PontePom Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 Good that some folk are settling in other states besides WA...lol.......As for the loud neighbours....if you can't resolve the matter yourself then approach your local council office. I had the same problem here in Perth some years back and finally got the local Enviromental Officer, I think she was called. Luckily they were renting so it wasn't too difficult for the lease to be canceled...especially after getting a few other neighbours on board. Enjoy Brisbane........ Such a long time ago since we had noise issues with neighbours I actually spoke to them about it and they were brilliant about it and had no problems since. The lady next door to them has sold and she's moved out so no issues at all now. In fact we're planning on staying here for at least another 6 years until kids have finished Uni then we explore the rest of Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabo Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Great to hear from you. Someone was asking about aboveground pools recently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PontePom Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Great to hear from you. Someone was asking about aboveground pools recently! Thanks I have good info with above ground pools so ask em to pm me cos not about much on forum Shame really cos i have good up to date advice not from an holiday years ago like some lol But more time to enjoy my life here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PontePom Posted August 25, 2012 Author Share Posted August 25, 2012 Have to laugh cos of the likes I receive from the member that keeps me away from this forum or maybe that's why he likes them roflmao My advice is to listen to the members that live here not been on holiday here as we know know its not the same and over the 2 years we've been here so much as changed and keeps changing. Jobs are being lost and many more will be lost before a recovery is in sight. But I guess the UK is the same but cos I'm not living there I won't even try and offer advise on that Until my next post Back to living the dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PontePom Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 Decided to stay around and help where I can as I know I have plenty of up to date info to offer to those that need it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellsbells712 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Good for you Howard, welcome back.... xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PontePom Posted September 19, 2012 Author Share Posted September 19, 2012 Just had a lovely drive to Brisbane with Pam Weather perfect Went to South bank We ate at Aqua and had a great meal Beautiful chilling walk Listened a group playing for a while who were very good Strolled back to the car $12 to park £45 for the meal Left home at 10.15am Back home 2.30pm Well worth it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 OMG I never thought I'd ever post here again but I felt like I wanted to give those who are interested an update on how things are going... So we're past the 4 years living here and still in the same house but we have now bought it They dropped a bombshell that they were having to sell so we asked for some time to see how we could go with a deposit etc and everything just fell into place and we took the gamble. We believe it was a good time to get into the housing market and so far so good. We've done so much to the house converting the double garage to a big workshop / office for my business (which is thriving) an office for Pam and bigger utilty room. As we have a carport we don't miss the garage and were planning on closing in 2 sides of it soon. So my computer business Home-Computing as just gone from strength to strength and things are really looking up. Pam is still in the same job and is still loving it Daughter Becki is at the University of Queensland in Brisbane and doing really well Son Luke is just doing great, he's got lots of friends and getting A's and B's and he starts year 12 in February next year Pam and the kids will be applying to get their citizenship shortly Basically things are just sweet and life here just can't get much better We've had our ups and downs during the 4 years but overall if you want it enough you can get past most obstacles I've not read anything on the forum so no idea who's still around but hopefully the good one's are still doing a great job and the few know it all's have moved on lol I hope this update is appreciated and maybe I'll post another in a few years lol Take care Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellsbells712 Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Howard, Yayy, great to hear from ya. Brilliant to hear how well it is all going. Often when I drive past Helensvale High, I think about ya's and if I'll see your car and I'll stop for a chat. Glad the kids are doing so well. Is Luke at Helensvale High. Our Connor starts high school in a years time. We were going to send them to AB Patterson, but now have decided Helensvale has great reports and athletics excellence and academic for Natasha and drama, academic excellence and IT for Connor, so Helensvale it is. Life is pretty sweet here too. So many changes. We bought our house in Helensvale over 2 years ago now. Another 6 months now and we'll be here 4 years. Time flies when you're having fun. I'll always remember the week before you guys left and Pam was looking after Connor and we got chatting about Australia and here we all are nearly 4 years on, living the dream. A little update on our lives if anyone is interested. Been here 3 1/2 years, have owned our own house now for 2 1/2 years. Helen of Helensvale with her house with a pool. Could never have dreamt of how good our lives could be. Kids are at home now. Natasha was 5 when we left the UK, 8 now, our little aussie girl. We were up Springbrook 1 day and some people were listening to us and said she's definitely a local with that accent. Our little athlete and swimmer. Won age champion at Helensvale Little athletics last 2 years, her aim this year to qualify for state championships. Connor our swimmer and actor. Loves acting at The Spotlight theatre at Benowa and is excited for his 1 of the main roles in the