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Hi there We are doing a Validation visit to Adelaide in July/August. We're a family of 4 and the 2 little ones are age 2 and 7. We have currently booked a few days in Glenelg and a few days in Stirling to get a feel for the different areas. We are wondering on the 3rd area we could visit and need some help. Should we also stay in the CBD? Should we stay more down south like Brighton or Seacliff? Maybe Norwood or more north of the CBD? We are trying to find out what suburbs are nice to live in, not too cramped and not congested (we're from the UK so not interested in too many queues ). We need to also look for good Primary schools. Once we move, our final destination will need a good sized garden, along with a view of some sort (sea or hills), it just boils down to space and views but not too far out with lots of traffic. Not asking for too much are we! . Has anyone got any advice on where this 3rd holiday stay could be? I am thinking of Norwood, Brighton or going 40 mins north or south from the CBD, but don't have any idea on how remote they really are. We both need jobs, so don't want to make it difficult for ourselves xxxxxx

Prahran Is located 5kms southeast of Melbourne’s CBD. Is home of Chapel Street; an eclectic mix of shabby shopfronts, trendy no reservation restaurants and exclusive million dollar real estate. The area is serviced by excellent transport connections; trams, trains and buses. As well as being close enough to wander along the river to the city or to quickly access the beach on those warm summer evenings. In Prahran you can’t go by stopping for a coffee down in Greville Street at one of the many brunch spots; ISIT, Oscar Cooper, Babble Café, or spending the weekend bar hopping to a hidden bar or two like Jungle Boy (enter via a freezer door) or Rufus (down an alleyway). Prahran is also home to one of Melbourne’s oldest markets – the Prahran Market. On the weekend all of the locals flock here to pick up their weekly meats, fresh foods or a quirky gift or two. Shopping The main shopping area in Prahan is focused around the Prahran Central Shopping Centre. Within the centre it has a Coles & Woolworths, as well as a post office, liquor store, food court and a host of specialty stores. There is ample free parking, as well as timed paid parking if required. This shopping centre is also conveniently located directly opposite the Prahran Market which opens Tuesdays and Thursday-Sunday. Close by you also have shopping on the High Street (Chapel Street), which hosts discount department stores Big W and Target in nearby South Yarra. South Yarra is also the residence of many high end clothing boutiques and wedding stores. Health Prahran is home to the Alfred hospital – one of the largest hospitals in the state. The hospital is open 24 hours and has a public emergency facility onsite The suburb is also home to Cabrini & The Avenue Private hospitals which offer a wide range of services such as radiology, pathology, pharmacy and selected surgeries. There are many medical practices around, with many consultant Doctors/Surgeons having offices in the suburb due to proximity to nearby hospitals. Transport Links Connected to the CBD by train, tram and bus networks. Prahran station is centrally located on the corner of Greville & Porter Streets. With Windsor station also being convenient for those slightly further south in the suburb. The train takes approximately 25 minutes to the CBD during peak period and is located on the Sandringham line. Access to the city is also via a number of trams which service the suburb. Number 6, 72 and 78 trams all have connections throughout the suburb, with many other services being within close proximity. Buses run frequently to the city but also to the beach, which is only several kilometres away. Ubers and Taxis are quite common with the average fare to the CBD costing between $10-15AUD. Education Prahran and surrounds is home to some of Melbourne’s most elite schools. From the exclusive surrounds of Wesley Grammar, Melbourne Girls Grammar and Sacre Coeur to the more accessible Stonnington Primary School and newly built & centrally located Prahran High School (opening late 2018). Prahran High School is a brand new education development, which will be a co-educational school for up to 650 students from Years 7-12. The area also hosts a multitude of early learning/childcare facilities; High St Early Learning, Princes Close Childcare Centre, Windsor Community Children’s Centre and Lancaster House Early Learning Centre. Real Estate Housing in this area can be expensive due to the proximity to the city and the attractiveness of the area. Units/flats are common and will range from $350-600+ per week rent for a one bedroom unit. Houses are uncommon, as space is at a premium; however house rentals can fetch upwards of $1000pw on the rental market. There are a range of accommodations available. Flats/Units can be older (1970s build) and be larger but without the modern amenities ie: double glazing, air conditioning, updated kitchens. Alternatively there has been a spate of high rise new builds which are more compact (1 bed around 50m2) but have all modern amenities. Most of the new build apartments have gyms, pools and other communal services. If you are in the market to buy; $800,000 will buy you a nice one bedroom apartment in a convenient location, whilst $1M + is the starting point for a house.

