What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
#91
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Back home :)
Posts: 1,706
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi Birdynumnum
Oh yes indeed but you would never know, it was always around even in my day but now worse.
Funny hubby grew up near Croydon too in Coulsdon and I did my nurse training in Redhill so used to frequent Croydon too. It really is a small world. Have you liked the Aussie lifestyle, may I be nosey and ask why you are coming back?
Take care
Maisey
Oh yes indeed but you would never know, it was always around even in my day but now worse.
Funny hubby grew up near Croydon too in Coulsdon and I did my nurse training in Redhill so used to frequent Croydon too. It really is a small world. Have you liked the Aussie lifestyle, may I be nosey and ask why you are coming back?
Take care
Maisey
I'll Pm you re why coming back to save being garroted
#92
tedeschicat
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: northampton
Posts: 51
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
All I would like to say is good for you... Needs more advice and positive writing on this site. Just validated our visa's june heading to just outside Brisbane... Waiting for house sale!!! Any more advice would be great thank you.
Hi there all of you including the people who slandered my write up.
I just want to get a few facts right.
1. I did not have to do a theory test for my licence, it is not required anymore.
2. I live in Bridgeman Downs now in a rental that cost me $430 per week. It has 4 bedrooms, the largest master room I have seen with walk in robe, two sinks, bath shower and toliet. It has 3 bathrooms, five rooms downstairs and a family room upstairs.
3. When I said that food was twice the quality, I was actually refering to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat and not tinned food.
4. My children did not get a job in a pub, they were offered jobs with people who were at the pub. My son is decorating for someone and gets paid $120 dollars per day.
5. I have zero rating for two reasons. I have never posted before and as I said, I only posted this time because I thought that it would be helpful to people.
6. I have not advertised anything purposely. I was offering help to genuine people that needed it. Most of my offers of advice were not even posted, I told people to contact me for further information.
I have now been here for 6 weeks and I have yet to find anyhting that I do not like about the place. The reason that I am not on here posting every two minutes is because I have such a fnatastic life and the last thing I want to do is be sat wasting my time reading all of the insults that people have chosen to write.
I hope that anyone who is genuinely interested in further information will post me privtely so I can help in anyway I can without being slated.
I spent three years emmigrating and investigated everything I could. I have sound advice for people wanting it. My family are the most important people in my life and I was scared to death at the thought of moving which is why I spent so much time looking into things and which is why I wrote this thread in the first place.
Kind Regards
Kathy Marie
I just want to get a few facts right.
1. I did not have to do a theory test for my licence, it is not required anymore.
2. I live in Bridgeman Downs now in a rental that cost me $430 per week. It has 4 bedrooms, the largest master room I have seen with walk in robe, two sinks, bath shower and toliet. It has 3 bathrooms, five rooms downstairs and a family room upstairs.
3. When I said that food was twice the quality, I was actually refering to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat and not tinned food.
4. My children did not get a job in a pub, they were offered jobs with people who were at the pub. My son is decorating for someone and gets paid $120 dollars per day.
5. I have zero rating for two reasons. I have never posted before and as I said, I only posted this time because I thought that it would be helpful to people.
6. I have not advertised anything purposely. I was offering help to genuine people that needed it. Most of my offers of advice were not even posted, I told people to contact me for further information.
I have now been here for 6 weeks and I have yet to find anyhting that I do not like about the place. The reason that I am not on here posting every two minutes is because I have such a fnatastic life and the last thing I want to do is be sat wasting my time reading all of the insults that people have chosen to write.
I hope that anyone who is genuinely interested in further information will post me privtely so I can help in anyway I can without being slated.
I spent three years emmigrating and investigated everything I could. I have sound advice for people wanting it. My family are the most important people in my life and I was scared to death at the thought of moving which is why I spent so much time looking into things and which is why I wrote this thread in the first place.
Kind Regards
Kathy Marie
#93
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
hi kathymarie, nice to hear a positive feedback. im moving to brisbane this october and ill be working as a nurse in princess alexandra in woolonggabba. we plan to live or get a rented house in carina or camp hill.. any idea about these suburbs. weve got 3 small kids under 5. ive already inquired about primary catholic school in carina and sounds nice. cant wait to go there. my friends are discouraging me saying about the hot weather and creepy crawlys. but my heart says to go on. no matter what they say... id still go anyway. hope to hear more from you.
