ClezS

Hello, have a look at Isle of Palms, if you haven't done so already. It's in Elanora which is between Currumbin and Palm Beach. It's 2 mins from the local primary school, and 10 mins walk from High Schools. Right next door to shopping centre The Pines (shops and cafes) only 5 mins from beach and close to Currumbin Creek. They have lots of units, 2 and 3 bed I believe, some residential, some holiday lets. It's a nice place, on the water, in ground pool etc. Don't know what prices etc are like but it might be worth a look. Can't help you on car hire places I'm afraid only that there are lots of them up and down the coast. Hope this helps somewhat and that you enjoy your stay.

Hello, there is also a "finding friends on the gold coast" group on fb, they organise lots of coffee meet ups, trips to playgrounds etc. Alot of them tend to be up north gc (helensvale, pacific pines etc) but worth looking at. Although I don't have toddlers (my lad's 12 now) I'm planning to get to more meet ups and make new mates, so hopefully see you at one of them ☺.

Hello, I arrived after my partner, I had our child with me. We're not married so different surnames for myself and child. No problems going through immigration and didn't need a letter to say I was able to travel with our child. Good luck with your move.

We flew with Etihad in September. I thought it was ok, the seating is a bit cramped, but not horrendous. Food keeps coming and is ok (my son hated most of it though). AD airport again is ok, it is crowded and you can end up with a pretty long walk to your gate if going between terminals. We had about 3 hour stop over. Enough time for a drink, bite to eat...Ended up in McDonalds (usually hate it) but we were tired and wanted something familiar. Once at the gates there is plenty of comfy seating, even some reclining chairs...lucky to get one mind. Well that was a longer review than intended, but hope it helps. Safe and happy journey.

Hi Sam, No worries, sorry about the long delay in replying, been so busy moving, sorting school and being without internet, I've not been on here for a while. The advice is much appreciated anyway cos it'll all come in handy for next time...Let's not think about that just yet though. Hope all is going well in Victoria and continues to do so. x

We only went and got one!!!! Yippeeee. Took your clever advise and put a pack together and we were quick off the mark (s*** off a shovel springs to mind) and in the immortal words of Janine off of Ghostbusters..."WE GOT ONE!!!!" Just where we wanted without having to resort to bribery ? although we did do a large amount of buttering up the estate agent! And we have our rental sorted...Now what was that about not getting ripped off??? Seriously though thank you the advise and tips given here worked for us. Couldn't be happier. ?

Thank you all so much. Viewing this aft was cancelled...Wet carpets or something...So back we go tomorrow, but this is a good thing...We are now armed and dangerous...well...prepared anyway..4 viewings tomorrow, paperwork pack sorted and ready to go...If we don't get one of these I'm buying a tent, it's nearly summer right? We'll be fine ? thanks again for the help guys x

This is all good stuff thank you so much. We've got a reasonable amount of documents etc to get well above the 100 points. CC statements, bills, Mortgage statements from UK etc and we have a statement from the holiday let showing our payments there - OH been here for quite a few months whereas son and I only here a couple of weeks. We have references from UK but not got anyone in Oz as referees, apart from holiday let people who are being brilliant in helping us as much as possible. Got a viewing this afternoon and we're as ready as we can be. OH working with good job too so we should be attractive candidates really. Just need to schmooze agents and be quick as lightening with applications I guess. Knew I'd get some good advice from you lovely lot. The knowledge you can get here is invaluable. If anyone has more I'm listening ? Thanks again.

Hello everyone, So we've made it to the Gold Coast and love it...However a bit of a blot on the landscape is securing a rental property. We've submitted a few applications now. We've scored the 100 points needed and then...Unsuccessful. It's pretty soul destroying...Not to mention scary when we only have our holiday let until 6th October. So I turn to you good people in the hope that you will give me advice, tips, hints on how to get a rental secured. What do they want...Blood???? Well I think I know what they want...Money!!! Unfortunately we're not really in a position to start offering up front rental payments so need to get ahead by having superb applications....Can you help???...Please???? Thank you so much in advance. I have asked estate agents for feedback but they seem to be pretty elusive characters so far ☺. Thanks again.

Hiya, glad to hear you arrived safe and well. There's so much to do isn't there. Our 11 year old isn't enjoying the boring stuff either...But as I keep telling him once it's all done we can have some fun...But trying to get fun times inbetween boring stuff too!!! Got our son enrolled in school (he's done pretty well for school holidays!!!) So he starts on 7 October for the last term. That was an easier task than in the UK and we're looking at rentals...Waiting to hear about an application we've got in atm. All in all it's bloody lovely here isn't it. Hope your daughter does make some friends and meet people...as do you. Everyone I've spoken to so far is really friendly and helpful. Good luck with getting everything sorted...I haven't got everything done yet but getting there. When we went to get our medicare cards the lady in there wouldn't process our application as we're in temp accommodation and she said we needed to have a more perm address as the cards take 4-6 weeks to come through. When I told the OH this he said I should have been able to get a temp card until we had an address, so maybe that's something to mention when you go for your cards. Had I known I'd have questioned this. However planning to go back and try again in the next day or so. Hope you're having/had a good fun day...Back to the dull stuff for us. Oh and Congratulations...Happy days eh?! X

