Canadians headed to Australia
#61
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Sadly, most of what I miss is food related
I miss these things:
-real Canadian bacon
-Special K (they do have it here but it is completely different)
-Honey crueller donuts (was only ever a special treat)
-some of my favourite chain restaurants (Boston Pizza, The Outback, East Side Marios, etc)
As for the other stuff
-stick deoderant (it's virtually all roll-on or spray here)
-Old Navy
-the cooler seasons like fall, don't really miss winter though
-snow at Christmas (that's the only day I really miss it)
-cheap ice hockey gear/supplies.... If anyone plans on playing here bring as much as you can!
There's lots of other pluses to living here though that offset the little things.
I miss these things:
-real Canadian bacon
-Special K (they do have it here but it is completely different)
-Honey crueller donuts (was only ever a special treat)
-some of my favourite chain restaurants (Boston Pizza, The Outback, East Side Marios, etc)
As for the other stuff
-stick deoderant (it's virtually all roll-on or spray here)
-Old Navy
-the cooler seasons like fall, don't really miss winter though
-snow at Christmas (that's the only day I really miss it)
-cheap ice hockey gear/supplies.... If anyone plans on playing here bring as much as you can!
There's lots of other pluses to living here though that offset the little things.
#62
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Sadly, most of what I miss is food related
I miss these things:
-real Canadian bacon
-Special K (they do have it here but it is completely different)
-Honey crueller donuts (was only ever a special treat)
-some of my favourite chain restaurants (Boston Pizza, The Outback, East Side Marios, etc)
As for the other stuff
-stick deoderant (it's virtually all roll-on or spray here)
-Old Navy
-the cooler seasons like fall, don't really miss winter though
-snow at Christmas (that's the only day I really miss it)
-cheap ice hockey gear/supplies.... If anyone plans on playing here bring as much as you can!
There's lots of other pluses to living here though that offset the little things.
I miss these things:
-real Canadian bacon
-Special K (they do have it here but it is completely different)
-Honey crueller donuts (was only ever a special treat)
-some of my favourite chain restaurants (Boston Pizza, The Outback, East Side Marios, etc)
As for the other stuff
-stick deoderant (it's virtually all roll-on or spray here)
-Old Navy
-the cooler seasons like fall, don't really miss winter though
-snow at Christmas (that's the only day I really miss it)
-cheap ice hockey gear/supplies.... If anyone plans on playing here bring as much as you can!
There's lots of other pluses to living here though that offset the little things.
I could add Swiss Chalet to that list. Red Rooster seems to put some kind of flavoring on the chicken...
I'll admit that we did take out about once a week at home...more when we were in the packing/moving phase...our dishes/pots went into the boxes to be shipped and we stayed a friend's for a month as well. What I miss is that we had a LOT of restaurants in Edmonton (they say it's the restaurant capital of Canada, no doubt Edmontonians are addicted to going out or take aways). So, there were lots of local Thai places, Greek places, Vietnamese places, all pretty reasonable. There's no local restaurants here but a Chinese place, a Red Rooster, a Chooks, and an Eagle Boys Pizza. Not a lot of selection and for Greek, Thai etc. we'd have to drive 20 minutes or more away.
#63
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
We've survived so far without the Tim's...
What I miss...longer shopping hours...I was explaining to the cashier at Woolies that my local Safeway back home was open until 10pm weeknights. She couldn't believe it. What else? Cheap car registration--back in Canada it was about $120 a year instead of the $400 here. Lack of redbacks (ha ha--just found our first one in the garage yesterday).
Food-wise...not much really...regular Cheerios for the kids (the ones here seem to have some sort of glaze on them). Frank's Red Hot Sauce--the local hot sauces here aren't the same. But there's enough positives here to make up for the cereal and hot sauce deficiencies. LOL.
What I miss...longer shopping hours...I was explaining to the cashier at Woolies that my local Safeway back home was open until 10pm weeknights. She couldn't believe it. What else? Cheap car registration--back in Canada it was about $120 a year instead of the $400 here. Lack of redbacks (ha ha--just found our first one in the garage yesterday).