#94
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi there,
I emigrated to Australia on 16th April 2007. I spent hours back in the UK reading Expats and craved info on what to expect and what I needed to do. I never really found it that easy to get all the information that I needed in one go so I thought that when I got here, I would learn and share my experiences with you all in the hope that I made real sense for you all.
We came here on a 136 permanent residence visa and had to begin our lives. Here's what we found:
1. We started our journey with a temporary house (pm poster to get details of rental) We have a 5 bed room house in a fantastic area but prices are quite high so only really good for short term. The house is fully equipped with everything you need.
This gave us time to look around the area and find somewhere appropriate to stay longer term.
We are about 25kms outside Brisbane centre in Bridgeman Downs. Caseldine, McDowall, Aspley and Albany Creek are brilliant. Don't look at Zillmere as we are told by the police and locals that the area is troubled and not a nice place to stay. A local supermarket person told me that her dad is a postman and that the children there throw things at him (make your own mind up.
Schools in this area are fantastic. The people are just amazing and really grateful of British people coming here. people are so friendly it is such a pleasure being here.
My husband is a civil engineer and had a job within the week (poor him).
There are so many places on your door step like Bribie Island which is like something from a postcard, pure white sand and turquoise sea.
Medicare took half an hour to organise, you need your passports with your visa's and that is all.
Enrolling at a school is childs play. They have catchment areas so take care where you stay if you want a particular school.
We bought cars from an auction which I highly recommend. We spent hours trawling through car sales in the area and bought from an auction that sold x police and company cars at half the price. I can give you details if you need them, just let me know.
There are short cuts to getting a rental also. We walked into a agent that let us a house that had not yet been advertised.
There are so many jobs for those that wish to work. My older children were offered jobs in a local pub.
The weather is fantastic and not too hot this time of year. I can tell you all of the cheap shops in the area and how to barter.
There are loads or childcare facilities ranging from private to statutory and for some reason, Thursdays seem to be fully booked in most places.
Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
Food is equivalent to UK prices but it is double the quality. Fresh fruit and Veg is a little dearer due to the lack of rain/water.
I have children ranging from 2 to 19 and they have all eventually fallen in love with the place (two and a half weeks later).
You will never ever want to go back to the UK. That I can promise you.
Let me know if I can me of more help.
I emigrated to Australia on 16th April 2007. I spent hours back in the UK reading Expats and craved info on what to expect and what I needed to do. I never really found it that easy to get all the information that I needed in one go so I thought that when I got here, I would learn and share my experiences with you all in the hope that I made real sense for you all.
We came here on a 136 permanent residence visa and had to begin our lives. Here's what we found:
1. We started our journey with a temporary house (pm poster to get details of rental) We have a 5 bed room house in a fantastic area but prices are quite high so only really good for short term. The house is fully equipped with everything you need.
This gave us time to look around the area and find somewhere appropriate to stay longer term.
We are about 25kms outside Brisbane centre in Bridgeman Downs. Caseldine, McDowall, Aspley and Albany Creek are brilliant. Don't look at Zillmere as we are told by the police and locals that the area is troubled and not a nice place to stay. A local supermarket person told me that her dad is a postman and that the children there throw things at him (make your own mind up.
Schools in this area are fantastic. The people are just amazing and really grateful of British people coming here. people are so friendly it is such a pleasure being here.
My husband is a civil engineer and had a job within the week (poor him).
There are so many places on your door step like Bribie Island which is like something from a postcard, pure white sand and turquoise sea.
Medicare took half an hour to organise, you need your passports with your visa's and that is all.
Enrolling at a school is childs play. They have catchment areas so take care where you stay if you want a particular school.
We bought cars from an auction which I highly recommend. We spent hours trawling through car sales in the area and bought from an auction that sold x police and company cars at half the price. I can give you details if you need them, just let me know.
There are short cuts to getting a rental also. We walked into a agent that let us a house that had not yet been advertised.
There are so many jobs for those that wish to work. My older children were offered jobs in a local pub.
The weather is fantastic and not too hot this time of year. I can tell you all of the cheap shops in the area and how to barter.
There are loads or childcare facilities ranging from private to statutory and for some reason, Thursdays seem to be fully booked in most places.
Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
Food is equivalent to UK prices but it is double the quality. Fresh fruit and Veg is a little dearer due to the lack of rain/water.
I have children ranging from 2 to 19 and they have all eventually fallen in love with the place (two and a half weeks later).
You will never ever want to go back to the UK. That I can promise you.
Let me know if I can me of more help.
#95
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi all, I am just taking the first few tentative steps towards a new life in Brisbane. I think?
