Hi all,

Well, I spent 2 1/2 weeks in Brisbane, and a few days in Sydney. It took me a few days to get used to being there again, but pretty soon I didnt want to come back!
Brisbane is just as lovely as I remember it. The weather was perfect nearly every day - with only a couple of days when it rained, and that just made it even nicer. The folks in Brisbane love it when it rains - they dont run for umbrellas or cover - they just get wet, and when it stops raining shortly afterwards, the sun just dries them off again.

Good news - I spoke to a number of estate agents, etc. The housing market is leveling off. Some house prices have even been dropped cos the market is slowing down so much. They predict a rise again in the future - but now is a good time to be on the buyers market again.

Set up a bank account (Commonwealth) Very friendly and helpful people, and it was really easy! All you need is your passport - as long as you're setting up the account within 6 weeks of it being validated. (After that you need all sorts of other bits of paperwork) Got the medicare sorted out - 5 minutes in a queue at a medicare centre in a shopping mall. Also got my Tax File number sorted - online.

Sent my CV to heaps of agencies - but only had one that took an active interest in me, and as a result I may even have a job offer soon! (PS - the agency was Techstaff - www.techstaff.com.au)

Looked at houses, cars, etc. etc. Its all great. In fact, I dont know what the hell I'm still doing here. I think its because I promised myself one last summer in the UK.

Anyway - just wanted to share. If you have any questions, let me know.

W.


:PARTY: :PARTY:

Sounds like you had a good time, whereabouts in Brisbane were you staying ?

I stayed in Kelvin Grove, which was about a 15min walk from the CBD. Lovely old part of town - in a original Queenslander.

My brother has a business over there, and I did some pickups and deliveries for him while I was there, so I got to see lots of other areas too. The area I fell in love with was Manly. Right on the waterfront and drop dead gorgeous! Redcliffe is also very very nice. I might end up living a bit further inland thought - simply because you get more for your money, and nowhere is too far from the water.

W.

Manly is nice and nice prices too...

Im just back from Brissy also, not validating just meetings...

Its really mild at the moment and warm for this time of year im told, and although we didnt have the House air con on you do notice the warmth, i find after a week or two your body starts to adjust to the warmth although i havnt witnessed the humidity this year, last yr was shocking when we went..

We were in Algester, south side and i met a couple from essex doin a recon visit when i was down at welly point...

I was amazed at how blaze they were on prices, speaking in the 500-750+ k bracket... sod that id rather commute the 40 mins and enjoy the sea and beech more and not take it for granted and still have some dosh in me backpocket !

I bet ur itching to get back im envious

We are about 15 minutes East of Manly, a little bit cheaper here I think. But I agree it is a very nice area.

Well hellooooooooooo sunshine, someone else with good taste .