Hi. I'm in the process of applying for my Working Holiday Visa but I'm not sure what city I should look at. I am flying into Sydney but don't necessarily need to stay there. Where would you recommend? Thanks in advance!

Hello there fellow Stokies... We wanted to start a Stoke City F.C fan club here in Oz, are we the only ones here or is there anyone else out there, we are starting a list, so we have put our names as number 1, if you copy and paste it into your reply, and add as number 2 and so on.... would be great to see how many there are here in Oz, and to see if there are any near us, were on the Gold Coast. Let us know x 1. Nichola & Jonathon Hand, Varsity Lakes, Gold Coast. 2.

We're not surprised: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/541603/20140304/act-canberra-australia-livable-city-adelaide.htm

Hi, We got our 176 Visas and there is no specific condition mentioned in our visas. The visa does not says that we should stay in the sponsored state for the first 2 years etc etc... I was just wondering whether anybody landed and settled in a city other than the sponsored state??? I know that there is no legal commitment to stay in the sponsored state and the applicant is having a moral commitment to the state. If the applicant gets a job offer in other state, whether he can move there?? If we can move, what we should do.. like just inform the State and go?? We plan to land during Nov this year and would like to get views of our members... ( We applied during Sept 09 and got our 176 visa during March ''11. My friend applied during same time during Sept '09 also got his 175 visa during April '11. Which means no benefit for applying under State Sponsorship!!!) Satish

Hi all Can anyone PLEASE help with suggestions. It's getting very overwhelming! I am looking for a nice, safe family area to live within about 30 minute commute (public transport) to City Centre (Central station). I also have a 4 year old daughter who will be starting school and trying to link a nice area and nice school within budget is rather tricky! Is $600 or less a week realistic? I would welcome any suggestions and advice! Obviously done quite a bit of research but not having ever been to Sydney it feels a bit like a stab in the dark with what area we end up in. Thanks inadvance

Just chucking it out there... I've just put my entry in for one of the little warm-up events - the Sun Run in February: http://sunrun.com.au/default.asp?PageID=20952 and wondered if there were any other runners on here? I've joined a running club up where I'm living and they seem like good guys - running at 0630 in the morning is a bonus, no issues with heat and humidity then Anyone else planning on running the City to Surf next winter? Or any other events?

Hello all, Very open title I know but it's because my google research hasn't got me very far! So we had decided on Perth but hubby's sis is in Melbourne and he'd like to be closer to her. I'd prefer rural, the kids will want activities such as swimming, horse riding and sports teams and dancing, hubby prefers city living but with his own space. Tough call I know but does anyone have any ideas of where we should start our search? We're hoping to come out sometime between June and Sept this year. We prob won't be able for a reccie together but himself may get out before moving day hopefully. All suggestions will be greatly received. Thanks DM

We have been in a bit of a dilema recently as to whether to head for Perth or Melbourne - we have now decided (once and for all!) that Melbourne is for us, as we originally thought!!!. One main draws to Perth was the amazing beaches. We are now researching suburbs in Melbourne and are trying to find out where the best beaches are. Is it fair to say that the best beaches are the citiy ones, Sandridge / St Kidla / Elwood / etc, and those around the Mornington Peninsula???

Can anyone recommend a good hairdresser. I went to the same hairdresser for about 17 years in the UK and I am dreading going into a hairdressers. I don't mind having to go into the city or even using a mobile hairdresser. Please help.

