emj1986

Well done you!   And well done doggies!  Beautiful photos and beautiful dogs.
I expect you are in training for the Point to Pinnacle in mid November now.  
http://www.pointtopinnacle.com.au/
 

Being Sunday and nice weather today,  it's likely to be traffic jam central up there.  It might be less painful to walk up  from Lenah Valley.   [emoji6]
 

Blowing a gale in Hobart all day and night yesterday then woke up to a snow capped mt Wellington this morning. Wind should have normalised by tomorrow so might venture up to play in the white stuff [emoji3]


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4 minutes ago, Luisa Cannon said:

https://www.movetotasmania.com.au/

for your reference

Thanks Luisa

Suppose its about time for an update now - we are here

Finally found a rental after agreeing to commence payment immediately even though we wouldn't be living in the place for another 3 weeks.  Add that to some pretty mean rental agents back on the Gold Coast who not only dragged their feet despite being given 1 months notice after an 18 month tenancy with no issue, also decided to accept tenants that cant even move in until the end of SEPTEMBER it has been, and continues to be a costly experience running into over $10k just for the rental transition.  Not to mention screwing us out of our bond despite jumping through hoops and doing everything they asked of us.  Ill end that rant there as I could start a whole other thread on rental agents in Australia.  Needless to say we are in 100% agreement that come hell or high water, the next time we move it will be into a home we own!

We are now in our 3rd week.  Animals flew down hassle free the day after we arrived via Jetpets - very happy with the price and service there.  They boarded at a pet hotel while we were driving down and were collected and driven to the airport and put on the plane - I picked them up at the other side.  $1500 for 2 large dogs and an older cat which I thought was very reasonable.  The dogs are loving the new sights and smells and nice long walks in the countryside`and the cat is enjoying cuddling up in bed with us on the chilly winter nights!

Our rental is in Lenah Valley which seems a lovely area.  Compared with the Gold Coast, its cheap, the garden is a fantastic size for the dogs and we have a beautiful view of mount wellington from our living room and bedrooms!  Everywhere is within walking distance and even a drive into CBD during rush hour takes no longer than 15min.  People here actually acknowledge you and im still taken aback when people say hi to me in the street - its almost like being back home again.

My partner started work the day after we arrived but must admit im having more of a struggle.  It seems very much a 'not what you know but who you know' kind of place.  Have now signed up with Hays so hopefully might have better luck with their recommendation.  It did take me 3 months to find work on the Gold Coast so im not too concerned at this stage.

The weather and surroundings and pace of life here is much more 'me'.  I love how winter actually feels like winter and am looking forward to experiencing all the seasons again instead of warm, hot, hotter and hell on earth burning to a cinder and suffocating humidity.  It is undoubtedly very beautiful, theres a lot more culture and history here, I love the old buildings and proper pubs and there being far less crappy taverns full of tradies playing pokies all night.  I can actually envisage a future here whereas the Gold Coast very quickly sapped all of the enjoyment from my life, as dramatic as that sounds.  In my opinion, a very toxic environment to live in.  

So happy days!  Looking forward to life here  

What is the rental market like? On the coast there are sometimes 100's of applications per property so trying to secure something when you have pets is almost impossible. Is it like that in Hobart or is the competition less fierce? Also, how are the agents at letting you secure a rental without a prior inspection?


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Hi Em and Ad,
From what your descriptions of yourselves and what you are looking for, combined with the fact one of you has obtained employment,  I think that you would fit right in in Hobart and I don't say that about everyone..!
 
I have a couple of dogs and get out almost every day on long walks.  My favourite spots are:
 
