BeachBabe2022

On 23/04/2022 at 20:16, Cobs_Ahoy said:

my biggest concern is telling my 6 year old daughter. Has anyone got any experience of telling primary-aged kids about the move? 

my daughter is very sensitive and hates change, so I already have an idea of how the news is going to go down.....

I would not tell her. Just tell her you are going on trip (the flight) for a overseas holiday - after some weeks she will eventually figure out you have moved permanently, and by then she will be use to the new environment.  You don't tell dogs you are moving and you move them anyway, and they soon settle into a routine in the new country, so not much different to children under 7 years of age. Probably would not work with an older child though. 

On 10/02/2022 at 12:45, saucer67 said:

Has anyone received a work holiday visa recently? Just wondering 

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I am guessing they are still being issued

As this was in the media this past week:

An Australian state is so desperate for workers that it's offering bargain basement $17.60 (£10) fares to entice British backpackers to come Down Under. 

The South Australian scheme is a modern twist on the post-war '10-pound Pom' scheme and will see Irish travellers get even cheaper trips to Australia costing just  €10, or $14.90.

The move comes as the battle for backpackers heats up due to worker shortages across the country. 

On 22/04/2022 at 19:17, Marisawright said:

 so I'm not sure you have a realistic view of life in Australia for the average family either.

Whatever dearie

However, you completely wrong about what my views are. In the scheme of things,  you know really nothing about me, my lifestyle, my home life, my work or my earnings - so you are making huge wildly inaccurate assumptions based on your own viewpoint

On 22/04/2022 at 19:17, Marisawright said:

Yes, you've been personally given that feedback, but talk to most Aussies and they'll say that life has gone downhill in the last 20 or 30 years too.

Most places in the world have gone down I am sure, including Australia

But we are not talking about Australia are we? That is not the subject on hand.

Just now, tea4too said:

Not sure why you have taken my reply as a personal criticism.

Because that is exactly how it came across

5 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

I don't think anyone has called you a liar have they?  I certainly wasn't trying to imply that and I apologize if I gave that impression. 

You certainly gave me the impression that you thought I was lying....so presume you did for the other poster too

Just now, tea4too said:

 

However, 68million people live here and they are not all desperate to leave.

Err

Whatever dear.........

I am simply talking from MY experiences and the feedback I have personally been given by family and friends still living in the UK.

If you have experienced different, well that is YOUR experience isn't it.

Doesn't make mine less ......does it.

???

On 07/04/2022 at 23:02, Lucia said:

My husband's parents moved out here 4 years ago too. I'm still not sure how I feel about that one as in all my previous bouts of severe homesickness, it was my MIL talking us into staying - telling us how bad the UK was etc. I feel now there was an ulterior motive.

Well there could have been an ulterior motive....... I suppose you will never know for sure

But you know, it could just be the absolute truth too

Previously when I made a comment to family and friends in the UK, about maybe returning for a few years, each and everyone of them have said the same thing.

They say the UK has changed so much for the worse, and how bad it is now. 

My sister and a couple of friends, have said it noticeably started to go downhill about 20 years ago, but has got rapidly worse in the past 10 years. 

It is not even one area. I know people who live all over the country, from Cornwall to Glasgow, and everywhere in between,.....and they all say the same thing.

I think my problem would be, remembering the good times of my youth, and then being disappointed that things were not the same as I remembered. I know nowhere stays the same forever, but apparently things are now so bad, I would not recognize the place at all (or so they tell me)

I have never had a pull to return, so I am not really fussed either way, if I did go back or not.

But I can totally understand how you feel - as I did have a pull to get back to Australia last time I was in the UK.

It is a distressing feeling to be longing to be elsewhere

Hope you find some peace in your heart and soul soon

2 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

This is weird, becuase that inspection routine is very unusual in the UK, but seems to be the norm in WA.  It is a bit painful as you can't just pay a pro cleaner at the end!!

I know loads of people renting in the UK, and they all have regular inspections

I was being thoroughly checked - once got into trouble for leaving dust on a light bulb.

There are different tiers of managing a property, depending on how much fee you want to pay

On 19/04/2022 at 15:42, Ruth1 said:

 

You are so right about the house-I do love it, and would definitely rent it rather than sell, but get nervous about the horror stories you hear-people setting up cannabis farms in your house or just never paying rent!

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Don't rent it out privatey

Use a real estate agent and rent it out through them

The agent will ensure rent is paid on time, and they will do regularly inspections. 

I only rented once in the UK and it was a nightmare. Bloody neighbours would dob me in (to the owner and real estate agent), for any misdemeanor - real or imagined. 

If I was even an hour late with the weekly rent, agent would be on the war path

And they did an inspection inside and out three times a year.

Your house would be pretty safe with a reputable property manager.

And you will have peace of mind

Lovely

The first and last photos look absolutely gorgeous

You mentioned the last photo was Jimbour House ......but what was the first one? Were they the same place?

Interesting they are breeding Murray Cod in QLD. Are they planning on repopulating The Murray, or are they selling the fish commercially for food?

On 10/02/2021 at 08:00, Bobj said:

Fishing the Beardy Waters in Glen Innes, NSW came across 11 tiger  snakes in one morning, most of them quite lethargic and warming up in the sun.

Must be a lot of snakes there. The town is home to about 6,000 residents, and have a number of snake removal services. I might strike that off my retirement list.

