Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi there,

Just found this website a few days ago and have already been reading through a few threads.
I am a physio, currently working in NZ, and will hopefully move to Australia in a few months. I registered with a recruitment agency as I need some assistance with a work permit (457 visa). They offered me a job in Mackay.

Now, I´ve been to Australia before but skipped Mackay, therefore, I can´t really say anything about it. I just read, it´s a nice town, great weather, near the Great Barrier Reef and all that. Sounds great.

What worries me a bit: I would move there on my own, no partner or whatsoever. I was wondering what kind of place Mackay would be for a young single woman. Are there single people around my age (+/- 30) or would I be surrounded by mostly families?
It seems to be a bit isolated, no major city nearby (which would be ok if it´s a nice place...I just don´t wanna be stuck in a town where there´s not much to do for me).

Any opinions greatly appreciated!

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi,
We are heading to Mackay. I have a job lined up in a hospital there.
There is a girl called Joanne who has arrived in January 2008. A chap from Scotland called Frank.
We are not single but are around your age!
Keep in touch- we intended to be there by April 2008...but it will be later I am afraid!
HKA
x

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi there don't worry you're not the only loner making the move. Check out this thread http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=508493 don't worry we're a friendly bunch

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

HI WE WILL BE MOVING TO MACKAY IN MAY,MACKAY HAS JUST HAD A VERY BAD STORM AND A LOT OF THE PLACE WAS BADLY FLOODED.BUT ME AND MY WIFE WAS OVER LAST EASTER AND WE LOVED IT .WE ARE SELLING UP AND MOVING OVER WITH OUR FAMILY.
I THOUGHT THE PEOPLE WERE VERY FRIENDLY.NOT A LOT OF NIGHT LIFE.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

hi
dont worry mackay isnt that bad and the ppl are friendly, you feel a little isolated sometimes. Weve been here 18 months now and time has really flown by ,we r from kent in uk and compared to there its very laid back.
good luck
denise ,peter

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi

Currently negotiating an offer to work in Mackay, job will be in Sarina, we should be moving by Sept. Me, my wife and 3 daughters (11,9 and 3) have never been before and are currently looking around the net at property. If anyone can offer any location advice I would be very grateful.
:thumbsup:

Cheers

Steve

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi
We are off to Mackay soon...house sale pending...
I have a job in a Hospital in Mackay....cant wait..
Anyway...Who ever gets there first please post something here so we all know what it is like...
I know there is a guy called Franny (and his family) fae Clydebank (been there for years..if think) and a girl called Jo there (arrived in the last 6 months) already.
It would be nice to keep in touch. There is not a big expats community out there which is probably for the best to be honest...but it would be nice to have some familiar voices/accents to share our first few experiences with when we get there!
In other words Keep in Touch all you Mackay bound folk!
HKA
x

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

I Moved to Mackay alone christmas 06, found it hard to ajust to 1st but its easy to settle in, people are real nice and place is starting to take shape, there is alot of places to visit just a drive away but there are loads of beaches which is great, Im 27 and found the nightlife to be not as good as UK but you still get all the after hours trouble like anywhere.

Basically if i where you I'd give Mackay a try as i did and you may enjoy it like i had. (apart from the floods in feb 08

Anyone wanting to know more feel free to ask and i'll do my best to respond

Peter (Ex- North east UK)

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi

Myself the wife and the boys (7 & 9) will hopefully be in Mackey September/October time depending on how long the Visa process takes. Will be working for an Engineering firm in Mackay. Can't wait to get out there. Meds are booked for the 24th July. Already have potential renters for my property, but need to work out when the move to Mackay will take place.

See you all soon.

DC

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Bring lots of money, mining boom here has got house prices skyhigh. lol

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

house prices in Mackay are shocking.....personally I didnt like it, with the Scottish accent we were treated like tourists...give us your money and bugger off. I found Mackay very dreary and not a nice place to be....only my opinion, but felt I should give it

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

yes dont come here it is very dreary :lol:

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

was when I was there mate...only giving MY opinion

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi there, just thought I would give you my opinion too, as a single girl (29)who's travelled & worked all round QLD as a nurse for the last 5 years. The straight answer is don't do it!!!! Mackay would be great if you were in a couple or a family but on your own it's a very different place. The weather isn't great and the town itself is kind of a stop gap between Brissie, the barrier reef and Cairns....not much there! Have you thought/asked about Cairns? That has the same tropical feel but isn't as isolated. Alternatively definately try the royal brisbane hopsital. I've worked there for 3/4 years and it's fab! Hope this helps :D

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

we went over this a while back biggy mate and im not getting into it again

to answer it would be like laurah said the weather is not great and it is for familys really and everyone is rude and it is to expensive to buy and so on

but this is just MY opinion

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

I would not be heading for Mackay if I was single. From my time there I found it to be more of a family place and you might end up twiddling your thumbs a lot. It is a scenic area though and maybe you'll be lucky and meet a group of friends and have a great time, lots of places to go on day trips, overnighters etc. Then again it wouldn't be a big deal to give it a try and if you don't like it move on.:)

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Apparently there are a lot more men than women of your approx age bracket in Mackay so I don't think you'll be short of male company.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...-13360,00.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...13/2032114.htm

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

I would personally try Cairns as there seems to be more happening in my opinion. There is a mixed bag of all ages in Cairns and there are singles here as well as families, I'm 31 btw. There is a meet up in a couple of weekends in Cairns where you can ask lots of expats if you can make it.
Shaun

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

I was in Mackay yesterday. Pouring with rain and lots of traffic.

