Captain Roberto

We did come up for a reccie and checked out Moreton Bay, and stayed in Cleveland. It's nice, but we weren't sure if it would be for us, so wanted to look at more places. From experience we know it's quite tough picking an area to live in that will work well for all our families needs. There's so many factors to consider! I guess that's why we are asking all these questions now... If we do a major move again (i.e. changing the kids schools) we want to get it right!

Budget - between $500 / $700 Pw For a 4 bedroom place (We pay $1k a week here - and it's too much - but actually cheap for the area we are in now) We'd want to buy at some point. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks all We are actually open to any suggestions really in Brisbane. I just was initially trying to get specific about this one, as a guy I know recommended it. Criteria: Good schools (State run public and high schools) Parks and things to do Places to take the dog out (not just an oval) Any kind of social scene (places to eat, cafes, pubs/bars, coffee etc) Activities, (places to ride bikes, skate, have fun) Is the bus/trains to the city good/fast?

Hi All I've posted similar threads to this before, but thought I'd go specific here, as maybe someone lives in Carindale or nearby and has specific knowledge. We live in Sydney now and we do really like it. But as we have 3 kids and need a 4 bedroom house, we'll never be able to buy unless it miles out (and then it's still about $1 million...). So - we have been thinking of a Brisbane move for sometimes, and have asked some questions on here before. Essentially if we stay in Australia, we want to buy a house, so any place we move to needs to be 'right' so we can buy at some point soon after. Our eldest daughter will need to be in the nex school in 12-15 months so she is the right place to start her HSCs and my middle daughter will also be about to start High School then too. So we have a time-line. Does Carindale have the following: Good schools (State run public and high schools) Parks and things to do Places to take the dog out (not just an oval) Any kind of social scene (places to eat, cafes, pubs/bars, coffee etc) Activities, (places to ride bikes, skate, have fun) Is the bus to the city good/fast? This page answers some of the posts, but it's good to get other ideas. We are a family, and when we move there our kids will be 14, Nearly 12 and 8 with a dog. I'll be working in and around the city, and my wife is a community nurse, so she'll just need to be in an area where lots of people live (which is probably most places around a big city and surrounding areas) Any tips, info, links to help us get a picture together will help. I'll probably come and do a reccie at some point, but would like to find out what i can remotely first. Thanks in advance good people! Matt

It seems normal people are going to pay a very high price for Brexit. Even the leave lot have only gained a cosmetic win. Nothing major will change - except it'll take years to sort the mess out. What a load of nonsense it all is. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It all seems good. Not so different from the UK, so I feel more at ease. Just about to switch to using xero for accounts - as it plugs straight into Commonwealth bank statements, so it's quick and easy to reconcile everything.

I often wondered if the best of Aus is to be found outside of the big cities. I suspect it is! and to the OP - Nice one

I think the fact that they persevered with it for years, despite massive protests and no proof of WMD doesn't favour them well. And Blair still believes he is totally right, because he's an arrogant, self-righteous, dangerous and power-mad man. If you watch parts of his speech on the BBC website, you can see that he isn't sorry from his aggressive stance, his body language, and still thinks he's right. He'll never believe he was at fault, and that's what makes him a real sh*t in my book. And all he's done since he was ousted from the 'top job' is make a ton of cash. I don't believe he should get off scott free (personally).

Thanks both. Seems straightforward. If only google could supply simple answers! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We waited until about 6 weeks after we submitted the visa application, but before any CO involvement (and got the direct grant email)

Hi We moved here 12 months ago, and will have to do a tax return for the 1st time soon. I have done a some stints working PAYG, but am now self employed. I know the tax year ends on June 30th, and I do have an accountant, but the more times I ask him 'dumb' questions, the more he will bill me! So - I know in the UK - for tax returns, the year end was 5th April, and I then had until end of December to submire the tax return (although earlier is better), then end of January to pay. Are there similar dates here? e.g. Now the it's 'tax time', how long do I have before I need to get return done? I'm not overly concerned about owing the tax office money, as I pay direct to the ATO every time I get paid, but would like to keep it all up to date. Anyone with simple answers, I'd appreciate it! I have been googling this, but there's no straightforward reliable results (just lots of detailed/complex looking stuff!) Thanks Matt

Telstra, Optus and Voda all work really. In Sydney they all get reception. One thing we found was that it pays to get a number in place almost straight away, as you need to an Australian number to apply for almost anything (as this is online, it literally won't let you do it without an 04 number) We got 'temporary' sim cards straight away, but to be honest I am still using that, as it works and i never got around to changing it. I pay $40 pcm for 7gb data ands unlimited calls and texts in Aus, plus 300 mins of international calls (back to UK). I didn't really make many calls, but it's there if need it. It's an 'Amaysim' sim (which uses Optus network) which you can buy at any shop like Woolies or Coles. My wife got a Vodafone sim for $30 pcm which offers quite a lot too 3 or 4gb data, international calls etc. They both work fine! I think there's a lot of competition, so the plans are quite well matched anyway. If you were in business, make lots of work calls and travel to more remote places, Telstra is supposed to have best coverage for all that. If you live in the city, they all work.

