paul566 Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Hi everyone me and my family are moving to Mount isa in the new year we have lots of questions if anyone can help. we are moving over on a 457 visa 1) Schools. we have 2 children a 5 (6 in october) year old and a 3 (4 in may) year old what schools can they go to and whats the cost of schooling/uniforms ect 2) Cars we are looking to spend no more than 4-5000 dollers on a car what do we need to look for i.e equivalent to uk MOT and Road tax insurance ect 3) medical cover which is the best value for money 4) renting a house best way to go about it 5) social life i.e Meeting new people how hard/easy is it to make friends 6) telephones/internet/mobiles best companies to go with 7) car transportation we may buy a car from brisbane as we will be there for a week but dont want to drive it the 30 hour drive to mount isa thats it for now i think thanks in advance for any replies Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Hi Paul 1) Can't really help with schools over there but have a look here http://www.myschool.edu.au/SchoolSearch.aspx 2) Car wise you would be best getting one in Brisbane, however If you are going to be driving one across I would highly recommend joining the RACQ and taking out the Ultimate Package. Or you could get it on the back of a truck http://www.freightwest.com.au/services.html 3) Medical cover is up to you, IMAN are a good option. 4) Rentals the best bet is to look at http://www.realestate.com.au/rent/in-mount+isa%2c+qld+4825%3b+/list-1 be warned rentals are expensive. 7) I've answered in 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul566 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 thanks for your reply Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 thanks for your reply Just wish I could help more. There is a couple who have just moved over who post on here, let's hope they see this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul566 Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 also i would like to know what a reasonable amount of money is to live every week ??? not including rent thats already covered Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sasquatch Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 Hi Paul, I lived there for 5 years so here's what I know: try vivid realty for rentals. They're based in Mount Isa. Good rentals are very expensive and hard to get. Expect to pay $500+ per week for a half decent place. Aim for Healy, Parkside is not too bad avoid Abel-smith parade and pioneer like the plague! St. Joseph's primary in Parkside is pretty good by all accounts. Don't arrive in town without accommodation/work as waiting periods can be lengthy. Some employers can source accommodation for you in advance. Fly-in,fly-out jobs are ideal if you can pull it off. Live the typical Aussie lifestyle on the coast and have your company pay for flights and accommodation in mt Isa for the duration of your shift. Cost of living is very high. Everyone assumes that the entire population earns top dollar in the mines so prices reflect this attitude. Maybe price internal flights to Townsville, where you can source a reasonably priced car but have a 10 hour drive rather than the 30 hour one from Brisbane. Pros: Obscene money can be made Good camping and outdoor life Friendly people generally Cons:High crime rate High rental prices and cost of living Poor shopping options Lack of family activities Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 To be Blunt i wouldn't take my family there,it's the last place to take a family.it's so expensive and you might aswell be on the moon,thats why sensible people that work there.Leave their families in a civilised place,and fly in and fly out.My nieghbour worked there had 2 weeks on and a week off.Depends if you want a family life or not.But he said the money was not that great,and wasn't worth the stress of it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kerrots Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Im from manchester in the uk and moved out to mount isa last year. I spent 8 months there and 7 1/2 of that time I was trying to find a way out whilst still sticking to our visas. I do not advise anybody go there. The crime is terrible, the aboriginals are running riot in the town and the police do nothing. Other than that there are the born and bread mount isans who know no different and love the place, everybody else is fly in fly out trying to earn and get out as soon as possible. Its a good place for a single man wanting to earn some decent money other than that its no place for a family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest daftlass Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Hi Paul 566 As the saying goes the tougher the place the tighter the community. I've been here for 18 months....and I'm still here! And believe me - I have lived in far more dangerous cities in the UK. Schools - some pretty good ones here and some amazing families that I know of. The town seems to socialise round the schools and extended community. I don't have kids here but I know lots that do. car - I'm driving a 2004 car that looks as good as new = cars do not fall part like they do the UK - no salt/ winter etc. High mileage does not mean the same as it does in the UK. Get QRAC to do a car check before you buy. Try and increase your car budget for safety and reliability though. Cars can come up on a train from Brisbane. Easy as. Medical cover - you can go to the likes of BUPA for cover. I have and they are used to 457 and similiar . Rents. OMG! Look at your salary and work it out from there. It's like renting in the middle of a UK city centre for not a lot of house. Be careful - all areas are not the same - like anywhere in the world. If it's too cheap then there is a good reason - don't do it. The market is booming and good rentals are not cheap. Get an idea of the market - it's very expensive to buy/ rent here. what central heating will cost in a bad winter is what Air conditioning will do to you here. Social life - the people in this town I love. Schools are a super start to meeting people / other parents. Place is sports mad so there's the next outlet. Telephones - easy. Probs Telstra - good coverage. I was set up with a mobile phone and internet after two hours in the place. Bank on being homesick but also bank on being surrounded by seriously good people. Do your homework. Ask questions of your new employer - rent allowance? Airticket allowance? Without these you'll struggle to save anything or even survive here. You need to get out to the coast on a regular basis - can you afford it? Temps in summer are feral and then some. I lived in the middle east and it's even catching me out a bit. I always think the hardest job falls on the shoulders of a stay at home partner. One goes out to work, the kids go to school and then then the house is empty. Good luck and wish you well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boganbear Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Why in god's name are you moving to Mount Isa? I had a customer who wanted me to visit them for training. How we all laughed in the office!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxymoo Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hello There's some great information on here. My partner, our 15 month old and I are currently relocating to Mount Isa as we speak. I found this site quite interesting:_ http://www.outbackatisa.com.au/Visitor-Centre.aspx Also found this: www.health.qld.gov.au/goodhealthintnq/documents/33153.pdf Hope these help :smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Hello There's some great information on here. My partner, our 15 month old and I are currently relocating to Mount Isa as we speak. I found this site quite interesting:_ http://www.outbackatisa.com.au/Visitor-Centre.aspx Also found this: www.health.qld.gov.au/goodhealthintnq/documents/33153.pdf Hope these help :smile: I love Isa and would go more if given the opportunity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobj Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Wot she says. Squillions of places around there to see.:yes: Cheers, Bobj. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul566 Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 thanks for the replies guys looking like we are going to be there within 4 weeks cant wait. would be good to meet new people and make some friends when we arrive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazz2475 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 thanks for the replies guys looking like we are going to be there within 4 weeks cant wait. would be good to meet new people and make some friends when we arrive Hi Paul, I am going to Chinchilla with the same employer and am in the same boat as you, going in blind! lol. However, I think that we need to make what we can of the opportunity we have to make a new life in Oz! I can honestly say that if you have ever lived in London then the crime rate in Mount Isa is small beer in comparison! Hope all goes well for you and will probably meet up with you at the airport along with Chris R! All the best. Garry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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