the1ofspades

Can confirm the above two posts. When we went to the UK in June my dad called his insurance company, but they wouldn't insure us as we didn't have a permanent UK address. This was different to our 2019 trip, where it was minimal cost (as mentioned above) Think there must have been some changes (Brexit maybe...) Ended up hiring a car as we didn't want to do anything dodgy! (At significant cost, so bear that in mind)

Hi , Does anyone use a proxy for the Amazon Firestick? I would like to be able to use the Firestick to watch the iPlayer instead of through my laptop. Thanks in Advance, Dan

Just be wary of additional taxation, and whether you will be classed as either of a foreign buyer, or a foreign investor. Me and my wife (she's Australian citizen), just bought a place in NSW, but I was classified as a foreign investor (slightly complicated by the fact i am awaiting my PR, but on the 309 they count the same as PR in some circumstances). I passed the foreign buyer requirements, as I am sure you would as there is one buyer who is a citizen, but the tax man could deem you as a foreign investor (despite PR). Seek legal advice as we did, we were advised that there was some ambiguity, so we reassessed and fortunately were able to buy in my wife's name only. The costs can be an extra 4% of stamp duty (would have been an extra $50k in our case), and zero land tax threshold. (This only applies for investment properties). Just look into it to make sure though, as you wouldn't know if you were fouling the law until you (possibly) got a large tax bill. Dan

We live in Kensington, just south west of Centennial Park off Anzac Parade. I think Barangaroo is around 30-35 mins by bus from ours, and its only $3.50 (2 pounds) each way. We have a recently refurbished 2 bedroom unit on a side street, and its pretty quiet, and we pay $600 a week (think this will rise to $630/wk when we renew our lease in July). We don't have a garden, but we have a balcony, and will do us until we have a kid and want a bit of outdoor space. Kensington/Randwick is good (although full of Poms!), there's a couple of supermarkets, gyms, restaurants etc, and only 10 mins car ride (20 mins bus) to the beach at Coogee/Clovely). Our income isn't so different from yours, and we run two cars (I work at North Rocks to the west, which is an hour drive, or 35 mins via tolls at $15 each way, so I have to be sensible about which way I go sometimes), paying for our wedding in 8 weeks, and some saving for a house. Unlike the UK, we dont spend loads on getting out and doing things, as when you want to get out and do something we just go out for walks/cycle/beach etc. Hope this helps, Dan

I used Anglo Pacific recently, and things took 11 weeks. They arrived last week actually, in good condition. I had them collected from Norwich, UK and shipped to Sydney. I had 3 Tea Cartons (5 cubic ft each), and one bike box, and they were collected and delivered, but packed myself. It cost me around 325 pounds, including their all risks insurance, plus $125 customs charge once it arrived in Sydney. Their pricing structure was as below: First Tea Carton (5 cu ft) by sea freight is £105 Each extra tea carton by sea freight add £35 Each extra export carton (3cu ft) by sea freight add £21 Each extra book carton by sea freight add £14 Whilst the delivery is free, they do have a collection fee for each box you send. This is charged at £12 for the first box and then £6 for every one thereafter. Hope this helps, I would definitely recommend them. Regards, Dan

Thanks for the tips!

Hi people, Just moved to Kensington on a 309 from Norwich, and I'm just looking for a way to keep healthy and meet new people. I haven't played football for a few years, but have missed it and I wondered if anyone knew of leagues, or had a team etc that played once a week and was looking for another person? I'm also waiting delivery of my road cycle from the UK at the end of the month, so i'm keen to get back in the saddle. A group of us used to head out once a week back home and do anywhere from 30-50miles, occasionally stopping for a drink or lunch. I've done a few 100 milers too (although I didn't enjoy it as much) but I ride around 16/17mph average, so would be keen to ride with others at a similar level in the eastern suburbs. (Might take me a few weeks to get back up to speed though after 12 weeks off!) Anywhere in the Eastern Suburbs is great, and I work in Wahroonga, so i'm always in the Hornsby area too. Let me know. Thanks, Dan

Just a general update on my 309/100 application: First applied: June 2015 Paid: June 2015 Medical: November 2015 Police Checks: October 2015 Granted: February 2016 Migrated: August 2016 We pretty much did all of the application over a long weekend in June 2015, including getting document copies signed by police/teachers, getting personal statements, adding photos etc. My partner (the sponsor and Aus citizen) got one phone call asking a few questions, less than a ten minute call. I received no calls or emails, except those recommending that medicals and police checks could now be carried out. Just for reference, i'm a British national from birth. All in all a pretty smooth experience for us. They quoted 10-14 months, and it came through in 9. Dan