AnitaB

Hi guys

Just got back last Saturday from Brisbane after 3 week reccie. We stayed in a place called Carina and it was ok, the house we stayed in was very nice and clean, easy access to all parts of Brisbane and the coast. We had a great time it rained on and off the first week but the weather got better, we did all the normal things Australia Zoo, Lone Pine Koala, Seaworld and we visited loads of different areas to find a place to live. Must admit when we first arrived I said to hubby there is no chance I am coming to live here but after 4 day of finding our feet and getting used to the strange array of houses we fell in love with the place (suppose the wet weather did not help). Can’t wait to get back out there with the kids.

We have decided the place to live for us is Cleveland it was wonderful. Easy access to shops and schools and it is also a great marina as you drive into it. The houses are breathtaking and had a look in a few new builds, they are huge. The travel by train for hubby to CBD is only about 50 mins, so no different to his hour long drive here and cost about $130 a month.

Kids loved it and we had a look at some of the schools all seemed really nice and well located they are really excited about moving school and going to Oz. People are really friendly and we met a great couple who had moved only 8 weeks before with 2 kids and they have settled really well and said they are both less stressed than they were in the UK.

Shops, well I thought they were great you seem to have more choice of fresh produce at Coles and WoWoollieshan you do in TeTescotc Once you find your feet, they sell all sorts and most of them are next door to each other. Clothes I thought were really nice had loads of great things for all ages depends on what you like, if you want Armani Gucci etc go to CBD. Load of shops and good quality you can find anything if you really want to.

We flew with Singapore Airlines who were absolutely fantastic. Heathrow - Singapore legs were full both ways but the Singapore – Brisbane legs were virtually empty. They gave loads of toys to the kids and were really friendly. When we return it will definitely be with Singapore airlines!

Car hire was through Europcar who pricematched Thrifty.

We cannot wait to get back out there, just have the pain of selling our house etc….

Any questions, just ask!

Cheers

AnitaB

mand8002

Hi Anita

Cleveland is a great place, we live in Ormiston just round the corner. For some reason Bayside has a fair amount of Brits, we all seem to like the same sort of area. Depending on which school my daughter goes to in year 8 we will either stay in Ormiston or go to Wellington Point. Did you go up to the reserve at Wellington Point, we love it there. As for the shopping, I would agree with you, you can get everything you need, can't quite understand people who miss Tescos and stuff. Anyway, glad you enjoyed your visit and hope your house sells soon.

Amanda

Centurion

Bayside is the way to go. We live in Wellington Point next to Ormiston and Cleveland. All the areas around here are great in our opinion. We have relatives to the west of Brisbane in Kenmore, which is lovely but just not quite Bayside!

Excellent choice and glad to see that your trip went so well

Vic&jase

Just thanks for the post Anita, this is what we want to hear x and good luck with the house and move x

Vics xx

LesleyM

Hi Anita, It sounds like a great idea what you have just done. Im sure it help settle the mind before the actual move. My hubby was there in the same areas last year and also travelled with Singapore airlines and rated them well too.
Good luck and thanks for the info its good to hear things about the schools and shops etc.

hilary6

Hi Anita
Great post, just out of interest was there anywhere else you'd considered or was it always gonna be Cleveland?
Hilary

Robbo2

Hi Anita,
Great post! Thanks for your private messages too!
Claire. x

jonjon

Hi AnitaB

We have family that moved out to Cleveland last year and love it there. They were lucky as they just over look the bay from where they are.

Having seen how much they are enjoying it out there we have started or application process and would eventually like to move to Cleveland, Wellington point or surrounding areas dependant on what we can get for our money and more importantly If we get approval for our visas

Great post

Regards

Jon

Mrs JFW

Hi Anita,

Great thread. Did you manage to do most of things you wanted to do in the 3 weeks you were there? From your experience is there anything you would have done/gone/seen if you had longer or if you had your reccie again?

Had you always decided on Brisbane? Did you think about visiting other cities?

Sounds like you had a fab time. I'm looking forward to booking a reccie to Brisbane for this time next year, so may have some more questions for you later on!

J x

brisnick

did you take the train journey from cleveland to the cbd? trains in brisbane are not like trains in the uk. i used to take the train for 8 minutes, and that was enough for me. i would hate to be stuck on those things for 50 minutes during rush hour each day!!! it's more like being on a bus!