I have loads of questions and I hope you can all be patient with me if I show my ignorance.
I have heard that Queensland is having the biggest recruitment drive for 40 years and has a big shortage of trades people. I have also heard that there is a big mining and oil/gas industry in the Brisbane area.
Can anyone confirm this?
I am a plater/welder with oil experience as well as manufacturing experience as a quality technician. What are my chances of getting sponsorship or do I have to risk it and hope to get work when I arrive.
Whats the best area for heavy industry?
What sort of wage can I expect as a welder? and how does that compare with rental/house buying costs and cost of living.
I am thinking of loads more but will leave it there for now. Anyone willing to help out a hungry Geordie?
I have loads of questions and I hope you can all be patient with me if I show my ignorance.
I have heard that Queensland is having the biggest recruitment drive for 40 years and has a big shortage of trades people. I have also heard that there is a big mining and oil/gas industry in the Brisbane area.
Can anyone confirm this?
I am a plater/welder with oil experience as well as manufacturing experience as a quality technician. What are my chances of getting sponsorship or do I have to risk it and hope to get work when I arrive.
Whats the best area for heavy industry?
What sort of wage can I expect as a welder? and how does that compare with rental/house buying costs and cost of living.
I am thinking of loads more but will leave it there for now. Anyone willing to help out a hungry Geordie?
#96
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Well kathy Marie.. Thanks for your very informative post, dont worry about the negative feedback, they got nowt else better to do... Quick to judge and all that, trying to read between the lines.....
I just take from this website what i need and try and give a bit of advise along the way if i can. And of course have fun, dont see the point in slagging people off...
Think i gave a negative comment once on someone returning to uk.... (well it was precived at negative) i just said try another area of australia if unhappy rather than back to uk, and got slaughtered for it!!
never mind, good post chick... and ta. xx S-j
I just take from this website what i need and try and give a bit of advise along the way if i can. And of course have fun, dont see the point in slagging people off...
Think i gave a negative comment once on someone returning to uk.... (well it was precived at negative) i just said try another area of australia if unhappy rather than back to uk, and got slaughtered for it!!
never mind, good post chick... and ta. xx S-j
#97
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
many thanks for any info you can give.
Julie Patterson
#98
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Deagon Brisbane
Posts: 8
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi Kathymarie and hubby
Just wanted to say thanks for all the info you gave on this thread, been here sixweeks now and manged to find a house 4 bed on newpark estate lacey road carseldine 390 p/w sorted medicare out got our driving licences bought a car ( Pineapple st definately the place to go) and got a job with sun corp asa financial planner.
Also got our son Charlie into school at norris road primary, saw the headmaster one day and he started the next
Its been a struggle at times but, the good thing is the info you put on your thread is accurate and it can be done we proved it !
Off to Sandgate and shorncliffe now for a bit of R&R
Once again thank you
regards Tony Beaven
Just wanted to say thanks for all the info you gave on this thread, been here sixweeks now and manged to find a house 4 bed on newpark estate lacey road carseldine 390 p/w sorted medicare out got our driving licences bought a car ( Pineapple st definately the place to go) and got a job with sun corp asa financial planner.
Also got our son Charlie into school at norris road primary, saw the headmaster one day and he started the next
Its been a struggle at times but, the good thing is the info you put on your thread is accurate and it can be done we proved it !
Off to Sandgate and shorncliffe now for a bit of R&R
Once again thank you
regards Tony Beaven
#99
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Removals? Any one shipping house contents out to Oz? Any recommendations would be welcome.
#100
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
There are lots in threads about it in the main forum. 20ft container will take a 3bed house for around 3.5K. Companies , crown , pss etc
#101
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: albany creek
Posts: 40
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
where in Kent are you from? we arrived here from Rochester in May settling ok but have been more home sick than we expected.
#102
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi there,
I emigrated to Australia on 16th April 2007. I spent hours back in the UK reading Expats and craved info on what to expect and what I needed to do. I never really found it that easy to get all the information that I needed in one go so I thought that when I got here, I would learn and share my experiences with you all in the hope that I made real sense for you all.
We came here on a 136 permanent residence visa and had to begin our lives. Here's what we found:
1. We started our journey with a temporary house (pm poster to get details of rental) We have a 5 bed room house in a fantastic area but prices are quite high so only really good for short term. The house is fully equipped with everything you need.
This gave us time to look around the area and find somewhere appropriate to stay longer term.
