FatCat

Goodness. That made me laugh out loud. It made me snort my wine.... So so true. I lived there in 1990 and really loved it. But yes there were a lot of unbalanced people hiding out there. My next door neighbor was an ex-armed robber who was on parole, and was running a local prawn and stripping gig (such a bizarre combo which I have never understood the connection and never encountered anywhere outside of Darwin). They thought they had left their troubles behind in Sydney or wherever, but in fact had brought much undealt with baggage with them that just festered in the sometimes unbearable humidity. Add lots of beer to crazy loons and it is a recipe for disaster. I know a couple of people who actually truly went troppo (stark raving bonkers) in the wet - they were perfectly normal fellows prior too. It often felt to me quite uncivilized. A bit Lord of the Flies like mentality. Miles from anywhere, inaccessible for months at a time, surrounded by man eating crocodiles, really felt like you were on your own and cut off from the rest of civilization. It very much felt like a lawless wild frontier town that was running amok full of outlaws, drunks, criminals and people hiding from their past. A very transit town. Only ever met one person ever that was actually born there, and everyone else including myself, was a blow-in. I absolutely loved it. For all its downside, it was also a causal fun laid-back lifestyle, that was so very different to my life back in London But of course a lot can change between 1990 and 2021. Not sure if I would like it so much now I am older and more set in my ways. Glad you found happiness and contentment in Queensland after all

Actually you have just reminded me of an incident that happened many years ago now. I was hanging out the washing in the garden and felt the urge to look up. There was a falcon flying low overhead that was clutching a large madly thrashing snake in its claws. I was just marveling at what amazing country Australia was for me to be witnessing such a magnificent natural sight from the comfort of my own home....when the bird dropped the snake and it nearly landed on my head. But you know for anyone reading this and freaking out, this would a one in a billion occurrence and unlikely ever to happen. Again this was on the far retching outskirts of Sydney, up on The Hawkesbury River with a fenceless garden backing onto dense wild bushland, where we had lots of wildlife visiting the garden every day anyway (kangaroos, wallabies, possums, monitor lizards, echidnas, birds of prey, pythons), and it would not happen in the inner city and surrounding suburbs.

Agreed. The Red belly blacks don't worry me too much, as they are pretty shy and docile. But I am scared of tigers and browns. I like the childrens (carpet) pythons, they are pretty placid and they can make nice pets. But those scrub pythons in Far North Queensland are scary - they are humongous and can be pretty aggressive towards small children and pets. I was reading a funny story where two were mating in an attic in FNQ and crashed through the ceiling into the lounge room. Well not funny for the homeowner I am sure, but sounded pretty comical to read about.

Yes. You should definitely know what to do. Knowing the emergency number is not enough. There was a guy a few years ago who got bitten by a snake when bushwalking, he rang the emergency services for help, but by the time they found him, he had died. I read an article just last week where a child had been bitten by a snake, and the child's life was saved because the grandmother knew exactly what to do to stop the spread of venom. Just do a St Johns Ambulance first aid course when you get here, and they will show you what to do. However, unless you do a lot of bush walking around the outskirts of Sydney, you are unlikely to encounter a snake. Never heard of any snakes in the Sydney CBD, although there was a kangaroo on the harbour bridge a few years ago. For 15 years, I lived in a rural area where my garden backed onto bushland, and it was 10 years before I actually saw one in the garden (a harmless beautiful python), so pretty rare to see one anyway. In regards to your wife and her spider phobia, I see huntsman spiders at home in Sydney and there is one living on my bedroom ceiling at the moment, but they are harmless and helpful around the home, so I just leave them be. I have only ever seen a funnel web spider in a zoo and a few redbacks on an old shed on a rural property, you are unlikely to see any in the CBD and inner suburbs. Just avoid the outer suburbs near bushland, and you will be just fine.

Your post is a bit old now. But I was just reading the most horrific article, about a Tassie farmer who died after being bitten by a 1.4 metre tiger snake in January 2020. It sounded terrifying, as the snake was actually found wrapped around his body. I have heard of boa constrictors doing this, but have never heard of a tiger snake doing it . His brother said that the "drought situation in the area had made snakes more visible lately and more likely to come into contact with people as they searched for water".

I still think they are nutters; but I admire them greatly. Sydney in summer makes you want to get up early and exercise. It is just so beautiful and serene. For a while there, I was even going down to the beach at sunrise for a swim and some yoga before work. No way I would have attempted early morning exercise in London. Back in August, I did a clifftop walk before work and watched a humpback whale frolicking and breaching very close to the shore. Experiences like that make me want to exercise more.

