Search the Community

Hello! I have just joined your lovely forum and have had a good look around. I have dreamt about making the move to Oz for at least a decade! And I've finally managed to convince the hubby that it is a good idea!! (I hope I'm not wrong ) We are just starting our in-depth research now so I know we are a while away from the big move. We are thinking of relocating to Perth, however this would be dependant on the availability of jobs for us both. We also have 4 children (ages 6, 8, 11 and 13) so at least 2 of them will be teens when we move. Has anyone else successfully made the move with teens? Any tips on making the process easier for them? I know it can take a while before you are in invited to apply for your visa after submitting your EOI so would you recommend submitting asap just in case? My concern is that it all happens to quickly and we won't have time to complete our research - I know this is unlikely, but I'm just being cautious! Perhaps it would be better to wait until we've done all our research before submitting the EOI? Thank you for your time and I look forward to reading your replies

Hi, moving this December (under 457), but still confused with narrowing down suburbs, primarily due to options for secondary schools. A lot of folks suggest the south east areas like Mount/Glen Waverley areas, however, of course, rent can shoot out pretty quickly there and we're looking for a 2-3BR for a fam of 3, the 3rd being a 13+yo teen. Any feedback on finding schools for teens? We're not looking for "top academic" type of environment but those schools that can offer the most experiences for our kid. Right now, Wantirna, Box Hill, MV areas are like the back-up, but we're a getting conflicting reviews on northern areas (Greensborough, Coolaroo, Bundoora, etc.) Of course, safety and lack of gang proliferation is key. CBD access isn't a major priority as long as there are nearby transport options as I'll be telecommuting. Cheers.

I am moving to Melbourne this week from the UK and I am very nervous about making new friends and leaving everyone behind. It would be great if there was any one of a similar age who could share their experiences or anyone who is also moving and would like to chat?

Ad

Heyy everyone, I'm Becca and I'm 14.:biggrin: Moving to Australia on the 26th Dec, dead excited, not really worried but would be interested in talking to someone around my age, who has already moved there or is soon. We're going to Canberra, ACT. :cute: Thanks, from Becca xxxx

Heya im amy im 14 going on 15 i recenlty move out here 7 weeks ago but just looking for people who are in the same kinda situation as me or about to move out here; someone reply X

Hi my 14 year old daughter and 15 year old son are visiting me us in Baldivis over Xmas and then again at Easter before they emigrate permanently. My daughter is into Dancing, playing keyboards, is learning Japanese and loves anything Japanese related, is a member of the Guides, and is heavily into anything Twilight related! My son is into music, playing guitar, Xbox, BMX and skateboarding. My daughter has an account on here set up, but she forgot to activate it so just waiting for that to be done then I'm sure she'll post her own messages. So if anybody is around and would like to meet up teens and parents then please give me a shout. Want to also get the low down on some of the schools in the area from both teens and parents points of view. Thanks Jayne

I just wondered if anybody else is going thro the "I don't want to go" with their teens? Our sons 16 and was excited when we began all this but its taken so long he has now dug his heels in. Hes too young to leave behind but perhaps if anybody else has the same prob, we could all help each other? xx

We may be moving to Geraldton and have 2 teenage daughters, one 15 and the other 17. From what I can make out, the high school will be perfectly ok for our 15 year old, but our concerns are our 17 year old. We currently live in Scotland, so she will be in her final school year by the time we move. I think that she may be in year 11 in Oz, not sure? Can anyone advise on what the best option would be for her in terms of schooling? She would like to go on to university to study psychology after finishing school, so that is something we have to think about too. Tx.

Another question!!!!! i know you folks have answed my last posts, but here i am again, does anyone have any suggestions on how to help my 15/16 year olsd son settle, i feel he will just withdraw and i am very worried. we will be in Frankston south in 3 weeks time and we have appointment's with Mornington Seconday and Mount Eliza schools but we are in the catchment for Frankston high, he is not the kind of kid to join clubs on his own, i just wondered how othere teens coped, he was young the last time we moved it was very different for him.

