Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Hi there we are the Wallaces family. We originally from the UK but actually immigrated to Calgary, Canada 3 years ago. After enduring the long, long, long winters, we think that we might be better suited to a sunnier climate.

We are coming over in June for long holiday staying 2 weeks in NZ and 3 weeks in Brisbane.

We are really just hoping that some of you folks would be good enough to give us some advice on what communities are good for families, as we want to have a look at housing while we are over. We don't want to be too close to the city.

Also could anyone make a suggestion as to where to stay while we are there in June, what areas are good and where we should absolutely avoid. We will probably need self-catering accommodation..

Sorry for being a little vague, we are just trying to plan out our trip and it is just so overwhelming. We have no family or friends in Brisbane to give us advice and you all seem like a nice bunch of people, so we thought we'd give it a go.

Cheers
Karen

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

You might consider Bayside Brisbane. Its not too close to the CBD but still within an hours commute. By the water, cooler in the summer than out west. Think Cleveland, Wellington Point, Victoria Point, Redland Bay, Manly.

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

That is an excellent idea :thumbsup:

Some accommodation options

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Hi there, many thanks for the replies. I had a chance to look at the areas today and they look amazing. We have two young boys one seven and the other two. We would love to be down near the sea. It is amazing how much you miss the ocean after 3 years in the prairies.

Are the any areas we should avoid going into when we are visiting? I remember when I first landed in Calgary, I got lost and I ended up driving into the worst area for hookers :) Good job I didn't stop and ask for directions.

Cheers

Karen

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

I haven't found any of them around here ;)

Depending where you stay, if you stay at a place set up for migrants, the owners of the property may be of great help with information on their area.

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

If you are prepared to go a bit further afield, check out the Sunshine Coast. It is one and a half hours North of Brisbane and much less of a city. Lots and lots of gorgeous beaches. Just a thought...

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Many thanks all of you. We have checked out the Gold Coast and we like the look of it a lot. Not sure what it would be like to live in. But we will be certainly visiting on our hols.!!

Thanks
Karen

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

LJ Hooker are still at Victoria Point:D

WW

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

:rofl: But no longer on the corner, they've moved on.... :lol:

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Down on the waterfront. :D

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Somewhere in the house I have a newspaper clipping from the local paper that says:

"Top Hooker firm wins award"

Loved the title so I just had to save it!

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

I suppose it depends on where you'll be working. If you're working in the Brisbane CBD it might be quicker to commute from the Bayside area.

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Bayside is nice, not checked out housing cost yet but we have a few bbq's there (yes I know we're fresh off the boat). About 30 mins drive to the city.

I am also proud to say that I have found abc's 1.79c/2L milk on our most recent trip although we won't be going out that far just for our milk:-).

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

Hi Karen

Welcome to BE. I agree with the people who suggest living in the bayside area. We love it!! We live here with our young family and couldn't be happier.

Give me a shout if you need somewhere to stay - I have a short term rental in Redland Bay which is in the Bayside. The link for the details is in my signature.

Good luck with your plans

Love

Rudi
x

Re: Please, some help from the Expats in Brisbane
 

:rofl:

I've actually just got back from that shop.. spent $19.07

$5.00 2 Doz 700gms eggs
$2.55 8.8 kg watermelon
$1.49 1 loaf bread
$1.79 2lt milk
$1.98 2 x 250gm punnets of Strawberries
$0.99 1kg sweet Potatoes
$1.59 1kg Tomatoes
$2.99 2kgs Royal Gala apples
$0.69 2.87kg Jap Pumpkin

Not sure if the watermelon is the right size, but my wife didn't say how much to get !! Does seem a bit heavy :D