I think my circumstances are a little unique. I’d been living out of the UK for about 13 years, and in Amsterdam for the past 11 years, so I was very used to being out of the UK. Living in the Netherlands does have its own challenges, which seem to have made Australia, and Queensland seem positively easy. I’d also been to Australia on several 3 week long business trips, and I’d taken a week off at the end to get out and see stuff, so I was pretty familiar with the country, although more Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, than Brisbane.

I came here as a single guy on an employer sponsored visa, I think it is a 122, which basically meant I had a job in Brisbane, and it came with permanent residency. That was granted in early 2006, and as soon as it was granted I resigned with a months notice, and in April arrived in Australia.

I had accommodation sorted with friends for a couple of months, which enabled me to get an idea on locations, and I used the forums on BritishExpats for plenty of research. I had a drive around on ANZAC Day 2006, and I decided that Paddington, New Farm and West End would be my target places. I planned on renting initially so I could be super sure on where to settle, and I was also waiting on a settlement on a property in Amsterdam. I underestimated the effort involved in finding a place, with the hassle of the 100 points of ID, the 30 minutes viewing session, and the competition with the other applicants. I viewed one place at 5pm, and when I phoned at 9am the next morning, it was already let. So it was a case of taking ID to the viewing, and if I liked the place, applying there and then.

I did not ship very much, with the exception of 3 motorcycles, fishing gear, clothes, CDs, and personal stuff. I had worked out that shipping costs were about 450 Euros a cubic metre, meaning that something like a fridge would cost more to ship than it would be buy a new one. So I had a bargaining/shopping spree at ‘The Good Guys’, getting a TV, fridge, washing machine, microwave and small stuff like iron and kettle. I got a $2600 stainless steel fridge for $1400, I’m still convinced he made a mistake, but walked away feeling pretty victorious about it all.

My personal stuff took about 3 months to arrive, that included a delay because of some import document issues for the motorcycles. Went through customs and was delivered pretty quickly, although the AQIS inspector had been over zealous with his stanley knife when opening up some packaging, with a fishing rod holdall slashed. I had insurance but I never bothered claiming, deciding that it was too hard to handle the paperwork. I used Allied Verkamp (Allied Pickfords) as they were the most competitive, and more importantly, I felt they wanted my business. I could not fault them.

Getting a car was easy enough, and with the high second-hand costs here, I decided a new one was a better approach. As I had a job I got one financed via a salary sacrifice lease, which means that my company pays the finance out of pre-tax earnings. All of the expenses are also salary sacrificed, and my company lets me put that stuff on my company credit card, meaning I earn frequent flyer points and because that is not wrapped up in the finance, I’m not paying interest on it. Each month I get $200 dollars taken pre-tax for these expenses. At the end of the tax year, I had a refund of about $450 dollars. Choosing a car is always a dilemma for me, and I’d made up my mind I was going to get a 4x4. I’d narrowed it down to a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Toyota Prado, with the Prado looking like the likely choice. Then I saw a deal in the paper at the local Subaru dealer, so I thought I’d go and test drive an Impreza WRX. Apart from a holiday in Thailand, this was the first time I’d driven a right hand drive car in 12-13 years, and here I am in a mega hoon/hooligan car, quite an interesting experience for me, and for the sales guy sat beside me. A 50km test drive later, I was hooked, so I ordered a red one, as far as I’m concerned, there is only one colour, and they had red in the stock they wanted to clear. One year on, no points on my licence yet (not really sure how), its very thirsty, everybody wants to race me, I’m always getting stopped by the cops, but its a great car to drive. Have to be honest and say I wish I’d got the 4x4 because of the opportunities to go onto the beaches at Bribie, Frasier, Rainbow Beach and so on. When the lease is up in a couple of years, I’ll be back at the Toyota dealer.

The outdoor life here is just astonishing. I remember the first time I went to the beach for the day, (rather than just a quick paddle at Surfers), at Bribe Island in October, and I remember laying there, in the sun, cooking with all that factor 30 on, thinking “I’m not on holiday, I’m not here for just 2 weeks, I can do this every single weekend if I want”. This was probably the one moment that really bought home that I was in Australia and living here. I’ve been doing a fair amount of fishing, both land based and also from a workmates boat. Its amazing to be wearing board shorts and to be standing in the sea fishing and it is the middle of winter. It’s even better when I manage to catch something!

With my mate and partner already here, plus my interests in motorcycles, motorscooters and fishing, plus having a decent bunch of workmates, have meant I’ve moved into a pretty decent choice from a socializing point of view, and cannot say I’ve ever felt lonely.

My job involves a couple of trips a month to either Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney, so I’ll stay on for a weekend pretty often, allowing me to get out and about further than Queensland. (I need to get the city vibe of Melbourne and Sydney every once in a while! Brisbane is not very cosmopolitan!)

My mother came out for 2 months in February and March of this year (father did not, as him coming would show his approval). She had a blast, took her to Sydney and we did all of the obvious stuff, Byron, rain forests, Surfers, Australia Zoo, and the Australia day beach thing. She told me on several occasions she could see the attraction of Australia and that it was very clear that the lifestyle agrees with me. I have to be honest and say that the goodbyes at Brisbane Airport were the most upsetting experience of my life. Looks like she is coming out for another month next year and I think I’m going to take her somewhere like Alice Springs. Not looking forward to the goodbyes though!

I had a bit of a ‘dummy spit’ in March, probably a combination of Mum leaving, having a few insecurities at work, selling my place in Amsterdam, etc. I actually considered if I should return to the UK, and I think it was because of the feeling of security I could relate regarding family, friends, and still having a property there. I got over it, and I’m looking to a future here, buying a place, and thinking how I can bail out of the car finance and get a Land Cruiser!

I’m aware that I had a job to come to, came alone so I had it easier than some, but I don’t really have anything to complain about. Yes there are the usual niggles like Woollies and Coles are not like Tescos, and having to work the banking system to avoid charges. They can’t drive to save their lives, the interest rates are high, the water is scarce, a lot of the locals can get negative and so on, but personally, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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