ChrisBenUK

Hi all

New to the site and we are just getting to know our way around.

I have just been accepted and offered a position as a clinical nurse specialist in Cairns and we are very much looking forward to moving. We are hoping to arrive around Aug.
I hope to gain lots of advice from this site such as best areas to live, places to meet new people.

Here Are some of my questions and I hope that people can help us out.

1. I will be working in Atherton but my partner Ben is hoping to find employment in Cairns where would you recommend to start looking at renting?
2. Most rentals are un-furnished is it easy to find places to kit our new pad out? (Does IKEA deliver)
3. I obviously will be commuting to work in Atherton is it easy to find a used car.
4. We will be coming over on a De-facto relationship and I am just waiting for my 457 sponsorship number to apply for visa, does this process take long and what's involved?


Is there any other advice that you could give two lads moving to Cairns, I know people who have travelled all over Oz but I need to get a picture of Cairns.

Hope to here from you all soon

Kind regards

chris and Ben

Bermudashorts

My thoughts in same order:

1. Probably Cairns, I can't imagine there are that many rentals in Atherton. Palm Cove is a nice seaside suburb too, might be worth a look.

2. Well everyone else manages to furnish their houses one way or another, so I wouldn't worry about this too much.

3. Yes.

4. You are not coming on a "defacto relationship" you are coming on a 457 visa, both of you. It is always good to be clear on the terminology. Process involves company getting approval, role getting approval, you getting approval. I would say the majority are dealt within between a couple of weeks to a couple of months, but there are outliers either side of that range.

Good luck with your move.

SillyOldBag

Hello

The job situation in Cairns is still fairly unpleasant when it comes to job hunting. There is a lot of "it's not what you know, but who you know" about it - which is no good at all to new migrants. However, you might strike it lucky especially if your OH is in an "in demand" occupation - although I'm not sure what they are

If you're going to live in the Cairns area and commute to Atherton, good luck with that - personally I wouldn't like to be driving up and down the range each day but then I get bored with winding roads which is no good when you're half way up or down (I sound a bit like the Grand Old Duke of York here ).

Cairns and it's environs is certainly a beautiful place to live. I'm an old fart so I don't do much socialising .... I'm therefore an unsociable old fart so can't really help out with the places to meet people. However, I can say that I have found people to be very friendly in general here, so you should meet with a warm welcome as long as you come with a positive attitude and a cheery smile.

August is a good time to be arriving as it's mid winter and Cairns should be nice and cool, or as cool as it gets, it does get a bit chilly up on the Tablelands which I'm sure in time will be a welcome relief even if initially you love the heat of the tropics.

Sorry, I'm not much help but I wish you all the best with your move

paulry

Looks good. Wouldn't mind retiring/grey nomadding for a while there - when the time comes.

http://cairnslifestyle.com/category/living-in-cairns/

Jilliebee

That's a pain of a commute. Hopefully you can find a rental in or nearer Atherton and Ben will find work there too. It's a beautiful place to be but the winding road up,from Cairns even left me car sick - and I was driving lol x

Chrisbrdly

Hi guys,
Couple of things to work out before you arrive.
Do you have kids?
If so, maybe northern beaches/ Smithfield/Redlynch are great places to live, and good for access to the tablelands for your commute, Chris.
If not, the city may be a better option for your social life.
As for work, it may involve some walking and dropping his CV around. It's not steaming ahead for employment at the minute, but cairns is very transient, so employers will always hang onto the best workers.
No Ikea, so a short term furnished will be your best bet until you sort out where you want to live and how to furnish. Be careful that you may pay a premium or limit your choice if you want certain furniture there and then.
You should ask if you can salary sacrifice your car lease. If you can, it will probably be cheaper than buying, is better for tax and no worrying about it breaking down.
Your background will determine your visa arrival time.
Good luck!

Bazza Boy

Ditto about the friendliness of the place.

Make sure you get somewhere with good air con (although you won't need it when you arrive).

To live - The Smithfield area (probably Trinity Beach) would be my choice.

Goo luck