Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Oct 17th 2005, 9:24 pm
#46
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Mountain Creek, Sunshine Coast, QLD
Posts: 68
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by floweroscotland
Hi everyone,
sorry i haven't posted for a few weeks, it's hard to belive i actually have a life now, not like the uk where i spent hours on the comp, thought i should give you an update on life so far on the Gold Coast.
Well it's still fantastic and i wake up every morning to sunshine thinking how lucky i am to be in such a beautiful place! I don't have one regret about leaving the UK, my kids have settled amazing, my 6 year old is loving school, made some lovely friends and she can't belive that no one is horrible, i have found that kids here are much more polite and friendly than at home to other children and adults. Her school is great, they are so laid back, have lessons outside, eat outside, get to wear shorts and t-shirt as their uniform and in the 8 weeks since we have been here i can count on one hand how many times it has rained!!!! the weather is fantastic.
My youngest daughter is 4, she has settled brilliant at kindergarten, and her confidence has grown brilliantly since we arrived here. We have something to do every night of the week here, the parks are fantastic for the kids, all with bbq's, we have 4 major theme parks 10 mins from our house, the beach is 10 mins away their is no way you can ever be bored.
My hubby is a carpenter and there are loads of jobs for all trades, he had his pick of work, i am at college and really enjoying it, thought it was time i actually got myself a trade!
I can honestly say with hand on heart it is the best thing we could ever have done moving here, we have no regrets and their is nothing i don't like about living here, apart from the insects and of course the way the australians drive, which is quite frightening!!! There is nothing i miss about home apart from decent food and family.
The cost of living i have found is more or less the same as the uk, some things are cheaper and some more expensive, groceries are much the same prices, petrol is a lot cheaper, i fill the car for half the price that i paid at home, rent is cheaper, and we have no council tax as the landlord has to pay tax and rates. Dental and medical fees are expensive as you have to pay every time you see someone, not like NHS. Here you pay to see a doctor (around $45) then you pay for the prescription on top of that. The Gold Coast is spotlessly clean, you never see pot holes in the road or litter on the streets, they take so much care of their country. It's facinating to pick up the newspaper and the top stories are 2 cars got broken into, at home i would pick up the paper to read how many had been stabbed, beat up and murdered, it's just not like that here. You can walk along the beach at midnight here, a female on her own and actually feel safe, you see females out power walking on their own all the time at night, it's a great feeling to feel safe, i'm not saying it never happens here, but no where in the same league as the uk.
The most important thing is i know my kids are going to have the best life i could ever offer living in Australia, i have seen a massive change in them since coming here, they are up in the morning around 6, as the sun is shining, they hardly ever moan they way they did at home, they are happier, and they are getting outside to play every day in the sun.
Sure i have some homesick days, but then i think of what i'm actually missing, not the place but the people, i would never go back. I know i will have some tough times here too until we settle and actually think of Australia as our home, but i also know its going to be worth it, for my kids sake.
For anyone that is having doubts all i can say is go for it, it may work or it may not for you, but at least at the end of the day you have tried it, i think the thing that doesn't work for most people is the homesickness for family, and it is hard, but you cope and it gets easier. Especially when you are waking up every morning in a beautiful country with the sun shining and thinking how lucky you are to be there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
sorry i haven't posted for a few weeks, it's hard to belive i actually have a life now, not like the uk where i spent hours on the comp, thought i should give you an update on life so far on the Gold Coast.
Well it's still fantastic and i wake up every morning to sunshine thinking how lucky i am to be in such a beautiful place! I don't have one regret about leaving the UK, my kids have settled amazing, my 6 year old is loving school, made some lovely friends and she can't belive that no one is horrible, i have found that kids here are much more polite and friendly than at home to other children and adults. Her school is great, they are so laid back, have lessons outside, eat outside, get to wear shorts and t-shirt as their uniform and in the 8 weeks since we have been here i can count on one hand how many times it has rained!!!! the weather is fantastic.
