HAZEL SHEEHAN

HIYA

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF APPLYING TO EMIGRATE TO AUSTRALIA AND HAD OUR MIND MADE UP THAT WE WOULD RELOCATE TO THE TERRIGAL AREA JUST NORTH OF SYDNEY, BUT HAVE HAD HEAPS OF CONFLICTING ADVICE ON DIFFERENT AREAS ESPECIALLY THE AREA AROUND ADELAIDE. HOW DO THESE COMPARE? VISITING BOTH AREAS HAS NOT GIVEN ANY ANSWERS AND HAVE READ HEAPS OF BOOKS AND LITERATURE ABOUT THE TWO REGIONS BUT WE DO NOT FEEL WE KNOW THE TRUE FACTS. WE UNDERSTAND THE COST OF LIVING DIFFERS BUT DOES THIS REFLECT THE EASE IN FINDING WORK. MY HUSBAND IS A FULLY SKILLED BRICKLAYER AND HAS BEEN GUARENTEED WORK IN THE SYDNEY AREA SO THIS IS A SAFE BET!! BUT THE CLIMATE AND COST OF LIVING IN S.A APPEALS. ANY ADVICE WOULD BE WELCOME OR IF ANYONE KNOWS A BOOK I CAN PURCHASE WITH THE TRUE FACTS NOT JUST A PUBLIC RELATIONS ADVERT I CAN GET HOLD OF THIS WOULD HELP.

THANKS

HAZEL SHEEHAN

Russell Driver

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Hi Hazel

I moved to Onkaparinga Hills ,30 mins soutn of Adelaide CBD a year ago.I have not
visited any other major Oz city yet but I did not want to live near a "metropolis"
.Adelaide is a good compromise if you can find work. Email me with specific questions
if you like

Cheers

Russell

--
You don't own a Bedlington Terrier You just have the pleasure of paying his
vets fees.

HAZEL SHEEHAN

Russell Driver

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Hi Hazel

You now have a friend living in Adelaide.

The main point to realise is that Adelaide is virtually the cheapest city to live in
apart from I think brisbane. I'll probably get shot down by many residents of Sydney
but unfortunately it is a very expensive place to lice. Yes salaries are higher but
the cost of living and house prices(crazy) negate any good salary in Sydney. It
depends if you like big cities or not - Sydney is massive and access to the
countryside does take a while ,commuting can be a bummer as well!

Here in Adelaide work is not quite as easy to find,but it is there if you look hard
enough! Most of my friends seem to be able to find work and move from job to job
fairly easily - but they do have the right qualifications and do have the contacts.

Adelaide is nearly thought of as a backwater against other Australian cities - GOOD!
- this keeps it a wonderful and relaxed place. Many people who migrated years ago and
have settled here happilly ask why we moved here - it is a bit of a secret.

Education is good but it does pay to ask local people their opinion, we asked about
and are fortunate enough to be able to put our daughter into a private school called
Woodcroft College.The fees are moderate compared with the UK and the level of
teaching is world famous.Nearly all state schools are very good but still you will
have to pay some fees towards books etc.You will find that UK children are about a
year in advance for their age against the Australian education system and with that
advantage it gives them time to settle in .My daughter is 11 and after a year has
lost her Yorkshire "twang" altogether and is a proper little Aussie.

Areas to live in are somewhat a matter of taste and convenience for work,a wise move
is to rent for six months and get the feel of the place.The Adelaide area has every
type of suburb you could imagine from inner city expensive apartments that are like
rabbit hutches,to wonderful beachside houses,average suburban bungalows to country
properties on a few acres.I live in the hills south of the city and although it feels
like we are in the middle of the country we are not far from any "civilisation".I
prefer the southern part of the city as it is somwhat greener - the North is flat and
hotter and does have one or two problem areas.One northern suburb was voted the worst
in Australia last year but 30 mins there are some of the best and most beautiful. As
I say work,finances and taste will dictate where you live,we found our piece of
heaven and I am sure you will too. House prices range from around $100,000 to over
$1million so there is plenty of choice!If you have a decent amount of funds coming
out of the UK and going through the wonderful exchange rate you will be able to
afford something far better than in the UK but perhaps if you move to Sydney it may
not be possible.

