Melbourne Update
Mar 25th 2004, 10:09 pm
#1
Homeward Bound
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 435
Melbourne Update
Hiya,
Well for those of you who are interested, here's an update from sunny ole Oz.
Hubby Neil and I have now been here for nearly 6 months and despite a roller-coaster of a ride, are really happy. We are now living a a lovely rented house in the inner SE sububrbs with great neighbours and friends all over Melbourne.
We have bought a plot of land ready to build on at a fantastic 'resort-style' estate called Sanctuary Lakes which is 20mins by car from the CBD and 30mins on the train. It's being able to build a four bed, 3.5 bath, monster of a dream house that makes me remember why I came to Australia! Actually, our lease on this house is up in July so we are thinking of moving out there then and renting a brand new, gorgeaus 3/4 bedroom house for the price we are paying now and free use of the gym/sauna/pool etc.
Despite almost daily nagging of the Victorian Institute of Teaching:lecture: , they are still processing my application and I am currently only allowed to do supply teaching. The supply agencies, however, are equally as awful and have twice cancelled my interview so I am still waiting on them. In the meantime, I have a great job as a nanny for a fab couple (and their 4 and 2 year olds) in Brighton. The kids are great and their house is stunning - spent most of the last few weeks in the pool or down the beach. It's hard work but I'm topping up the tan a treat!
Neil has been called back for a second interview with ANZ (big Oz bank) next Thursday which looks very promising. It was meant to be this week but they cancelled that too - do you see a pattern forming??
We are coming back to the UK next Friday for a quick visit and hopefully to pick up our beloved visa! The bond has been lodged and our case officer assurers us that she will send the pre-grant letter out before we go so we should be just in the nick of time. My God, has that been a hard road! Never ever want to do that again and am aware that the nightmare may not yet be over but am keeping fingers crossed and loooking forward to my "GOT IT" post and sinking a few cold ones.
To everyone still waiting and wondering if it's worth all the blood sweat and tears - hang in there. Oz is not Utopia and problems and frustrations abound here but I think we, at least, have finally found what we were looking for (isn't that a song..??) and are looking forward to the future.
We love being able to go out for dinner a few times a week (going for lovely Thai tonight after work and have even found a stupendous Indian at Southbank
) we can get to the beach in half an hour and our entirely amateurish 
attempts at surfing are enjoyable if not very successful! We are going away for the weekend when we get back from the UK with a few friends we met from this forum. Driving down the Great Ocean Rd to a stunning little place called Port Fairy for a weekend of wine and chilling out. All is looking good.
Maybe I will feel different in the depths of winter
(though I think a short trip to Queensland might be in order then) but at the moment I certainly won't be returning to the UK! We are really settling into life here - we have furniture, two cats, a car, an expensive piece of dirt and we even go to a pub quiz every Monday down the local!:scared:
Good luck to everyone on their way.
Emma.
Well for those of you who are interested, here's an update from sunny ole Oz.
Hubby Neil and I have now been here for nearly 6 months and despite a roller-coaster of a ride, are really happy. We are now living a a lovely rented house in the inner SE sububrbs with great neighbours and friends all over Melbourne.
We have bought a plot of land ready to build on at a fantastic 'resort-style' estate called Sanctuary Lakes which is 20mins by car from the CBD and 30mins on the train. It's being able to build a four bed, 3.5 bath, monster of a dream house that makes me remember why I came to Australia! Actually, our lease on this house is up in July so we are thinking of moving out there then and renting a brand new, gorgeaus 3/4 bedroom house for the price we are paying now and free use of the gym/sauna/pool etc.
Despite almost daily nagging of the Victorian Institute of Teaching:lecture: , they are still processing my application and I am currently only allowed to do supply teaching. The supply agencies, however, are equally as awful and have twice cancelled my interview so I am still waiting on them. In the meantime, I have a great job as a nanny for a fab couple (and their 4 and 2 year olds) in Brighton. The kids are great and their house is stunning - spent most of the last few weeks in the pool or down the beach. It's hard work but I'm topping up the tan a treat!
