1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Jul 14th 2005, 2:48 am
#1
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1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Well, having just read the oterh 1 year on posts, thought I'd better wrtie mine!
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
Jul 14th 2005, 3:13 am
#2
You'll learn............
Joined: May 2005
Location: Shopping Heaven at last
Posts: 102
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Originally Posted by Mummy
Well, having just read the oterh 1 year on posts, thought I'd better wrtie mine!
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
Good luck with it all (will put it on my fav's list)
Best wishes
Jill
Jill
Jul 14th 2005, 6:15 am
#3
Dutch expat/Aus citizen
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: South East, Perth (was Holland)
Posts: 5,789
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Good to hear from you 'Mummy' 
Good luck with the business. Would be great if I can find something to do from home when I have kids too!
Good luck with the business. Would be great if I can find something to do from home when I have kids too!
Jul 15th 2005, 2:44 am
#4
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Location: Was Sydney, now Somerset
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Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Thanks for the comments on the biz - it is still early days - this summer in Oz will be the real tester. I will have larger wetsuits for kids up to 7 years old very soon, and these are going to be even better with funky sea creatures on them!
Having a photo shoot this weekend for a brochure - it was suprisingly difficult to find people to volunteer their babies as models. Didn't want to go through a model agency because they cost too much and had a bad experience with them before.
Catherine
Having a photo shoot this weekend for a brochure - it was suprisingly difficult to find people to volunteer their babies as models. Didn't want to go through a model agency because they cost too much and had a bad experience with them before.
Catherine
Jul 15th 2005, 5:23 am
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Sydney
Posts: 221
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
I hope you sort your little probs soon!
We arrived on 1st July last year too!! Hasn't it gone quick!!?
We arrived on 1st July last year too!! Hasn't it gone quick!!?
Originally Posted by Mummy
Well, having just read the oterh 1 year on posts, thought I'd better wrtie mine!
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
Jul 15th 2005, 6:10 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Somers;Mornington Peninsula
Posts: 241
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Really enjoyed your post Mummy.
Just a thought on your wetsuits....with the hot weather here in the UK we purchased an outside paddling/swimming pool and couldn't find anything like your wetsuits for what we needed.Basically what Im trying to ramble on about is have you thought about adding floaties into the wetsuit so thay learn to swim unaided and keep warm all over.
We ended up buying a Kooshies konfidence jacket with armbands and our 23 month old loves it but spends a lot of time sayinf freezing cold freezing cold!!
Just food for thought?!
Just a thought on your wetsuits....with the hot weather here in the UK we purchased an outside paddling/swimming pool and couldn't find anything like your wetsuits for what we needed.Basically what Im trying to ramble on about is have you thought about adding floaties into the wetsuit so thay learn to swim unaided and keep warm all over.
We ended up buying a Kooshies konfidence jacket with armbands and our 23 month old loves it but spends a lot of time sayinf freezing cold freezing cold!!
Just food for thought?!
Jul 15th 2005, 6:12 am
#7
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Listening to Puffing Billy
Posts: 9,183
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Congratulations on the first milestone
Personally i found that once all the "firsts" were over things got easier. Good luck with the business, sounds like a plan
Personally i found that once all the "firsts" were over things got easier. Good luck with the business, sounds like a plan
Jul 15th 2005, 6:42 am
#8
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Posts: 1,818
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Thanks for the update - I will be moving to Sydney myself so its very interesting to read other peoples perspectives.
SS
SS
Jul 15th 2005, 8:00 am
#9
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Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Was Sydney, now Somerset
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Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Originally Posted by farrierswife
Really enjoyed your post Mummy.
Just a thought on your wetsuits....with the hot weather here in the UK we purchased an outside paddling/swimming pool and couldn't find anything like your wetsuits for what we needed.Basically what Im trying to ramble on about is have you thought about adding floaties into the wetsuit so thay learn to swim unaided and keep warm all over.
We ended up buying a Kooshies konfidence jacket with armbands and our 23 month old loves it but spends a lot of time sayinf freezing cold freezing cold!!
Just food for thought?!
Just a thought on your wetsuits....with the hot weather here in the UK we purchased an outside paddling/swimming pool and couldn't find anything like your wetsuits for what we needed.Basically what Im trying to ramble on about is have you thought about adding floaties into the wetsuit so thay learn to swim unaided and keep warm all over.
