Feel like an imposter
 

I moved to London when Tony and Cheerie first arrived at No. 10. After 14 long years of working on my tan, I've decided that it's time to leave London and return to Australia.

My brief incursions back to Australia (3 times in 14 years) have resulted in my complete lack of understanding on what life is like in Australia. In fact, my old preconceptions of life in Australia are likely to make my repatriation difficult to say the least.

I would even go so far as to say that I am likely to have more in common with forum members than with Australians returning back after a short holiday.

I have trawled the forums and found some very good pieces of information. There is a real wealth of knowledge here.

To provide some relativity, my wife, 2 kids and I will be moving to rural Tasmania (Geeveston). I have yet to find a job. My wife is a Chiropodist, so at least one of us will be ok.

However, there are a few questions that I have that I haven't been able to satisfy with existing posts:
- What are 5 things that you would make sure you brought with you, either that you did or didn't bring? (Someone mentioned powertools, but not sure what else).
- Relocation of personal items: 2 months from collection to delivery seems ambitious. 3 months closer to the truth?
- Did you discover anything upon your arrival that was a pleasant surprise?
- Is there anything you would do differently (aside from not move to Australia) that could benefit people about to make the jump across?

Any personal experiences of living in rural Tasmania would also be welcomed. I have some ideas of what to expect, but Deliverance does keep creeping into my mind everytime I think of my new life.

Thanks for taking the time to read this thread. Appreciate any insights that you can share.

ps. Apologies to Administrators if this is in the wrong location.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

You're good here :D Can't help you with the questions apart from the shipping times would be between 2-3 months. Our stuff took just short of two months from London to Brissie.

Good luck with whatever you decide, only you and yours know if you really want to move back. I think Tassie would be too cold for me although from what I've heard it's stunning.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

Thanks for the reply Moneypenny20.

We've already bought a house, so the decision is made. What I'm concerned about is the huge availability of goods available at competitive prices here vs the high cost of goods in Australia, and specifically Tasmania.

I'm also thinking of getting new iphones here before I come over. Although would be a waste if they were not compatible with Australian standards.

Found a good thread on things that surprise people. I'm not so sure I'm ready for how strict people are about such things as sorting and preparing recycling. If memory serves, recycling can be quite a serious matter depending on what state you're in.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

iphones will work providing they're unlocked. Much easier to get that done in the UK than here.

Personally, I would (and did) bring everything. We decided we would have better things to do when we first arrived than go shopping which we both hate. As you've already bought a place you may be better off doing what we did, shipped everything a month or so before we left. It was easier to beg/borrow blow up beds, chairs, plates etc from friends and neighbours than this end. We sent ours a month before we left, arrived and were in a holiday rental for three weeks, the day we took possession of our house, our furniture was delivered.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

I think moving from London to a town in Tasmania you just have to accept the differences in availability/price. Remember when comparing living costs (rather than setup costs) to divide by something like 2.2 rather than the current exchange rate when comparing as this more accurately reflects the difference in average salaries.

An iPhone on the Telstra network (the best mobile network) was $49/month (22 stirling per month equivalent) for 2 years - this includes data, calls and payment of handset + one upfront payment of $149 (67 pounds). Not sure how this plan has changed now.

I imagine Tasmania would be a very hands-on earthy kind of place so recycling might be the least of your worries :)

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

It looks beautiful around Geeveston - plenty of opportunities to take up bushwalking, canoeing, exploring caves, photography, all that great outdoors-y stuff. If I was moving there, I'd be looking for best quality outdoor gear - a few BE members on here know about this (?BadgeisBack?).

I'd also be buying books on various hobbies or small businesses that I might want to try out. Books are very expensive here, and not such a wide choice. Also any equipment and supplies for hobbies.

Perhaps you will want to grow fruit & veg, keep chickens, make your own cheese, and all that "Good Life" stuff - again, books and supplies.

Can you tell us what sort of work you do, by the way?

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

I've managed to secure about 4 acres so I'm very much heading back to the "Good Life" type of environment. Chickens/Veggie patches/Beehives/Sheep...that's about all I can manage in the first year.

I did have a suspicion that I'd require equipment/books/etc that would help with various new hobbies that I'll be taking up, but it's great to have it confirmed.

In London, I'm a crude oil trader working for an American Oil company. One of my biggest concerns is about what I'm going to be doing in Tasmania as clearly oil trading won't be on the cards.

I was planning to canvas the recruitment agencies when I had about 3 to 4 months to go, assuming that doing so any earlier wouldn't be productive. I don't have a good handle on the Hobart employment market, but I understand unemployment in Tasmania is high.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

Ive never had the luck yet of being able to visit Tassie, but as a motorcyclist it is meant to be heaven.

lots of windey country roads, and very little traffic.

A few local friends have farms in Tassie and visit regularly and the locals try to avoid Hobart in rush hour because of the traffic.

It goes from 5 cars to 25 cars and it must be grid lock :lol:

I would suggest changing your thread title to "moving to Tassie" or something similar. There are a number of OP's out there living there that can give you advice.

As the others have said, because of its remoteness, stock up on pretty much anything & everything if you can. It will save you plenty in the long term.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

I think that you should prepare to write a book about your life story - an oil trader moving to the southern depths of Tasmania :ohmy: - get a TV station to sign you up for a series. You are certainly going to have some very interesting experiences and I want to hear all about it!

I did spend 4 weeks backpacking around Tasmania, including the southern bit, I remember exploring a cave for glow-worms near Lune River, not a commercial set-up, just following a photocopied map from the youth hostel. Bruny Island was great. Also went over to Maria Island. I really liked Hobart, but not sure if I could live there. I will have to re-visit, my OH and kids have never been.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

Blimey - anyone would think that the poor bloke is moving to the back of beyond. Tasmania is not the outback and Geeveston is not what I would call remote.

It's a small town only about 60k from Hobart. Hobart is a capital city. Although it's not Sydney - it does have shops that sell stuff that people want and need. There's even a Myer there - as well as just about every chain store that exists in Australia.

One thing that Tasmania does very well is wood products. You can get some lovely, hand-crafted furniture that you won't see anywhere else. Locally produced food is excellent and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants in the touristy towns around the Huon Valley.

If there should be the odd item that you need and can't find locally, there's always the internet. Definitely no need to buy everything before you get here.

Re: Feel like an imposter
 

Sorry, i didnt really word that the way i was thinking what I meant to say was anything in the way of electronics, tools, etc. Not because it's not available but there isn't the competitive market the same as on the mainland or London so it will be available, but at a price.