My youngest daughter is 4, she has settled brilliant at kindergarten, and her confidence has grown brilliantly since we arrived here. We have something to do every night of the week here, the parks are fantastic for the kids, all with bbq's, we have 4 major theme parks 10 mins from our house, the beach is 10 mins away their is no way you can ever be bored.
My hubby is a carpenter and there are loads of jobs for all trades, he had his pick of work, i am at college and really enjoying it, thought it was time i actually got myself a trade!
I can honestly say with hand on heart it is the best thing we could ever have done moving here, we have no regrets and their is nothing i don't like about living here, apart from the insects and of course the way the australians drive, which is quite frightening!!! There is nothing i miss about home apart from decent food and family.
The cost of living i have found is more or less the same as the uk, some things are cheaper and some more expensive, groceries are much the same prices, petrol is a lot cheaper, i fill the car for half the price that i paid at home, rent is cheaper, and we have no council tax as the landlord has to pay tax and rates. Dental and medical fees are expensive as you have to pay every time you see someone, not like NHS. Here you pay to see a doctor (around $45) then you pay for the prescription on top of that. The Gold Coast is spotlessly clean, you never see pot holes in the road or litter on the streets, they take so much care of their country. It's facinating to pick up the newspaper and the top stories are 2 cars got broken into, at home i would pick up the paper to read how many had been stabbed, beat up and murdered, it's just not like that here. You can walk along the beach at midnight here, a female on her own and actually feel safe, you see females out power walking on their own all the time at night, it's a great feeling to feel safe, i'm not saying it never happens here, but no where in the same league as the uk.
The most important thing is i know my kids are going to have the best life i could ever offer living in Australia, i have seen a massive change in them since coming here, they are up in the morning around 6, as the sun is shining, they hardly ever moan they way they did at home, they are happier, and they are getting outside to play every day in the sun.
Sure i have some homesick days, but then i think of what i'm actually missing, not the place but the people, i would never go back. I know i will have some tough times here too until we settle and actually think of Australia as our home, but i also know its going to be worth it, for my kids sake.
For anyone that is having doubts all i can say is go for it, it may work or it may not for you, but at least at the end of the day you have tried it, i think the thing that doesn't work for most people is the homesickness for family, and it is hard, but you cope and it gets easier. Especially when you are waking up every morning in a beautiful country with the sun shining and thinking how lucky you are to be there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
Oct 17th 2005, 9:25 pm
#47
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 96
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
I really ejoyed that post, makes us realise we are not alone and that people are happy, sometimes it gets so worrying, are we doing the right thing blah blah blah!!!!
So thanks, even after 1.5 years you still are having a ball, brings us hope!!! Especially when we have an 8 year old girl and a 5 year old boy!!!
Thank you!
Donna and Mike
(Foxy and Pinky)
So thanks, even after 1.5 years you still are having a ball, brings us hope!!! Especially when we have an 8 year old girl and a 5 year old boy!!!
Thank you!
Donna and Mike
(Foxy and Pinky)
Oct 17th 2005, 10:40 pm
#48
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Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Halpine Lake, Brisbane
Posts: 492
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by floweroscotland
Hi everyone,
sorry i haven't posted for a few weeks, it's hard to belive i actually have a life now, not like the uk where i spent hours on the comp, thought i should give you an update on life so far on the Gold Coast.
Well it's still fantastic and i wake up every morning to sunshine thinking how lucky i am to be in such a beautiful place! I don't have one regret about leaving the UK, my kids have settled amazing, my 6 year old is loving school, made some lovely friends and she can't belive that no one is horrible, i have found that kids here are much more polite and friendly than at home to other children and adults. Her school is great, they are so laid back, have lessons outside, eat outside, get to wear shorts and t-shirt as their uniform and in the 8 weeks since we have been here i can count on one hand how many times it has rained!!!! the weather is fantastic.
