Melbourne
 

Who's emigrating to Melbourne and why ?


Let's share our thoughts on Melbourne - The good AND the bad please...............spill the beanzzzzzz

Terry
:D :D

Re: Melbourne
 

Hi TerryG

We're looking at Melbourne as a definate move for work reasons. Been endlessly studying sites for real estate and schools etc.

Everything I've read sounds positive (not exactly going to post the negatives on vic. websites I guess!!)

Not too cold, not too hot, everyone seems to be on their way to Perth or Brisbane, Thought we'd go for something a little different!!!!

M&J

Were emmigrating to Melbourne as we found the city cosmopolitan. We will get to watch the Boxing Day test match at the MCG.

But the main pull is the fantastic friends we made there when we visited a couple of our friends who came over to the UK to play cricket for my husbands local team.

We already have a social life in Oz they are just waiting on us joining them.

We are heading to the Mornington Peninsula one cos our friends all live down there and two you get the vineyards, the ocean, the scenery and it is commuting distance from the city if that is where we end up working.

We have visited Sydney and Adelaide but they did nothing for us. OK Sydney was great as a Tourist but we would not like to live there can't say in words why not.

Adelaide had very little going for it. There were some lovely buildings but you try and find somewhere to eat after 9pm we found it like a ghost town.

Maybe we are swayed by our friends in melbourne but its as good a reason as any to settle there at least we have people to help us out when we first arrive and show us the ropes from an aussie perspective.

I am all for keeping in touch with friends from the UK in Australia and it is important for people who arrive not knowing anyone else however in the UK people do slate nationalities for trying to recreate their own customs and cultures within a community in a city. I do not want that in Oz I want to fit into the Oz culture and lifestyle from the start.


Jo and Shami

:cool:

Re: Melbourne
 

:rolleyes:

Terry.

Not 100% sure yet.

Melbourne or Adelaide

Benefits of Melbourne from research so far:

Job prospects
Location
Skiing
Beaches
Cultural diversity
Sports
Theatres/ events
Restaurants
Universities

Against:

House prices
Stamp duty on housing
Cost of living compared to Adelaide

Intend to visit Melbourne in the summer and have a good look at housing and schools/colleges.

Regards,

Scoops

Hi

We have been looking at Melbourne. It seems to have what we want. I guess we will have to pay the bigger house prices if we want the life style. We wish to go skiing and live near the sea.

We are looking at Frankston and sorrounds at the mo...

Seaford has the ballet school for my eldest, but that is as far as my research has gone.

Has anybody else looked into these areas.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Hi

I've been looking a Melbourne because i can get a job easier there, i could have found work in Adelaide but it seem a bit too quiet there, Sydney is too expensive so Melbourne it is.
Sure house prices are dearer but my salary takes that into account.
Everything i've read about it sounds great and i'm now looking at secondary schools for my two kids.
Sure there will be negative bits but i'm more than prepared to give it my best shot!!!
Mandy

I plan to start the migration process at some point in the next three to four years. I've done a lot of home work and made a lot of visits.

Melbourne I have to admit is my favourite. It likes the supreme geographical location Sydney has so it doesn't quite match up on the outdoor social side of things, however, in my humble opinion, what makes Melbourne is the people.

they never fail to impress me. They have time for you and each other. they take a real interest in each other and hold no prejudice. Friendly, outgoing, helpful, balanced, educated and less eratic. When I am in a poition to submit my application for migration, Melbourne is the place I believe will be easiest to settle down in - simply because of the people.

In addition!!! - The city itself is impressive. The building and development of facilities for the locals is astonishing. This is a city in a hurry and keen to impress. The public transport is excellent as is the food, cultural venues, libraries, shopping. The prices are on the rise but they certainly are not at Sydney's level yet.

The list could go on but if you are look to find somewhere easier to settle then Melbourne takes some beating. The people are jut friendly and helpful and that has to be a worth a lot when in unfamiliar places.

