jumpingjellybean

You can pick up a really nice 4 bedroomed rental with a pool on the Central Coast for less than $500 a week. I saw a gorgeous one with a magnificent view recently for $350. The commute into Sydney by train is fine and thousands do it every day. But if you could get a job somewhere like Hornsby then that makes it even better. Chances are a psychiatric nurse would not be traveling to the CBD anyway. More likely to get a job in one of the outer suburbs, or even on the CC or somewhere like Newcastle. As Collie says, depends what you are into. I am not a city person and can think of nothing worse than close to the centre of the action. I like the laid back country or beaches lifestyle, away from the hussle and bussle. Means a longer commute for me, but I am happy to do that for the lifestyle rewards that suit me. A good in-between location is somewhere like Mount Kuring Gai. A great place to bring up kids. And only 40 mins on the train to the city. And if that is too far away still, then somewhere around Lane Cove would be good in my opinion. It really depends where your hubby gets a job. Not much point living close to Sydney if he gets a job on the Central Coast or up towards Newcastle. STEP 1: Find job location Cost of living will depend on where you end up living and all that is entailed

Well of course! Totally their business (and money) none of my business nor anyone elses. BUT when you write an unusual thing like that on a forum; then of course people are going to comment. Human nature and all that. Especially if you are just offering advice that rentals are pretty easy to secure and therefore it can be done much cheaper.

Relocations is another good way to get from A to B http://www.jucy.com.au/specials/campervan-relocations.aspx

Why not just apply for a one year WHV and come out. And if you don't like it then go back home again. I have only ever met one backpacker who hated Oz. Practically everyone else says it is the best thing they have ever done. Best thing I ever did in my 20's. WHV are not designed for you to further your career, since you can only work in the same job for 6 months. Although loads of accounting jobs here should you wish to remain in the same field. They are designed for you to experience another country, pick up a bit of work along the way, earn money to move on and see a bit of the country. And hopefully have fun whilst you are doing it. Then you can go back to the UK and settle into a life of being a bean counter http://www.jobaroo.com/working-visa Only one year out of your life, that when you are 90 and in a home, you can look back on with much fondness. Guessing you won't feel the same about memories of being a management accountant!! If you are going to do it you had better get a move on. Cut off is 30.

Thousands and thousands and thousands of young people do this each year. And have done in droves since the 1960's.

I personally think it is a waste of money, given how quick and easy it is to secure a rental. But that is your business and none of mine. Never heard of anyone doing this before. You are lucky that you have the luxury of doing it. I hope you like the place when you arrive. What sort of lease did you sign. Because if you arrive and find out the house is next door to a meth lab or a party house, it may cost you even more to break your lease early. If you were to offer a real estate agent 3 months advance rent upon arrival; you would secure a rental super doopa fast. Why did your friends struggle to find a rental. Where none about. Was it a few years ago. Or they just didn't like what they were viewing. Bit nosy of me, but interested to know why they encountered issues. Only because I have read that from a shortage of rentals a few years ago there is now a glut. Some places have so many oversupply that they are struggling to find renters.

If using Google maps what year was the image captured. The pig farm in question was built the year after the google map image was taken. And on the street view it just looked like a long private drive way. Not sure how it could have been "whisper quite" (agent words) when slap bang next to a 24 hour access road for big lorries.

Have you tried anywhere like this: http://www.boutiquestays.com.au/long-term-melbourne-accommodation http://www.punthill.com.au/long-stay/ http://www.mantra.com.au/live-at/ http://www.melbournestay.com.au/ Stay in somewhere like this for maybe a few weeks or months whilst finding your perfect place. They are furnished. No bills. Some take pets.

This is spot on. Short term like a motel, executive apartment, bed & breakfast, or even better a cabin at a caravan park, is really the best and cheapest option. And you can sort all this out before you arrive.