And Australia is nowhere to be seen: http://business.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/29/the-top-city-to-live-in-is/?hpt=hp_c2

My husband and I live in Melbourne but are just not enjoying it. We have been here 3 years and to us Melbourne is not the Australia we pictured. When we visit Queensland we feel it is exactly what we envisioned when we moved her from the UK. My question is: Is it possible to commute to Brisbane and be 15 -20 minutes from a beach? Surf or no surf, not bothered! Also, If it is possible, how long does it take door to door by train preferrably? Also I am only interested in suburbs that have good schools with good results on Naplan and the majority who attend are middle class. My experienc teaching in London was not good in suburbs with lower SES so want to avoid that! Many thanks if you can help. Angibean

Are they accepted in australia.I have family in oz who me ,my partner and kids visit every year and what to move over there

http://www.joondalup.wa.gov.au/welcome/citynews/11-11-04/CITY_OF_JOONDALUP_RECOGNISED_AS_WORLD_S_MOST_LIVEABLE_CITY.aspx CITY OF JOONDALUP RECOGNISED AS WORLD’S MOST LIVEABLE CITY 4/11/2011 3:58:30 PM The City of Joondalup was named the World’s Most Liveable City of 2011 at the UN-backed annual International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) on October 31. The LivCom Awards are the world’s only Awards Competition focusing on International Best Practice regarding the management of the local environment with the further objective of improving the quality of life of individual citizens through the creation of ‘liveable communities’. Alan Smith, chief executive and founder of LivCom said that they had long championed the fact that many of the world’s most pressing challenges can be met by working at regional level and the cities represented demonstrated that they are actively taking a lead in this. One of five elite cities across the world recognised as fulfilling the awards’ range of key criteria covering environmental best practice, healthy lifestyle of citizens, community involvement as well as arts and cultural heritage, the City of Joondalup won the population 150,001 to 400,000 category ahead of Nansha, Guangzhou, China and Kuantan, Malaysia. Announced after three intensive days evaluating 77 finalist cities from 26 countries, the 2011 awards were the largest in LivCom’s 15 year history, providing an opportunity for cities to share both best practice and springboard ideas off each other. Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said that the award was the jewel in the crown for Joondalup, with the City now recognised at an international level for its fantastic attributes and lifestyle choices. “The City has come a long way in a few short years, providing the community with a great range of services and a sense of place, whilst developing sustainable planning and environmental strategies for the future. “Local governments face many challenges and must plan for them all. From climate change to population growth, community services and emergency management in the face of disaster, the City of Joondalup is leading the way in local government in Western Australia, and, as this award now shows, internationally.”A full list of results in the finals, photography and full citations of the criteria awards can be found at www.livcomawards.com.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8367425/darwin-makes-lonely-planets-top-city-list I'll second that:jiggy:

HI Everyone We have been here 2 months and are renting in box hill, its about 30 by train to the city (express). Takes about 10 mins on the bus to get to the train too and we drop our toddler off in creche on the way. (we both work in the city) We are thinking we are too far away from her when we finish work as its a mad dash to catch the train to pick her up before 6. Do you have kids in creche and work in the city? Which suburb do you live in? Having her in creche in the city isn't an option as the costs are way too expensive and we don't get help on the 475 visa. Plus I wouldn't like her having to travel on the commuter train either.

Hi, Has anyone recently been offered PR visa by Hospital in Sydney for nursing post. My wife received email on Friday from agency confirming she has been approved by NSW heath for Royal North Shore Hospital. However during the interview interviewers haven't discussed about the type of visa they are going to offer and also when they want the applicant to start for them so no idea what they are going to offer. As we have 7 year old son we prefer PR visa so appreciate any info from anyone who has been recently approved for nursing post in Syndey. ....Mansawant

Hi, visiting family in melbourne and would like to meet up with people to look around the city, go for coffee and just hang out. The family I am visiting are at work or school during the week so am free most days. Anyone free give me a shout, age and gender unimportant.

Hi Guys. Myself and my partner are travelling to Perth in November to validate our visas and we are wondering has anybody got any recommendations on Reasonable Cheap Accommodation in Perth city and surrounding areas. Thanks in advance guys. Liam :biggrin:

I have been granted VE 175 visa. I mentioned Melbourne as the city where I will arrive, in the application form but now I am thinking to arrive in Sydney. Can I arrive anywhere in the Australia or Do I have to notify this to Immigration Department as this will be my first trip to Australia.