Well. We're here in Oz....The last 2 weeks have been such a whirlwind that I could very well have landed in Dorothy's Oz...But a good nights sleep and a little walk around the block and I know I'm definitely in Australia. So all the hard work was worth it...I think. Onwards and upwards...Houses...Schools etc etc. We changed our minds again (and became a little more restricted due to work etc) about the area we'll live in and we're going a little further to the south. Hoping to find a rental in or very close to Elanora. So that's us up to date. How's everyone else getting on? X

Oh gosh tell me about it. After almost 2 weeks of "we're going, we're not going, we're going again" we are finally going!!!!! Next Thursday!!!! Just confirmed today...Now the fun really starts. We're staying in Southport for a few weeks and its all hands on deck to sort a house,school etc when we get there. Mostly got things sorted here but wow this is THE hardest and most stressful thing...ever!!! Hope plans are still falling into place with you. Hope to see you on the other side...of the freaking world!!!! ???

Well. Things are developing. I finished work on Friday so now its full steam ahead 2-3 weeks of full on "prepare to make the biggest move of your life" oh with the added bonus of finding out OH's company may pull the plug on the whole project (which is what drove the move in the first place) it's a small chance..But it may happen!!! To use the words of Marty McFly (!?!?) "Damn it why do we always have to cut these things so damn fine!!!" Stressed?...Yep!!! Wine is helping lol!!

I really bloody hope so lol ☺ x

zk2102 good luck, hope it all goes really really well. We're not as organised as you but getting there. Hopefully see you on the other side. Bora - Agreed I already feel better about the move knowing there are other people in the same situation and the potential to make some friends when eventually get there. ☺

Soooo, moving away from pistol whipping for a sec ? there's a question I have to ask...What's the spider and general weird bug situation like round GC?

Hello, September felt like a good time to make the move for us too. Son due to start high school in Sept in UK so big changes for him anyway...May as well add more. Hope the planning and prep goes well for you...wish I had more time but hey ho! Hope to see you on the other side.

Hi Kellie, massive welcome. Another GC buddy YES. Coffee's when we're settled sounds a great idea ?

zk2102...Forgot to add earlier... I am sooo glad someone else is last minute with booking flights ha ha. I'm only just booking the shipping too. Madness but when this opportunity came up thought we had ages...now we're nearly going and its mental. Cant wait to finish work next week and get stuck into getting sorted. Also looking forward to meeting everyone...getting the priorities right eh? ?

No DAB radio?!!? Bloody nora! Ah well am sure we'll sort something..listen to mine all the time in UK love a bit of absolute radio 90 's ?

Am starting to feel pretty excited about this move after talking to you guys. Looking at all these links is making things feel a lot clearer and helping loads. Sounds like a few of us have kids of similar ages...again fab, I'm keen that Elliott (son) settles as quickly as poss. What about the job market? Is it very competitive? Might sound daft but its an element I've not thought much about...I'm VERY lucky that OH already has a job which will hopefully mean I can work PT. A first for me I've always worked FT since Elliott started primary...So all that means I hope to get some PT work eventually. I've just become CIPD qualified which is recognised in Oz too do hopefully that will stand me in good stead...How did you guys find it (if you did have to get work once in the country)? Burnley Girl...that story DOES restore your faith a bit yes. I did lose my engagement ring while we were on our reccy visit at easter. I lost it at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and long story short it fell out my pocket and the area it fell on basically meant someone picked it up and walked off with it rather than hand it in...so it left a nasty taste, so your experience does restore faith that there are some decent people out there. ☺

Wow thanks again for the info. They do say ask and ye shall receive. Never a truer word spoke in this case lol. Burnley Girl thank you for the info on Helensvale, we visited at Easter and I did like that area, but was starting to doubt myself (as you do) so reviews/info whatever you want to call it - is just a massive help, and to know your boys have settled in school is so reassuring, I'm hopeful that mine will but the above helps alot. Tina2 thank you for the link, I'll check it put later (about to leave for work so not time atm) and zk2102 thanks for the welcome, just to know someone is going through the same thing is weirdly calming lol. We dont have a rental yet but will be staying in South port until we get one. Are your flights booked etc? Ours aren't but we're looking to go about the same date as you (if you're flying from Manchester I'll meet you in the duty free ha ha) drinks sounds good too...one of the things that worries me most is not knowing anyone! So thanks to all I'm eternally grateful x

Fab tips and advice, thank you all. We looked at Varsity Lakes too and liked it. Some things to think about and to report back to OH who can go check places out in person before son and I get there in September. Wattsy1982 would be good to hear how your eldest gets on at varsity college, think I'm most worried about how our son will get on in school. Thanks again :-) Any other advice...keep it coming thank you much xx

Hello, well another site newby. Not a clue what you're meant to do or how it really works...So thought I'd post and hope for the best ☺. The family and I are all set to move from good ol' Yorkshire to Gold Coast in September 14 (Yes less than a month YIKES!!). Other half is out there already. We don't have accommodation yet but have done a reccy visit and fancy either Helensvale, Coomera Waters or Elanora. We're lucky that we're not massively restricted to where we live, so long as its Gold Coast...Any opinions on the areas mentioned above? Our son is 11 so almost due to start high school...again any opinions/advice/tips on schools in these areas gratefully received...Ever have that feeling you're no where near ready for the big BIG move??? Also friendly people with time for a coffee and who will act as information guides will be received and probably repaid in cake ?. Thanks for getting to the end of this post. I've rambled!