Honestly places are NEVER exactly what they look like in the photos. I marvel at the way Real Estate Agents have the knack of photographing a place, to make it look one thousand times bigger or nicer than it really is. We had a look at a place that the agent promoted as a "quite country cottage with a view" Well he must have been dangled out a window by his feet and swung violently to the right to get THAT photo. Even using photos, floor plans, street view and google maps, we only found out it was next to a 24 hours pig processing plant and on a main highway once we got there. And due to privacy laws not sure Skype would be allowed or tolerated. We were stopped from taking photos.

It depends where in Ryde you live. The train from Chatswood to North Ryde is very quick. For example, the 8.01am train from Chatswood arrives in North Ryde at 8.07 But the 7.47am train from Chatswood arrives in West Ryde at 8.37 - plus you need to change trains in Epping. The 3.30pm bus from Chatswood train station interchange arrives at Lane Cove interchange at 3.41 The bus uses the designated bus lane; so other traffic volume won't affect it. These times are exact

This is one thing I just cannot understand. I have heard about it before and find it so hard to believe. I find it hard to believe that anyone would be stupid enough, selfish enough, tightfisted enough and lack feelings enough to do this. Alas I know it is true. I even have a pet that does not seem to like me. But I would never abandon her. I made a commitment to take care of her when I took her into my home. And I will always honour that commitment until she dies a natural death. To house her at a cattery when we go away on holiday costs a lot of money. But that is part of the responsibility of having an animal in the home. I cannot understand how people think pets are disposable.

A TEACUP pup like a Pomeranian perhaps

What! Its innards and goo, or just its poo? Don't fancy trying to get saliva or semen from a live drop bear. So maybe a dead drop bear draped around the neck will scare off those other critters.

Tempting but don't. Very wise words

Yuuuk - I agree with you there. I have tried Earl Grey several times. Plain black. With milk. With lemon. With honey. And every way is truly vile. I read on Wikipedia that "there is a considerable history of Earl Grey tea being used as drinks mixer in gin". Never heard of this before. When I said I don't drink tea, I actually meant caffeine tea like PGTips. I do actually drink a lot of caffeine-free loose leaf herbal teas. Things like: dandelion, calendula, echinacea, burdock, red clover, stinging nettle, cardamom, ginseng, cleavers, brahmi, rosemary, meadowsweet and ginger.

Just buy a jar of vegemite (as drop bears are allergic to it), and smear some around the back of your neck. Then when a drop bear drops on you; it will be instantly repelled. But a word of warning, vegemite does not work with snakes, spiders, sharks, bluebottles, bunyips and crocodiles. So enjoy it very thinly spread on hot buttered toast instead.

I have noticed that a LOT of Poms move to Perth. Seems to be a huge ex-pat community there. I have always wondered why. Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world. Over 2,000 to the next city of Adelaide (if you can call Adelaide a city - more like a big country town) I wounder how many new arrivals struggle with that sense of isolation. PerthPoms (a sister site to this one) has a Facebook page. Perhaps by following that you will get some assistance on the job front. It may be a case of taking a job (any job) just to get money and experience. Once you have worked in Perth this will look better on your resume in the future. Then you can get a job in your specialized field later down the track.

Ahhh the British and their tea! It is very ingrained isn't it. I was a big daily tea drinker in the UK like everyone I knew. But nowadays I drink about two cups a year. Literally. Dilmah tea is lovely. And Twinings (sold in Coles etc...) do a nice "English Breakfast". Coles Online sell PGTips and they are $4.60 for 40 bags. A pom I know went back and visited the UK last year. He complained when he got back, that all his relatives wanted to do was sit round and drink tea all day. He never noticed it when he was living there.

I know of some poms who insist on doing the full spread every year. Including crackers with paper hats, tinsel and all the trimmings. Death by sweating! Eating plum pudding with brandy butter and custard when it is 43C (109F) outside is not ideal in my opinion. Then again I suppose you can just crank up the air-con to almost freezing. Last few years we have have not even bothered peeling prawns and making salads night before; just gone out to a restaurant. The new "trend" in our area in recent years for Christmas meat is an American invention called a Turducken. Which is a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck stuffed into a deboned turkey :shocked: often glazed with coke! My goodness the look of it is enough to turn anyone vegan.