.... I would say do it! I am 36 now but when I was 17 my parents told me that they were intending a move to Australia! Well, I shouted, I cried, I slammed doors, and I out right refused to even think about a move to Australia. I argued with my parents and made their life hell for about 6 months! My poor mum cried every day begging me to re consider but I just would not listen even though on some level everything they were telling me I would have sounded fantastic. Why would I not consider this move??- FRIENDS! I would not leave my friends. What a fool I was. Don't get me wrong Friends are important but friends come and go, family and opportunities like experiencing life in a new country don't. The friends I had then are quite different people now to how they are today and many of them have gone.There were so many times that I wanted to pick up the phone and ask my parents to book a flight for me but being a stubborn, determined teenager I toughed it out here on my own. It was so hard and it put a huge strain on my relationship with my mum and dad. It also has had a dramatic effect on my relationship with my younger brother as it meant I missed out on him growing up. It is only now that I am older and slightly wiser that I see the opportunities I let pass by me.I have over the past 20 years visited Australia many times and understand now what my parents meant when they said I would make new friends and enjoy life more! I am very lucky that I now have the chance to go and experience life in Oz and I am so thankful for that and intend to enjoy every minute of it. You will feel sad and apprehensive about moving its only natural that you do, but grab it and make the most of it, if you don't you will always have that "what if" hanging over you! Emma :smile:

Hi I have just moved to Forest lake and dont know anyone here. I have an 18yr male cousin staying with me and as I have 3 small children he is getting quite bored. I was hoping that someone would be willing to show him around especially in the evenings even if its to just hang out. Thanks Jennie

I rest my case :swoon: canadaeast.com - Fishy find: Australian teens hand in A$100,000 after surprise catch on angling adventure | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Breaking News, New Brunswick, Canada

Hi All All things considered, with the housing market, general downturn in economy and also the visa processing times getting longer (thanks for the thread, Mandisfam!), we are thinking that it may be likely that we will make a trip just to validate our visas before going for the big move. At present our son is 12 and will be 13 in Feb 09. Daughter is 10 - she'll be 11 in November 09. From what I have seen on PIO, those with much younger children seem to have found it easier to "settle" their children in earlier, so how hard has it been for kids with ages similar to ours? Bearing in mind that they may be a little older than they are now when we do make the final move? They are both positive about the move and get along quite happily with new people and new situations, so from that point of view I'm not too concerned, it's just the older they get the more attached to their friends they become and less inclined to move away from all that's familiar. Any advice from others would be much appreciated. :goofy: Mrs Tyke xx

HI ALL WE HOPING TO MOVE TO OZ IN JANUARY EITHER TERRIGAL OR COFFS AREA. WE HAVE A 6 AND 4 YEAR OLD BUT MY NEPHEW MAY FOLLOW CAN ANYBODY GIVE ADVICE ON WHAT TEENAGERS DO AFTER SCHOOL AND ON THE WEEKEND. THANKS DEMENTED AUNT:wacko:

I am 14 and moving to Melbourne around may and anyone else moving there and are a teen please post.:cute: I like Melbourne the best its the right temperature and looks a nice place applied in august. done police check in feb. done meds in feb. waiting for visa. Ethan

