Karen1966

Hi Bernadette, Pat, Adam and Jamie thanks for a good laugh and your valuable info But most of all thanks for a good cuppa and friendly chat, the time flew and we really enjoyed ourselves, good to hear a friendly accent.. Thanks so much we will definately arrange a barbie before Frank goes back to sea if you are up for it...

Hi Amanda, just met up with Bernadette, Pat and kids today, an absolutely brilliant family, they were so welcoming we just landed at their door and they were so welcoming. Would love to meet up with you to, give us a shout when you are free. Karen, Frank and kids xxx

Hi Jon and Julie, just met up today with Bernadette, Pat, kids, an absolutely lovely family! Would love to meet you for a coffee, let us know when you are free... Frank works away but home at the moment, so would be great to meet u[ x

Hi John, we are up for the morning bbq. Looking forward to seeing you all... Karen, Frank, Chloe and Shannon

Hi Bernadette, would love to meet up with you and your family on Sunday, yeah I have just started using the site to so don't know how to pm yet either!!! We will see you at 3.... All the best Karen x and the rest of the McKeown Clan x

Hi, would love to meet up. Yes, my 2 daughters are in St. John's (Chloe 16 and Shannon 14), thank goodness they are settling in well because at their ages it might not have gone so smoothly. There are more of us from Northern Ireland than I thought... We are from Rostrevor, where are you from yourselves? Someone messaged me from Banbridge the other day... small world. Many thanks for your offer with the furniture but we paid for the unpacking service, so may as well get my monies worth lol My husband works away but is home at the moment, so we are flexible, would love to meet up. I hav'nt even heard a UK accent in Coolum yet!!! Thought we were on our own... Hope to hear from you Karen,Frank, Chloe and Shannon

Hi Everyone, how about a meetup 1st week in June if we don't organise it, it will not happen...lol Anywhere in the surrounding area, we are all based about tem mins from each other, I think. We are only here 7 weeks now and love it, can't wait for our container now, must be mad, all that packing now all the unpacking...lol Our container just went through customs yesterday, I was stupid enough to pack Christmas decorations with cones on them, so just told customs to destroy the decorations (destroying them cost us $120), as it would have cost $450 for them to specially clean a couple of decorations...Karen don't make the same mistake!!!! Because I believe we got off lightly. Anyway, if you can all come back with a few dates you are free, we can organise a get together. All the best, Karen, Frank, Chloe and Shannon x

Hi Karen, sorry meant to get back to you sooner, you only apply for your tax file number once you arrive and it normally takes around 28 days. I have the link etc. for you. "Coolum at the Beach" is really central, near bus stop, shops, restaurants etc. Give us a shout and we will come down and meet you for a coffee/beer when you arrive and I can fill you in on everything. Not long to go now!!!! You will be fine, we are still pinching ourselves, after watching all the episodes of Wanted Down Under, can't believe we are actually here lol As I said before anything I can help you with, a lift etc. give me a shout. Now get that packing finished!!! lol All the best Karen x

Hi There, Karen here, we moved to Coolum 5 weks ago and love it, from Northern Ireland. We originally stayed in Maroochydore in short term rental and found a house in Coolum and moved in within 2 weeks. Everything, thank goodness has run soo smoothly... It is hard to believe, our container arrives next week, so can't wait to get more clothes as sick of wearing the ones we brought over and all our other treasures to make our house a home. We were originally looking at Buderim all along before we came here but just fell in love with Coolum, is a friendly small town feeling but all the major shops, Sunshine Plaza is only 15/20 mins drive away. We came from a similar set up in Ireland so it suits us, loads of lovely beaches just on your doorstep. Just to help you with a few of your questions. The nearest place to get your Medicare is the Sunshine Plaza, you don't have to make an appointment just take a ticket and wait to be called, very easy. Driving licence, I will be sorting mine out on-line next week and will give you the details, as the time is just speeding by, so I better move on it, getting too chilled out that's what it is LOL Your tax numbers you can do on-line as well, my husband got his all sorted before we left the UK so you should be working on that already, if you can't find the link will send it to you. Where are you staying in Coolum???? Central? There is a bus service but we hired a car $55 per day inc. insurance, if you want me to send you details, let me know. Also, regarding a house I would'nt worry, there are plenty available. If you need estate agency details will send to you. I am a young 47 yr old with two teenage daughters 16 and 14 and they are settling in brilliantly, off to sleepovers, surfing etc. So would love to meet someone myself for a walk/coffee/chat. Will you be looking for waork yourself? Looking forward to hearing from you and if you have any other queries, will help all I can... It will be the best move you will ever make x

Oh, and another thing is mention in your main Thread what you are qualified in, there are people on the site that help all ex-pays all they can...x Good Luck x

Sorry, but we are on the Sunshine Coast, just moved here 6 weeks ago from Rostrevor, wish I could help... My husband had a job to go to, must be pretty scary for you. Have you anything lined up workwise? We found that everything has worked out well, apart from friends,so far. If you have any questions I would be happy to help all I can. Experiencing home sickness at your stage is maybe because everything is up in the air at the moment, once you get settled, I am sure you will love it! And I am still a whitey even after 6 weeks. Lots of Good Luck to you, Karen x

Hi There, my husband, I and 2 daughters have just moved from Northern Ireland six weeks ago and live in the Coolum area, so not too far from noosa... Would love to meet up for a proper cuppa, pet!!! Love the Geordie sense of humour... Karen

Hi Donna, My husband, I and two daughters 14 and 16 have just moved to Yaroomba 6 weeks ago from Ireland, would love to go for walk, coffee etc. Feeling a bit lonely as hubby works away and girls at school all day... Get in touch and we can have a craic. Karen

Hi Lisha, Moved to Queensland 2 mths ago from Rostrevor Co. Down. We used McGimpseys Removals in Bangor, brilliant to work with. We get our container in two weeks time, could'nt ask for a better service and they were cheaper than most quotes we received. Ship from NI all the time Hope this helps Karen