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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Thanks for all the responses everyone - really appreciate it. It's hard to talk to someone about this as the only people I have to turn to would definitely be biased and say just head home i.e. My family that I left behind lol.

i think you are all right, we should probably stick it out after already investing so much time. Who knows, I may appreciate the free heat when I reach pensioner age lol. 

We have no kids but 2 dogs and a cat who we brought from the uk so the decision to move home wouldn't be one to take lightly as it is a MASSIVE cost transporting them, not to mention the stress it puts them and us under. I work in digital marketing and have a pretty good job in broadbeach with a property developer, but I'm only on a maternity leave contract while the other half is an IT manager in eight mile plains. He's the main bread winner so where we go depends on the work situation for him. 

Interesting to hear from people who are glad the went home and also the ones who regret it. I guess having the option to return would be best - people change. Also interesting to hear it isn't just me or even just brits for that matter when it comes to the Gold Coast!

other than Hamilton island and Byron bay, I haven't ventured far since I've been here as it's awkward with the dogs and we have tended to use all holiday allowance for trips home. Our last one was over xmas and has left me with no holiday for the rest of the year so other than taking a weekend here and there to explore, I won't get a chance. And a weekend isn't going to tell me what I need about an area. its a tough one! I need to make a decision but don't want to make the wrong one as it's not just my life it's affecting.

Hi all,

Just want some impartial advice or opinions. Been on the Gold Coast for nearly 3 years and am now a permanent resident. We moved here from Gloucester in the UK after my partner was offered work over here and we came over on a sponsored 457 visa.  Time has mainly been spent in helensvale/oxenford. I work in broadbeach and the OH up near Brisbane. 

Been feeling miserable for quite some time now. Many reasons, homesickness being one of them. We have found it incredibly hard to make any friends here as single professionals, especially with the locals. The only friends we have made are other brits, kiwis and South Africans. I'm not big into sunbathing, it's too hot here. In fact for the entire summer just opening the front door sends me into complete despair and instead of doing whatever I was planning, I go back inside in the aircon. I have barely left the house other than for work since arriving back here after a wonderful xmas spent with family back in the UK. Everything I used to enjoy I just don't anymore. Horse riding, hiking, body boarding.. it's all too much effort now. Even walking the dogs ends in tears when I come home looking like the elephant man after being bitten to death by mozzies every time I leave home, despite covering up and spraying myself with every chemical known to man. I find it a very 50s society here of men go out to work and women should be chained to the sink and bringing up the kids. The daily commute to work is a dice with death with the insane drivers cutting you up, driving into you or just being general tossers. Once when stopped at traffic lights, someone who was obviously upset that he wasn't quite quick enough to cut me up at the previous slip lane got out of his car with a tyre iron. Is this really life on the Gold Coast? Or am I depressed and finding the bad in everything?

my partner wants to stay and get citizenship - I'm not sure I can last that long. He's suggested maybe Adelaide or Hobart - I'm a rural girl by heart and the theme park, tourist hotspot that is the Gold Coast leaves me more than cold. But I don't want to move only to find fault somewhere else. Should I just go home?

so torn ?

Check first that a pool man isn't included in the rent. It's very normal for that to happen here.

It definitely isn't included, but as electricity, gas, water and grounds maintenance are included I don't think I can complain lol. Absolutely nothing was included in our current rental and utilities are pretty steep so it was a very nice surprise to read all the inclusions in the paperwork!

Thanks Keith and Linda - we are VERY lucky in that our electricity is included in our rent, so at least we don't have to worry about that side of the running costs. Ill get myself down to the pool shop then once we've moved in. Was just a bit wary of looking like I know nothing - dont know what its like here but back in the UK they would be rubbing their hands together at a clueless blonde walking into their shop lol.

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question so apologies if not. We are moving to a new rental next weekend which happens to have a 25m in ground pool! I have never had a pool before so know nothing when it comes to filters and chemicals and general maintenance etc. Are there people that can come out on a regular basis and just do what needs to be done or is it easy enough to do without the need for a professional? Also, does anyone have a rough monthly cost of keeping a pool that size maintained?

Cheers :wink:

Ad is now live - http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-springbrook-413460943

We are vacating our gorgeous rental property situated on Springbrook Road in Springbrook National Park. The property will be available from 6th Dec and comprises of the following:

Large open plan kitchen, dining, living area with patio doors opening onto the sundeck

Master bedroom with ensuite, walk in robe and balcony

2 further bedrooms, one with built in robes and one with walk in robes and balcony - both share an ensuite

Garden is around 1/2 acre with a workshop and large storage shed

Unfurnished

Fantastic views over the valleys beyond

450/wk - pets ok

This house will not go on the market with the agent until tomorrow, possibly Wednesday - the rental market on the Gold Coast is fierce at the moment so this is a great opportunity to get in before you have competition!