My youngest daughter is 4, she has settled brilliant at kindergarten, and her confidence has grown brilliantly since we arrived here. We have something to do every night of the week here, the parks are fantastic for the kids, all with bbq's, we have 4 major theme parks 10 mins from our house, the beach is 10 mins away their is no way you can ever be bored.
My hubby is a carpenter and there are loads of jobs for all trades, he had his pick of work, i am at college and really enjoying it, thought it was time i actually got myself a trade!
I can honestly say with hand on heart it is the best thing we could ever have done moving here, we have no regrets and their is nothing i don't like about living here, apart from the insects and of course the way the australians drive, which is quite frightening!!! There is nothing i miss about home apart from decent food and family.
The cost of living i have found is more or less the same as the uk, some things are cheaper and some more expensive, groceries are much the same prices, petrol is a lot cheaper, i fill the car for half the price that i paid at home, rent is cheaper, and we have no council tax as the landlord has to pay tax and rates. Dental and medical fees are expensive as you have to pay every time you see someone, not like NHS. Here you pay to see a doctor (around $45) then you pay for the prescription on top of that. The Gold Coast is spotlessly clean, you never see pot holes in the road or litter on the streets, they take so much care of their country. It's facinating to pick up the newspaper and the top stories are 2 cars got broken into, at home i would pick up the paper to read how many had been stabbed, beat up and murdered, it's just not like that here. You can walk along the beach at midnight here, a female on her own and actually feel safe, you see females out power walking on their own all the time at night, it's a great feeling to feel safe, i'm not saying it never happens here, but no where in the same league as the uk.
The most important thing is i know my kids are going to have the best life i could ever offer living in Australia, i have seen a massive change in them since coming here, they are up in the morning around 6, as the sun is shining, they hardly ever moan they way they did at home, they are happier, and they are getting outside to play every day in the sun.
Sure i have some homesick days, but then i think of what i'm actually missing, not the place but the people, i would never go back. I know i will have some tough times here too until we settle and actually think of Australia as our home, but i also know its going to be worth it, for my kids sake.
For anyone that is having doubts all i can say is go for it, it may work or it may not for you, but at least at the end of the day you have tried it, i think the thing that doesn't work for most people is the homesickness for family, and it is hard, but you cope and it gets easier. Especially when you are waking up every morning in a beautiful country with the sun shining and thinking how lucky you are to be there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
sorry i haven't posted for a few weeks, it's hard to belive i actually have a life now, not like the uk where i spent hours on the comp, thought i should give you an update on life so far on the Gold Coast.
Well it's still fantastic and i wake up every morning to sunshine thinking how lucky i am to be in such a beautiful place! I don't have one regret about leaving the UK, my kids have settled amazing, my 6 year old is loving school, made some lovely friends and she can't belive that no one is horrible, i have found that kids here are much more polite and friendly than at home to other children and adults. Her school is great, they are so laid back, have lessons outside, eat outside, get to wear shorts and t-shirt as their uniform and in the 8 weeks since we have been here i can count on one hand how many times it has rained!!!! the weather is fantastic.
My youngest daughter is 4, she has settled brilliant at kindergarten, and her confidence has grown brilliantly since we arrived here. We have something to do every night of the week here, the parks are fantastic for the kids, all with bbq's, we have 4 major theme parks 10 mins from our house, the beach is 10 mins away their is no way you can ever be bored.
My hubby is a carpenter and there are loads of jobs for all trades, he had his pick of work, i am at college and really enjoying it, thought it was time i actually got myself a trade!
I can honestly say with hand on heart it is the best thing we could ever have done moving here, we have no regrets and their is nothing i don't like about living here, apart from the insects and of course the way the australians drive, which is quite frightening!!! There is nothing i miss about home apart from decent food and family.
