thanks for your time bix! there seems to be work, i will keep an eye on that link you sent.

Yipeeeee...looking forward to a few bevvies with you
Lizx

I reckon we may end up out there around the same time..end of March??

Me to Liz see you soon

I think a lot of builds in the past started at about 700 square metres but now over 700 seems rare. Builders have caught the UK disease - how many houses can they get on a postage stamp.

Actually that is exagerating a bit but undoubtedly there are far more in the 400-600 range than ever before.

With rising material costs one of the sacrifices for new builds has been the pool. If you want one, you have to add it. AUD 25-35K I would say.

There are plenty of larger houses scattered throughout all the suburbs so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

A lot of the newer builds on the internet are Smithfield, Redlynch and Edmonton. Some nice houses amongst them but not overly large in size or plot. You can tell a lot of these as the gardens aren't mature yet and the road may not yet be on the map.

Ultimately it will depend on how much you are prepared to spend and what sort of location you want. Don't worry, there's a house waiting for you.

We'll have to keep it quiet then.

oooh Bix you are such a sweetheart you can't wait really

i would put an established garden at the bottom of your list of what to look for. you are coming to the tropics and plants grow like nothing you will have ever seen before. on our last house i created a lush tropical garden in less than 2 years. i bought several established palms ( $25 to $50 ) , licualas, foxtails, rednecks, lipsticks , alexs etc and then the rest was from cuttings. i put a bit of effort in and planted lots of heliconias, gingers, cordylines, crotons and many more then added lots of water ( you can do that up here)and ended up with a pretty good looking back yard. although a bit of maintenance it felt like you were on holiday while floating round the pool.

Must make a note of all those plants as not the worlds greatest gardener..what a hidden talent you have there! Alan Titchmarsh move over
Liz

Sounds fantastic. What about fruit trees sounds stupid I know can you grow them is the condition for them I was thinking about lemons even possibly bannanas, apples etc grew up with my dad growing fruit so would be great if I could.

Gardens not a priority it was really just the block sizes were a bit better.

Thanks

kaye

Bix i can see you

Indeed you can

Is there much difference between Cairns and Townsville climate wise?
Beth x x

Our neighbour has planted lemon trees right next to our fence so looking forward to some windfalls

When we moved in there were a couple of triangular palms the same height as the 4' fence. They are now twice the height - just 12 months later.

Yep, things grow bloody fast - especially weeds

Cairns is the wet tropics - lush green.
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/ca..._history.shtml

TV is the dry tropics - more arid.
http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/to..._history.shtml

I like to garden but hate to weed and fresh lemons for me vodka

Do people grow apples etc or is it more difficult