Carla Elliott

Hi there - my hubby and I are new to all this - we are still in very early stages i.e. just thinking about coming to Australia - we have never even visited yet but do have relatives there. We are planning to visit early part of next year - around May time. The purpose of the trip is to get a feel for which part of Australia we would like to live in and if we could actually make the move without feeling really homesick etc etc. We thought about 3 months should give us a really good idea of this and the chance to take a good look around (will this be long enough?) We were thinking of staying in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney - is that a good idea or even a realistic idea? Does that give a broad enough view? We would like to live somewhere that is not too quiet and not too busy if possible - any suggestions? We have two young girls (aged 20 months and almost three) so somewhere good for them.

My husband has relatives (or should I say rellies!) out there and his job is on the MODL list too. Are there any other steps we should be taking now?

What are your views on Agents - do we need to get one to emigrate? If so any recommendations?

Sorry for all the questions but this is all new to us. Appreciate any feedback you can give us - thank you.

logan

Welcome to the forum! I would say 3 months is a decent time for a reccy trip, but remember it takes longer than you think to get between places in Oz. You may think, it looks close on the map, but do your homework, it may take a days drive or more!!

I reckon most people will recommend the area they live in. I'm no different, but my advice is a bit narrowminded, as I only lived for 6months in Melbourne as a kid, but 5 years in total in north Brisbane. I love it here, between the Sunshine and Gold coast, hinterland beach, city and suburbs all pretty close.

Some people like Lindyloo have travelled a lot more and may be able to advise more on other cities, (she's toured all over!).

Where are your relatives, and are you particularly close to them? Some people on here have quite big support networks, others come knowing noone. I have a few older people nearby, and had one couple my age, but everyone's been great.

With re. to agents, I think Go Matilda have a good write up on here. Not sure if it's considered appropriate, but frankly my personal opinion is don't go with OE.

With re. to any questions ie agents, areas, pets, modl etc do a search and 9/10 there'll have been a thread about it. Good luck, you'll never be off this site now you've found it!!

chr1sarter

Carla,
Just sent you a PM. Welcome to the forum. There are a few of us in Fareham moving to Aus

Chris

Carla Elliott

Hi Logan

Thanks for the advice. It's my hubby who has an uncle in Oz - I have never met them before and he's not seen them since he was small. They actually live on the Gold Coast so I guess that's quite near to you. One of the worries I have is about making friends out there - I am a people person so I hope that it's really easy to make friends - we both love socialising too.

chr1sarter

Carla, You never used to be a people person when i new you. Shy and reserved.

Carla Elliott

Haha - cheeky bugger!

Sue from Manchester

Hi and welcome

I think the general view is that using an agent is a good idea if your case is a bit complicated, e.g., difficulty meeting points requirement, difficulty proving job or children from previous marriage etc. Ours was straightforward and we did it without an agent.

As regards area, what job does your hubby do? Does it mean you need to be near a major city?

We are headed from Brisbane as my parents live on Gold Coast (absolutely fantastic place). But it's horses for courses. Some people here hate Surfers Paradise. Yes, it is a bit loud but I love the restaurants and the high rises I find exciting. We're all different. You have to think about what you want. Obviously with kids you'll be looking at schools.

Good luck

Carla Elliott

[QUOTE=Sue from Manchester]Hi and welcome

Thanks Sue - I have just arranged for Go Matilda to call me on Monday for a free assessment. Nothing to lose as it's free - we'll decide then I guess. Hubby is a Chartered Accountant so we should be okay as far as points are concerned. I guess it will mean living in a largish area for a good job. I quite like the sound of Perth and also the Gold Coast sounds good but we really have no idea at the moment - still really early stages.

He also has an uncle out there who lives on the Gold Coast! Neither of us have been but it just sounds so nice. If I had my way I would go out there now for a ocuple of years to see what it was like but my hubby is a little more cautious than me and will probably want us to check it out first.

Not long for you now - I bet you are beside yourself with excitement!!!

logan

Everyone on here feels the same way, leaving friends is hard but most of the major areas have nights out ie Brisbane Girls Drinking Night, Perth Ladies Night etc. I met 2 girls for the first time, and shared transport there and back for my first BGDNight. Had a great time, (next day was a blur !)

Plus there's work/children's playgroups etc none of which I'm subscribing to yet!!

JAJ

May is the start of winter and is not necessarily the best time to visit southern Australia. Although the temperature won't be too much of a problem if you are on a recce trip, it will get dark early in the evening (not long after 5) and this will make things less convenient.

Jeremy