1.  Bellerive and Howrah Beaches parking behind the Blundstone arena.  Im my opinion Howrah is the best beach in the city generally.
2.  Lauderdale Beach/Roches Beach from one end to the other - you can sometimes spot dolphins.  Note that, although these beaches are off lead all winter access for dogs is more restricted in summer.
3. Kingston Beach is also worth a mention although only the far end is dog friendly but remains open all year.  It's more of a dog park on a beach than an actual walk in my opinion .
4.  Queens Domain - The oval area is off lead as are many of the bushy parts.  The jogging track which has great views is on lead but recommended.  Also a good place to run obviously.
5. Montrose Foreshore - from the High School to Wilkinsons Point.  On and Off lead.  This initially looks like a terrible place to walk as its so close to the Brooker Highway, but if you look the other way across the Bay, the views are great, especially at sunset.
6. John Turnbull Park, Lenah Valley.  Not the biggest park in the world but a very active dog group meets at 5pm every day if socialisation is your thing.
7. Jim Bacon Reserve - very local to me and the best spot in the Moonah area which is not overburdened with dog walking opportunities. Off lead.
8.  Lenah Valley Track to Newtown Falls and Junction Cabin.  On lead but all in the beautiful forest of the Wellington Park. 
9. Knocklofty Reserve, West Hobart, Beautiful views, on and off lead, watch out for snakes.
10. Long Beach/Nutgrove Beach, Sandy Bay.  On and off lead but I think dog access to Nutgrove has become more restricted recently.
11.  Natone Hill Circuit, Geilston Bay.  Mostly off lead and has suffered fire damage recently. Great views.  Links with Eastern Shore bike path which goes on for miles and is on lead.
 
There's a few to be going on with anyway...

I have to admit to not being a lover of snow.  Probably because I had to work out in it when working for vets in the UK and Europe.  Here is a photo of the snow at Ben Lomond.
 

Car - I would take it if you are happy to do the drive down from the GC.  and have the convenience of private transport from the beginning
Dog walking/parks:  go to this website and select the "Walking with dogs" option in the top drop down box -
https://www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au/
I don't know if there are any areas "better"than others for pet rentals.  For rentals generally I would probably avoid the old broad acre social housing suburbs which don't have the best reputation:  Bridgewater, Gagebrook, Risdon Vale, Rokeby, Clarendon Vale, Warrane (all on the eastern shore), and Chigwell.  I personally don't like the Glenorchy area (too industrial).
Costs:  petrol is more expensive.  Also the two major supermarkets (Coles and Woolies) as there is no competition from Aldi or Costco.
However for fruit and vegies, these alternatives are often cheaper and fresher:
the Farm Gate Market every Sunday
http://farmgatemarket.com.au/
Salamanca Market every Saturday
http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Hobart/Salamanca_Market
the Hill Street Grocer which has stores in several suburbs
https://hillstreetgrocer.com/
and Salamanca Fresh stores which are likewise in several locations
http://www.salamancafresh.com.au/
I'm not sure how expensive energy costs are in Qld but you'll find your heating bills higher in the cooler months.  However aircon is not necessary in summer.  I think parking in the city is cheaper - the first 1.5 hours are free in Hobart City Council car parks.  No charges in suburban car parks.
Housing used to be cheaper but unfortunately we've been discovered by investors from the mainland and overseas and the recent arrival of AirBnB - both of which are putting a lot of pressure on prices.
Goups/clubs etc:  there are a zillion of those.  If you can give an idea of your interests it would be easier to point you in the right direction. 
Very happy to answer any other questions.  I can't comment on moving costs as I don't have any recent experience of that.

To the OP,
Just wondering what didn't work for you in the GC?
Re removal, it cost me $3,200 for 20m3 (about 1/2 a container) for Sydney - Perth with A2B removals as a reference.
Good that your partner has work lined up as that is generally the challenge in the smaller sities or remote areas.
  
 

Well I hate shopping so that won't be an issue! The first and last time I went shopping here was Boxing Day 2 years ago at robina town centre - I lasted 30min and came away with nothing lol.

My partner is the main earner and he has found a really good job. I've applied for a few but it's not as important for me to start something immediately as we can cope on just his wage for a while.

So excited to be moving - it's everything I've missed about the UK without giving up and going home [emoji4]


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Hi all [emoji4]

To cut a long story short, in the 3 years we have lived on the Gold Coast our lives have crashed and burned. It's time to get out of this toxic hell hole once and for all this time next month we are going to Hobart!

I know we've made the right decision but just after some advice and recommendations from others who have made the move or a similar move:

Interstate pet travel - I've had a quote from jetpets for $1k for 2 large breed dogs and a cat but any other recommendations would be great.

Moving costs - had a look but can't see many places that will allow van rental one way to Tas. Professional quotes coming out around the $4k mark. We have nothing of any real value or sentiment so wonder if it would be worth selling everything and buying new

Cars - should I take mine across on the ferry or fly and buy another when I get there

Dog walking/parks

Good areas for pet friendly rentals. Any areas to avoid

Cost comparisons to the mainland - what's cheaper, what's more expensive

Making friends, meet up groups, clubs etc

Thanks in advance [emoji4]

Em & Ad

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