On 08/03/2022 at 18:35, Bobj said:

Like this? 114 cm and 45 lbs

Cheers, Bobj

Bit small but bet tasty

On 17/03/2022 at 17:48, DrDougster said:

So I've got a bottle of Green Ant Gin

I remember people eating green ants off the tree in Townsville

I have never heard of that gin - sounds interesting

Outstations Aboriginal, have some gorgeous bags, umbrellas and silk scarfs, that would make a unique gift.

And the coaster sets from Baribunma Aboriginal are beautiful.

Otherwise, you could go for a tacky Kangaroo Balls Bottle Opener or even tackier Cane Toad paperweight.

Whatever you take, make sure it is Made in Australia (and not an Aussie souvenir, that was Made in China)

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On 19/04/2022 at 04:44, Ruth1 said:

I used to be someone who could make decisions quite easily and took risks etc when I was in my 20s, but as Ive got older and with the decision to move to Aus I feel like I am absolutely frozen with indecision

Definitely seems to be an age thing I reckon.

When I was in my 20s, I literally (well almost) moved suburbs, or traveled overseas at the drop of a hat with a random snap decision, and never gave it a second thought.

Nowadays it takes me ages to make a decision and I often change my mind several times.

However, since you say "it has been my life long dream", .......if you don't act now and stay put,  I think you will live to regret not taking the opportunity when you could.

You don't want to be sitting in the nursing home regretting missed opportunities.

Also, emotionally you could just treat it as a temporary Working Holiday Visa (as opposed to a lifelong change), that way you take the leap, give it your absolute best for a year or two, and if you don't like it, then return to your old life.

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On 12/03/2022 at 20:55, Ausvisitor said:

 we have settled on Marrickville.

Interesting.

Never been there exactly - well apart from making sure my car doors are locked when driving through.

On 20/02/2022 at 19:12, Bulya said:

Barramundi!  Top stuff…

Absolutely gorgeous - even better if you catch it fresh yourself.

Actually just thought of something regarding food, that has been a huge change.

When I lived in the UK, the nearest I got to prawns, was those teeny tiny ones you would find in a prawn cocktail (served in a glass with sauce and lettuce).

I remember those being a fancy treat, that I only ever had once a year at the office Christmas staff party.

Now in Australia, I have prawns weekly.

Have to peel, de-vein, marinate and cook them, or I buy cooked ones and have to peel and de-vein them. Either way, weekly is hugely different to my once yearly intake prior.

Didn't know how to prepare fresh prawns when I arrived here, as pretty sure the teeny UK ones came from a jar.

19 hours ago, Marisawright said:

That is a matter of personal opinion. It will vary from person to person. 

 

Of course!

And I personally think it is completely reasonable, as do the thousands of people who do the commute daily.

However, just realized that most people here misunderstood my comment. I am not suggesting specifically moving to Woolongong  or Terrigal. I gave them as the furthest points to consider for cheaper beach living - they are both a doable commute, but I would not want to go any further out

The OP said they wanted to be near the coast. If you want to live near the coast in Sydney, then expect to pay more, than being near the coast further out (i.e.) A house in Bronte would be maybe a million dollars more, than a house further down the coast in Stanwell Tops.

That was my point.

11 hours ago, AltyMatt said:

it was a grim experience

I can relate to that

Found it much better to go through paces like Gumtree or Facebook Market. Or unofficial suburb car sales on the street.

16 hours ago, Marisawright said:

 

I also had a friend who commuted from Birmingham to London every day for over a year.  Her husband worked somewhere north of Birmingham and she worked in London. 

I have a friend who works in London and lives in Wellingborough. About 75 minutes on the train I think she said. Then she has to travel 20 minutes on the tube to her office.  She has done this trip daily for around 12 years now. That is about 70 or 80 miles each way (130 kms) - and both the areas I suggested are less than this.

20 hours ago, can1983 said:

 come on Wollongong and Terrigal are 3-4 hours a day travel time to Sydney and that's if you live at one rail station and work at the other. Its not reasonable even slightly

No. They are NOT that long a travel time. I know loads of people who commute into the CBD every day from both these places. Some people drive, but most catch the train. Both ARE completely reasonable.

On 21/02/2022 at 08:05, Constance said:

We have decided on Sydney as our landing point as we have family west of Syd, work prospects

A key criteria is to live as near to the coast as we can afford. We are both mid level professionals.

 

Hello Ash

Yes, Sydney is a good landing spot for a wide variety of work prospects

Most real estate near the coast is a tad expensive in Sydney.

Therefore, the further South or further North you go - the cheaper it will be 

Wollongong to the South, and Terrigal on the Central Coast to the North, are both within travelling distance daily to the Sydney CBD.

But I would not go too much further outside those areas, as the daily commute gets a bit long thereafter. 

On 01/03/2022 at 17:23, Ausvisitor said:

taking them for a simple Big Mac in Lismore is a bit dangerous at the moment...

 

But yet that would STILL be safer, than floating down the crocodile  infested Fitzroy River on a lilo

On 26/02/2022 at 22:01, Keelif said:

It's something I've always wanted to do and as I creep closer to 40 I feel its now or never!

Well, yes, that is very true.

You could do it when you were older of course, but two job offers in the pipeline is excellent (and who knows - you may not get them again)

Strike while the iron is hot and grab such opportunities is my motto. Bet you will regret it if you don't. 

And do you really care deep down if your brothers visit or not? 

Besides that, you could always visit them in the UK.

So really a flimsy argument!

My friends mum is still making the trip nearly every year alone, and she is in her 80s (so your mum at 60 is indeed a spring chick)

Agree with others, your children are safe here as they are anywhere - unless you plan on floating them down the Fitzroy River on a lilo!