Adverts by the side of the road for electricians and welders so they must be desperate for people.

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Yes it is raining and we have not had rain really since the febuary floods so for winter we are not doing to bad,last year in june it rained for must of the month,but it is tropical so i assume you get rain!
as for traffic yes its terrible you have to queue for hours ....

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Dont do it:thumbdown:

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi there,
it´s been a long time and just to give you an update: I actually didn´t end up in Mackay but Brisbane. I arrived here 3 weeks ago, got a job at The Prince Charles Hospital and loving it! I think, Brisbane is the better choice for my situation at the moment.
Thanks for your opinions!

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Where in Sarina?
Mackay is 30 mins easy drive and would offer better facilities based on size (Sarina is quite small by comparison) but Sarina beach might be an option?

If you do settle let me know, I am usually up a few days each week.

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi Geelong Gent,

I'm going to be working on the Coal Stream Alliance, its a goods yard exporting area development. Just waiting on the approval of my visa which shouldnt be too long now. We are looking at Blacks Beach, Shoal Point, Dolphin Heads and Mackay in general as you say Sarina seems a little on the small side.

Its a defo that we are on our way as the removal company have assesed what we are taking, the company (Macmahon) are sponsoring me to come out.:D

Cheers

Ste

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi physiogirl76

Interesting to see your thread. I'm in a similar predicament that is being s ingle and potentially following a standard interview with QH I was told by one of the panel that she would not hesitate to recommend me for a position in Mackay. However, if 76 refers to your birth year and being single then it puts us in a very similar position. I have found it quite difficult to find research on the area that fits with what people of our age would like from a town/city, which makes it harder to know what it's going to be like.

Have you had much contact with people already living there as to whether it is a place where single people don't feel like they're out on a limb without kids etc? Have you heard if there is much of a young type culture, late cafes or bars to chill in?

It looks a really pretty place from the obvious tailor made holiday brochures but I can't tell what it would be like in reality.

Have you moved there yet? Do you have first hand real life there? Have you decided to go elsewhere?

It would be great to hear back from you to see what thoughts or info you have.

Thanks :)

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi again physiogirl76, I've just scrolled down a little more and realised you moved to Brisbane and sounds like you are having an amazing time. What made you change your mind, alternative job offer or the fact that you realised Mackay is not a place for single people etc?

Good luck in Brisbane, I'm sure it's fantastic!!
:)

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi Monkeyhanger

i'm currently considering a move to Mackay and notice your reply to Physiogirl 76 on her predicament to move to Mackay as a single person. Sounds like you made the move on your own. I have some reservations as it doesn't appear to be a particularly lively place and appears to be dominated by young families.

From your opinion, that is if you are still in Mackay, how are you finding it being under 30 and (at least when you arrived were) single did you feel that Mackay offered what you wanted in terms of socialising and meeting people of your own age group? Is it quite a sleepy city, are people friendly, have you made a good circle of friends? - sorry if that sounds too personal! Also accommodation appears to be really expensive, particularly for one person and there does not appear to be many options for sharing accommodation (or at least that is what the real estate website suggests). Are there many late bars, what about music venues etc etc. Too many questions, sorry, just trying to get an idea for the feel of the place?

Any info would be great.

Ta:D

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Why not try Cairns? similar weather and lots of heath jobs in and big hospital. Big expat meet up here also and everyone is friendly? If you do go Mackay good luck and hope it works whatever you decide.
Shaun

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hi Trixie17,

first of all, yes, 76 refers to the year when I was born;)
I made the move to Brisbane because I got a job offer from one of the hospitals there. I submitted an expression of interest on the Queensland Health website and they offered me a position in Brisbane.
I think, going to Brisbane was the better choice for me even though I´m not the typical "city slicker". But I want to have the option to go out to cafes, bars, see some cultural stuff etc when I feel like it. The other thing is that Mackay is pretty isolated whereas in Brisbane you have the Sunshine and Gold Coast and lots of things to explore within a few hours drive.
At the end of the day, it´s the people surrounding you, who make you like a place or not. I´m not saying that the people in Brisbane are nicer, probably it´s easier to make friends in more remote areas - but I just felt that there are more options in Brisbane, e.g. more single people like me.
If I was married / had kids, I would definately consider Mackay.
All the best, whatever your decision will be.

Re: Moving to Mackay - alone?
 

Hey Shaun, cheers for reply.

My ideal location would be Cairns and I would hope to be offered a job there. However at my interview I was told there is a year waiting list for mental health nurses as during their last recruitment drive majority of applicants were given Cairns as their location!!!

Another member suggested I e-mail Cairns based hospital directly, although I can't seem to find their e-mail address and there are certainly no N05 jobs advertised at present. I think I'll send my CV anyway and see how I get on.

I notice there is an ex-pat group and meet ups which would be a fantastic way to meet others and still have british banter now and again!!

Thanks again, hope you're enjoying Cairns, I've been on holiday there and I loved it, so hopefully one day I'll return. :)