Hi OP - I have 2 bits of advice here having moved here 12 months ago: #1 - Fair go: There's a lot written about the 'fair go' society here, and from the 12 months of experience I've been here, I've found that it's basically true. In other words, if you are good at what you do, and work hard, you can do well here. there's less snobbery/bureaucracy and hierarchy compared to the UK. I think, however, it's not always too easy getting on the first rungs of the ladder, but once you do, I think you can prove yourself quickly and do ok. I'm not sure about the whole of Australia, but Sydney is very much a working culture. So, if you can work successfully, you'll be fine. So if your husband has real-world useful skills, can make money, do a good job and be be adaptable/flexible here, he'll do fine (don't be put off by initial attempts to get work, just get through this time and you're in and moving forward). Pick any cliche/metaphor you like, and it'll apply, 'getting traction', 'find your feet' etc #2 - Don't stick all your issues/challenges 'one box' It's quite some upheaval moving to a far away place and starting again. It's pretty tough. In our experience we'd sometimes get all our separately challenging issues combined into a big confusing one. This is reinforced when you come on a site like this, ask a specific question, and get other 'helpful' types who then start questioning everything else "why do you think a move here will be good? why don't you stay where you are etc". They probably mean well, but it's not really helping the problem at hand... So, Just deal with each separate thing in its own compartment. If you need to sort a 'work' thing, then deal with that, and don't get distracted by people who might start diverting your attention to other 'problems'. Which brings us back to #1 above. If you are good at what you do here, and can work hard and have a 'can do' / problem solving' attitude, Australia will work well and you will find work (even if it means setting up your thing, as I ended up doing) PS: The poster above who said you have to work as hard or harder to make things work is right! There are generally less holidays and the cost of things is higher than it was for us in the UK. It's a hustle! But at least when the weekend comes you can plan a BBQ or a picnic and the weather will be ok. It's a trade off-. It's more work, but you do get something you don't get in the UK in return. Good Luck! Matt

Disclaimer - I've always discounted private ones as i could never afford them! Public Schools only... I've heard similar things about the schools that way, as researched it a bit. Apparently Pittwater High (Mona Vale) is decent enough. Inland fro the beaches Killarney Heights (Forestville) is good enough, and Davidson - these places are classed as Northern beaches, but they are a bit inland really. But near enough, family friendly suburbs that are more affordable (15 mins drive to the beach) There are a couple that I heard weren't good, but don't want to name names here! Also, depends how you look at it and what your parameters are. More inland from there you have the Suburbs on the North Shore where there are good schools too. This ranges from the good schools in Willoughby up to Hornsby (they are generally all good along the pacific highway/train line area). We moved to Killara for the good schools (and they are really good). It's not really northern beaches though, but we can get there in 25 mins. Pros and cons to living there, but that's for another thread... This area also has many of the good private schools, but you need deep pockets for those I think. I have mates who live in the inner west who send their kids to Catholic schools ands they are happy - that seems to be affordable for some.

Hi there It depends on your circumstances. I work in Chippendale which is just next door, and I travel in and out from where I live on the North Shore by train. I've been in and out of the station at all hours (between 8 am to 1am) It's very vibey with loads of great old pubs and loads of creative business in the area. Loads of old victorian buildings in the area. Historic Sydney. Loads of cafes; coffee shops and is right in the vicinity of the Universities, Central Park. It's only really 5-10 minutes walk from Central station, and is also quite near Newtown, so it's near everything for adults who don't have kids I guess. If that's you, it would be an excellent spot. It's super hipster. and Newtown is one of those progressive places with a Green MP. So you get the idea... I'd say it's quite different from other more 'corporate' parts of the city Rough - for many people, including all the cool people I work with this can be translated to interesting/cool/vibey - although many of these guys live in surrounding or nearby ish suburbs, Darlington, Newtown, Erskinville etc - it's all in the greater area, and all on a similar tip. Even if you do have kids it might also be ok. There are some other types of people there, and you get a few beggars around the station, but they never cause any bother. I walk past the Eveleigh Pub and to the station and there's lots of families on the terrace houses up there. I think at one time it was a more affordable part of the city, but not really now. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g255060-d8318332-r316714661-The_Eveleigh_Hotel_Restaurant-Sydney_New_South_Wales.html So - it depends what you want/need in your life. If you like arts, culture, music, cafes and pubs theres lots to do. It's also pretty central for most things you might want. Close by cool places, Surry Hills Chippendale, Darlington, Newtown, Ultimo - so it's close to the city and the inner west. If i wasn't a Dad of 3 kids I would probably like to live in the area, but it's too built up for my current needs.

