MotherofMatilda

Thank you. We just got an email. There was nothing to say it was in review or anything. It was just appearing as submitted 2 days ago and then today we had the visas granted. I'm as surprised as everyone else! We will be moving to the Sunshine Coast. We have until next July to validate, but will be moving within the month as we are expecting our second child and would like to travel before the third trimester. I hope you get some good news soon

Hi, yes of course. We have been married for 2 years, together for 5. We have a 2.5 year old and another one on the way ( we know how to make things stressful!!)

We just had my husband's 309 and 100 Granted!!!!! We submitted our application on 19 June and front loaded all documents, medical checks and police checks for both he and I. We are sooo excited and cant wait to be in Oz by Christmas!!! Best of Luck to you all xx

I bet I know which area his place in Bristol is!! Ours isn't as flash but will still probably sell for around £420k. How do you like living on the Sunshine Coast? I have family based there and a couple of friends, but my husband has some concerns about making friends and building up a social network. I think he'll be fine but it would be great to hear other's experiences.

Sydney is nuts! I have rellies that bought a doer upper in the inner west at an eyewatering price. But we live in Bristol and are will be relocating to the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane - For what we paid for our 3bed semi here, we can get 4-5 bed place with pool 5km from the beach up there and still only be an hour from a capital city. Sydney house prices are totally ridiculous so I can see why that would feel daunting x

OMG woman! You are a bloody legend to make the move at 33 weeks. New country with a new baby is tough. it will take some time to settle in and find your groove. The prices will become more palatable once you are earning in Aussie dollars too. xx

Ahh you're welcome. I do understand how lonely it can be at times. The hardest part is that people just don't understand your references /don't have a shared experience. Are you working outside the home? ( I hate it when people suggest that staying at home with the kids isn't work!) I have a feeling its time to start getting a girl tribe together, so you have a connection with people that isn't about the kids or dependent on your husband.

Hi, I read this and can tell you I feel exactly the same way.....except I'm talking about living in Bristol in the UK. I feel like the UK is so far behind and I have so many issues with waiting times and the lack of choice in the NHS. I find the UK to be very depressing at the moment with the prospect of Brexit and austerity continuing! We are moving back to Oz later this year mainly because of this and I want my kids to grow up by the beach like I did. I have been here for 3 years and really struggled at first with a small child. But I started getting involved and that helped. I would say embrace all the free things there are to do, and that you can get outside without having to pack for every single weather occasion. Find an activity or group that you enjoy and get involved. I would say its great to have contact with some expat groups to bemoan the issues and challenges you are having, but make sure you have a balance with those who are enjoying it so you get both perspectives. I think the biggest issue people face is trying to live the same life they did back in their home country in a new environment. Do what the locals do!