hi there, anyone got helpful advice to make my life less stressed? we [husband is a sparky and 2 boys 22 and 20, 2 girls 18 and 15 ] have our visas and intend to get to brisbane, sunshine coast in 12 months when house is sold and youngest has finished gse's. so far so good. we have wanted to live in oz for the 18 years but such a big step with a young family .we had a wicked 7 week tour of oz in a campervan in 2004, and we have just returned to oz perth for our visas, so we all understand the lifestyle and what to expect.now they are giving us a hard time for upping and going. after living here in the same house for 22 years, i know that leaving all our friends wont be easy but thats not a good reason to stay . we have told them all that theyre friends are welcome to visit anytime and they can still do collage in oz[all still students, none could aford to live here in a bedsit, let alone want to do their own washing]but now 22yr old not sure if oz girls be better than english although he did buy the oz nuts and fhm mags, and hes not sure what career he would want. also has no money. our 20yr old is the only one that wants to go now, cant wait, though hes set himself up for a music degree in brisbane and saving like mad from part time supermarket work. our 18yr old is studying performingarts, wants to work in theatre thinks there is no theatres in oz and wont reaserch jobs there. also has a loving boyfriend that will be hard to leave. the hardest one is our 15yr old lovely daughter who is becoming a nightmare chav. she thinks her friends will be here forever and this is her life. i dont want to upset her at the mo as she is studying her gce's but its so anoying when she says we are out of order moving, and she will live with friends parents. i would like to know who is offering her this get out being as we believe the move is to better all our quality of life and its cost us a fortune to get everyones visas. i told her that she will have to come for 2 years until shes 18 hoping by then shell want to stay and would have new friends and lifestyle. now she saying shell run away. help! sometimes i wish wed moved before this age but it never felt right. now we can go, i see it as a wonderful opertunity to have a good life and i really believe thay will have a better chance of afording their own place. we cannot aford to leave them here with money, but have said that we will pay for all flights to go, even if thay all come out at different stages in the next 4 years while they have residency. i dont expect them to live with us forever but the thought of the family splitting up is hard. anyone got advice/ stories of their ofsprings moving down under?is it illegal to kidnap them? i would like to now just concentrate on clearing out our clutter ready to go, not worrying if the kids will ever forgive us!:twitcy:

hi there, anyone got helpful advice to make my life less stressed? we [husband is a sparky and 2 boys 22 and 20, 2 girls 18 and 15 ] have our visas and intend to get to brisbane, sunshine coast in 12 months when house is sold and youngest has finished gse's. so far so good. we have wanted to live in oz for the 18 years but such a big step with a young family .we had a wicked 7 week tour of oz in a campervan in 2004, and we have just returned to oz perth for our visas, so we all understand the lifestyle and what to expect.now they are giving us a hard time for upping and going. after living here in the same house for 22 years, i know that leaving all our friends wont be easy but thats not a good reason to stay . we have told them all that theyre friends are welcome to visit anytime and they can still do collage in oz[all still students, none could aford to live here in a bedsit, let alone want to do their own washing]but now 22yr old not sure if oz girls be better than english although he did buy the oz nuts and fhm mags, and hes not sure what career he would want. also has no money. our 20yr old is the only one that wants to go now, cant wait, though hes set himself up for a music degree in brisbane and saving like mad from part time supermarket work. our 18yr old is studying performingarts, wants to work in theatre thinks there is no theatres in oz and wont reaserch jobs there. also has a loving boyfriend that will be hard to leave. the hardest one is our 15yr old lovely daughter who is becoming a nightmare chav. she thinks her friends will be here forever and this is her life. i dont want to upset her at the mo as she is studying her gce's but its so anoying when she says we are out of order moving, and she will live with friends parents. i would like to know who is offering her this get out being as we believe the move is to better all our quality of life and its cost us a fortune to get everyones visas. i told her that she will have to come for 2 years until shes 18 hoping by then shell want to stay and would have new friends and lifestyle. now she saying shell run away. help! sometimes i wish wed moved before this age but it never felt right. now we can go, i see it as a wonderful opertunity to have a good life and i really believe thay will have a better chance of afording their own place. we cannot aford to leave them here with money, but have said that we will pay for all flights to go, even if thay all come out at different stages in the next 4 years while they have residency. i dont expect them to live with us forever but the thought of the family splitting up is hard. anyone got advice/ stories of their ofsprings moving down under?is it illegal to kidnap them? i would like to now just concentrate on clearing out our clutter ready to go, not worrying if the kids will ever forgive us!:twitcy:

Hi. I'm a mum of 2 teenagers and would love to get together with other mums. I don't walk the kids to school anymore so its a bit harder meeting new people!! just get in touch if you fancy a coffee Mandy