When I first moved to Australia pretty much everywhere offered it. Now I am finding hardly anyone does. I have also found that places that do offer it, are lesser (not as good) as places that don't.

Thanks Good to know you don't mind rehashing old threads. The last forum I was on, the moderators were positively feral about rehashing posts older than three months. I have noticed that the forum is a little inactive, hence me looking back at older posts. Anyway not really worried if I get a response or not, as new members (such as myself) may find the topic useful, relatable and interesting still. Having been in the exact situation of moving rural, it is a very relatable subject for me Plus I am in lockdown at the moment, so have plenty of time on my hands to read older posts

Agreed. I would hate to commute into Sydney CBD too. I have a several friends who catch the bus each day. I would hate to do it, but they say they use the time constructively and catch up on work, sleep or watch films on their laptops. I work near Macquarie University and it normally takes me 40 minutes to drive. I could easily live nearer work, but I want to live near the beach. And I love my job, so I don't want to change to another one closer to home. I have commuted my entire working life and it doesn't bother me. I use to live in and work in London, and that was a very long commute of nearly 2 hours across the city with lots of walking and two tube changes at very odd hours......so this short 40 minute drive in comparison is most delightful. I have recently been looking for a house in Narrabeen, as I love the area.

It is. But with things changing so rapidly from day to day, prefer to stay closer to home for now.

Hi Old post I know, so hope it is OK to comment. Some forum moderators get annoyed at people rehashing old posts, and I am new, so unsure of the rules here. Whilst I agree with you in principle (lifestyle and cheaper property prices), in reality it can be extremely hard for outsiders in rural areas. Even more so if you happen to be Indian or African-American, because racism is still quite high outside the cities. I have found a lot of rural areas or small towns to be very insular, and unwelcoming to outsiders. Therefore that makes getting employment extremely hard, as the view is locals first. In these areas to be a local means more than just living there now, they mean that your family has lived there for generations. My husband was born in Mildura and grew up there, and even he found it hard to get a decent job there when he returned from University. He ended up doing menial low paying jobs like fruit picking and bar work for nearly a year. When he eventually left for the city to start his career, the unemployment rate was very high still. He landed in Melbourne and had a good paying decent job in his chosen field within a fortnight. If you work in healthcare, or you have a trade, then yes I reckon you could get a job practically anywhere in the country. But for a lot of other occupations, then you could be struggling to get your foot in the door, as locals (with less experience and qualifications) will be given first consideration. I have lived in NSW, NT, VIC and QLD, and in some rural areas (including Mildura) I certainly experienced this insular way of thinking But if you can get a decent job, then yes Mildura is a nice enough country town to live in for a relaxed cheaper lifestyle. For me, I like being near the beach for now. And the "beach" at Apex Park will not suffice my needs.

Looks like a nice place. Was thinking of holidaying there and checking it out in August 2020. Of course Covid ruined my plans.

I live in Avalon and love it

A friend of mine use to work for a company called Benestar, in their Employment Assistance Programme. Which from my limited understanding, provides workplace counseling and conflict resolution for staff of large organizations. For some bizarre reason, he use to have a LOT of clients from Australia Post. Made me think twice about ever working for AP, I must admit. He is British and he said they hired a lot of British Psychologists. They have offices all over Australia, including rural areas.

Hi How exciting for you and wow that visa was quick I hope it all went ahead for you after all, and Covid did not ruin your plans. I agree with everyone else. Certainly Orange is the place to go. An up and coming foodie destination with some great local wineries, if you like that sort of thing. Plus Orange is an easy drive to Sydney Personally I would avoid Broken Hill and Dubbo, as they are a bit rough and ready. They are both also a long way from anywhere. But hey as a doctor you may like that sort of challenge!

Hi The Northern Beaches is a wonderful area to live, and you would be hard pushed to find a similar vibe anywhere else in Sydney. That of course is my own personal view, so I am sure many people would disagree But I have lived all over Sydney in the past 20 plus years, and the NB has been my favourite place so far. I currently live in Avalon and absolutely LOVE it. But yes they are indeed expensive, especially the upper areas (from Narrabeen north up to Palm Beach). More south tends to be cheaper for rentals. I dislike Dee Why, but it is probably the cheapest beach side suburb on the NB and I know several single income families that live there. I really like the above suggestion of : Cabarita / Breakfast Point / Abbotsford / Five Dock / Drummoyne. These suburbs are fantastic for a family community feel and close to the city for work. And all fairly close to some gorgeous inner harbour beaches with sand and safe swimming, like Nielsen Park Beach and Athol Beach. Plus you will be a short ferry ride from Manly Beach. Otherwise an hour or so on the train north and you could live on the Central Coast with loads of different beaches to choose from. Rentals and the cost of living is a lot cheaper, but the downside is the longer commute. Best to get on the fast inner city train that skips most of the in-between stations. I have heard Sutherlandshire in the south is a very nice place to live, and there are some nice beach suburbs down there. But I don't have first hand experience of this area. In Sydney, there are numerous harbour beaches and loads of ocean beaches. About 170 all up, so you are bound to find one in an area that you can afford. How exciting for you......so many options