We watch a lot of the property,changing rooms and diy programs and this gives you a
good insight into the housing market here.

We recently found out how good the medical system is over here,my wife had to go into
hospital for a small exploratory operation -- far,far better than the National
Health,and you are treated like a real person here - they even phoned up the day
after my wife returned home to see if she was comfortable!

Where are you from in the UK? we are originally from Yorkshire. Ask as many questions
as you like,we are very proud of the area and feel very honoured to live in such a
wonderful country.

Ask away with the questions, I will try and find a few good local websites for you to
have a look at.You say that a lot of the liteature on the place is like a tour guide
and well it is like living in paradise to us!

As you say it is difficult to find out the real info on an area if you have no
friends or contact here - we were lucky but do realise this is a difficult situation
- you must do your homework. Did you say that you have visited Adelaide? - if not do
come and have a look!. We recently had a visit from a French couple who have applied
to migrate to Oz,they took my advice and came out for a visit before the "big
leap".It was a real pleasure to watch their reactions to the things that are part of
our daily lives.They did say it was worth coming to have a look - it was all a bit
different to what they had imagined.

I'll let you into a little secret - as you did we realised that it is very difficult
to find the "real" life here if you have no friends,family or contact here.There is
loads of good legal advice but you live the life here
24/7 and you should be prepared for it ( you may be able to get here but can you live
here? - we know 2 families that sadly returned to the UK because they could not
settle). We are trying to get together a business along these lines to provide
information to potential migrants and visitors,from meet and greet to perhaps some
time with us - after all we've done it and had a long hard time getting here- we
know the pitfalls.We have just celabrated our first year here ,something of of a
milestone! Don't worry I am not "touting" for business,it is good practice for me
- and a bit of fun making new friends.

Ask away with the questions!

Cheers

Russell

--
Ordinary people do extraordinary things.

HAZEL SHEEHAN

Hello Russell

Thanks ever so much for all of the fantastic information that you sent us recently. What with kids illnesses and the like I havent really had much time to even look at the pc let alone get my head around sending any sort of message that would make sense.

Would you happen to know if there would be a problem renting a property with a dog? As we have a well behaved labrador who is a family pet and would be very sorely missed if we end up having to leave him here. We understand all of the quarentine procedures and we would not have any problem providing a pet passport(whatever next). But as you probably know if you were to rent in this country having a pet can really hinder your choice of home.

This may seem a strange question but as the process of imigration is progressing this is something we have to consider.

I have to go now as the baby is awake and crying again.

Thanks mate

Hazel Sheehan.


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Russell Driver
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Hi Hazel

You now have a friend living in Adelaide.

The main point to realise is that Adelaide is virtually the cheapest city to live in
apart from I think brisbane. I'll probably get shot down by many residents of Sydney
but unfortunately it is a very expensive place to lice. Yes salaries are higher but
the cost of living and house prices(crazy) negate any good salary in Sydney. It
depends if you like big cities or not - Sydney is massive and access to the
countryside does take a while ,commuting can be a bummer as well!

Here in Adelaide work is not quite as easy to find,but it is there if you look hard
enough! Most of my friends seem to be able to find work and move from job to job
fairly easily - but they do have the right qualifications and do have the contacts.

Adelaide is nearly thought of as a backwater against other Australian cities - GOOD!
- this keeps it a wonderful and relaxed place. Many people who migrated years ago and
have settled here happilly ask why we moved here - it is a bit of a secret.