The cost of living i have found is more or less the same as the uk, some things are cheaper and some more expensive, groceries are much the same prices, petrol is a lot cheaper, i fill the car for half the price that i paid at home, rent is cheaper, and we have no council tax as the landlord has to pay tax and rates. Dental and medical fees are expensive as you have to pay every time you see someone, not like NHS. Here you pay to see a doctor (around $45) then you pay for the prescription on top of that. The Gold Coast is spotlessly clean, you never see pot holes in the road or litter on the streets, they take so much care of their country. It's facinating to pick up the newspaper and the top stories are 2 cars got broken into, at home i would pick up the paper to read how many had been stabbed, beat up and murdered, it's just not like that here. You can walk along the beach at midnight here, a female on her own and actually feel safe, you see females out power walking on their own all the time at night, it's a great feeling to feel safe, i'm not saying it never happens here, but no where in the same league as the uk.
The most important thing is i know my kids are going to have the best life i could ever offer living in Australia, i have seen a massive change in them since coming here, they are up in the morning around 6, as the sun is shining, they hardly ever moan they way they did at home, they are happier, and they are getting outside to play every day in the sun.
Sure i have some homesick days, but then i think of what i'm actually missing, not the place but the people, i would never go back. I know i will have some tough times here too until we settle and actually think of Australia as our home, but i also know its going to be worth it, for my kids sake.
For anyone that is having doubts all i can say is go for it, it may work or it may not for you, but at least at the end of the day you have tried it, i think the thing that doesn't work for most people is the homesickness for family, and it is hard, but you cope and it gets easier. Especially when you are waking up every morning in a beautiful country with the sun shining and thinking how lucky you are to be there !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
We feel very much the same Lisa, we dont miss Scotland too much, just as you say people and some decent grub, but the bbq's make up for it!!
Great post and all the best for the future.
Oct 17th 2005, 10:46 pm
#49
Master of verbal pish©
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 22,198
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by BillnLinz
We feel very much the same Lisa, we dont miss Scotland too much, just as you say people and some decent grub, but the bbq's make up for it!!
Great post and all the best for the future.
Great post and all the best for the future.
Oct 18th 2005, 1:20 am
#50
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Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Gold Coast, Australia
Posts: 630
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by jarv
Hi Lisa
Where abouts are you living in the Gold Coast ?
We are thinking about moving to the area but would like information on different suburbs.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Kerry
Where abouts are you living in the Gold Coast ?
We are thinking about moving to the area but would like information on different suburbs.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Kerry
I'm in Arundel, and really like it, but almost all areas of the GC are nice, you don't really hear about many rough areas as such, although there probably are some. The GC is a big area and depends if you want to live at the top of the coast or the bottom, I'm near the top end, as we wanted to be 5 mins to the highway to Brisbane, 5 mins to theme parks, 10 mins to Southport and 15 to surfers and beaches so everything is a really good distance for me.
This will be our 2nd Christmas here and i'm really excited this year, last year was hard as we were on our own and hadn't met anyone and really missed family, this year we are spending christmas with friends we have made from expats, and it has made a huge difference to us, its fantastic having people in the same situations and being there to support each other when we are down. Good luck to everyone coming to the Coast it really is a fantastic place, but give it time to settle and meet up with people even if its from this forum as it can make all the difference in the world having friends who can relate to your problems and feelings.
Lisa x
Oct 18th 2005, 10:41 am
#51
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by floweroscotland
Hi Kerry,
I'm in Arundel, and really like it, but almost all areas of the GC are nice, you don't really hear about many rough areas as such, although there probably are some. The GC is a big area and depends if you want to live at the top of the coast or the bottom, Lisa x
I'm in Arundel, and really like it, but almost all areas of the GC are nice, you don't really hear about many rough areas as such, although there probably are some. The GC is a big area and depends if you want to live at the top of the coast or the bottom, Lisa x
i went oot for a meal with a mate one night, he took me to a wee hole of a shop, but the food was magic. i nipped oot to the shops before we started eating and it was like being transported back to castlemilk wae a tan. really mental looking people there. cant rmbr where it was though.