- Unique opportunity to learn from a highly experienced team of professional entrepreneurs - Role development to future Finance Director - Q400 Fastest Growing Companies Company profile Evolution Road Maintenance Group (ERMG) is an industry leader in the provision of traffic management, training and various related road maintenance works. As a member of the Q400 Fastest Growing Companies, this highly successful business has expanded rapidly and now has 14 branches nationwide. To support and maintain continuing growth, ERMG is seeking to appoint a skilled Financial Controller to be based at its Brisbane HQ. Job description This is a unique opportunity for a talented and proven finance leader to join a well established senior leadership team and take full control of the finance operations, providing genuine commercial direction to the Board of Directors. Responsibilities will include extensive business reporting (including month end reporting), audit preparation and overseeing all statutory requirements as well as getting heavily involved in the commercial decision making throughout the business. The successful candidate will also be tasked with streamlining and automating accounting and other systems and procedures to ensure adequate internal controls and to meet the Group’s wide expansion plans. The role will encompass all areas of accounting from financial accounting to forecasting and include specific project work. The successful candidate will be required to advise on potential acquisitions and business decisions made by the company. As a hands-on role, the successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining good relationships with banks and other key stakeholders. As well as ultimate responsibility for the financial accounts preparation you will use your advanced mentoring and leadership skills to oversee the accounting, payroll and administration divisions. To enjoy success in this role, you will be results orientated with a sound ability to make commercial decisions and drive process improvement across the group. This is a unique opportunity to learn from a highly experienced team of professional entrepreneurs and to grow into a future Finance Director role. The successful candidate As the successful candidate, you will be CA qualified with extensive experience (7 years+) at a similar level with proven delivery of financial and commercial performance. You will possess advanced mentoring / team leadership skills and also be a highly-skilled communicator with experience operating and influencing at senior levels. There is also a fundamental requirement to balance a traditional, hands-on reporting function with the ability to add value to the business development function in partnership with the senior management team. The successful candidate will be a calm and assertive person capable of providing added value for the long term success of the group. Experience within a high volume transaction services environment would be advantageous. Remuneration and benefits An attractive remuneration package between $155,000 and $175,000 will be offered to the successful candidate depending on experience and ability. In addition, annual performance based bonuses will be paid, based on the performance of the individual as well as the company. To apply please forward your resume and cover letter by 28 October 2011

Hi! My name is Marta I’m from Poland and in next year me and my fiancé planned to go to university in Australia. We have some question about city, which one is the best for study and working? Agent from immigration office recommend for us Townsville. It is good city for young people (we have 22 years now)? How about night life and study there? Because we heard that in smaller city in Australia immigrants are unacceptable and is very difficult to find a job. Maybe you life in Townsville or you have friends from there than we will be very grateful for any information. Which another city in Australia you recommend? We have planned to study, me cooking and my fiancé want to be a car mechanic. Are we make a good choice? Regards Marta and Marek

Hey guys. We're a couple in are mid thirties who have resided to Perth. Finding it okay but after living over east for quite some time we're finding it a little hard to adjust to Perth life. We love the beaches and the ocean and spending our time between Fremantle and the city but feel it's lacking something. I guess its very family orientated and we don't have any children .We love are live music and festivals and getting out and about and having a crack.We sampled the suburbs but made a quick escape to the city after 3 months. Just looking for like minded people in the same boat as us who still want to have a giggle .

SYDNEY has beaten Paris and New York to be voted the world's number one city by readers of a luxury travel magazine. The Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards, held today in New York, voted the harbour city their favourite spot. New South Wales Tourism Minister George Souris said it was the second major international award for Sydney, which was named the world's best festival and major events city by the International Festival and Events Association last week. "Winning this latest award demonstrates Sydney's position as a world leading destination and the gateway to Australia," Mr Souris said today. "It's a vote of confidence not by travel writers or agents, but by ordinary travellers. "By definition, this makes us Australia's leading tourism and events city and will help the Government in its quest to restore NSW to its position as the nations premiere state." More than eight million votes were cast in the awards with readers rating cities according to ambience, friendliness, lodging, restaurants, culture, sight-seeing and shopping. The readers of Conde Nast Traveler gave Sydney a score of 85.1, ahead of the next highest scoring city, Florence at 85. Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/sydney-voted-no1-city-in-the-conde-nast-traveler-readers-choice-awards/story-e6frfku0-1226165509411#ixzz1acYcWj17