Geraldton......Should i stay or should i go??

[jimmyk]

Hi all

Well after months of trying I eventually got a job offer for oz but in Geraldton. Now I've done some research on here and other sites trying to find out about Geraldton but in my experience there is noting like advice from those who have visited/lived there. If i sign the contract I will be out there in March

I'm big into sports so I know there is a lot to do there like kite surfing,surfing etc.... but I also like to socialize. Is it as quiet here as I believe? How do new people meet up if they are not in pubs/clubs? Is it friendly to foreigners etc.

Does it get busier here in the summer time when people in the city are on there holidays or is it the same all year round?

Is it difficult to find house share here? I have searched some sites but only found a limited number and normally not in the better areas (from what I've read).

Is car lease expensive? as I won't be able to afford to buy one for some time

I have to spend at least 2 years here on my contract so if I don't like it that can be a very long time as I am a single guy moving here alone

I have spent time in Oz before but unfortunately this is not one of the towns i visited.

Thanks in advance

:xmas23:

[flag of convenience]

Geraldton is a smallish city a little remote but not too bad as it goes. A number of Brits and Irish have moved there over recent years so perhaps some can give you feedback. Although that mat have been on another brit forum.

 

I'm not the best to ask how friendly it is or isn't..but as with life in Australia generally sport plays a big part. Geraldton is a great place for wind surfing...that coast in fact is rather famous for it. There are decent beaches by the town,if a little wind swept rather often. The town offers all in the way of necessary things.It is a six hour or so drive down to Perth.......and all in al not too bad. Not sure I'd wanna be a single bloke there though.......

[jimmyk]

Geraldton is a smallish city a little remote but not too bad as it goes. A number of Brits and Irish have moved there over recent years so perhaps some can give you feedback. Although that mat have been on another brit forum.

 

I'm not the best to ask how friendly it is or isn't..but as with life in Australia generally sport plays a big part. Geraldton is a great place for wind surfing...that coast in fact is rather famous for it. There are decent beaches by the town,if a little wind swept rather often. The town offers all in the way of necessary things.It is a six hour or so drive down to Perth.......and all in al not too bad. Not sure I'd wanna be a single bloke there though.......

 

Yes that is the vibe I've been getting. Its a nice town with plenty to do but more for someone that is settled with a partner/family. Its a shame because everything else is perfect for me. I'm not a big drinker or anything but socializing is a large factor. wind surfing etc is great but once the sun goes down there needs to be something else

[Rupert]

I am not speaking from experience of Geraldton, but I would think hard about moving somewhere as remote and small as one of a couple, I wouldn't even contemplate it as a singleton. Regional Australia is another world to regional UK. I think you should think carefully about this and hopefully you will get a lot more opinions.

 

Could you not get a visa indepedently and then take your pick of where to live?

[jimmyk]

I understand there is a big difference and thats whats frightening me. When i was in Oz before i went to Margaret river etc. At 32 i'm not looking for parties every night of the week but I also don't want to be a hermit. Maybe i should hold out for a better offer

An independent visa is not really an option unfortunately.

[Rupert]

I understand there is a big difference and thats whats frightening me. When i was in Oz before i went to Margaret river etc. At 32 i'm not looking for parties every night of the week but I also don't want to be a hermit. Maybe i should hold out for a better offer

An independent visa is not really an option unfortunately.

 

What about a state sponsored visa? If your occupation qualifies for employer sponsored then it qualifies for state sponsored ...

[jimmyk]

Its more of a cost and time issue than anything I'm afraid. I have another company interested in me in the Perth area but as yet they haven't given me an offer. The company that did, actually seems to be the best to work for by far...except the location of course

[Rupert]

Cost and time? Migration requires cost and time. It is an investment in your future, moving to Geraldton because it is cheaper and quicker is not a sound decision. This is your life your happiness, invest.

[jimmyk]

Thanks for the advice but that is why i'm on here trying to figure out if Geraldton is a good option. It has a population of over 30000. People do live there so I'm trying to find out if its right for me. Not everyone has thousands to invest. I wish i did buf even if I did go down that route there is no guarantee i would get a job in a better area.

[Quoll]

I dunno, but for a single bloke a couple of years in a remote area is neither here nor there really. Do it for the adventure and then move on if it doesn't float your boat! I'd be more reluctant to make the move as a family but even for a couple, if the partner could get a job, it

would still be an adventure. There wouldn't be too many places in Aus where there isn't some sort of social life.

[Guest Guest26012]

Thanks for the advice but that is why i'm on here trying to figure out if Geraldton is a good option. It has a population of over 30000. People do live there so I'm trying to find out if its right for me. Not everyone has thousands to invest. I wish i did buf even if I did go down that route there is no guarantee i would get a job in a better area.

 

Only passed through Geraldton on our way up north camping! It is a sizeable place and looks busy! I would say go for it! You're single, what have you got to lose? You can always move on in the future!