Re: Melbourne
 

Hi everyone heading for Melbourne.I am also heading there, beginning of Sept.Mornington area.Hubbys job is going to be there.Got our visas last week, so anyone wanna chat,swap info feel free.We have 2 kids, girl 13 and boy 11.Might get to meet up with some of you.We are all in the same boat so lets make an effort to keep in touch.Good luck to you all.Jan Hutchy,
Melbournehere we come....

melbourne
 

hi to everyone going to Melbourne. we're newcommers to the site., got our visas 2 weeks ago via stni. we're also thinking of Mornington area. we haven't been to aussi yet, but plan to move to melbourne within the next 3 months. we have one son aged 12, so we're trying to find info on schools, housing etc in the mornington/Frankston area. would be grateful if anyone has any info . Likewise, if anyone wants info on migration application via stni, feel free to drop us a line.

Ian & Linda

melbourne
 

Hi Terry


Had my friend around on Tuesday evening as she has lived in Melbourne. She brought all her maps along and all her personal knowldege og Melbourne.

I asked her loads of questions

Such as....

Do immigrants find it harder to find work as opposed to Aussies.
Answer was no.

The people of Melbourne are very friendly and helpful. She said if she stood there with a map in her hand at least ten people would offer her and her husband help.

The restaurants are great, as are the parks, national parks, wildlife, beaches, trams etc.

She is originally from Germany and she says that Britain is very expensive and that we work to pay our bills over here and little else.
She said East of Melbourne were definatley the best place to live and try to avoid the west as it is for poorer people. Sorry westsiders.....
She described the birds that fly around in Melbourne and the penguins and they sound so beautiful. She lived there for a
few good years and would love to go back to raise her children there.
The only negative thing she could think of was that the school uniforms can sometimes be weird colours!!!! So if that,s all to worry about then there is no need to worry.
She is going to give me her friends email who lives in Doncaster, Melbourne so that I may ask him questions.

Also I noticed that Alan collect resides in Melbourne. I wonder if he could give us all the low down on Melbourne????

Cheers BooBoo

Re: Melbourne
 

Hi,

We are also emmigrating to melbourne and hope to be out there by October,

If anyone has any info would be great to here from anyone.

How long after your medicals and police checks went back did you receive your visa.?

ps Jan where in sunderland do you live ??,


Regards

Karen & Brendan

Re: Melbourne
 

Hi, we're heading for Melbourne too. Got our visas and we're flying out on the 30th September and travelling for two months before finishing off in Melbourne. We'll need the break by then after packing/shipping/finishing work/saying goodbye and we're saving all our holiday up at work so we get a bit of extra money before we leave.
Chose Melbourne because of the job opportunities, city is fantastic, climate has seasons, beach on one side, mountains on the other, more affordable than Sydney... the list goes on really. We just felt that of all the cities we visited Melbourne was the one for us!
Worse thing now is waiting to hand my notice in at work!
parrot

Re: Melbourne
 

Hi Terry
Glad to see some pro Melbournites for a change ( Perth must be an English County in Oz by now ! )
My wife and I decided to emigrate to Oz two years ago and got our visas last months. We lived in Sydney for 18 months a couple of years back and thats what prompted the move.
Although having not really been to Melbourne much we thought we could use this opportunity to go to where ever we wanted and after much research we decided on Melb. it seems to have so much going for it.
Therefore we shall be there by Sept and looking forward to it and if anyone wants to meet up for a welcome beer or sag let us know .....
Simon.

Hi

May change mind about Brissie and head to melbourne. Everyone has great things to say for a change. We did look at Melbourne because there is so much there but the house prices put us off.

footie chick

Re: Melbourne
 

Hello,

We used to live at Hallfarm but sold our house 4 weeks ago and now living with friends near the General Hospital until we leave on the 2 Sep 03.