Food-wise...not much really...regular Cheerios for the kids (the ones here seem to have some sort of glaze on them). Frank's Red Hot Sauce--the local hot sauces here aren't the same. But there's enough positives here to make up for the cereal and hot sauce deficiencies. LOL.
When we were comparing car costs with Canadian in-laws it seemed that even though the rego was cheaper the insurance was dearer and it evened out somewhat overall?
My Canadian SIL imported about 20 bottles of that great hot sauce so have been enjoying it myself since they went back to live in Canada for a year. She may have none left when she returns Miss her great mexican cooking as well.
#64
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Boston Pizza...mmm...I could inhale a Boston Royal right now. Wonder if they deliver this far? Ha ha.
I could add Swiss Chalet to that list. Red Rooster seems to put some kind of flavoring on the chicken...
I'll admit that we did take out about once a week at home...more when we were in the packing/moving phase...our dishes/pots went into the boxes to be shipped and we stayed a friend's for a month as well. What I miss is that we had a LOT of restaurants in Edmonton (they say it's the restaurant capital of Canada, no doubt Edmontonians are addicted to going out or take aways). So, there were lots of local Thai places, Greek places, Vietnamese places, all pretty reasonable. There's no local restaurants here but a Chinese place, a Red Rooster, a Chooks, and an Eagle Boys Pizza. Not a lot of selection and for Greek, Thai etc. we'd have to drive 20 minutes or more away.
I could add Swiss Chalet to that list. Red Rooster seems to put some kind of flavoring on the chicken...
I'll admit that we did take out about once a week at home...more when we were in the packing/moving phase...our dishes/pots went into the boxes to be shipped and we stayed a friend's for a month as well. What I miss is that we had a LOT of restaurants in Edmonton (they say it's the restaurant capital of Canada, no doubt Edmontonians are addicted to going out or take aways). So, there were lots of local Thai places, Greek places, Vietnamese places, all pretty reasonable. There's no local restaurants here but a Chinese place, a Red Rooster, a Chooks, and an Eagle Boys Pizza. Not a lot of selection and for Greek, Thai etc. we'd have to drive 20 minutes or more away.
#66
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Those shopping hours are more to do with where you live in Canada or Australia rather than which country. For example, here is Brisbane, many suburban shopping mall supermarkets open to 9pm weeknights and open Sundays....and Sydney, Melbourne often later and some 24 hour.
When we were comparing car costs with Canadian in-laws it seemed that even though the rego was cheaper the insurance was dearer and it evened out somewhat overall?
My Canadian SIL imported about 20 bottles of that great hot sauce so have been enjoying it myself since they went back to live in Canada for a year. She may have none left when she returns Miss her great mexican cooking as well.
When we were comparing car costs with Canadian in-laws it seemed that even though the rego was cheaper the insurance was dearer and it evened out somewhat overall?
My Canadian SIL imported about 20 bottles of that great hot sauce so have been enjoying it myself since they went back to live in Canada for a year. She may have none left when she returns Miss her great mexican cooking as well.
20 bottles of Franks...I should have thought of that. I brought a huge bottle of organic maple syrup...I have some family and friends coming to visit in March and they're under orders to bring Franks with them or else...
#67
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Yeah, the rego was about $300 more than in Canada, the insurance about $200 less, so still about $100 more overall.
20 bottles of Franks...I should have thought of that. I brought a huge bottle of organic maple syrup...I have some family and friends coming to visit in March and they're under orders to bring Franks with them or else...
20 bottles of Franks...I should have thought of that. I brought a huge bottle of organic maple syrup...I have some family and friends coming to visit in March and they're under orders to bring Franks with them or else...
