canadianaussie

I found them a bit 'meh.' Nothing overly spectacular. I thought the seats were a bit cramped/small, especially compared to the qantas A380. I also had a 7 hr layover in Abu Dhabi during Ramadan, so eating and drinking was 'frowned upon.' The airport seemed to be full of very expensive shops and not much else. I'd prefer to go through HK or Singapore.

Wow 7 years! Kudos for pushing through with it, I think I would have given up and made other plans a long time ago!!

The couple of times I've done it it has been an hour from Nelson Bay to Newcastle CBD. However, this been Sunday afternoon, not what it would be like on a weekday.

Ive been twice for weekends. Loved it the first time. Second time found it a bit boring. I think its a great place if you want a quiet laid back life with easy access to great beaches and fishing. There is a very large retirement community there. Very little nightlife aside from a massive new RSL. Newcastle is about an hour away. Do you have work lined up?

Really?? I have the same account and they get charged $5/month..and its non-negotiable as per their customer service manager! Ugh.

Where is the flat clairejs83? Do you have a link to it? Just curious as I'm starting to think about buying something...

I'd actually recommend the Sydney Tower Eye. The views are nearly as good and its a fraction of the price.

I may be alone on this, but I found the bridge climb a complete rip off. Yes, the views are good and it is well run but there are many many other ways I would rather spend $330. Heck you could have a weekend in Hobart or Byron, with flights from Sydney, for that kind of money. Just my opinion of course

Random question Pumpkin - are you Rupert? Or her other half? I find your replies, while sometimes helpful, have the same 'tone'...

I'd be looking south - Kiama, Gerringong areas. Best part of oz in my opinion.

I use ozforex. Love them. Usually give me a rate about 0.7 cents less than the 'standard' exchange rate which is much better than the banks. Quick, friendly staff.

And then as an owner you have to pay council tax, upkeep, etc which adds even more to the ownership costs. I would buy only if you are confident of ongoing capital appreciation...which I wouldn't be in melbourne today. Just my opinion.

Definitely do the coast road south of sydney, some of the most beautiful beaches in oz!

(cough) ponzi scheme (cough)

Agree with the above. I have just moved back to the UK after 3 years in Australia and a decade in Canada before that. I am a health professional and could not afford to live in one of the major cities - at least not to a level I would expect - being able to buy a house, run a car, out once or twice a week etc. Its just too expensive in Austrlia. I'm LOVING the UK. Friendly, busy, CHEAP. Its still early days and I'm in the honeymoon phase still but here I can actually see a future. For me it came down to 2 options in terms of a achieving my own home, financial stability etc - 1)Small Aussie town 2)Any number of vibrant large well connected UK cities (aside form London). I pick option #2 any day of the week. Plus, I think Australia is in for a massive reckoning in the next few years and I wanted to get out before that happened.... Just my opinion anyway.

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try and book through airbnb I think, I've heard mostly good things. And I'm a guy marycurr but thanks for trying to help

So I'm moving back to the UK in early July. I need to spend the first 10 days or so in London in order to register with my employment agency, open a bank account etc etc. I don't know anyone there and was looking for good (relatively cheap) options for accomodation? I'm 30 so a bit older than the typical backpacker crowd but not wanting to spend more than about 50 pound a night if possible - was thinking that unis often rent out rooms don't they? Any ideas?

Ok, well I guess most new migrants won't be spending $40,000 on cars within the first few months. I got a good reliable car for about $5000.

How???? Aside from a very expensive car or home deposit I don't know how you could possibly rack up $50000 in 2 months. I'm curious!

\ Orange!!! Beautiful town, nice area, though it is a bit cooler than elsewhere in Aus. I love it there. Shepparton...meh....

I'm heading there in early July and would happily transport it for you Matty

Hello - I'm moving over to the UK next month and want to sell my car before I leave. Its a 2000 Honda CRV, AWD, silver colour, with 205,000km. I've had this car for 2 years and put 60,000km on it and not had an ounce of trouble with it. In fact, I kind of love it and wouldn't be selling if I wasn't moving! I've recently spend $1500 replacing the front windshield, 4 brand new tyres and 12 MONTHS REGO!!!! It really is a fantastic car and would be great to take on a road trip around australia and 2 people can quite comfortably sleep in the back with the seats down. Would also be a great 2nd family car. It is manual and has ice cold A/C. There are a few body work dents/scuffs but mechanically this car is perfect. Regular services done. Asking $4500. Any questions inbox me, car located in Sydney. Cheers.

The only real disadvantage will be lack of access to your super - if you leave and cancel your 457 you can draw it out while out of the country. If you have a PR application approved, then it is locked in until retirement age.

FWIW I am in NSW and was caught speeding. No points were added to my Canadian licence, but 6 months later when I went to get my Australian licence the points were included. So it would appear, at least in NSW, that they keep a record of any infringement and apply it when they can.

Lake Macquarie...no question. Much closer to the beach, nice area.