Janice and Terry Hutchinson

Re: Melbourne
 

Melbourne - The Age Newspaper
 

Just a quick note to say that if anyone wants me to send them a weekend copy of The Age (the Melbourne broadsheet newspaper, which includes jobs sections, real estate, etc) please send me an email.

I'll have to charge £25 to cover the cost of the paper, envelope, and postage (today's edition weighs nearly 1.3kg!) though...

Best regards.

Re: Melbourne - The Age Newspaper
 

Hi Alan

I'd like one but Consyl Publishing do it for £10.45 delivered

Telephone 01424 223111

Thanks

Terry

Re: melbourne
 

=> I love it! Though we live in Geelong I (usually!) feel good about life as I drive over the West Gate Bridge and look at the city. Good food, great people, and heaps of sport. Plus theatre, music, open space and (in spite of what people might say or think), I reckon the weather is excellent (or at least it is for us anyway ... I need to see the seasons, so long as winter isn't too cold ... and we can head off to Mount Buller or Mount Hotham for some ski-ing in the winter if the mood takes us - only a couple of hours from Melbourne).

There are just too many things about Melbourne to summarise in one posting - most of them good in my view.

Re: Melbourne - The Age Newspaper
 

I know, I checked the price in Australian Outlook as well ... but I'm here in Victoria and can buy this weekend's copy tomorrow, and Consyl are in Sussex.

It's your call ...

Best regards.

Hi
We are looking at the mornington Pen. Frankston looks a good bet. Have you looked into schools yet? if so where can i find info!
Thanks Heather

Re: Melbourne
 

Hi,
Just thought i'd type as you are doing the same thing as us. We are heading out in september, starting at Bis. then campervanning it round to end up in Melbourne in time to spend xmas with family. We have 2 kids and a dog.
Do you have any school info?
good luck, Heather

Re: melbourne
 

Hi,
we are off in September to mornington area. Did you manage to find any school info?
good luck, Heather

Hopefully we will be going in September too. I was thinking of Williamstown. Has anybody got any info? Schools, friendliness? The are in general!!
Mandy

Hi
Sorry no info but it does look nice in the pictures. My wife and I are going in Sept and that is one place on our rent hit list. Although have heard that although Williamstown is nice the areas around it are a bit industrial and to be avoided if poss... just what I heard from a Melbournite in London though. I think the best burbs are in the East south of St. Kilda/Brighton and close to the beaches but expensive I guess.
Regards
S

Hi there.We r also planning to go to melbourne..our retired cousins lived in Crib Point on the Mornington P. and loved it, but they have just moved to Crabourne and love it.we went there at xmas and loved Melbourne..We wont be there till next year but we love to still hear tales and all from people who have gone before us..Hutchy..my mum lives in Sunderland..in Castletown..she is all for us going as she dosent like this country anymore..
good luck to everyone..]
byee..

Re: melbourne
 

Hi

See this thread http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...hreadid=148570

Thanks

Terry

Hi everyone,

I live in Melbourne (at the moment as an international student) but my boyfriend is Australian ( we have been together for 4 years) which makes it alot easier for me to apply for residency when I have finished studying.

I just wanted to say that if anyone would like me to get them anyone would like info on Melbourne from someone already here then let me know and I can send things to you/answer any questions.

My email is [email protected]

Have a good day!

Hi Heather,
I have ben in oz for 7months now and have settled in a place called Geelong about an hour from melbourne on the other side of the water from The mornington peninsula.


I noticed you have said Frankston looks a good bet.
My wifes aunt used to live in Frankston and it is getting a bit of a bad name for itself due to commisioned housing etc.
I beleive there are a lot of nice ares still, so hope you dont mind me sending this as i thought you may like to know.

Dandenong which is close by has a terrible reputation

So just be carefull what area you settle in.

Do you now anyone in frankston???

This is only what i have heard!!!! there are still some lovely ares round about and the mornington peninsula is beautifull.
Have you visited the area before.

