First Few Days in Brisbane

[Kimorjack]

Finally arrived in sunny Australia :-)

 

flew in with Emirates (from Manchester) - found the flight via IOM - and the extra 40Kg was great.

 

Container for Caravan and car left on the same day - eta middle of Jan

20Ft Container for House Content is well on it's way - we did this with John Mason…so far so good...

 

Decided to stay in Novotel (Brisbane) for 3 nights before we leave for Mooloolaba tomorrow - had some "points" via an UK Credit Card - so used these for the hotel (didn't realise I had them - so look out for them!) Hotel close to CBD - and a good place to chill out after a stressful few weeks.

 

Car hire via Apex (Airport) …look up on the various Insurance options before coming out - you may have enough cover on the various Credit Cards/UK Car Insurance etc (if you still have one) - the Car Hire will try to sell you all kinds - but thats personal choice..we have decided to hire for 20 days initially with their full insurance.

 

Initial view on Brisbane - nice compact (and clean) City - love the City Cat's --> Get the Go Card - it's worth it…like any major city - it's the cheapest way for travelling.

 

Southbank - great part of the city and well worth a visit- Museum close by - great! (Science Museum fantastic - especially as it rained on our 2nd day!).

 

Went for a wonder around Hamilton/Ascot to see how the "other half" live :-) - had a wonder around -and nice lifestyle if you can afford it!

 

Will be staying in Bluewater apartments in Mooloolaba for 20 nights - hope to get a rental in that time..looking at Buderim and surrounding area.

 

Going to visit various schools next week - so will update the post.

 

Initial thoughts - love it :-) - but need to get settled.

 

Need to get Internet/Mobile Phone's organised asap so that comms' back home is easier (Hotel not cheap).

 

Will update post when we have been in Mooloolaba for a few days

[Vanduex]

Happy days. Good luck. Look forward to reading more

[Joob joobs]

Welcome to Brisbane! If you are looking for internet to keep you going, remember that a lot of the shopping centres and some parks around Brisbane are set up with free wifi. (I'm not sure if this is as common in Mooloolaba)

[calNgary]

Welcome to QLD,Sounds like you have had good fun exploring.Get on with finding a rental as soOn as you can as the number available drops radically near xmas / New Year and you dont want to get caught out.

 

Cal x

[Kimorjack]

Another quick update (especially for the one's looking at the Sunshine Coast).

 

We've visited 3 schools - Matthew Flinders, Sunshine Coast and Immanuel - we liked all 3 - but Immanuel had the Family "Feel" that we wanted for our son. It is however naive to think we can just walk into a school - there are waiting lists. So if you are looking - it's worth talking to the school in advance and look into putting your child on their waiting lists (if you can).

 

The sunshine coast is a great place. We initially liked Buderim (still do) - but think the rental market is very competitive. We've looked in Mountain Creek, Sippy Down, Twin Waters, Alex, Kawana and a little further (but only 15 mins away) in Pelican Waters.

 

All these places are accessible to the Motorway - and the drive into Brisbane (so far) doesn't feel that bad (between 60-75 mins) - but I've not done this in peak traffic.

 

The biggest change We've seen is the "Day" - we get up early - and make use of the early sunshine - and run/walk/swim before getting ready for the day ahead…and all done before 7am! (I usually run about 8 miles - nice loop that comes back on the beach…so many people enjoying the water at 6am).

 

Food seems expensive at the moment - but i think this is down to us not earning the $ yet…big mistake is to convert…don't - you will only panic!

 

Look for the deal's - it's like the UK - they are there - you just need to look for them.

 

Getting Internet is crucial...-well worth buying a Portable Wifi until you are in your rental (normally Internet access takes time anyway). Make sure you research the best signal…not the best "deal".

 

If anyone is wanting to come to the Sunshine coast and wants some information - ask and we'll try to find out for you.

[srh82]

Are you going to be commuting into Brisbane every day? If so, you should live closer. Commute will be tough doing that day in day out and you won't have time to do the morning fun stuff!

[Kimorjack]

My UK Commute was up to 2 hours EACH way…

 

I would rather settle where I want to "live"/"play" than stay closer to Brisbane and travel on the weekends etc..

 

In my line of work I hope to be able to WFH some days - everyone is different - and have a different view point. :-)

[srh82]

Fair enough. I know what you mean about UK commutes!

 

I have driven the M1 from the Sunshine Coast into Brisbane (Caloundra/Mooloolaba have fantastic beaches :-) ) many times and if it's anything like the weekends, you will be looking minimum 1hr 30 minutes each way in traffic.

 

Have you thought about living half way? i.e. Bribie Island, Narangba or North Lakes? My colleague lives in North Lakes and it takes her an hour to get into the city - she rents a parking space in the city. North Lakes is a great area, and Bribie looks nice as well.

[Kimorjack]

Another quick update...

 

As expected Property at this time of year is competitive. Lots of people looking to move (either via Emigration or Interstate) - which means many people looking at the same property. It's also clear that the quality of accommodation available isn't that great - probably because people simply dont want to move before Christmas/New Year…the Agents say the quality of property will be better at the end of January…this leaves us staying in short term accommodation longer…so we're now looking at a 6 month rental in an apartment (there are plenty of these on the market). This will give us more time to find the location we want. Apartment may be too small for all our stuff (still on it's way) but we will look at storage options in the short term.

 

Been really impressed at all the activities that we can do…from simple days at the beach to sailing! Cant wait for our bikes to arrive.

 

So top tip now - is if you are coming over or thinking of a Christmas "entry" into Australia - there are positives and negatives - positives - you have the kids on summer holiday - so less stress for them to deal with (our son has already made some good buddies) - negatives being the property market…but this may be different in other states.

 

Will post again soon…Christmas shopping in the sun doesn't seem that bad :-)

[Xenon4017]

My tip would be to do your Christmas shopping in Brisbane CBD. Go in about 6:30 and come back about 4:30. Do that for 1 week. Then, all your shopping will be done, and you'll have a much better idea what it's like to travel into town from the Sunny Coast. You've said you can work from home, but what do you mean by that? Do you mean that technically you don't need to be in an office, or have you found an employer that has agreed to this? The Sunny Coast is really nice (and the GC come to that) and every time I visit I think "wouldn't it be wonderful to live there". But I know a few who either live, or have lived there, and they all complain about the commute, without exception.

 

On the plus side, your 6 month rental will give you plenty of time to experience this for yourself.

[javi1979]

Hiya,

 

Thanks for sharing! Great posts! We're possibly considering the S.C too so it's great to hear your experiences.

 

Hubby might be looking at a job in the S.C but we were thinking of living nearer the city and him commuting the other way until he found something closer. Does anyone know how long the commute is the other way? Google maps says 1hr 15.

 

Or maybe we'll go for living in the S.C but I'm worried there won't be enough going on. Been to the beaches near there but don't really know too much more. What's the CBD like? I have a mental picture of it being really quiet compared to Brisbane and it's surrounds. I like quiet but don't want to feel isolated.

 

Thanks

[Guest]

Hiya,

 

Thanks for sharing! Great posts! We're possibly considering the S.C too so it's great to hear your experiences.

 

Hubby might be looking at a job in the S.C but we were thinking of living nearer the city and him commuting the other way until he found something closer. Does anyone know how long the commute is the other way? Google maps says 1hr 15.

 

Or maybe we'll go for living in the S.C but I'm worried there won't be enough going on. Been to the beaches near there but don't really know too much more. What's the CBD like? I have a mental picture of it being really quiet compared to Brisbane and it's surrounds. I like quiet but don't want to feel isolated.

 

Thanks

 

I wouldn't advise commuting from the sunny coast to Brisbane, that drive can be a total nightmare. There's lots of different towns on the sunny coast some with more to do than others, personally I would probably live in Caloundra as it's the closest and seems to have the most to do in the area.

 

Personally I like living in Brisbane - plenty more to do and can drive to the sunny coast or the gold coast when I fancy the beach.

[Xenon4017]

I wouldn't advise commuting from the sunny coast to Brisbane, that drive can be a total nightmare.

 

Although the opposite way round is better, it's still a good hour even with the best possible traffic.

 

But I agree. You go to work every day, you go to the beach maybe once a week. The previous poster didn't say if they have kids, or what their interests are. If they're young and childless, maybe Brisbane is a better bet.

 

There are othe rthreads on this issue, and I don't want to put anyone on a downer, but right now my priority would be to look for (and find!) employment first, then pick somewhere adequate close by to live. The truth is that there are hundreds of nice places, but not hundreds of nice jobs.

[javi1979]

Hey, thanks for your responses. Yeah job situation isn't easy at the moment so will have to see what happens.

 

Sorry for hijacking your thread Kimorjack.

 

Look forward to hearing more about the S.C from you!

[blobby1000]

Another quick update...

 

As expected Property at this time of year is competitive. Lots of people looking to move (either via Emigration or Interstate) - which means many people looking at the same property. It's also clear that the quality of accommodation available isn't that great - probably because people simply dont want to move before Christmas/New Year…the Agents say the quality of property will be better at the end of January…this leaves us staying in short term accommodation longer…so we're now looking at a 6 month rental in an apartment (there are plenty of these on the market). This will give us more time to find the location we want. Apartment may be too small for all our stuff (still on it's way) but we will look at storage options in the short term.

 

Been really impressed at all the activities that we can do…from simple days at the beach to sailing! Cant wait for our bikes to arrive.

 

So top tip now - is if you are coming over or thinking of a Christmas "entry" into Australia - there are positives and negatives - positives - you have the kids on summer holiday - so less stress for them to deal with (our son has already made some good buddies) - negatives being the property market…but this may be different in other states.

 

Will post again soon…Christmas shopping in the sun doesn't seem that bad :-)

 

Hi, glad you are settling in.

 

I must warn you (although I only have experience of Victoria) the quaility of rental accommodation is NEVER that great!

 

I must urge you to listen to the people that have done the commute before you decide where you will live. I appreciate that you drove 4 hours in the UK but do you really want to do that again in Australia? Looking back, one of our (many) mistakes was moving from Melbourne to the beach 90 mins away and commuting back to Melbourne....it took 2 and a half hours each way some days....it cost a fortune too and I was too knackered (or just too busy driving) to ever actually go the the beach!!!! Like someone said, you work every day, you go to the beach at weekends.. we would have been better off staying in Melbourne and visited the beach at weekends (but I guess its the beach lifestyle many of us want, and its hard to get jobs in the seaside towns so long commutes can become inevitable)

[ramot]

My UK Commute was up to 2 hours EACH way…

 

I would rather settle where I want to "live"/"play" than stay closer to Brisbane and travel on the weekends etc..

 

In my line of work I hope to be able to WFH some days - everyone is different - and have a different view point. :-)

 

 

 

My son commuted from Mountain Creek to Brendale, which is just as you get to the Gympie Rd. for at least 2 years. Before North lakes really expanded the journey averaged 1 hour. It ended up at least 1 1/2 hours and that was just to the start of the Gympie Rd.

He was used to driving on the M25 before moving here, but found the standard of driving pretty poor as well, so has moved nearer to Brisbane.

he loved the Sunshine Coast, having lived here for 6 years, but the journey proved too much long term.

As others have said try it before you commit.

Welcome to the Sunshine Coast whatever you decide, it's a great place to live whatever your age.

[surfndirt]

I guess I would equate it to somone looking to move to the UK with a good job in London. Then, specifically due to lifestyle reasons deciding that they want to live in Royal Ascot and drive into the city everyday. For those of us that have lived and worked in the SE / London, imagine doing that everyday - it's basically like signing your life away to the car / freeway. Remember, it is generally accepted that Aussies (even by most Aussies) are some of the most aggressive shite drivers in the world. Like others have said - this does not sound like a good plan!!

 

Also, like Blobby - I tried to live in my place in Torquay and work in the city (Melbourne) once - lasted 4x weeks before I was back in a house share in the city. It's just a horrid way to live a life.

 

All the best what-ever you decide...

[Kimorjack]

thanks for all the replies.

 

I've done the commute - and yes I can see it would/could be a total nightmare…I've done one trip where it was peak time - and it does slow down around North Lakes - but still got into the CBD in about 1.20 - but I've also had a trip where there were 2 accidents…and this added 20 mins to the trip…(ps. these were at 6.15 start from Kawana).

 

My last few roles in the UK were roles that enabled me to work from home if required (Im a Project Manager…and normally work on Global projects).

 

It is a balancing act. I understand the various poster's viewpoint that the travel will be a nightmare - but at the moment my priority is making sure my family are settled (some might say…but you won't see your family…but let's try it first).

 

It's early days in the S.C - but we've done so much in such a short time - son has completed a sailing course - and loved it - we'll be joining him soon on the water.

 

I may post back in the coming months that the commute is a nightmare and I can't stand it…but my son is in a good school, the wife is enjoying the laid back lifestyle, I look forward to quality time with them.

 

We've all made the hard decision to move to Australia - and I've made the hard decision to try the SC and commute. I hope it works…if not then I'll re-think.

 

But the same ethos as coming here - I'd rather try than think What if...

 

I also have options on the train…but unfortunately the infrastructure isn't quite there at the moment - it would mean a drive to Landsborough - then a 90 min train ride.