We ended up buying a Kooshies konfidence jacket with armbands and our 23 month old loves it but spends a lot of time sayinf freezing cold freezing cold!!
Just food for thought?!
Jul 15th 2005, 8:09 am
#10
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Thank-you for the progress report and congrats on the business. It looks like a solid product to me - I'm sure my wife Catherine will be putting an order in shortly
Jul 15th 2005, 8:30 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Sydney soon
Posts: 296
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Originally Posted by Mummy
Well, having just read the oterh 1 year on posts, thought I'd better wrtie mine!
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
We arrived on the 1st July last year, and were very fortunate to be met at the airport by an old school friend who put us up and fed us for 2 weeks before we found a place to rent.
Rented for 3 months in a fully furnished place in North Sydney until our furniture arrived (McMahons Point Realty have lots of 3 month f/furnished places to rent if anyone's interested)
Then we moved to Lane Cove, 15 mins from CBD, small place with villagey feel to it. Hubby got a job about 3 weeks after we arrived, which was a complete godsend after 6 months unemployed and then taking a really bad job for 18 months (he works in IT as well!) He now works in North Ryde, which is really convenient for us here in Lane Cove - 10 mins on the bus. That means that he can leave the house at 8.00 and return at 5.00 instead of the 6.30 leave and 7.30 return that we used to have to suffer back in the UK!
I didn't look for work because I was looking after our then 8 month old baby. I was going to look for work back in January, ut had enjoyed the time with my son so much that I couldn't face putting him in childcare for 5 days a week. So I started up my own business designing and retailing wetsuits for babies and young kids (www.bubbaducks.com.au - let me know if I need to take that out!). This means that I can work from home and spend 3 days with my son in the week. He now goes to family day care for 2 days a week so that I can get some work done! It is working out really well in terms of the time with my son.
I was put in touch with a great mothers group here, so met some people that way in no time at all. Still feel a bit isolated socially though as a family - any ideas for meeting new people, ideally families, for regular social activity (other than joining a church) would be appreciated!
Here's the downside! We are broke. We thought that we had brought enough money to last us 6 months, but it only lasted for about 2 months. Don't panic - it is mostly to do with the start up costs for my business, and the fact that we decided not to sell uor house in the UK, but rent it out. However, being broke means that we are not able to even think of buying a property, and without selling the house in the UK, I don't know when we can. Can't sell the house in the UK - my parents rent it from us so it would mean turfing them out.
Let me tell you that it is not much fun living in Sydney without any money in the winter!
That's pretty much it I think. Overall, we are glad we made the move, but still have a few issues to sort out!
Catherine
Hi Catherine, we are in a very similar situation to you, I have an 18 month old and we hope to settle in Hunters Hill/ Lane Cove/ Drummoyne, my husband also works in I.T. We are not planning on leaving until next summer but might be needing the name of that toddler group.
Your business looks great, hope it continues to go well.
Ginaq
Jul 15th 2005, 8:32 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Sydney soon
Posts: 296
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Originally Posted by ginaf
Hi Catherine, we are in a very similar situation to you, I have an 18 month old and we hope to settle in Hunters Hill/ Lane Cove/ Drummoyne, my husband also works in I.T. We are not planning on leaving until next summer but might be needing the name of that toddler group.
Your business looks great, hope it continues to go well.
Ginaq
Your business looks great, hope it continues to go well.
Ginaq
Jul 15th 2005, 11:33 am
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
You should be very proud of yourselves and how you have coped with a baby, thanks for posting. Great thread.
M
M
Jul 15th 2005, 12:32 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: South of Adelaide
Posts: 119
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Its really good to hear how people settle into their new life - warts 'n all!! It gives all of us still waiting a little peek into what our future could hold. Thanks
Good luck with the new business - don't do things by halves do you???
Good luck with the new business - don't do things by halves do you???
Jul 15th 2005, 12:51 pm
#15
da Bonehead
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Lion in da jungle
Posts: 22,767
Re: 1 year (and a little bit) on in Sydney
Good post Catherine.
Give it time and it'll come together.....Rome wasn't built in a day.
Those outfits are really snazzy.......do you have any with a hole for a tail ?
Give it time and it'll come together.....Rome wasn't built in a day.
Those outfits are really snazzy.......do you have any with a hole for a tail ?