#68
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Thank you for your reply Dorothy. I've been on that site and read a lot of stuff. But the more i read the more questions i get.LOL
So youwork in cardio eh? You don't know anyone who works in the labs?Or who knows someone who knows someone? Wht hospital is it? I wish there could be some techs that could answer some of my questions on these forums! Anyways, if you have any other info regarding these 2 subjects, please let me know.
Tamara
So youwork in cardio eh? You don't know anyone who works in the labs?Or who knows someone who knows someone? Wht hospital is it? I wish there could be some techs that could answer some of my questions on these forums! Anyways, if you have any other info regarding these 2 subjects, please let me know.
Tamara
You could try googling to see if there are any discussion forums for lab techs.
#69
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
I don't know any lab techs here and quite honestly, I wouldn't know where the labs are at the hospital I work in. It's huge and I really only go to where I have to be. My job is more the exec side of the cardiology department, so I don't really know any of the nurses either. I work with the consultant doctors and a few of the senior registrars but have nothing to do with wards or clinics or patients at all (well, other than booking an occasional procedure, but I don't see or speak to the patient only do the computer bits for one of the doctors who doesn't like to input data).
You could try googling to see if there are any discussion forums for lab techs.
You could try googling to see if there are any discussion forums for lab techs.
#70
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada - Darwin NT - Newcastle NSW - Toronto - Townsville QLD - Brisbane - Toronto
Posts: 201
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Hi, I'm a dual Canadian/Australian, currently live in Milton Ont (just west of Toronto). Married to an Aussie for the last 10yrs. Have a 9yr old Australian born daughter (also dual).
I've lived in Darwin for 2.5yrs and Newcastle for 1yr before heading back home - for family reasons....back in 2002.
We are headed back to OZ in January (earlier IF I get a job - I'm a RN). We WON'T be moving back to Canada...we are getting to old to be moving back and forth, its too expensive to keep doing that and thinking long term into the future, we have to think about retirement as it'll probably come up before we know it.
We are going to far north Queensland (Townsville)...and I can't wait! Canadian winters suck! I HATE cold and I HATE snow even more and I go into anxiety mode if I have to drive in it.
I think living in OZ and bringing up our 9yr old daughter would be better there than here in Canada. I like the superannuation scheme that is mandatory...helps for retirement. I really like that 4-5 weeks vacation time is standard. I love the lifestyle and the laidbackness of the country.
I know we will miss Tim's as well. I'm sure hubby will want to take a few cans of the coffee with him. He has often commented how it would be great to open a Tims in OZ or a M&M's meat shop....even a bulk barn would be good.
Besides family, I think most of my 'misses' will be food related too, not many restaurants I'll miss...maybe Kelsey's and thats about it. But like I did before when I lived there, I will adjust. I will also miss the late shopping hours too. I will miss that my daughter won't be able to go to Home Depot and do the kid's craft every month. But those are trivial and we'll get over it.
Good luck with your move.
I've lived in Darwin for 2.5yrs and Newcastle for 1yr before heading back home - for family reasons....back in 2002.
We are headed back to OZ in January (earlier IF I get a job - I'm a RN). We WON'T be moving back to Canada...we are getting to old to be moving back and forth, its too expensive to keep doing that and thinking long term into the future, we have to think about retirement as it'll probably come up before we know it.
We are going to far north Queensland (Townsville)...and I can't wait! Canadian winters suck! I HATE cold and I HATE snow even more and I go into anxiety mode if I have to drive in it.
I think living in OZ and bringing up our 9yr old daughter would be better there than here in Canada. I like the superannuation scheme that is mandatory...helps for retirement. I really like that 4-5 weeks vacation time is standard. I love the lifestyle and the laidbackness of the country.
I know we will miss Tim's as well. I'm sure hubby will want to take a few cans of the coffee with him. He has often commented how it would be great to open a Tims in OZ or a M&M's meat shop....even a bulk barn would be good.
Besides family, I think most of my 'misses' will be food related too, not many restaurants I'll miss...maybe Kelsey's and thats about it. But like I did before when I lived there, I will adjust. I will also miss the late shopping hours too. I will miss that my daughter won't be able to go to Home Depot and do the kid's craft every month. But those are trivial and we'll get over it.