Neil has been called back for a second interview with ANZ (big Oz bank) next Thursday which looks very promising. It was meant to be this week but they cancelled that too - do you see a pattern forming??
We are coming back to the UK next Friday for a quick visit and hopefully to pick up our beloved visa! The bond has been lodged and our case officer assurers us that she will send the pre-grant letter out before we go so we should be just in the nick of time. My God, has that been a hard road! Never ever want to do that again and am aware that the nightmare may not yet be over but am keeping fingers crossed and loooking forward to my "GOT IT" post and sinking a few cold ones.
To everyone still waiting and wondering if it's worth all the blood sweat and tears - hang in there. Oz is not Utopia and problems and frustrations abound here but I think we, at least, have finally found what we were looking for (isn't that a song..??) and are looking forward to the future.
We love being able to go out for dinner a few times a week (going for lovely Thai tonight after work and have even found a stupendous Indian at Southbank
) we can get to the beach in half an hour and our entirely amateurish attempts at surfing are enjoyable if not very successful! We are going away for the weekend when we get back from the UK with a few friends we met from this forum. Driving down the Great Ocean Rd to a stunning little place called Port Fairy for a weekend of wine and chilling out. All is looking good.Maybe I will feel different in the depths of winter
(though I think a short trip to Queensland might be in order then) but at the moment I certainly won't be returning to the UK! We are really settling into life here - we have furniture, two cats, a car, an expensive piece of dirt and we even go to a pub quiz every Monday down the local!:scared: Good luck to everyone on their way.
Emma.
Mar 25th 2004, 10:20 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
great post, good luck with the visa and the job situation.
Mar 26th 2004, 2:13 am
#3
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Welcome to Melbourne Emma, sounds like youve done more in six months than Ive done in 5 years 
Good luck with the jobs but sounds like your not stressing to much.
Good luck with the jobs but sounds like your not stressing to much.
Mar 26th 2004, 2:29 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 238
Re: Melbourne Update
Originally posted by emmahafryn
We are really settling into life here - we have furniture, two cats, a car, an expensive piece of dirt and we even go to a pub quiz every Monday down the local!:scared:
Good luck to everyone on their way.
Emma.
We are really settling into life here - we have furniture, two cats, a car, an expensive piece of dirt and we even go to a pub quiz every Monday down the local!:scared:
Good luck to everyone on their way.
Emma.
Welcome to Melbourne Emma, it's a great place,
two cats, a car and a piece of dirt - come on you need top pick a team, pick St. Kilda they are on the up and should do well this year and everybody loves them.
Mar 26th 2004, 2:41 am
#5
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Everybody ????????? Nah, go Bombers Pick Essendon Emma, far more classy, more your style.
Mar 26th 2004, 3:12 am
#6
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 238
Originally posted by Bordy
Everybody ????????? Nah, go Bombers Pick Essendon Emma, far more classy, more your style.
Everybody ????????? Nah, go Bombers Pick Essendon Emma, far more classy, more your style.
Everybody except Bordy........................
Mar 26th 2004, 4:26 am
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Thailand
Posts: 57
Good luck Emma...It seems like everything has worked out just fine for you..The house sounds brilliant..Chloe..
Mar 26th 2004, 4:50 am
#8
Beyond Redemption
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: World's Most Liveable City
Posts: 196
Re: Melbourne Update
[i](.... and have even found a stupendous Indian at Southbank )
)
Mar 26th 2004, 5:32 am
#9
Homeward Bound
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 435
Re: Melbourne Update
Originally posted by Snitzy
Can you remember the name of the Indian ? I live in Southbank and enjoy a stupendous most days !!
Can you remember the name of the Indian ? I live in Southbank and enjoy a stupendous most days !!
Hi All,
Snitzy - Restaurant is called "Bhoj" and is actually on the New Quay in the Docklands - it's great! Very modern, super tasty curries.
Thanks Chloe, not out of the woods yet but getting there.
Sorry boys, I'm not supporting anyone at the moment. I am truly gutted that they are not showing any of the 6 Nations games so I refuse so watch they pansyish excuse for rugby!!!