We are about 25kms outside Brisbane centre in Bridgeman Downs. Caseldine, McDowall, Aspley and Albany Creek are brilliant. Don't look at Zillmere as we are told by the police and locals that the area is troubled and not a nice place to stay. A local supermarket person told me that her dad is a postman and that the children there throw things at him (make your own mind up.
Schools in this area are fantastic. The people are just amazing and really grateful of British people coming here. people are so friendly it is such a pleasure being here.
My husband is a civil engineer and had a job within the week (poor him).
There are so many places on your door step like Bribie Island which is like something from a postcard, pure white sand and turquoise sea.
Medicare took half an hour to organise, you need your passports with your visa's and that is all.
Enrolling at a school is childs play. They have catchment areas so take care where you stay if you want a particular school.
We bought cars from an auction which I highly recommend. We spent hours trawling through car sales in the area and bought from an auction that sold x police and company cars at half the price. I can give you details if you need them, just let me know.
There are short cuts to getting a rental also. We walked into a agent that let us a house that had not yet been advertised.
There are so many jobs for those that wish to work. My older children were offered jobs in a local pub.
The weather is fantastic and not too hot this time of year. I can tell you all of the cheap shops in the area and how to barter.
There are loads or childcare facilities ranging from private to statutory and for some reason, Thursdays seem to be fully booked in most places.
Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
Food is equivalent to UK prices but it is double the quality. Fresh fruit and Veg is a little dearer due to the lack of rain/water.
I have children ranging from 2 to 19 and they have all eventually fallen in love with the place (two and a half weeks later).
You will never ever want to go back to the UK. That I can promise you.
Let me know if I can me of more help.
I emigrated to Australia on 16th April 2007. I spent hours back in the UK reading Expats and craved info on what to expect and what I needed to do. I never really found it that easy to get all the information that I needed in one go so I thought that when I got here, I would learn and share my experiences with you all in the hope that I made real sense for you all.
We came here on a 136 permanent residence visa and had to begin our lives. Here's what we found:
1. We started our journey with a temporary house (pm poster to get details of rental) We have a 5 bed room house in a fantastic area but prices are quite high so only really good for short term. The house is fully equipped with everything you need.
This gave us time to look around the area and find somewhere appropriate to stay longer term.
We are about 25kms outside Brisbane centre in Bridgeman Downs. Caseldine, McDowall, Aspley and Albany Creek are brilliant. Don't look at Zillmere as we are told by the police and locals that the area is troubled and not a nice place to stay. A local supermarket person told me that her dad is a postman and that the children there throw things at him (make your own mind up.
Schools in this area are fantastic. The people are just amazing and really grateful of British people coming here. people are so friendly it is such a pleasure being here.
My husband is a civil engineer and had a job within the week (poor him).
There are so many places on your door step like Bribie Island which is like something from a postcard, pure white sand and turquoise sea.
Medicare took half an hour to organise, you need your passports with your visa's and that is all.
Enrolling at a school is childs play. They have catchment areas so take care where you stay if you want a particular school.
We bought cars from an auction which I highly recommend. We spent hours trawling through car sales in the area and bought from an auction that sold x police and company cars at half the price. I can give you details if you need them, just let me know.
There are short cuts to getting a rental also. We walked into a agent that let us a house that had not yet been advertised.
There are so many jobs for those that wish to work. My older children were offered jobs in a local pub.
The weather is fantastic and not too hot this time of year. I can tell you all of the cheap shops in the area and how to barter.
There are loads or childcare facilities ranging from private to statutory and for some reason, Thursdays seem to be fully booked in most places.
Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
Food is equivalent to UK prices but it is double the quality. Fresh fruit and Veg is a little dearer due to the lack of rain/water.
I have children ranging from 2 to 19 and they have all eventually fallen in love with the place (two and a half weeks later).
You will never ever want to go back to the UK. That I can promise you.
Let me know if I can me of more help.
#103
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi there, I'm from nr Maidstone (Bearsted). Are you going to the Brisbane British Club meet up in a couple of weekends time? www.meetup.com Might see you there!
#104
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
This is so lovely to hear. We are hoping to arrive in Brisbane on a 2 year student visa.. i am refreshing my hairdressing and cant wait to get there! we have relatives and friends in the area but want to love as close to the city as money will allow!! i have just found this website but will be here more often than you think..
Sorry coulldn't help it
#105
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Lancashire, England
Posts: 7
Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!