Oct 19th 2005, 6:11 am
#52
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Location: Gold Coast, Australia
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Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by soapy
that no true !!!!!
i went oot for a meal with a mate one night, he took me to a wee hole of a shop, but the food was magic. i nipped oot to the shops before we started eating and it was like being transported back to castlemilk wae a tan. really mental looking people there. cant rmbr where it was though.
i went oot for a meal with a mate one night, he took me to a wee hole of a shop, but the food was magic. i nipped oot to the shops before we started eating and it was like being transported back to castlemilk wae a tan. really mental looking people there. cant rmbr where it was though.
Oct 19th 2005, 9:18 am
#53
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 22,198
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by floweroscotland
see ur attracting the shady's already and ur not even here yet!!! The GC is paradise till Soapy arrives
ill soon turn the place roon. then the beaches will be empty for me
one qwik fart should clear the rest of the stragglers away
Oct 19th 2005, 9:36 am
#54
nursey
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Gold Coast, QLD
Posts: 1,344
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by soapy
ha ha ha
ill soon turn the place roon. then the beaches will be empty for me
one qwik fart should clear the rest of the stragglers away
ill soon turn the place roon. then the beaches will be empty for me
one qwik fart should clear the rest of the stragglers away
will the distance be enough 
Oct 19th 2005, 10:05 am
#55
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Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
What a fantastic post Lisa this is the first post I have read today just come to have a browse and saw this.
Thanks for making me feel much better your post is so positive.
I am having a really hard time at the moment we are still waiting to sell our house and the longer it takes we feel like we are going to be stuck here forever.
We need to go and sstart our new lives soon all this waiting is really doing my head in.
Encouraging to hear how well your children have settled as we have a boy 7 and a girl 3 .They are looking forward to going, and want to get back on the beach again.I noticed when we went to Oz that the children do seem to be confident it must be something they teach at an early age in school.
Wishing you all the very best may the happy feelings continue.
Hoping we will start 2006 off to a better start.
Dreamaway
Thanks for making me feel much better your post is so positive.
I am having a really hard time at the moment we are still waiting to sell our house and the longer it takes we feel like we are going to be stuck here forever.
We need to go and sstart our new lives soon all this waiting is really doing my head in.
Encouraging to hear how well your children have settled as we have a boy 7 and a girl 3 .They are looking forward to going, and want to get back on the beach again.I noticed when we went to Oz that the children do seem to be confident it must be something they teach at an early age in school.
Wishing you all the very best may the happy feelings continue.
Hoping we will start 2006 off to a better start.
Dreamaway
Oct 19th 2005, 10:08 am
#56
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Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by ABCDiamond
I couldn't find any Gold Coast Crimes on that web site.
Some in Ipswich, Townsville, Rockhampton, Inala, etc.
floweroscotland is talking about a local Newspaper, you quote State Figures and say they are wrong to read the local paper, to get local info !!
This thread is about the Gold Coast.
Just because someone finds a nice area, there has to be someone who trys to make it sound bad.
I can't understand some people .......
Some in Ipswich, Townsville, Rockhampton, Inala, etc.
floweroscotland is talking about a local Newspaper, you quote State Figures and say they are wrong to read the local paper, to get local info !!
This thread is about the Gold Coast.
Just because someone finds a nice area, there has to be someone who trys to make it sound bad.
I can't understand some people .......
Oct 19th 2005, 12:22 pm
#57
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 22,198
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by mandi248
Damn I was going to move to the GC, looks like I'll have to look at Perth will the distance be enough
will the distance be enough
Oct 19th 2005, 2:48 pm
#58
nursey
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Gold Coast, QLD
Posts: 1,344
Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by soapy
NO
sod it I'll buy a gas mask
Oct 19th 2005, 11:03 pm
#59
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by mandi248
Best stay here then sod it I'll buy a gas mask
sod it I'll buy a gas mask
Oct 20th 2005, 2:51 am
#60
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Re: Now Been Living On Th Gold Coast 8 weeks!
Originally Posted by soapy
ha ha ha dont let me put u off, i only get oot once a month