Thanks @gpo1971

No sweat. Sounds like politics here is something best avoided, at least until I can vote. Which will be at least 3 years. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't mind poms. as long as they don't only talk about the UK! Friends are friends

I'm sure that's right. So far, I know v little about it, and am very glad about that. We don't read the newspapers (too busy) our rental house doesn't have an aerial, so all the TV we watch is either Fetch, Netflix or Stan. We can't vote here for another 3-4 years, so whatever it is, we can't do a thing about it. Ignorance really is bliss

It seems it's happened in a major way eh? It might sort it self over time, but that might be some time. No one knows when.. could be a year, 4 years. Who knows! We wish we'd sold up 6 months ago. I didn't think all this would happen to be honest, but it has. So now would indeed be bad time to sell and move here... best to keep the UK house for a time until things turn better at some indeterminable time in the future.

Hey there. I didn't read the whole thread, but I'd say moving to Australia at your age is pretty good. It's a massive upheaval, but it's good to shake things up a bit. We've been out here nearly a year, and had many ups and downs, but we are all getting into it now. There is a whole lot more on offer than there was in our North Wales hometown, and I believe more potential for our kids. There's more than good beaches. There's lots of good things to do. And the coffee is awesome. Anyway, regardless of all that, here a few practical tips. Sydney is pretty expensive. It can be a bit cheaper if you live further out (Berowra, Penrith, Blue Mountains etc - far out places that do have a train line into the city) - but rents can be a lot. Family places seem to start at $800 but can often be $1200 a week+ (couples/small families can get into units, and some of the older, well built places are great) Buying - for us, whilst not totally impossible, would stretch us to the max. If you already have something of higher value in the UK, you might be ok, but our house there would only give us enough for a deposit here! (also, since the pound has dropped like a stone and may not recover for a long time, now isn't a good time to sell) We've looked into Brisbane, and it's more affordable. Rents/mortgage are nearly 50% cheaper, and more in line with UK places. So maybe look at Brisbane/Gold Coast/Sunshine coast. We went for a trip up there and Brisbane is really nice indeed. Newcastle is also 'on the up' and has some industry. Just a few ideas.

All this referendum stuff has been mad and a bit stressful to say the least. It got intense even from here, with everyone on Facebook going nuts. It's all very divisive! Irrelevant of 'sides', and who is right and wrong and all that jazz, the whole situation has made me realise that I am glad to be here! Glad to be out of it. It's also made me realise that I should get off Facebook, out of the 'UK' bubble, and mentally engage with being here seeing as it's 12,000 miles from home. Anyone in the Sydney area ever want to catch up for a coffee, I'd be into that. Time to make some friends here

"places" even

Well, you can only ask. I don't think they generally 'consult' but we were literally just about to lodge our EOI when we did it. We'd done everything, and just wanted to check we were right. If I recall it was more fraught at that point, because that's when you put all your stuff down - your points stuff. The actual application is then a fleshed out version of your EOI with all the proof, medicals etc. I might be wrong, but when we were doing ours, I only heard of one person who applied and got KB'd. I think others might have been dissuaded and not applied, but other than that I only knew of one. He'd made an error - he'd counted all the time in work before he'd got his degree as experience. When you are paying that kind of money you need to be really pedantic, as the system is entirely pedantic. Fit the criteria and it's on. There will be lists on here about the process. It's like cramming for an important exam. Even if you use an agent you should also be aware of the process as much as possible. Otherwise how would you know they are doing a good job? (apologies in advance for being a =gobsh*te Sounds to me like you should get an agent! You wont remember is 2 years time if it was a good move or not... it'll just be thing you did one. In the past...

And agents are just doing a job. I'm sure they earn their money.