Eek...

Visas granted, so it looks like we'll have to come now !!

Can everyone in Sydney Hills please sort out the current rubbish weather and the spiders - we'll be there by the end of June I would think.

I've never put any stock in 'clairvoyants' and their like - all a load of tosh as far as I was concerned. However, a self proclaimed pyshcic struck up a conversation with me at random on a train to Edinburgh a few months back, and told me, completely unprompted, that 'you're going to Australia. You'll have your papers in May'.
She was only 2 days out !!

I'm a bit more open minded now...

See you soon.

Did she have anything to say on the exchange rate?

My prediction. The weather will start improving in 3 months time.

And congratulations on getting your visa

It's a good time to come over weather-wise. July is usually cool days, cold nights, clear blue skies in fact just like a perfect Yorkshire day. I originally moved here from Hebden Bridge a few years ago in June, and I couldn't believe how nice the weather was in winter. I remember sitting on Whale Beach with my missus the first August, both in our swimming gear whilst Aussies walked past wearing big jackets and woolly hats laughing at us.

Don't get scared, get excited ! Come over with an open mind, ready to have a go at anything and take new opportunities as they arise. I've been here almost 17 years now and although I like my trips back to the 'old country' this is where I call home.

Well done with the visa approval and good luck with your new adventure.

The feeling you will have when you are actually sitting on the plane will be something you will never forget.

Yes, it's a good time to come as you will start off "cold" (relatively!) and then things will gradually get warmer until a (possible) 40 degree New Year. Time to acclimatise!!

Hills district is a nice area to start.

Good luck, we have had a fantastic six years or so here; we are planning to return as we have been away in other places too since 1995 and now feel drawn to head back.

Note from wife: remember to tell them the TV is absolutely crap and even when there is a decent series it is shown in different time slots and sometimes in the wrong order.

So spend more time outdoors and socialising!

Totally agree that winter is lovely. I can rain pretty heavily, but there are plenty of days in between with clear blue skies and warm sunshine.

Enjoy it though, because soon enough you will be aclimatised, wearing thick coats and gloves, and feeling cold at anything under 20°!

Congrats on your visa & good luck with the move.
I predict exciting times for you!

I arrived in July last year. It was damn miserable, I remember trudging through the city in those first couple of days before my husband arrived, being rained on constantly, having not brought a coat and thinking what have I done.

But don't let me put you off. I like it here really.

We're heading over in July and I was very excited at first, now I'm feeling a mixture of terror and WTF! Everyone keeps asking if I'm excited and I say yes coz I feel I should but really I'm starting to worry about getting a job, getting a flat, not having enough money going although I know everything should work out really, it's just hard not to panic slightly! Maybe when the shipping goes on Monday things will feel like they're back in some kind of order...?

Good luck with your move and congrats on the visa!!

Tx

Don't worry, I am sure I was asked whether I felt excited too and the truth is I definitely did not feel excited. I was never one of the "everything must be better in Australia" brigade. Nevertheless despite my lack of excitement, we are genuinely happy here and it has all worked out. Good luck.

I have the same feelings. Also have a low budget and was really worried about renting a place there without a job offer and without money to pay a few months rent in advance. Therefore I decided to stay at hostel until I find a job. Not very comfortable, but only costs £200-£300 per month, no deposit, no bills, no stress. If after 3 months I'm still unemployed I'll be coming back to London. Technically Kent too.

Good to hear! We have plenty of support waiting for us when we get there so at least we're not doing it on our own. I suppose it's just the feeling of being 38, having established your career, your flat, your friends etc and then knowing you have to do it all over again...and it's your own doing haha!

Tx

I'm worried about not being able to rent a flat without a job offer! We're lucky that we have friends and family who will put us up but it'll be hard to settle before we have our own place. It's all the unknowns in one go that makes it stressful. I'm planning on being moderately drunk constantly for the next 8 weeks, I reckon that will help!!

Tx

Defo! Why didn't I think of this before?

It's the way forward I reckon...let the weeks pass in a moderate stupor where you're too pished to stress

Cheers!

Tx

Why not doing it for the first 8 weeks in Oz too, till you sort yourself out? Would also boost your self confidence at job interviews, as a bonus.

Cheers!