicing etc - but if I hadn't taken the lease, I would've bought a much cheaper second-hand car. Also I had low mileage, and that makes a difference in Australia to how much fringe benefits is payable.

There is nothing illegal about deciding to apply for a visa while in Australia on a visitor visa.

 

There's nothing illegal about DECIDING to apply for a visa while IN Australia on a visitor visa. What IS illegal is getting a tourist visa and entering the country with the INTENTION of overstaying.

Alan, the bottom line is that it's illegal to arrive in Australia on a tourist visa with an intent to settle in the country. So you do need to be conscious of that.

If they arrive with a valid return ticket, as if they're just coming on a short holiday, then it's unlikely anyone will interrogate them. But if they're unlucky and are questioned, there are all kinds of things that could give them away. Will there be anything in their luggage that they wouldn't take on holiday (for instance, when we migrated, we took all our valuable documents in our hand luggage rather than risk losing them - we certainly wouldn't have brought them on a vacation!)?

Well right now that is still up the air.

There are three possible outcomes they could go back to their native country or go and stay with my sister or stay in Australia

So, your parents are trying to stay in Australia illegally and you are asking which passport will make it easier for them to do that. Not sure that is a wise question to ask on a public forum.

The immigration officials will not know they've given up their jobs/home, so that is not an issue. What will make them suspicious is if your parents have only a one-way ticket and can't show sufficient funds for their holiday.