performance next week. Both thriving at school. Connor an A student and Natasha A student and academic achievement awards 2 years running. What more could we ask for. As for ourselves, the 10 months trouble I had getting my nursing registration with AHPRA and working 3 years at Red Cross Blood service, June this year I decided to hang up my nursing boots and have ventured out. We bought our Interior & Carpet cleaning franchise business in June and is now starting to develop just nicely. We are "Austclean Southport" Never did I ever imagine I would own my own business. Nerve wracking as it is, thinking will we succeed, deep down knowing we can do this, I'm loving being my own boss. Watch this space....... Poor Neil thought he could casually carry on as house husband. Yeah right, what planet did he think he was living on ?? lol. Making a fine cleaner now though. How things change. Love it, Love it, Love it, at times at the start it was a little difficult but we have never looked back. I flew back to UK and Ireland in July this year for my dad's surprise 70th birthday, although as good as the holiday was, I was glad to come home. I could not imagine living anywhere else. Living life to the full, always reminding ourselves how lucky we are to be living here, living the dream, for all you folk out there, you have got to try hard and work at making a life for yourself. Be positive and you will succeed. Live as the aussies do. Best wishes to you all. Love Helen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted October 12, 2014 Share Posted October 12, 2014 Just spent an enjoyable hour reading this thread. In a way wish I hadn't because the 9 months til we move suddenly seems too long lol. Great positive posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adele244 Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Same here, I should have been in bed hours ago but I got hooked on this thread. In fact I have had highs and lows just reading this thread, my heart sank when you said you were leaving PIO, then to my delight you posted again and then again very recently. What at an unbelievably informative thread, I went through all the emotions with you there, especially with your house sale etc!! thank you so so so much for the time you have spent on this thread, I'm sure it has helped ooooodles of people, it certainly has me. I am so glad everything has worked out fantastically for you and long may it continue. Thanks agin :hug: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 The main reason I came back was because I know I can help others as we've been through it I've reallised some on here have their agendas and let em get on with it I live a great lifestyle here and love everything that Australia has given me and what it can offer me The UK is in the past The sooner you move on from the past into the future life is so much easier You never forget it just don't dwell on it Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Some great news for us as a family... Pam, Becki and Luke will become Australian citizens on 25th Feb So happy Kind of the final hurdle for us to get over has a family and all now citizens which is so fantastic Can life here get any better For us either way it won't matter because we are home and thats all that really matters It's never been an holiday just a new way of life and wow what a roller coaster But we've made it and we really love it here For all the haters and all the moaners on here - Get a life lol There are some really great members and you'll know them because they're so caring and truthfull and stand out from the plonkers lol Aussie Aussie Aussie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 Piccos Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Congratulations to you and your family. I remember when you first started to post on this site. I was about to return to Australia after a few years in UK travelling. We became Australian citizens in 1982 and I am so glad that we did. I loved Australia from the moment I landed in 1973 and I felt at home immediately. Of course, there were a lot of things that were alien to me but I soon adjusted. I settled in very quickly mainly I believe, because I didn't have a foot in each country. No Skype, no internet, no telephone, just aerogrammes so my attention, and that of my family was focussed on our life in Australia. We embraced the Australian way of life. Also, when I arrived I didn't believe the pavements to be paved with gold. We had three jobs between us at the beginning, to help get more money for our house deposit. We had a goal and we worked towards it. My children and grandchildren are now reaping the rewards and I for one, am very grateful for my life in this beautiful country. My advice to people emigrating nowadays, keep focussed on your dream and do not let those who want you to fail, get in to your head. From personal experience, I know that there can be family and friends who want you to be homesick so that you return to your homeland. They have an agenda and they work at it constantly. You have to be aware and concentrate on your life in your new country. You have left your old life behind and have to work at your new life. Family and friends can be supportive or destructive. Just be aware which camp yours are in. By this comment, please don't think I don't love my family and friends back in the old country because I do. I am just very switched on after seeing this happen to a lot of people over the years. You will get lots of great information on this site from people like Howard. You just have to not get pulled in to those who are very negative and who want to rain on other people's parade. Howard I wish you and your family a wonderful future in Australia and the same to everyone else who wants to give it a go. xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 A little update... Pam, Becki and Luke will become Australian citizens on Thursday 26th Feb (Change of date) Same day I have the nerves burned in my neck to hopefully ease my pain My hospital time is 9.30am and citizenship ceremony it at 2pm I just hope I'll be well enough to attend Alls well in Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith and Linda Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 A little update... Pam, Becki and Luke will become Australian citizens on