Education is good but it does pay to ask local people their opinion, we asked about
and are fortunate enough to be able to put our daughter into a private school called
Woodcroft College.The fees are moderate compared with the UK and the level of
teaching is world famous.Nearly all state schools are very good but still you will
have to pay some fees towards books etc.You will find that UK children are about a
year in advance for their age against the Australian education system and with that
advantage it gives them time to settle in .My daughter is 11 and after a year has
lost her Yorkshire "twang" altogether and is a proper little Aussie.

Areas to live in are somewhat a matter of taste and convenience for work,a wise move
is to rent for six months and get the feel of the place.The Adelaide area has every
type of suburb you could imagine from inner city expensive apartments that are like
rabbit hutches,to wonderful beachside houses,average suburban bungalows to country
properties on a few acres.I live in the hills south of the city and although it feels
like we are in the middle of the country we are not far from any "civilisation".I
prefer the southern part of the city as it is somwhat greener - the North is flat and
hotter and does have one or two problem areas.One northern suburb was voted the worst
in Australia last year but 30 mins there are some of the best and most beautiful. As
I say work,finances and taste will dictate where you live,we found our piece of
heaven and I am sure you will too. House prices range from around $100,000 to over
$1million so there is plenty of choice!If you have a decent amount of funds coming
out of the UK and going through the wonderful exchange rate you will be able to
afford something far better than in the UK but perhaps if you move to Sydney it may
not be possible.

We watch a lot of the property,changing rooms and diy programs and this gives you a
good insight into the housing market here.

We recently found out how good the medical system is over here,my wife had to go into
hospital for a small exploratory operation -- far,far better than the National
Health,and you are treated like a real person here - they even phoned up the day
after my wife returned home to see if she was comfortable!

Where are you from in the UK? we are originally from Yorkshire. Ask as many questions
as you like,we are very proud of the area and feel very honoured to live in such a
wonderful country.

Ask away with the questions, I will try and find a few good local websites for you to
have a look at.You say that a lot of the liteature on the place is like a tour guide
and well it is like living in paradise to us!

As you say it is difficult to find out the real info on an area if you have no
friends or contact here - we were lucky but do realise this is a difficult situation
- you must do your homework. Did you say that you have visited Adelaide? - if not do
come and have a look!. We recently had a visit from a French couple who have applied
to migrate to Oz,they took my advice and came out for a visit before the "big
leap".It was a real pleasure to watch their reactions to the things that are part of
our daily lives.They did say it was worth coming to have a look - it was all a bit
different to what they had imagined.

I'll let you into a little secret - as you did we realised that it is very difficult
to find the "real" life here if you have no friends,family or contact here.There is
loads of good legal advice but you live the life here
24/7 and you should be prepared for it ( you may be able to get here but can you live
here? - we know 2 families that sadly returned to the UK because they could not
settle). We are trying to get together a business along these lines to provide
information to potential migrants and visitors,from meet and greet to perhaps some
time with us - after all we've done it and had a long hard time getting here- we
know the pitfalls.We have just celabrated our first year here ,something of of a
milestone! Don't worry I am not "touting" for business,it is good practice for me
- and a bit of fun making new friends.

Ask away with the questions!

Cheers

Russell

--
Ordinary people do extraordinary things.

Russell Driver

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Hi Hazel

Hope the baby gets back to sleep soon.

Most rental proerties - if detached have no problems with pets. If you do fetch the
dog over it will be in quarantine for six months anyway so you may have found a
property to buy(most lets are 6 months or one year)

We had two cats in the UK but we found them a very loving home + cats are not as
popular here ( they eat the native wildlife)

Have you thought any more about where you are going to live?

Cheers

Russell

--
auSEElife Run by migrants -for migrants Lot 11 Penneys Rise,Onkaparinga Hills,SA 5163
ICQ 119580733, Yahoo Messenger:russ1926,Fax +61 8 8186 1538

HAZEL SHEEHAN

Hiya Russel,

How are you?? We hope this message finds you well.

Thanks for the info regarding the dog (Archie!!). As I stated before, he plays such a big part of our life, and I keep scouring the real estate web pages but pets are not mentioned at all on any of the rental pages, and as is this is what we are planning to do in the short term, it has caused us to worry.

