Maggie2012

Your home is where your heart is. It is not easy with a big move like this. Either you endure the first 1-2-3 years if you can and look for the good things this country offers or just give up. I think the problem is you are not certain what you really want for yourself in life and that makes it harder, no matter where you go.

May I suggest that you come back on your own first and look around? That would give you the opportunity to see what chances you have without burning bridges. With 2 kids and no jobs on the table I'd recommend to have at least $60-70000 in the bank if you have no family support here. We know a family who went through that much money before the husband could find a job! Just saying...

If you want the beach lifestyle, Canberra is not for you. Coming from Linconshire you may not like it. However, you could give it a go since your hubby has a job offer, that is a big plus. We've gave Canberra a go but wasn't our cup of tea. it is not just the weather, but most people do not realise that Canberra is 600 metres above sea level so you will feel the pressure drops, making you lethargic, etc. Again, you can give it a go. We lasted 2 years. Lincoln probably offers more culture than Canberra. Has everything you need though for your daily life. But its called the bush capital for a reason. FYI. Port Mac is really nice, but you will struggle to get jobs, unless you get an offer. And yes, it is 7 hours drive on a good day.

Well another proof that freedom is interpreted in Australia: differently. Just a heads up, since I just learn about it. Compulsory event for Everyone (regardless you are a resident or not): Everyone who is in Australia on Census night needs to participate in the Census, no matter where you are. Whether you are an international visitor, travelling to remote areas, simply travelling interstate or staying away from home due to a natural disaster or other reason, arrangements have been made for you to complete the Census. more info here: https://stream10.census.abs.gov.au/eCensusWeb/welcome.jsp#top3

Hey! The GC is not any better or worse than Brizzy

What is it with people and commute? If you had to travel to work in the UK it is walk in the park. We both used to travel 2-3 hours for work daily back in the UK (just like everyone else we knew). I travel 20 miles to work now, taking me 30 minutes and people think it is too far! Your option could be, just like us to set up house in-between the two towns (Brisbane and Gold Coast) and have options to go both ways. Again, worst day it takes me 1 hour drive to the city and 40 minutes to the South Gold coast. Also, there is a train service to central Brisbane, which could be another option to travel. What really stressful is, and no offense to anyone, people do not know how to drive. The "keep to left unless overtaking" rule doesn't apply here. You will find people sitting in lane 3-4 doing 80 (50 mph) in the 110 kph (70 mph) zone. Indicators not used, people speed up when you try to pass them, they won't let you in, people heavily tailgate and pull across 3-4 lanes with no reason. Running red lights and blocking the intersections is a daily thing. Cops do squat about this (to be honest I do not know what cops do here because you never see them). So you need to be extra careful to drive which can be the tiring factor especially between GC and Brizzy.

Depends on your intellectual requirements. But each town has meet up groups you could be a visitor to ;-) why not?

Ok, nobody has the right to stop you from your dreams. it seams that you have worked hard for it. don't wait till 2019, especially being after the Brexit vote. We were lucky that we both wanted the journey, but i will tell you if my hubby would have said no he would have a serious choice to make. Life is short not to follow your dreams....

In your 30's or 40's it is not easy to build friendships, but you need a friend or two in life. hard to belief you do not meet people that could be considered friend, even if its a boyfriend or partner. Sometimes you need to let go of expectations and just go with the flow. So pick a hobby and go meet people! :-)

Cost of housing is not much different in Canberra either, depends which suburb you choose. Take the new northern suburbs and you will be able to find 3-4 bedroom house rentals from $425-450 pw. I would call Canberra depressing. Nothing is close by and what the city offers can be exhausted in 2 weeks time (max). There is no place in Australia that is not family orientated. But Cairns offers beauty what Canberra lacks. No offense, unless you like brown dry landscapes year around. Oh and everything is leasehold as is the state itself is leased from NSW territory. Withdraw the federal, commonwealth money that build Canberra and the city will die out....