Good luck with your move.
#71
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 161
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
4-5 weeks standard vacation? Nice. Is that an average or do you have to be in a company for over 5-10 yrs?
#72
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
I do know that my husband gets 4 weeks and has since he started his job when we arrived.
#73
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
http://www.bunnings.com.au/learn-how...workshops.aspx
Note.... I had to enter my postcode when I first went into the site, so if that link doesn't work just go to the main Bunnings site and click on the "Learn how to DIY" tab and then go to the workshops.
#74
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Hi, I'm a dual Canadian/Australian, currently live in Milton Ont (just west of Toronto). Married to an Aussie for the last 10yrs. Have a 9yr old Australian born daughter (also dual).
I've lived in Darwin for 2.5yrs and Newcastle for 1yr before heading back home - for family reasons....back in 2002.
We are headed back to OZ in January (earlier IF I get a job - I'm a RN). We WON'T be moving back to Canada...we are getting to old to be moving back and forth, its too expensive to keep doing that and thinking long term into the future, we have to think about retirement as it'll probably come up before we know it.
We are going to far north Queensland (Townsville)...and I can't wait! Canadian winters suck! I HATE cold and I HATE snow even more and I go into anxiety mode if I have to drive in it.
I think living in OZ and bringing up our 9yr old daughter would be better there than here in Canada. I like the superannuation scheme that is mandatory...helps for retirement. I really like that 4-5 weeks vacation time is standard. I love the lifestyle and the laidbackness of the country.
I know we will miss Tim's as well. I'm sure hubby will want to take a few cans of the coffee with him. He has often commented how it would be great to open a Tims in OZ or a M&M's meat shop....even a bulk barn would be good.
Besides family, I think most of my 'misses' will be food related too, not many restaurants I'll miss...maybe Kelsey's and thats about it. But like I did before when I lived there, I will adjust. I will also miss the late shopping hours too. I will miss that my daughter won't be able to go to Home Depot and do the kid's craft every month. But those are trivial and we'll get over it.
Good luck with your move.
I've lived in Darwin for 2.5yrs and Newcastle for 1yr before heading back home - for family reasons....back in 2002.
We are headed back to OZ in January (earlier IF I get a job - I'm a RN). We WON'T be moving back to Canada...we are getting to old to be moving back and forth, its too expensive to keep doing that and thinking long term into the future, we have to think about retirement as it'll probably come up before we know it.
We are going to far north Queensland (Townsville)...and I can't wait! Canadian winters suck! I HATE cold and I HATE snow even more and I go into anxiety mode if I have to drive in it.
I think living in OZ and bringing up our 9yr old daughter would be better there than here in Canada. I like the superannuation scheme that is mandatory...helps for retirement. I really like that 4-5 weeks vacation time is standard. I love the lifestyle and the laidbackness of the country.
I know we will miss Tim's as well. I'm sure hubby will want to take a few cans of the coffee with him. He has often commented how it would be great to open a Tims in OZ or a M&M's meat shop....even a bulk barn would be good.
Besides family, I think most of my 'misses' will be food related too, not many restaurants I'll miss...maybe Kelsey's and thats about it. But like I did before when I lived there, I will adjust. I will also miss the late shopping hours too. I will miss that my daughter won't be able to go to Home Depot and do the kid's craft every month. But those are trivial and we'll get over it.
Good luck with your move.
#75
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Toronto, Canada - Darwin NT - Newcastle NSW - Toronto - Townsville QLD - Brisbane - Toronto
Posts: 201
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
LOL....we actually REALLY like Milton. It has the small town feel still, but, it is growing by leaps and bounds and houses are popping up EVERYWHERE and more and more shops are coming to the town.
Hey, its better than Mississauga, where we used to live. Although some parts of Mississauga are nice
Hey, its better than Mississauga, where we used to live. Although some parts of Mississauga are nice