Mar 26th 2004, 5:35 am
#10
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
Well I joined the Victorian Rugby Union to Emma does that count
http://www.vicrugby.com.au/default.asp?id=20322
http://www.vicrugby.com.au/default.asp?id=20322
Mar 26th 2004, 5:38 am
#11
Homeward Bound
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 435
Yes, Bordy - that 's more like it!
We live literally round the corner from the ground where Melbourne rugby union play but I don't know any of fixtures or anything.
Do you go to any games?
Em.
We live literally round the corner from the ground where Melbourne rugby union play but I don't know any of fixtures or anything.
Do you go to any games?
Em.
Mar 26th 2004, 5:44 am
#12
Beyond Redemption
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: World's Most Liveable City
Posts: 196
Originally posted by Bordy
Well I joined the Victorian Rugby Union to Emma does that count
http://www.vicrugby.com.au/default.asp?id=20322
Well I joined the Victorian Rugby Union to Emma does that count
http://www.vicrugby.com.au/default.asp?id=20322
S.
Last edited by Snitzy; Mar 26th 2004 at 6:40 am.
Mar 26th 2004, 6:22 am
#13
The Godfather
Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South East Suburbs of Melbourne
Posts: 7,336
I'm pretty slack Emma, Ive only been to the internationals in Melbourne. The World cup was fantastic, well apart from England winning, me being Scottish & all
The Weary Dunlop club has quite a few functions during the year with some good speakers mainly Ex Aussie players.
The Weary Dunlop club has quite a few functions during the year with some good speakers mainly Ex Aussie players.
Mar 26th 2004, 7:39 am
#14
I CU HACKN
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 139
Re: Melbourne Update
Originally posted by emmahafryn
Hiya,
Well for those of you who are interested, here's an update from sunny ole Oz.
Hubby Neil and I have now been here for nearly 6 months and despite a roller-coaster of a ride, are really happy. We are now living a a lovely rented house in the inner SE sububrbs with great neighbours and friends all over Melbourne.
We have bought a plot of land ready to build on at a fantastic 'resort-style' estate called Sanctuary Lakes which is 20mins by car from the CBD and 30mins on the train. It's being able to build a four bed, 3.5 bath, monster of a dream house that makes me remember why I came to Australia! Actually, our lease on this house is up in July so we are thinking of moving out there then and renting a brand new, gorgeaus 3/4 bedroom house for the price we are paying now and free use of the gym/sauna/pool etc.
Despite almost daily nagging of the Victorian Institute of Teaching:lecture: , they are still processing my application and I am currently only allowed to do supply teaching. The supply agencies, however, are equally as awful and have twice cancelled my interview so I am still waiting on them. In the meantime, I have a great job as a nanny for a fab couple (and their 4 and 2 year olds) in Brighton. The kids are great and their house is stunning - spent most of the last few weeks in the pool or down the beach. It's hard work but I'm topping up the tan a treat!
Neil has been called back for a second interview with ANZ (big Oz bank) next Thursday which looks very promising. It was meant to be this week but they cancelled that too - do you see a pattern forming??
We are coming back to the UK next Friday for a quick visit and hopefully to pick up our beloved visa! The bond has been lodged and our case officer assurers us that she will send the pre-grant letter out before we go so we should be just in the nick of time. My God, has that been a hard road! Never ever want to do that again and am aware that the nightmare may not yet be over but am keeping fingers crossed and loooking forward to my "GOT IT" post and sinking a few cold ones.
To everyone still waiting and wondering if it's worth all the blood sweat and tears - hang in there. Oz is not Utopia and problems and frustrations abound here but I think we, at least, have finally found what we were looking for (isn't that a song..??) and are looking forward to the future.
We love being able to go out for dinner a few times a week (going for lovely Thai tonight after work and have even found a stupendous Indian at Southbank ) we can get to the beach in half an hour and our entirely amateurish attempts at surfing are enjoyable if not very successful! We are going away for the weekend when we get back from the UK with a few friends we met from this forum. Driving down the Great Ocean Rd to a stunning little place called Port Fairy for a weekend of wine and chilling out. All is looking good.