Im having problems trying to upload photos using my decrepit laptop so please inbox me for further details or to come and have a look :wink:

Maybe do some shopping around for a better internet deal? We are up in the a*se end of nowhere (Springbrook) - we have home phone and ADSL with DODO and its under $50 a month. Don't get me wrong, we don't have lightening speed but we have unlimited downloads and I can stream TV with no buffering issues and have a decent quality Skype call, much to my mothers delight lol. My partner can also quite happily and easily work from home.

Im on a 457 visa. Arrived on the Gold Coast of QLD beginning of September and started applying for jobs from day one (Admin, PA, Marketing jobs). 10 weeks on and ive had one interview which seemed to go well but went nowhere. Ive probably applied for upwards of 200 jobs, tailoring my CV and covering letter for each one which takes literally hours - im spending working days just applying for jobs. Luckily my partner had a job to go to when we arrived and is earning enough to support me for the time being so we arent up sh*t creek just yet!

Its not just the job market that seems competitive here either, the rental market is insane. We have been declined for every single property weve applied for - agents very rarely give reasons as to why but the one who did respond told me that they had had over 30 applications for that particular property and that is the average at the mo. So with 2 pets we are really struggling. Aside from that, I love it here lol.

Your partner was still eligible for Medicare even if he wasn't registered. I had periods of not being registered as Medicare kept issuing me 2 month cards while I was on a bridging visa for 18 months. They didn't even ask about it when I got to applying for pr.

Perfect this is exactly What I needed to know. We will be applying for PR early as Rammygirl suggested but wanted to be sure the Medicare and 8501 condition would not cause problems.

We will both be medicare registered by the end of the week.

Thanks

EMJ

Make sure your dog has a tick collar lots of ticks around and they can kill your dog, you can get tick collars from the vet or supermarket. Not sure if the cat needs one as I dont have cats.

Ormeau and Pimpama are nice areas but on the other side of the freeway.

Thanks Tina - One of the first things I did was get a few months supply of treatments, collars and tick removers - before the pets were even in the country! Heard all the horror stories and I was already a bit OCD with it all even back in the UK - not nice having critters all over your house and pets! Would be devasting to lose them over something like that.

Wow I am very envious of you and your new life in Oz, don't worry: you aren't missing a thing here in the UK; today is 7th Oct and it's been raining for 2 days, freezing cold and everyone has a cough or flu (ok not everyone but majority lol) Shops are blasting xmas music and it really is the pits! I wish you well for your new life!

 

Oh can I just ask: I have a dog and when I hopefully move to Oz, I would want to take her: how did your dog seem to be with the plane journey? Was he/she ok and how long was the quarantine for?

Thanks Keris :wink:

Yeah spoke with my mum on Skype yesterday and she has a cold lol. As for the xmas stuff though, that's over here too - finding it odd though walking about in shorts and t-shirt browsing xmas decorations!

As for the dog, I cant say for sure how she was with the main journey from the UK to Oz as I wasn't there to meet her - she was whisked straight off to quarantine. When she got off the plane from Sydney to Brisbane she didn't seem that great and was pretty stressed but don't know if that was the journey, the quarantine stay, or a mix of the two - but like people, all dogs will cope differently. She doesn't travel that well in the car either. But shes fine now so its not had a lasting effect on her at least. Quarantine is for 10 days over here now so not too long to be separated for. Now that im here and its all over and done with I think I would have felt worse leaving her behind than feeling bad for putting her through a few weeks of stress for the greater good to be honest.

Hi All,

Hoping someone can help me. We got granted our Visa (457) in Oct 2013. My partner first entered Australia in Feb 2014 and was working 2 months Australia one month back in the UK.

A condition of the Visa states 8501 - MAINTAIN HEALTH INSURANCE. He didn't start the private Health insurance we used to get the Visa as we found out UK have a Reciprocal health agreement with Australia.

We ended up selling the property and both moving out perm in September 2014. We are now getting the medicare card sorted without Private insurance as the Reciprocal health care satisfies the 8501.

My question is will this still be an issue when we apply for PR as my partner was not registered with medicare.

I couldn't because I was not in the country..

Also as a side question as I didn't enter the country until September but my partner did in Feb. When it comes to the 2 years before we can apply for PR would that be when the visa was granted (Oct 2013) when my partner arrived first time (Feb 2014) or when we both arrived (Sept 2014)??

Thanks

EMJ