[newjez]

I have found that where ever you go, what determines whether or not you have a good time is the people you work with. If they are similar people to you, then you'll have a great time. If not then maybe you will need to look elsewhere for common interests. When I first moved to Brighton UK - my team were all married with young kids. I was young and single. It was dull. A couple of months later a mate joined the company. His team were all young and single - he introduced me and we had a great time.

 

There is nothing wrong with Geraldton. I have known several people who grew up there are they were all normal. My father worked there for a few years and he quite liked it. I've visited a few times, and it is okay. It's a large country town, which can be really nice. Get involved. Don't be shy. Enjoy.

[Guest Karen Sanders]

Hi

I am an English designer that moved to Geraldton 2years ago now for my Australian husband to be with his family. Having come from London and from a designers world it was a culture shock at first but very quickly the town got under my skin and the community heart is so apparent and strong that if you want to have fun and find friends here, you will do very quickly.

I am happy to skype talk with you so you can ask away, It is a town of potential and it is changing before our eyes, it's a town of life style. Fabulous weather and friendly community, it's home for me now and the amount of new comers settling here from the UK and from all around Australia (in particular Melbourne) is a great indicator to its livability.

All the best, Karen.

Edited December 10, 2012 by Karen Sanders
removed FB links

[Rossmoyne]

I know Geraldton well and have many friends there. It is a large town in WA speak, but in UK terms I suppose a smallish town. My friends there love their lifestyle and their social life. Perhaps you need to contact Karen Sanders and talk directly to her to get a view of what you can expect. I just know that it is a great place and growing daily, and I love visiting from Perth - it is a 5 hour drive by the way....

[Guest dave1978]

Hey how are ya? i hope i can help you with your decision on moving to geraldton. Gerladton is what you make of it, i was back packing around australia for 2yrs ending in 2010. I spent the last year of my trip driving the road trains for a company in geraldton. There are plenty of bars to socialise in, nice beaches, plenty of kite surfing, scuba diving and the people are very friendly. Its not as remote as it may seem as perth is only a 4 and a half hour drive away. I had my own place to live in but i did find plenty of share accommodation in the good area's advertised in the local news papers, you won't feel alone as i'm sure you will become friends with the people you work with and the people you end up living with so i'm sure you will find someone that will share the same interests as yourself for when the sun goes down. As for the car hire i wouldn't say it was that cheap but you don't need a car in geraldton if anything a bike will do.

 

Gerladton was a great experience for myself, i joined the local pipe band and learnt to play the bagpipes across there which was amazing. i would love a life in oz but my type of work doesn't allow me a visa to stay there permanently, you have been given this opportunity so don't throw it away! 2yrs isn't long and time will go fast so if you find geraldton isn't for you then you can move on. Go for it!! I hope i've helped you in some way.

[jimmyk]

Thanks for all the replys and the great advice. I didn't get a chance to go online since friday so sorry about the delay in getting back to you all. Although I'm still very apprehensive I decided I will go for it and I'm sending back the signed contract tomorrow. I guess with any big decision like this there will always be nerves but Im sure once I'm out there everything will work out

[Guest Guest51968]

LOve Geraldton, lived here a year now, wife and 2 kids (13 & 11). Went to Perth recently - was glad to get back to Geraldton :-)

[Guest orlaandjoe]

Hey Jimmyk..we have been living here in Geraldton for almost a year now and absolutely love it! Sun, sea, swimming, lots of great bars and restaurants, a cinema, shops..most people you meet are so friendly and welcoming..we have made so many great friends since we got here..you will have no problem meeting people..hope the move goes great for you!

[Guest Faulknerkatie84]

Hello

 

I moved to Geraldton in October 2012 after spending 6 weeks in Perth whilst my partner underwent training. I have been finding life in Oz very hard to adjust to...but that is expected. We moved her with a terrible relocation agent called crown - still waiting for our furniture which was shipped in September. If you can help it do not use this company. Geraldton is a beautiful place. I didnt struggle to get a job here (if your bringing your partner) found it easy to lease a property, we were accepted on the first application. Be aware that you should bring everything with you as it is extremely expensive here! Although you can pick up bargains in Good Guys. There are enough shops to get by, but if your into your designer labels you will need to drive oor fly to perth, or shop online. Stock up on toiletries before you get here too! At first the people seemed quite rude but as you get to know them it gets better. There are alot of aboriginal people that live in geraldton but they are fine if you leave them alone. I have only ever had one incident involving them, they are mostly nice people. You WILL need to bring some savings with you to start up. If your renting a house be aware it is rather expensive. We are moving into a 4x3 in drummonds cove and sharing with 1 other couple the rent is $470 a week!! when you sign the lease you have to pay 6 weeks upfront! Some agency's charge a weeks rent just to process the application. Elders are good as they do not charge, i have heard rumors that ray white are hard to deal with...so we avoided that one. We are struggling to make friends here, you really have to put yourself out there and join some sort of group sports are the best way to meet people here. the night life is ok...the camel bar is where most people end up. My advise is to street view and look into areas to live, alot of expats choose Wandina or Drummonds cove. If you decide to come over message us and i can meet up with you and a few of our friends so that your not alone i find it helps when your with other people who have experienced similar things.