Laura1888

Ok guys...our 175 was granted today Feel like im walkin on air. So happy its finally over and can now start planning. Heading out in May for Reccie in gold coast. Been before so have a rough idea of suburbs we'd like but what should be on our list of things to do on a reccie.
Hoping to meet some expats when we're over if thats possible Will be me,husband and baby
Dont know if i'll sleep tonight lol

asprilla

look for buzzy bee's reccie posts for a good idea of the kind of thing you should be doing !

Buzzy--Bee

Well I didnt go to the Gold Coast but my reccies of Brissie and Melbourne are here, bit old now though.

Top tip is save the holiday stuff for weekends and spend the weekdays behaving as if you were living there - look at places to live, go and see some employment agents, actually do your proposed commute at the time of day you would actually be doing it.

Brisbane - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412993
Melbourne - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=413388

BB

steve`o

if you need any local info or a guided tour ? just ask

regards steve

Laura1888

Thanks everyone

rich.mason

Hey I am Laura1888 husband.....

One thing that I was wondering is if anyone else has done reccies did they set up a bank account from the UK before going out on the reccie or only when it came to properly emigrating?

Cheers

Sherlock Holmes

You can do just about what you like. You can set up from the UK, set up on your reccie or set up when you get here. Most Aussie banks have a UK office somewhere. Most often mentioned are NAB and HSBC. NAB has free banking now, not sure about HSBC. I opened an account with Commonwealth Bank when I first came out in 2002. Didn't move out for good until 2006. All easy!

rich.mason

Good to know!! I like the idea of opening one before I go this time so I can have a nice shiny Oz bank card!!

newjersey

read the wiki article on what to do and not to do on a validation trip, lots of useful information there. And congratulations on your visa grant.

rich.mason

We have been looking at staying in Ashmore just outside Surfers. Logic being that we think it will be easiest to go either North or South for a look! Was looking at Ashmore Palms holiday park to stay in.

If there is anywhere else you would recommend we are more than open to suggestions!?

Also wouldn't complain about meeting up with some ex-pats to get a better idea of what we have let ourselves in for!! Good and Bad!!

steve`o

let me know when your arriving and we`ll arrange something

regards steve

rich.mason

Will do once flights are booked!! But will prob be around May time this year.

Cheers
Richard