Kind Regards
Jamie.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by hibee
Hi Heather,
I have ben in oz for 7months now and have settled in a place called Geelong about an hour from melbourne on the other side of the water from The mornington peninsula.


Hi Jamie

Thanks for taking the time to reply.
I don't know anyone in Frankston, but i have family in Rowville, at the foot of the Dandenongs. We wanted to be somewhere near a beach (as we currently live in central England), but close to family and close to the city. My cousin suggested Geelong to me the otherday on the phone.
Do you have any school age kids?
Do you know of anyother "to be avoided" areas on the peninsula?
Thanks once again, Heather

Hi Heather

sorry that its taken so long to reply about schools. Seems like we had a problem posting last night. Anyway it looks like Terry G has beaten me to it but here it is anyway:-

We looked at schools in Seaford - someone said the Highschools in Frankston are some of the better ones.

Some schools have their own web pages (look on http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline).

Most seem a bit more relaxed than schools in the UK - the one we liked has it's own farm, provides photography, guitar and piano lessons etc for all ages.

There are no stats to be taken, so you will not find any league tables as over here.

Lets hope that with all our info, we may be able to put the jigsaw together from England. Lets just hope the picture looks the same when we get there
Clare
:D :D

[QUOTE]Originally posted by h garrett
Hi Again,
Both my kids are teenagers 14,15 and at high school in geelong and loving it.

We are 10-15 minutes drive from the surf coast i:e torquay, lorne,
on the Great Ocean Rd. Geelong itself has a nice waterfront .

Although like most areas it has a few places to stay clear of.

Prices here are still rising especially near the beaches as most of the people with money from Melbourne have bought holiday homes there.

I am not sure of the Mornington Peninsula but i have a few friends i have met recently who know the area better . I will ask there advice and let you know.

How old are your kids? Have you recieved your visa yet ?
when do you expect to arrive in oz.

If you can stay with your rellies when you arrive it could give you an idea on sarrounding areas ands hopefully make your own mind up.
The best advice we got were from Aussies in shops we were purchasing goods from .I;E good ares to live , ones to keep away from, good schools etc.

If you wont to ask anything else send me an e-mail and i'll try to help.
Regards
Jamie.

schools
 

Hi Clare
Thanks for taking the time to reply
have you been overthere , or just doing tonnes of research?
What ages are your kids?
Where are you thinking of settling?
Like you say, if we can all share loads of info it may help when we get there!
Thanks again to all!!!
Heather

Re: schools
 

Hi to everyone going to Melbourne.

Today we have booked our flights- we fly from Manchester on the 26th August .

Now time to find somewhere to live. !!!!!! :scared:

Re: Melbourne
 

Any more answers ?

Hello all off to Mel
We're heading there in November loads of reasons why

Friends...
My hubbie has made some good friends from Mel through work and they have been very helpful and encouraging. They're heading home in Nov so we'll have a bit of a social network.

climate, cultural diversity, wildlife,beaches, national parks etc. Theres so much to do don't think we'll ever get bored.
Prices are rising but that doesn't put us off, we'd rather pay for the lifestyle than live somewhere cheaper where we may own our house outright but there's nothing to do !


Good luck everyone heading to mel

em and family

Just found this

http://www.ski.com.au

another reason........:cool:

Good call !!!! :D

My God...all these reasons for Melbourne...has everyone forgot about the racing at Phillip Island?....the track days?......not that its the main reason for going to melbourne or anything...thats would be just plain silly :-)

Re: Melbourne
 

Great post terryg. Loads of helpful replies.
We're heading to Melbourne for all the reasons suggested so far plus the fact that my husband is really keen to work there (in mental health - good reputaion apparantly) and we have family contacts (tenuous though they may be).
I am really keen on the culture side plus I like the changing of the seasons.
Sounds like Mel is a good bet if all the postings are to be believed.
Bella