Thursday 26th Feb (Change of date) Same day I have the nerves burned in my neck to hopefully ease my pain My hospital time is 9.30am and citizenship ceremony it at 2pm I just hope I'll be well enough to attend Alls well in Australia Best wishes on all fronts there mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Doesn't the time fly when you're settled I didn't make the ceremony as I was still out of it with the anesthetic Nearly 5 years have passed since we arrived and 6 since I joined the forum wow Nearly time to renew our driving licenses as we got the max of 5 year ones Since we bought our house we've done lots to it Knocked it about a bit 2 make 3 large bedrooms instead of 4 (2 small) Garage converted in a big workshop for me, an office for Pam and a big utlility room We got solar installed about 6 months ago, not getting the big feed in tarif like when it first came out but our bills are lower We feel so much happier buying than when we rented as we can make the decisions Even though we did have great landlords My business is growing very well (Fixing PC's) Pam's job is great (Mental health covering all the schools on the Gold Coast) Becki still at Uni in Brisbane Luke in last year at Helensvale High school I had an operation on my wrist to remove a Ganglion about 3 weeks ago and thats my 2nd op since we arrived. I went public on both occasions and it was excellent I waited 3 months both times from seeing the Dr to having the ops Life is fantastic for us here but it aint for everyone and my only advice is if you move here is to remember it aint the UK with better weather Well in 4 days time on the 25th of May I will turn 50 a milestone I'm not looking forward to... 40's always sounded ok but having to say 50's OMG that just sounds old noooooooooooooo... It now feels so long ago since we moved here that 5 years just doesn't sound long enough lol It's getting cooler here now which is actually nice Roughly 15 on a night and 23 during the day Alls great for us in Australia :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
House Biatch Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Thanks for posting this update Howard. I hadn't seen it before and have just spent a good hour or so reading about your journey. We are moving there in October, hopefully Helensvale or somewhere close by. Enjoy your 50th, mines in December :frown:. Great post! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 Just about 5 years living here now Driving license about to expire (10 days left) Life is just so great for us here My computer business is growing better than I ever expected www.homecomputing.com.au Pams loving her job still Becki doing well at Uni and Luke has a very good OP forecast so all good for uni next year They grow up so fast Happy Days (well Day is my surname) Just because I love it don't make it right for everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Passed the 5 years and didn't even notice it lol I guess I must be settled then Good job it wasn't the wedding anniversary I forgot :laugh: Driving licence sorted, I had to have a new photo taken, no smiling or mouth open so not looking forward to seeing it lol Had a shock in the post saying our water useage was high for last quarter Got a water leak specialist in whos found the spot and a plumber friend is on his way to fix it now. Just something you have to deal with when you own a property I'm taking my Daughter Becki out shopping soon I'm picking up a new ipad air 2 for me for the business on special but it's in Oxley then calling in at Loganholme for some retail therapy Australia for us is GREAT I'll keep posting the odd update in here as I feel might be of use to others Life in Australia is what you make it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 5 years for us too Howard, we too are very settled and loving it. Glad you are all happy and going great guns. Keep up with the updates they are great to read. BTW why did you need a new photo, we've not been asked yet, wonder if we will next time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Passed the 5 years and didn't even notice it lol I guess I must be settled then Good job it wasn't the wedding anniversary I forgot :laugh: Driving licence sorted, I had to have a new photo taken, no smiling or mouth open so not looking forward to seeing it lol Had a shock in the post saying our water useage was high for last quarter Got a water leak specialist in whos found the spot and a plumber friend is on his way to fix it now. Just something you have to deal with when you own a property I'm taking my Daughter Becki out shopping soon I'm picking up a new ipad air 2 for me for the business on special but it's in Oxley then calling in at Loganholme for some retail therapy Australia for us is GREAT I'll keep posting the odd update in here as I feel might be of use to others Life in Australia is what you make it Just read this. We were in Loganholme Hyperdome yesterday as it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 5 years for us too Howard, we too are very settled and loving it. Glad you are all happy and going great guns. Keep up with the updates they are great to read. BTW why did you need a new photo, we've not been asked yet, wonder if we will next time? They changed them from the laminated ones Once you have the new ones you can apply online so more queing at the department of transport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HelensvaleHoward Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Just read this. We were in Loganholme Hyperdome yesterday as it happens. I actually preferred it before the upgrade which they just finished Now the new market area which is nice but we lost a great cafe we always used Not much in the way of coffee shops at the Coles/Kmart end but we tried a little cafe outside of the top of Coles entrance and it was really nice so maybe found a replacement coffee for the drive home We go to Loganholme maybe once a month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 They changed them from the laminated ones Once you have the new ones you can apply online so more queing at the department of transport Ah ours are already the ones that you do online, perhaps that's why then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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