Hi there,
I emigrated to Australia on 16th April 2007. I spent hours back in the UK reading Expats and craved info on what to expect and what I needed to do. I never really found it that easy to get all the information that I needed in one go so I thought that when I got here, I would learn and share my experiences with you all in the hope that I made real sense for you all.
We came here on a 136 permanent residence visa and had to begin our lives. Here's what we found:
1. We started our journey with a temporary house (pm poster to get details of rental) We have a 5 bed room house in a fantastic area but prices are quite high so only really good for short term. The house is fully equipped with everything you need.
This gave us time to look around the area and find somewhere appropriate to stay longer term.
We are about 25kms outside Brisbane centre in Bridgeman Downs. Caseldine, McDowall, Aspley and Albany Creek are brilliant. Don't look at Zillmere as we are told by the police and locals that the area is troubled and not a nice place to stay. A local supermarket person told me that her dad is a postman and that the children there throw things at him (make your own mind up.
Schools in this area are fantastic. The people are just amazing and really grateful of British people coming here. people are so friendly it is such a pleasure being here.
My husband is a civil engineer and had a job within the week (poor him).
There are so many places on your door step like Bribie Island which is like something from a postcard, pure white sand and turquoise sea.
Medicare took half an hour to organise, you need your passports with your visa's and that is all.
Enrolling at a school is childs play. They have catchment areas so take care where you stay if you want a particular school.
We bought cars from an auction which I highly recommend. We spent hours trawling through car sales in the area and bought from an auction that sold x police and company cars at half the price. I can give you details if you need them, just let me know.
There are short cuts to getting a rental also. We walked into a agent that let us a house that had not yet been advertised.
There are so many jobs for those that wish to work. My older children were offered jobs in a local pub.
The weather is fantastic and not too hot this time of year. I can tell you all of the cheap shops in the area and how to barter.
There are loads or childcare facilities ranging from private to statutory and for some reason, Thursdays seem to be fully booked in most places.
Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
Food is equivalent to UK prices but it is double the quality. Fresh fruit and Veg is a little dearer due to the lack of rain/water.
I have children ranging from 2 to 19 and they have all eventually fallen in love with the place (two and a half weeks later).
You will never ever want to go back to the UK. That I can promise you.
Let me know if I can me of more help.
I emigrated to Australia on 16th April 2007. I spent hours back in the UK reading Expats and craved info on what to expect and what I needed to do. I never really found it that easy to get all the information that I needed in one go so I thought that when I got here, I would learn and share my experiences with you all in the hope that I made real sense for you all.
We came here on a 136 permanent residence visa and had to begin our lives. Here's what we found:
1. We started our journey with a temporary house (pm poster to get details of rental) We have a 5 bed room house in a fantastic area but prices are quite high so only really good for short term. The house is fully equipped with everything you need.
This gave us time to look around the area and find somewhere appropriate to stay longer term.
We are about 25kms outside Brisbane centre in Bridgeman Downs. Caseldine, McDowall, Aspley and Albany Creek are brilliant. Don't look at Zillmere as we are told by the police and locals that the area is troubled and not a nice place to stay. A local supermarket person told me that her dad is a postman and that the children there throw things at him (make your own mind up.
Schools in this area are fantastic. The people are just amazing and really grateful of British people coming here. people are so friendly it is such a pleasure being here.
My husband is a civil engineer and had a job within the week (poor him).
There are so many places on your door step like Bribie Island which is like something from a postcard, pure white sand and turquoise sea.
Medicare took half an hour to organise, you need your passports with your visa's and that is all.
Enrolling at a school is childs play. They have catchment areas so take care where you stay if you want a particular school.
We bought cars from an auction which I highly recommend. We spent hours trawling through car sales in the area and bought from an auction that sold x police and company cars at half the price. I can give you details if you need them, just let me know.
There are short cuts to getting a rental also. We walked into a agent that let us a house that had not yet been advertised.
There are so many jobs for those that wish to work. My older children were offered jobs in a local pub.
The weather is fantastic and not too hot this time of year. I can tell you all of the cheap shops in the area and how to barter.
There are loads or childcare facilities ranging from private to statutory and for some reason, Thursdays seem to be fully booked in most places.
Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
Food is equivalent to UK prices but it is double the quality. Fresh fruit and Veg is a little dearer due to the lack of rain/water.
I have children ranging from 2 to 19 and they have all eventually fallen in love with the place (two and a half weeks later).
You will never ever want to go back to the UK. That I can promise you.
Let me know if I can me of more help.
Last edited by gedge; Aug 7th 2007 at 10:56 pm. Reason: removed email address