Hi Everyone

I have been contacted directly by one the big builders in Melbourne/Victoria and asked if I would be interested in going over to work for them, obviously my answer was let me have a think about it and call you back next week some time.

Anyway was wondering what melbourne or surrounding is like for living lifestyle etc. I have 2 kids 12 & 10 both mad on sport, horses, swimming, water polo and football(soccer).

I also race motorcycles, road bikes so would like to know how that is round about there if anyone knows that would be a bonus.

Any help would be good thanks.

They call Melbourne the sporting capital of Australia so it looks like your moving to the right place if you love sport. Theres a large southern European population there so soccer is very popular. Theres plenty of public swimming pools and beaches to swim in except in winter the oceans too cold. l'm sure theres plenty of horseriding places in the semi rural outskirks, but l don't know anything out motorbike racing except off road or dirt road motorbike/ trailbike riding is popular in the country areas just outside Melbourne l have noticed.

Welcome as has been said sport is big in Melbourne. Soccer clubs, tennis clubs, baseball clubs, softball clubs, pony clubs, dressage, horse racing, rugby, on and on.

Horsey types live on the fringe for obvious reasons, land for their horses.

Motor bikes are big here too cheap form of transport and the weather suits riding them as well.

Have a look at this site it may help you with competing http://www.prestonmcc.com.au/

It really depends where you will be working and the commute as to which area of Melbourne would suit you as its a very large area.

Mate I see you have moved from UK - NZ. We had done the same and we've found that Melbourne offers the best combination of NZ lifestyle and UK economics/jobs.

Buzzy

Don't know much about it myself but my builder often goes into the bush to ride dirt bikes and his mate often goes to Phillip Island on his road bike.

http://www.phillipislandridedays.com.au/

Thanks for the help, really appreciate the comments. I will check it out a little more, however think our minds are pretty made up, just need to sort out the package which at the moment is nearly double what I am getting here in NZ, lets see how far they will go!

You will find your money goes further here than it does in NZ too.

Buzzy

The only disadvantage is that you are going to have to get into AFL

Shit they said that when I came to NZ that I would have to get into RU and I didn't

Hi Mate, We are moving to Melbourne as soon as We can sell the house' I am from EK. There is a race track in a place called Philips Island and I am sure thats where they hold the Grand Prix for bikes, There is also a huge Rangers supporters club in Melbourne as well. We were over last march my boy is 12 and my girl is 10 there is plenty for them out there especially the soccer . My boy was training with River Plates youth accademy when We were there.

Thanks for that, I know about the supporters club we are all affiliated in ORSA who are having their AGM this weekend in Auckland, so big piss up planned, 3 days long, especially after the weekend make by Carlsberg!

WATP

No way - just ignore it. I did when I lived here before and still do now. You'll get lots of it but when you shrug in a Carol Beer type way, they soon get the gist you don't give a shit....

Roads are quiet when matches are on too...

Philip Island race days are meant to be excellent.

you might want to register on this forum as well: http://www.twowheels.com.au/forums2/

they will give you a few pointers in the right direction.

I try to be a regular at the Moto GP & SBK's on Philip Island and they are excellent weekends. Cheap & great atmosphere. (missed last Sunday because I had to do the great ocean road in a cage )

general riding is great in Vic, although the coppers can be a pain.

this will give you a taster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-C6EgKWmNs

and its little sister the Reefton spur is even better.

No tourists & no coppers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdYcMW84hjk

Broadford is just up the Hume Highway too - the motorcycle racing complex for those that don't know, Road and MX tracks available there

Had many road bikes, prefer racing on closed roads/tracks now to many looneys on the other side of the road for my liking now. I am racing an SP1 which is just the bollax, if we move I am going to miss my pit man so will be looking for a new one, preferably someone who is free and like a good beer and a few nights away talking about bikes, tracks and how fast we all used to be!