I am in Cairns at the moment - we live on a yacht in Marlin Marina. I'm actually a secondary teacher and I'm afraid there hasn't been one teaching job in my areas (english, sose or business) advertised since I've been here (7 months). Primary may be slightly better but it is still likely to be tough. Having said that, you will be arriving at a great time in terms of the weather and Cairns is a pretty place - in fact if you enjoy going to the gym there is a great one at the Pier which gives you access to the Shangri La swimming pool - lovely for the unemployed!

Thanks for that! There seems to be a lot of mixed messages about the teaching scene in Cairns at the moment, I'll see how I get on, not too hopeful though to be honest!
Living on a boat sounds interesting, what are you doing for work? Shangri La swimming pool sounds right up my street!

Hi Sally,

My visa was granted last week, so will be arriving in Cairns on May 19th, very excited!!
Thanks for your help regarding appartments in Clifton. We've decided to widen our search a little but it's proving a little difficult as I'm unsure of the suburbs in and around the area. Are there any 'no go' areas? (I've been warned about places beginning with M???)
Also, do you know of any expat meets happening around May time, as I really want to get stuck in and start meeting people as soon as I can!

Many thanks,

Helen

I've heard the same on the m's - Manunda, Manoora, Moroobool (I've guessed spellings). I'm not back in Cairns until June but I'd be happy to meet up for a glass of wine. It's a great time of year for you to arrive - the humidity is dropping, its sunny but lovely and breezy. I can't help re: the suburbs as we are in the marina but why not take a short 3 month let to begin rather than commit to a less than ideal area for you.

There are some good apartments close to the city & close to the Esplanade, all the beaches are quite nice, although Machans & Holloways do have a mossie issue & Redlynch is a nice suburb too, some nice apartment complexes. Are you looking for furnished?

More than happy to meet up for a coffee or drink.
Perhaps we could organise a meet for when Turban is back in town?

Thanks for the advice guys. Initially we were gonna go for a 6 month furnished place, just to test the water and keep things easy...but I've seen some really nice unfurnished places this week that's sort of swayed me a little!

A meet up sounds like a plan, would be great to have some real live brains to pick!

Have you been here before? Just wondering...

Yes I have, my step children live in Trinity.

It certainly helps. Cairns is certainly not a typical part of Aus: tropical, very hot, humid and wet in the Summer and has a rather 'distinctive' local culture...

Will your OH be around when you first arrive or will he be away working?

Yes, he's stayed on for an extra swing at work in PNG so he can have a longer field break for when I arrive. That means we can sort out lots of things such as accommodation, bank account etc before he goes back to work. Oh, and teach me how to drive the automatic!

Hi Helen,

I've just joined this site and have been reading your posts and thought i'd drop you a note. I arrived in Australia on 7th April and am staying with my aussie in-laws on Brisbane's "sunny coast" until about early June. We've just had a trip to Cairns for a few days to look at areas for living with the plan to buy a house.Cairns was lovely, pretty, green and lush. It's not as big as other places in oz ( about 200,000 people )but i quite like this as easier to get about and has a relaxed family vibe.... My hubby is working at the uni from start of july. I'm from Edinburgh in the uk and mark is from here so like you its all new to me....it'd be great to meet you once i'm in cairns! Hope all is going well with you and hope to hear from you.

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

Great to hear from you, it's nice to meet other people in the same boat! I'm really looking forward to getting over to Cairns, it's been three years in the planning and I can't believe it's actually happening now!

Have you decided where abouts in Cairns you're going to buy? I too love the area cause of it's relaxed vibe, I really fell in love with the place. Will you be looking for work?

We'll definitely have to meet up when you get to Cairns, I'll look forward to having a chat with a fellow newbie, lol!

Helen

Hi Helen,

Many thanks for your reply! Wow, 3 years planning the big move to oz! its not been nearly so long for me but excited all the same ....

We're keen on the Redlynch valley area, its lovely with a back drop of tropical forest mountain ranges but still open so not too humid it would seem. (i think its about 10 mins from redlynch shopping centre and 20/25 mins to cairns) . Mainly populated with families and is quieter than other places as you drive off the main access road to houses( main estate approach is lovely with slightly more established trees)


We also looked at the Brinsmead area, Redlynch Central and Smithfield . Brinsmead is nearer cairns and higher in the hills ( it seems traditonally known for being a slightly more of an established area and sought after area apparently). Redlynch central to me seemed less established with more construction building work going although is nearer to local utilities such as supermarket etc than the Redlynch valley but i don't get the impression that anything in the cairns area is that far to get to so not really a problem for me...this is only based on my first visit to Cairns so i could have this info slightly mixed up-sorry if this is the case! We liked your comment re "M" subs to avoid as we were also told that info and i think its possibly true!

work wise- yes i definately plan to work but no idea as to what as yet! I've mainly worked in admin/customer services (although recently completed an events/ conference course ) so shall see what i can pick up otherwise it may be temping until i can get something more permanent...i'm sure something will work out ...fingers crossed!

ok,good to hear from you and hope that my info has been of some help to you..lastly, we stayed close to the Esplanade in a self contained appartment which worked well for our few days visiting. We're currently researching similar options for renting for say a mth which might be slightly cheaper away from the esplanade...


Kathy