Steve Austin

I tested the commute to Brisbane when I was on my visa activation trip in January. From Varsity Lakes (last station on the GC line) to Brisbane CBD is about 1hr 10. I found it really easy personally but I appreciate not everyone works in the CBD so train may not be viable. We're going to settle on the GC coast first as we love it there and see how the first rental contract goes in terms of whether we feel we need to live nearer Brisbane.

Hi Marie, We're due to arrive on the GC next month to settle. Currently we're looking in Robina, Varsity Lakes, Mudgereeba, Burleigh. All nice areas!

Hi! Thanks! This is great info and really helpful to know. Definitely think this is the way we're going to go. Thank You again. Steve

Hi All, We're going to be arriving in QLD end July/early Aug and its looking more likely that I won't have secured work prior to arriving in Australia. I'm cool with this and not surprised, but what I would like to do when we look for a rental property is get 6 months rent down up front and therefore one less thing to worry about in the interim without a job. Is this usually acceptable to agents as I believe they're only allowed to ask for a maximum of 1 month (plus the bond?). I also wonder if it could be advantageous - especially if there is competition for a property. Has anybody else gone about their first rental in this way? Any reasons for NOT doing it? Cheers! Steve

Thanks mate! Excited!

Hi All, Been a viewer for a while so this is my first post. We secured our 189 PR Visa in June this year and will be travelling to Brisbane with my wife and two kids in late December to have our visas validated. The plan is to start the move process as soon as my eldest son finishes his GCSEs in May. I'm hoping to secure a job (I'm an IT Solution Architect) before going but am realistic enough to know that this may no be possible. All feeling very real now!! We've only ever bought the house we live in and the reality of literally selling up and going is terrifying and incredibly exciting in equal measures! I'm convinced we're doing the right thing though. Looking forward to being more active on the forum in the coming weeks/months. There's loads of advice I'll be hoping to glean from other members and also, if I can share any of my own experiences then I absolutely will! Cheers Steve