I would not class The Diggers Club as "shop" plants. It is a seed saving group, who are into chemical-free organic growing, permaculture and cultivating heirloom fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Also...... I have just remembered about a nurse I knew who works at the RNSH. She lives in Herbert Street, literally across the road from the hospital. It is a rental apartment. Leaves her front door, crosses the road and arrives at work in about 60 seconds. Also the Forum West building built above St Leonards train station across the road from the hospital, is very popular for rentals. If renting in St Leonards or Crows Nest, there is no need for car ownership, and that will save a lot of money. The North Shore train line runs through St Leonards and it is extremely reliable, and the regular bus service is very good. It is 15 minutes on the train and 20 minutes on the bus from St Leonards to the CBD (Wynyard) Plus you can walk to the CBD - use to take me just over an hour. And if you want to explore further afield at the weekends, then there is a car sharing company that everyone uses called GoGet Plus St Leonards is only five minutes on the train to Chatswood, where they have a couple of massive shopping centers and cinemas, and some brilliant eateries. All in all, a really convenient and good place to live

Hi Yes. I have had recent experience. Spent much of 2020 looking for a new place to rent. In that entire time, only found two places I liked and had both my applications rejected, due to the large number of people applying. The last rental I applied for had 23 other applications the real estate agent said. Most of the places I have seen in my price zone ($600) have been absolute dumps. However, I need somewhere that will accept pets, and I want to live near the beach, so my choices are somewhat limited. Anywhere near a beach is normally more expensive than inner city. I think two young 20 somethings with no pets and no children, will have no problems finding somewhere. In fact, a friend and his girlfriend in their early 30s arriving from New Zealand recently, found somewhere in just three weeks. They live in a tower block and like it. I am scared of heights, so that would not suit me at all. The area impacts on price. For Example: $600 would get you a small unit in the inner city. But further afield like Castle Hill that same $600 would get you a brand new three bedroomed house with garden, pool and garage. I have been seriously thinking about Castle Hill as you get bang for your buck. But not being near the beach puts me off. There are some nice units in both St Leonards and Crows Nest. Just seen online, a lovely brand new one bedroomed unit in Albany Street in Crows Nest for $400 per week. A ten minute walk from the RNS hospital. Crows Nest is a very nice area to live in with great bars, cafes and restaurants. I lived there many years ago and use to walk to my job in the CBD I would advise against renting somewhere unseen. Real estate agents have magic cameras that make places look bigger, cleaner and better than they really are. Several times this past year I have been totally shocked that image was sooooooooooo different to reality. St Leonards Mansions in Park Road is literally 600 meters walk from the hospital and you can rent rooms for short or long stay. Best to book into somewhere like there for a few weeks, then look for a proper rental in the area when they can see the places in person. Hope this helps

Hi I cannot comment for Brisbane. But I found growing veggies and fruit in Sydney to be extremely easy thing to do. And I am NOT known for my green thumbs at all. The garden I grew everything in had terrible clay soil, so I had to make up separate raised garden beds using untreated pine planks from Bunnings, plus I brought a metal tub. I grew the following successfully and in abundance : strawberries, several types of lettuce, spinach, several types of kale, celery, cucumbers, several types of tomato, broadbeans, peppers, carrots, potatoes, parsley, coriander, chives, mint, spring onions, and garlic. I brought a large long cast iron bath, filled it with layers of mulch, straw, potting mix, blood & bone, compost and soil, and made a nutrient rich bed over several weeks. Then when ready, planted everything mentioned above in there, covered it with chicken wire and netting (to keep roos and possums out). The success I believe came from having really healthy soil and also growing from "advanced seedling plugs" rather than actual seeds. You can get them from The Diggers Club online store, which is based in Victoria but ships Australia wide. I also brought them from the Castle Hill Farmers Market. The second photo above looks like a passionfruit vine - lucky you