DrSMW

Thanks all for those helpful comments - good advice there. Ideally I'd like to live closer to the beach, or at least sea shore but on the other hand from what I can see unless I take a train or tram which stops directly at Brunswick, I'd have to go into the city and then back out, which I don't want. East-west travel in Melbourne seems to be a bit of a challenge. I'm told I'd have a parking place but I'm guessing with one car in the first instance I'd rather leave the car for milady, so public transport it will be. Thanks for those suburb suggestions, I'll look at them. Beffers, it is RMIT. I am super excited about the job but that's just one part of life. Thanks all for your replies, keep them coming ?

Thanks again, Quoll. For clarity, I said life reboot, not relationship reboot. We have each other and that's been enough for a long time. I won't go into the details obviously but while we have a lot of 'good' things here in the UK, we both feel a change, the right change, for the right reasons, can only be a good thing - possibly our baby is the change. Moving abroad is something we've wanted to do for a long time, simply the timing of this opportunity coming up at the same moment of our little miracle arriving is either a double blessing or a bit too much too soon. I had the opportunity to go to the USA last year but the employer got evasive just as I was seeking clarity. This time, the offer is nailed down, it is an excellent position and having met the people I feel reassured professionally and personally. My only real concern is helping my wife be more than just mummy, and our baby being well and growing up, for a while at least, in a safe, pleasant place.

Thanks for that Quoll. Visa will be a temporary in the first instance but opportunity to transition to permanent after 2 years. Salary has 17.5% super on addition which I understand is very good. In respect of bringing up a baby "on the other side of the World", I'm very mindful of that especially in terms of wanting my wife to have an active life and me wanting to be more than a bathtime dad. On the other hand where we are now our family are pretty far away (albeit in the UK) and we both have friends living in Melbourne. The wellbeing of my wife and child are my priorities. Speaking frankly we have had a difficult time over the past few years and while such a big move is a challenge, we sort of see it as an opportunity to reboot life, if you know what I mean. Aside from that, the job is a great move in career terms. Practical concerns like cost of living etc I'm doing my best to anticipate and plan for. Thanks again for your comments ?

Hi, I've been offered a job in Melbourne that I am very keen on. Before committing, I have a couple of questions that perhaps some of you can lend some insight to... 1) Salary is approx $145k - how does this stack up in terms of being good/bad? I currently work for about £50k in West Yorks, UK, so on paper a pretty big payrise but I'm concerned about the cost of living being higher. 2) I'm looking at a notional budget of $500ish per week rent and have found a fair range of properties around the Pascoe Vale/Hadfield/Fawkner/Reservoir 'arc' north of the CBD - any recommendations in terms of where would be best for a family to settle? We'd be after a 3-bed house with garden, ideally near shopping and nice stuff like parks, cafes etc. 3) Work location will be Brunswick, north of CBD - are there any areas I'm missing that would be reasonably easily commutable to/from? Ideally no more than 30 mins trip either by car, public transport or bike when the weather allows. 4) I have been offered a relocation allowance of $20,000 to cover home removals and flights - anyone any recent experience of cost of home removals from UK to Melbourne? 5) Last but not least, by the time we go (assuming we do!), we'll have a 6 month old baby. Anyone got recent experience of bringing up a baby in Oz in terms of the support available and the general baby-friendliness of Oz versus the UK. 6) Finally (no, really finally this time) what are the general job prospect in Melbourne for my wife? She is a textile designer by qualification but has considerable experience in the interiors design specification industry and general sales and marketing roles. Thanks so much in advance for any advice you lovely people can offer. Any general observations about the pros and cons of moving to Melbourne would be welcome! Stephen