Maybe I will feel different in the depths of winter (though I think a short trip to Queensland might be in order then) but at the moment I certainly won't be returning to the UK! We are really settling into life here - we have furniture, two cats, a car, an expensive piece of dirt and we even go to a pub quiz every Monday down the local!:scared:
Good luck to everyone on their way.
Emma.
Hiya,
Well for those of you who are interested, here's an update from sunny ole Oz.
Hubby Neil and I have now been here for nearly 6 months and despite a roller-coaster of a ride, are really happy. We are now living a a lovely rented house in the inner SE sububrbs with great neighbours and friends all over Melbourne.
We have bought a plot of land ready to build on at a fantastic 'resort-style' estate called Sanctuary Lakes which is 20mins by car from the CBD and 30mins on the train. It's being able to build a four bed, 3.5 bath, monster of a dream house that makes me remember why I came to Australia! Actually, our lease on this house is up in July so we are thinking of moving out there then and renting a brand new, gorgeaus 3/4 bedroom house for the price we are paying now and free use of the gym/sauna/pool etc.
Despite almost daily nagging of the Victorian Institute of Teaching:lecture: , they are still processing my application and I am currently only allowed to do supply teaching. The supply agencies, however, are equally as awful and have twice cancelled my interview so I am still waiting on them. In the meantime, I have a great job as a nanny for a fab couple (and their 4 and 2 year olds) in Brighton. The kids are great and their house is stunning - spent most of the last few weeks in the pool or down the beach. It's hard work but I'm topping up the tan a treat!
Neil has been called back for a second interview with ANZ (big Oz bank) next Thursday which looks very promising. It was meant to be this week but they cancelled that too - do you see a pattern forming??
We are coming back to the UK next Friday for a quick visit and hopefully to pick up our beloved visa! The bond has been lodged and our case officer assurers us that she will send the pre-grant letter out before we go so we should be just in the nick of time. My God, has that been a hard road! Never ever want to do that again and am aware that the nightmare may not yet be over but am keeping fingers crossed and loooking forward to my "GOT IT" post and sinking a few cold ones.
To everyone still waiting and wondering if it's worth all the blood sweat and tears - hang in there. Oz is not Utopia and problems and frustrations abound here but I think we, at least, have finally found what we were looking for (isn't that a song..??) and are looking forward to the future.
We love being able to go out for dinner a few times a week (going for lovely Thai tonight after work and have even found a stupendous Indian at Southbank
) we can get to the beach in half an hour and our entirely amateurish attempts at surfing are enjoyable if not very successful! We are going away for the weekend when we get back from the UK with a few friends we met from this forum. Driving down the Great Ocean Rd to a stunning little place called Port Fairy for a weekend of wine and chilling out. All is looking good.Maybe I will feel different in the depths of winter
(though I think a short trip to Queensland might be in order then) but at the moment I certainly won't be returning to the UK! We are really settling into life here - we have furniture, two cats, a car, an expensive piece of dirt and we even go to a pub quiz every Monday down the local!:scared: Good luck to everyone on their way.
Emma.
Very informative post Emma. Thanks a lot for the update and wish you all the best. Can you give a rough idea as to how much that piece of dirt as you call it cost you ?
Keyur
Mar 26th 2004, 8:34 pm
#15
Homeward Bound
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 435
Re: Melbourne Update
Originally posted by keyurlavingia
Very informative post Emma. Thanks a lot for the update and wish you all the best. Can you give a rough idea as to how much that piece of dirt as you call it cost you ?
Keyur
Very informative post Emma. Thanks a lot for the update and wish you all the best. Can you give a rough idea as to how much that piece of dirt as you call it cost you ?
Keyur
Land at S/L is quickly going through the roof and our own piece of dirt was not cheap at $165k. It was, believe it or not, a bargain though and much smaller plots are now selling for around 200k so it was still better than leaving it in the bank with their crappy interest rate!
The cheapest you can get land around Melbourne seems to be about $130k but this involves moving a further from the city and on an estate with fewer attractions.