I wondered do you know what is required in the medical? I mean HIV, TB and the other major diseases are obvious, it's just that I have previously suffered from depression, resulting from pregnancy, which have left me with confidence problems and the like, which I hasten to add are being dealt with, but since we originally spoke to our agent "Its not a problem" has turned into "a potential problem". This is worrying. I must add that I am not off my trolley, havent been sectioned, or anything else of that nature, to this he said that it should be ok, as long as I satisfy the qualified specialist that I will not crack up under the strain of emigrating (no only the applying of it!!!). This has really thrown us into turmoil as everything else is fine, skills assessed and all the other major stuff.

If you have the time any info would be of help.

Thanks mate

Hazel.

Hi Hazel

Hope the baby gets back to sleep soon.

Most rental proerties - if detached have no problems with pets. If you do fetch the
dog over it will be in quarantine for six months anyway so you may have found a
property to buy(most lets are 6 months or one year)

We had two cats in the UK but we found them a very loving home + cats are not as
popular here ( they eat the native wildlife)

Have you thought any more about where you are going to live?

Cheers

Russell

--
auSEElife Run by migrants -for migrants Lot 11 Penneys Rise,Onkaparinga Hills,SA 5163
ICQ 119580733, Yahoo Messenger:russ1926,Fax +61 8 8186 1538
[/B][/QUOTE]

Russell Driver

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Hi Hazel

I think you will find somewhere to rent and keep Archie but have you looked into
the transport and quarantine costs? - you've got to love a pet a lot to go
through it all.

The medical is pretty basic stuff,I almost expected the doctor to ask me to drop my
pants and cough! We were tested for HIV(you can do it privately when asked and it
is quicker)TB and hepatitis B. Broadly as long as you are not suffering from a
major long term illlness that will be a drain on Australia's medical rescources you
should be ok.

I do know someone who is on Prozac and suffers from nerves who got in with no
problems - don't worry! the whole moving to Oz thing is stressfull enough with
worrying even more.I would worry more about an agent who has changed his opinion
about this matter.They are supposed to know what they are on about and give you clear
and professional advice - give him a poke in the eye from me for worrying you! We
found it was stressfull but you must keep an objective view of the whole thing OR sit
back with a nice bottle of Oz wine or 2 on an evening with your partner and discuss
what you will do when you arrive here. If we can do it - anyone can do it! By the way
you have to be a little "off your trolley" to move over here - me I am completely off
it! just ask my friends when I get the barbie and beers going.

For some good advice have a look in misc.immigration.australia+nz you may find some
good answers there.

Keep smiling

Russell

--
auSEElife Run by migrants -for migrants Lot 11 Penneys Rise,Onkaparinga Hills,SA 5163
ICQ 119580733, Yahoo Messenger:russ1926,Fax +61 8 8186 1538

Caroline B

Hello Hazel..
This is a tricky one, and you are not alone! - We are hoping to emigrate to Oz, and after doing lots of research, really like the sound of Adelaide. We have young children and are IT workers - but I have been told that job prospects for IT in Adelaide are grim. I am sure that the lifestyle for families is better than in Sydney - but Sydney is where the jobs are! I have decided to try for Adelaide, and then move if we really can't find work. I am sure there must be some jobs in Adelaide...maybe it's a question of being as adaptable as possible.

Caroline

Sm

Sydney rocks. Before emigrating we saw Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Loved
Perth (but too far away), loved Brisbane. Were wary of Sydney (too loud). Thought
we'd like Melbourne but didn't (too much like England). Moved to Sydney because
that's where the jobs are. Love it. You can have a loud or a quiet life around here,
but the sun shines, the world moves and I am never bored.

On a double IT salary, you will have a top lifestyle despite the expenses of living
in Sydney relative to anywhere else in Oz.

Just an opinion.

--
***************

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