TurnersInOz

Ps. Yes mentioned it to a staff member at school, his head of year, but he wasn't any help, disappointed.

Thanks Elena, yes have been looking in to activities for him to join, but he's not a hugely sporty boy, but likes watching it more than playing. He's liking surfing and golf, not great team sports exploring more options though.

Hi, thanks, yes would be good to meet up. Let me know once your settled and have decided where to live in the mean time i hope your move goes well and you enjoy your first few weeks exploring oz. if there's anything you feel I could help you with don't hesitate to get on touch. Yvonne x

Hi we moved to north lakes 2 month ago, we have 3 children, but our eldest, aged 13, nearly 14, is struggling to make friends. He's a normal, full of fun, friendly boy so not sure why? So was wondering whether there's anyone in the north lakes and surrounding areas with boys or girls of a similar age that might also appreciate an extra friend. I think if he could make a good friend or two it would make his settling a much more positive experience, but at the moment it's really getting to him thanks x

Hi, welcome to Aus, hope your finding your feet ok? I live in north lakes, have been here 3 month, with my husband and 3 children aged 1, 6 and 13. What ages are yours? There,s a migrant bbq this sat at aurora boulevard park in north lakes at 2, very good way to meet people, I made a good few friends at the last one in July, which took place just a few weeks after we arrived.

Advice taken, thank you

Thanks guys. I realise it's a bit vague, that's because we haven't got the faintest idea about South West Brisbane, but thinking anywhere that way is obviously better in terms of commuting that here in the north. The 2-3 hours commute every day is what were trying to avoid. His job is in Sumner.

Hi there

My husband has been offered a job in South West Brisbane, we were planning on renting in North Lakes/mango hill, which is a largely modern development with just about everything a/my family could ask for:

Parks

Swimming complex

westfields

BMX ramps

nice school with good reports

reasonably flat for walking with pram and running

beach close by (although not a surf beach)

cycle tracks

Large library

gym/plenty of activity classes for the children

easy access to the motor way

and the future promise of an entertainment complex including cinema and restaurants

I was wondering whether there may be a similar area on the south/south west side of Brisbane, I was thinking of pacific pines (GC), but that is a similar distance away to north lakes.

Does anyone have any knowledge of similar suburbs that we can check out please, any information would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Thanks I checked them all out and decided on IYM

Just looking to book now, thank you very much for the info, much appreciated

thanks guys

Hi there.

I'm looking to rent a car for a week or so when we arrive in Brisbane next month. Does anyone have any advice please on some good, inexpensive, car rental companies. The car will need to be quite large, as there's five of us, including 3 large suitcases and a pushchair! so any advise on a car that can squeeze us and our worldly possessions into would be very much appreciated. thanks in advance

Hi there.

We are about to make the big move a week on Sunday!

I am currently looking into removal insurance to cover our shipping container whilst in transit and some one way travel insurance for our family of five. We're doing a couple of stopovers, for 3-4 nights each, on the way. I've looked at the older posts but was wondering if anyone has had recent quotes or advice on either of these issues that they are willing to share. I have been quoted £400 by our removal company to cover up to £20'000.

Thanks in advance

Thanks again, all information and suggestions have been really useful, I will look into it between organizing, packing and stressing

thanks guys, that's really helpful to know

Hi there

Currently here in the UK my baby has Aptimal baby milk, this is not a cows milk formula, but meant to be a special blend so it's more like breast milk. Can anyone please tell me whether they sell this brand in Australia or whether there is a similar brand out there? I think my baby is lactose intolerant so giving him a cows milk formula is likely to make him poorly.Were moving out in 3 weeks and wondering what to do. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

Boat key's ok as well,think theres a Hooters bar in Clarke key(so im told...)if your interested,if you do eat in/on Boat key,never give them what the price on the board is,for beer or food,well yer can,i just like haggling for the craic lmao!

Weather?,i was there april,early morning i landed(a.m),humid! awww i tell yer,i knew what Ghandi's flip flop must have felt like after half an hour,desperate to get in the shower!! great place tho

erm Hooters bar...that doesn't sound too appropriate for the younger children, although I reckon my teenage son might quite fancy it!

Yes there is and its lovely. So is the main zoo and Jurong

Is the night safari in a different location to the zoo? I was expecting it to be the same place just in the dark

Bumboat river trip (not a rude word!) is good fun, and the children would probably enjoy the night zoo at Singapore zoo.

I love the Jurong bird park, an enormous covered area with loads of exotic birds flying all around.

there is an M&S there just in case you find you need something, but more expensive obviously than UK, sorry if it isn't there any more, it was there in my day.

As others have said lots to do on Sentosa Island, and if the sky rail is still going it's quite a ride!!

i'm sure you will have a great time.

Ha ha, glad that's not literal! I was wondering about the zoo, bird park, they do a night safari too - wondering if its worth a visit. Thanks for all the info, it's been helpful

Agree re the water I couldn't believe how much rubbish was in.

The weather is hot and humid, more humid than Cairns ever gets, you won't need winter woolies and if you take a coat make sure its lightweight or just buy a brolly.

R.E water: Really? That's terrible, I would have thought Singapore to be a clean place for some reason? Advice taken, thanks!

I lived on Sentosa for 16 months. Tanjong beach is lovely but the water is not very clean, certainly not like Australian beaches. You should takes bikinis and shorts as its always hot even when it rains! Universal on the island would be good for a visit too.

Oh what were you doing whilst living there? That's good to know about Tanjong beach, thanks. We're heading to Dubai first for 3 nights, Bikinis needed in those temperatures. Does it rain more at specific times of day? i.e. through the night?

​Has anyone visited Universal studios, I have been thinking that this would be something we would do.

We love Singapore and always stay on Sentosa and to be honest only venture off when we catch the monorail to VivoCity the huge shopping centre and that's when we are there for 2 weeks so to be honest you are going to have plenty to do. Its a very safe place for the children as well. Which hotel are you staying at? We have stayed at Hard Rock (has a fantastic pool and great concerts) and Festive Hotel (good family rooms)

Hey. There does look plenty to do on the island, I was wondering what the beaches are like? and if I'm to expect plenty of rain will we even get to the beach!? Is the zoo worth a visit there, I know it's away from the city. There's probably too much to do within 4-5 days. Have you been to the gardens at the bay, I quite fancy spending some time there. It's reassuring about child safety, especially given court cases/incidents in UK these last weeks, certainly gets you super paranoid! We're staying at Siloso beach resort, reviews are very mixed on this hotel, but fingers crossed we land some nice rooms. This was preference to hotels on the mainland which seemed very small unless you paid a fair bit - we needed two hotels rooms so it added up! Mono rail looks fab though - I will be having a little ride on that! Thank you for the info

Thanks very much for the info Orchard road and Clarke key I have heard of and sound appealing - although window shopping only! Definitely need to be prepared for rain then!

actually I probably wouldn't bother with rain coat too hot just bring umprella or some plastic waterproff disposable

I was hoping for sun, sun, sun after the rain we've had here! I better pack my wellies!

Hi there.

It's less than a month to go, before we leave the UK - excited! Were doing a stopover in Singapore, staying on Sentosa Island for 4 nights/5 days. We have three children, 13, 5 and 10 month. I would love to hear what activities people think are worth a visit? Places to eat? etc

Also what weather to expect? I have a weather app on my phone and Singapore has been thundery showers for the last fortnight - do we take raincoats and umbrellas instead of bikinis and shorts!? Thanks :biggrin: