Cascade Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Hi, we are moving from London to Mackay with kids age ranging from 8-13yrs. My main worry is them settling in, finding friends and being happy. Has anyone any experiences or advice to share? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted February 11, 2018 Share Posted February 11, 2018 Mackay is a pretty family orientated town and there's loads of people who have come from the UK, so your kids won't be regarded as freaks, don't worry. Do they do sports or anything? yesterday was the big sign-on expo and 130 clubs were there so there's loads of different things for them to do. You may find Mackay a bit of a culture shock after London, though we are one of the largest regional towns in Queensland, we are just that - a regional town so don't expect bright lights big city sort of deal. The plus side is you can accidentally leave the garage door open all night and no one has a poke around in your house (as i did last night, oops). If you use the "search" button you'll find lots of recent threads about Mackay and good places to live, good schools etc. If you have any specific questions please ask, I have two kids and know the feeling! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cascade Posted February 11, 2018 Author Share Posted February 11, 2018 Thanks so much Eera for your reply. We went out August last year with a view of moving and loved the feel of the place. For me the big plus is family time - before the kids grow up and they fly the nest! It looks ideal for hubby and I and although we will miss some of what’s to offer here we are both working flat out and rarely have time for much else anyway. I feel a bit worried about uprooting the kids when they are happy as they are. I do feel in the long run life will be better for them in Australia, just worried for them with making friends etc. (Their friends seeming such a big factor for them!). Did you move your kids to Mackay? Did u move from the UK? Love the idea of all the outdoors and space for the kids Feel a bit worried about the heat and humidity in summer but tbh it’s been cold and grey since September here. How do you find the climate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted February 12, 2018 Share Posted February 12, 2018 I moved out by myself and cranked out the kids in Mackay, however, I know several families who have moved out here from the UK with their kids, settled in, bought houses and are happy here. Kids are adaptable; in reality it's no different for them to moving to another city and starting a new school; my parents moved me between Australia and England four times between the ages of 2 and 15 and while I resented them at the time, I soon made friends and settled wherever we ended up. While there may not be the attractions of the city, frankly I find the complete lack of commute time to be totally worth it, though you do have to alter your schedule to get things done in the day due to the lack of evening light; being near the equator we have fairly even day/nights, so not that horrendous long darkness in winter, but also we don't get that lovely twilight in summer either. I won't lie about summer - it sucks big time, however, you just get on with it. Personally I walk the dog at 5.30 in the morning to avoid the heat, and it's not uncommon to see families doing their bike rides together in the early evening when it's not as sticky. The trade-off is that winter is absolutely glorious; think constant 25 during the day, 15 overnight and no rain for months - that's also when the outdoor sports season is. Can i ask what you do for a living? Most of the people who move here from the UK seem to be attached to either medical professions or heavy industry. There is a huge resurgence in the town right now and there's a very positive feeling around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cascade Posted February 12, 2018 Author Share Posted February 12, 2018 I think that in so many ways it’s a no brainer moving to Oz. I’m from Oz originally and my hubby is a dr and has job in Mackay. And yeah have been imagining that being the case re the weather but ultimately it’s cold here for 6mths of the year and we’re inside with central heating. There has been lots of good things about living here but life is def different as a family, working flat out, an hour plus commute each way on the tube etc which sort of limits the access to what is great about living here. I do think you’re right kids are adaptable and ultimately it will be good for them to have to deal with a change. It’s really reassuring to hear your view on kids from this neck of the woods settling in and being happy. I feel really positive about moving to Mackay. I do have my moments though when I see the kids happy with their friends etc and wonder if it’s right for them, moving that is. However for us all there’s no qu that family life would be better. Great to hear that Mackay's on the up I have of course scoured the internet and see there is major works on the ring road (?) and there’s lots of positive comments etc on Mackay. Thanks for taking the time to message back 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eera Posted February 13, 2018 Share Posted February 13, 2018 Please let me know how you go with your decision. We need doctors here, especially specialists. They've completely rebuilt the Base Hospital recently, they've almost finished the construction of a brand spanky new cancer centre which mean we won't have to go to Brisbane for treatment anymore, as well. The Ring Road is one of a number of large projects happening at the moment - there's a couple of big bypasses and road realignments in the works; a massive new athletics centre being put in right now, there's longer term plans for the airport to go international though the authorities are being a bit schtum on where that'll be to (NZ is front-runner at the moment). There are also a heap of new pit developments happening within a few hours of us which is attracting the investment back into town and according to the radio we now have one of the lowest regional unemployments in QLD. If you want any further info please don't hesitate to pm me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ina Posted May 22, 2018 Share Posted May 22, 2018 Hello, I finally found a post resonating my situation We are a family of 3 with a 4 -year- old boy. My husband has been offered a job in Mackay, which we are currently contemplating to accept. We will be moving over from Singapore. Having never visited Mackay as a family. We are keen to understand more about the town> Cost of living, Good state schools? Preferred localities to rent? Life in general? As you can imagine lots of random thoughts are passing my mind. Can you please share more about Mackay. Cascade, Did you finally make a move to Mackay? if yes, please do share some great tips that came handy for you. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chantell Posted June 13, 2019 Share Posted June 13, 2019 @Cascade did you end up moving to Mackay? Are you happy with your decision? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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