ashnibo

It has been a while since we mailed on this forum. Back then we were planning to move to Melbourne. We changed our mind and now we are in Cleveland/Bayside Brisbane and it is great. The first couple of weeks were stressful. We didn't ship any furniture and had to buy furniture for a 4 bedroom house. We managed to rent a beautiful Queenslander in Cleveland with a pool and views of Stradbroke Island. We also bought a big 4WD. Our little boy was really unsettled for the first 2 weeks. He in fact turned into the child from hell. He said that he wanted to go back to England. He is only 4 and he really missed his friends. He made some new friends now and his toys have finally arrived yesterday which really helps. We didn't look for work yet because we needed some time out and relax. It was emotional to say good bye to everyone but we are really happy here and feel settled. We are looking to buy our own house before christmas which will be even nicer. We had no trouble organising everything here. Everyone was really helpful and our neighbours are great. We had no doubts about our move to Australia back in England although it felt strange the last few days back home and we had the one or the other "panic attack".... but since we arrived here, we know it was the right thing to do. I know it's only 4 weeks but we feel home in Cleveland already. Bob is an electrician and he shouldn't have problems to find work. At the moment he is waiting for his license. We looked at different schools in the area and really liked Sheldon College. It's a private school and you have to pay for it but it's a great school and we are having an interview with the principle on the 6th of august. We had worked out a budget before we came here and we managed to stick to it just fine. We budgeted $10.000 to furnish a massive 4 bedroom house and we got absolutely everything (cutlery, washing machine, beds, linen etc....) for that. We were lucky as we just arrived at the end of the financial year and we got some fantastic deals. The "Good Guys" in Capalaba were great as well (pay less for cash).
So far we don't feel homesick at all. The only drawback we had was last week when we found out that Bobs mum had cancer again and suddenly Australia felt sooooo far away from England.
Don't get rid of you winter jumpers. We left our winter clothing behind and couldn't believe how cold it could get in Brisbane. We had some freezing nights and mornings. Apart from that life is good in Australia.
Good luck to everyone still waiting for the visa.
Nini and Bob

debsy

Hi
Nice to hear that all is well. I hope that your little boy will settle in soon.

Sorry to hear about Bob's mum.
wow $10k to furnish a large house thats great news as we will be looking to do the same as we are only taking personal possesions.

Keep us updated
Good luck

ashnibo

Hi Debs,
We found $10.000 more than enough. We went to a shop called "Decorators Emporium" and they are selling reproduction colonial furniture. We got a mahogany four-poster-bed, chippendale dresser and 2 bed-side cabinets for $2500. We bought the shop emty.....
Nini

debsy

:scared:
Umm hope I can find some places like that on the Gold Coast

bridiej

Hi Debs
How long has your hubby been an electrician?

Bix da Boss

Hiya

Good to read a positive post

Glad you are settling to your new life so well. Sure your little boy will be fine once he has a new group of friends to play with - he is young enough to adapt very quickly.

Good luck in finding a job, electritions appear to be in demand over there as do most tradesmen - there is a national shortage here perhaps it is the same over in OZ!

Interesting info on house furniture - must feel good to keep within your budget! Hope you find a house you will love - sure you will!

Again best of luck

Keep positive and take care

bix da boss

ashnibo

Hi there Bix,
We were from Newquay, Cornwall originally. Where abouts are you?
And to Bridiej: Bob has been an electrician for the last 22 years including apprenticeship.
Nini

diddy

Ashnibo,

Thanks for this post.

We're looking at Cleveland/ Bayside for January next year.

I was hoping you may be able to answer a couple of questions:

Did you have to have a job before renting?

What monthly rent can we expect to pay for a 3/4 bed with a pool?

Thanks and good luck,

Paul.

bridiej

Thank you for your reply

ashnibo

Hi Paul,
we actually saw the house we are in on the realestate side and contacted the agent from England. We explained our situation and she faxed the tenancy agreement over and we got the house no problem. We had to show though that we would be able to pay the rent for the next 6 months. We just faxed copies of bank statements and stuff and it was fine. Our house is $450 a week but that is expansive for the area. You could get houses for $280-$350. Our house is very large and has the view that's what we are paying for.
If you have any more questions just ask.
Nini

diddy

Thanks Nini,

I've got three year old twins. Reading your post, am I right in thinking children start school at 4 or is this a pre-school/ kindergarden?

Thanks,

Paul.

Bix da Boss

Have sent you a PM.

Cheers
Bix da Boss

ashnibo

Hi Paul,
Our son is 4 1/2 and he will start pre-school next week. If he gets a place at Sheldon College he will start there in January after the summer holidays (the year they turn 5). We found it difficult finding available places at schools. If you are sure where you want to settle then you should enquire early enough with the schools because you could end up on waiting lists. For example the Thornlands primary school (Cleveland) has vacancies for 2006 and is registering children now. They have no vacancies for next year.
Nini

diddy

Thanks Nini, this is all really helpful.

Hope you don't mind me picking your brain.

One of the reasons we're looking at the area is the train station as I'll probably be working in the centre of Brisbane.

My main concern about where we settle is that my partner, Nicole, doesn't drive and Oz being Oz, it's easy to become isolated especially when you don't know many people.

What do you make of the area in terms of getting around - ie. does she need a car to get kids to places to go out and have you ventured into the city centre yet, and how was the trip?

Sorry if I'm asking loads of questions, but this is really helpful.

Thanks,

Paul.

ashnibo

Hi Paul,
The trains run about every 30 min and it takes 50 min to get into the city centre. We have been to Southbank in the car but it is easier and less stressful on the train. I do think that driving is essential even in Cleveland although I could walk Ashleigh to school from here. There are lots of shopping centres close by so you wouldn't have to drive too far anyway and traffic here is okay.
It's great for kids here, lots of parks.
You will love it here. Not knowing people here is not a problem. You get to know people very easy. There is a playground in town and all local children love it there.
Nini