Maybe take a test: http://dogtime.com/quiz/dog-breed-selector I took a test and it gave me five options: Brussels Griffon, Norwegian Elkhound, American Eskimo, Cockapoo and Bedlington Terrier. The Cockapoo is such a ridiculous name; but oh my goodness what a cute gorgeous looking dog.

http://www.homelife.com.au/gardening/features/9+ways+to+keep+mosquitoes+at+bay,39795#itm=newscomau|home|nca-homepage-group-nlm|1|buzz-off|homepage|homepage&itmt=1447443282317 Words Charlotte Thomson: Citronella torches, strategic shrubs and more. Here are some of the best natural methods of preventing mosquitos. Ah, mozzies. Scourge of the (otherwise magnificent) Australian summer. Read on for nine environmentally friendly solutions to make the little buzzers get lost. Use several methods at once for multiple lines of defence. Step-by-step 1. Citronella oil Having a supply of citronella on hand is a must for summer. Mosquitos are attracted to carbon dioxide (which everyone breathes out) and citronella acts as a mask, covering up scents which attract mosquitos. The oil comes in candles and can be poured into Survivor-esque torches. You can also get wearable bands and bracelets for those most susceptable to bites. Most importantly it is a safe and non-toxic method of repelling mosquitos. 2. Beer attraction Much like Aussie blokes, mosquitoes are attracted to beer. Create mozzie traps by placing small glasses of el-cheapo lager around your outdoor area. The yeast in the beer attracts mosquitos to the beverage. Unfortunately, drinking beer won't prevent you from getting bitten. 3. Puddle-free zone Mosquitoes breed in stagnant (still) water. Empty and clear out all pools and puddles that could house mosquito lavae. To kill lavae, place used coffee grounds around areas in your backyard which could house lavae. The coffee grounds deprive larvae of oxygen and kill them. 4. Homemade mosquito trap Cut a plastic bottle in half. In the bottom half add 1 tblspn of brown sugar and 1 cup of hot water, mix until dissolved. When it's cool, empty the mixture into the bottom half of the bottle and add a tspn of yeast. Place the other half of the bottle upside down in the bottom half and connect with black tape. Be careful to leave the top unobstructed. Place the trap in a mosquito prone area and change the solution every two weeks. 5. Mosquito coils A mozzie repelling classic - the smell of them will transport you back to the family holidays of your childhood - and they're still a good option today. Mosquito coils, when lit, provide a bite-free zone when dining outdoors. The lit coils provide a citronella and/or sandlewood aroma which helps to keep mozzies away. Look for coils that are environmentally friendly. 6. Eucalyptus and lemon oils Spray a mixture of eucalyptus and lemon oils around your outdoor area. This will repel mosquitos the same way as citronella. You can also rub the oil onto exposed skin. The best things about these oils are that they are all natural. 7. Plant mosquito repelling shrubs Some shrubs are effective in preventing the breeding of mosquitos nearby, as they give off natural odours that keep mosquitoes away. These plants include tulsi, mint, marigold, lemon trees, neem trees and citronella grass. 8. Garlic and the vampire myth So there is SOME truth to the myth. Mosquitoes are the bug version of vampires (they want to suck your blood). Eating garlic-loaded meals and keeping cloves of garlic around your outdoor area helps to keep the mosquitos at bay. Not so nice the next morning though. 9. Automatic sprays Automatic diffuser sprays emit a burst of bug-deterring scent every couple of minutes when they're turned on (turn them off when you're not outside). Just stick one or two onto the walls on your patio or verandah. Enviro-friendly plant-based ones are available - a google search will reveal a whole lot of different brands. Be warned: They do make a short hissing sound when releasing the liquid, which may freak guests out if you're in an area frequented by snakes!

On the Central Coast near Sydney: I had the heater on last night after the hailstorm.

I read that too quickly and completely wrong. Thought you said: a two headed bronzed Aussie lifeguard. Although technically I suppose.........but lets not go THERE.

That place looks amazing. Food looks fantastic and interior looks really quaint. How long has it been there? I have never noticed it before.