Look up my posts in ACT about Canberra. If we had the choice it would be Cairns. Canberra is artificial, jobs are limited to services. We are finally in Queensland, but it cost us some $7000 to move since even getting out of Canberra is a pain. Also be warned that probably one of Australia's worst spots for allergies. It is cold (yes cold), winter can see -10 Celsius and because it is windy and dry everything feels even colder.

I cannot see people not liking Brizzy, but each of us is different. The only town we thought was stuck in the 70's was Adelaide and mt.Gambier. Brizzy? One of the best hidden gems. :-)

you need 100 points in most AU states. points: combination of proof of identity and residence. Not all international licenses will transfer directly, you need to check each states website for more info.

Hi, just wondering if you made it to the GC and if so, where did you end up moving to. Also do you like it there?

Just wanting to know about people's experience with beak ins on the Gold Coast. A lot of places mention the "security windows" on properties. Is this something to consider moving to the GC? Any experience with break ins in the northern GC, in newer suburbs, such as Coomera? Any feedback would be great since such data is not exactly off the shelves....

that is just crying wolf isn't it?

same dilemma here. But we have visited several times and we are thinking of Coomera area. Any decisions yet?

Lol. Shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops come out early as 13 degrees! Makes me smile remembering when we first visited in April, us being in shorts and T-shirts, while people in Melbourne in long coats and scarves! Talking of Brizzy: anything against Coomera/ Helensvale area?

I only said 24 degree weather because that is usually scorching hot in the UK! Have been through a few 30-35 days even in Canberra and have some experience with hot humid weather living in New York City for a few years. Point is, your body gets used to that, but the only way to do it is to let it get used to the heat, not the A/C. After some 2 years now I find the weather "cold" below 20 degrees. My husband was joking that even 24-26 degrees is cold for me on certain days. That just shows, that how amazing is a human body adopting to different weather patterns. Take that from a born Brit relocated from Cambridgeshire! But truth to be told, I always liked the warmth of the sun and that is the main reason we are here. Mozzies and flies though and insects in general, they love me. Have tried the B-complex but to no avail. I get bitten so many times even by using a repellent spray. Why is that, I really do not know. So is the Mozzy situation bad around gold/sunshine coast too or just further up north?

We are debating the same issue. We have been to the Gold Coast a few times for a few weeks but never to Cairns. After planning the move from dusty Canberra for the last year or so, it looks like we'll have finally a chance to wrap things up here but we are debating the same issues, where to move in Queensland. The biggest worry is jobs. While I can move with the company and will get part time hours guaranteed, my hubby is not so lucky. We think there will be more opportunities settling between Brizzy or Gold coast or Brizzy and Sunshine coast, but after dozens of job applications, no signs from anywhere. Hubby loves the tropics and natural beauty and is thinking of Cairns. We do not know anyone at any of these places and in Australia it seems that most people get jobs through mates, friends (at least that is the standard in Canberra). I am not to keen on Cairns but will move if there is hope for hubby finding a work within a month or two. And that is any job.

I think the key is to acclimatization is to get off the air-con. Yes, you will have a few tough days but body gets used to it. As Brit, you need to forget what you were used to. You will be amazed how your body learns to cope with consrant 24-25 degree weather after a few weeks. If you go to aircon to aircon- that is no good for your body and you will suffer and hate everywhere.

Your choice should be Melbourne over Adelaide. The latter is not great for any job prospects. We know people who had fallen for bad advise and and they've regretted it greatly.

we used these guys before and we got amazing cheap rental and a great hassle free service. I'd recommend it. Or just use the international big ones like Hertz. http://www.got2go.com.au/ as for buying a car, you will find that used cars in Australia are insanely expensive. (don't depreciate much) so if you have money for a new one you might just look at one!

great! I am coming to the next one! Wait, but I am not allowed, I am a woman! Oh I'll send my hubby..wait, he might not meet the entry requirements despite the fact that he does.... :-) not to make fun of anything - my intention was (jedi Maggie)