Tasmania??
Apr 9th 2008 | 10:38 pm
#1816
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,270
From: Kingston, Tas
Re: Tasmania??
Another question for the locals! 
What are the cinema's like in the Hobart area? How much does it cost to see a film? How many movies normally on offer?
I tend to make use of the "orange wednesdays" over here - which means with my Orange phone i get two tickets for the price of one...a saving of more than £7 over here.... Do any of the mobile networks or any other places do such schemes in Oz? I love films and go to the cinema a lot so trips to the cinema are definitely something i dont want to give up!
thanks!
Cathy
What are the cinema's like in the Hobart area? How much does it cost to see a film? How many movies normally on offer?
I tend to make use of the "orange wednesdays" over here - which means with my Orange phone i get two tickets for the price of one...a saving of more than £7 over here.... Do any of the mobile networks or any other places do such schemes in Oz? I love films and go to the cinema a lot so trips to the cinema are definitely something i dont want to give up!
thanks!
Cathy
Apr 9th 2008 | 10:44 pm
#1817
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,270
From: Kingston, Tas
Re: Tasmania??
Hi all
We've accepted an offer on the house!!
A lot less then we had hoped but with the UK market all full of doom and gloom and our little visa stickers in our passports, we decided to just go for it, very excited and more than a little scared now
I know its very early days, and the sale could easily fall at various obstacles, but we are trying to do as much prep as we can to get organised. So a few questions for you, I do aplogise, as I know these may have asked before, have tried searching back through the thread but its quite a big thread now!
1. Car rental companies, any recommended or ones to avoid?
2. Self catering accomodation for a few weeks on arrival
3. Buying a car - can we just go along and buy one, or do we have to sort out Tas driving licence first etc. Any good websites to get an idea of prices
4. Rental - are there any specific rental companies or is it just the EAs that offer this? How long does it take to get organised once you have seen one that you like and landlord has accepted?
OMG - feel in a bit of a panic now, so much to do but can't really book anything until we know sale is definitely proceeding.
Sam
We've accepted an offer on the house!!
A lot less then we had hoped but with the UK market all full of doom and gloom and our little visa stickers in our passports, we decided to just go for it, very excited and more than a little scared now
I know its very early days, and the sale could easily fall at various obstacles, but we are trying to do as much prep as we can to get organised. So a few questions for you, I do aplogise, as I know these may have asked before, have tried searching back through the thread but its quite a big thread now!
1. Car rental companies, any recommended or ones to avoid?
2. Self catering accomodation for a few weeks on arrival
3. Buying a car - can we just go along and buy one, or do we have to sort out Tas driving licence first etc. Any good websites to get an idea of prices
4. Rental - are there any specific rental companies or is it just the EAs that offer this? How long does it take to get organised once you have seen one that you like and landlord has accepted?
OMG - feel in a bit of a panic now, so much to do but can't really book anything until we know sale is definitely proceeding.
Sam
car rental-try www.drivenow.com.au
house rental-there are a few sites on my blog on here.
accom on arrival-a few peeps on here have used Quest apartments:
http://www.questtrinityhouse.com.au/
when we arrived we stayed at the Old Woolstore:
www.oldwoolstore.com.au
also Harringtons 102 is good and centrally located in town:
http://www.harringtons102.com.au/pricing.html
Last edited by ianandhelena; Apr 9th 2008 at 10:52 pm. Reason: more info
Apr 9th 2008 | 10:53 pm
#1818
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
Apr 9th 2008 | 11:08 pm
#1819
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Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
Hi Kerry, i meant to ask you beforehand - i know on the tassie forum you'd previously asked about "hidden costs/extra's" when buying a property in oz.
Did you come across any that you weren't expecting when you bought your place recently?
Apr 9th 2008 | 11:15 pm
#1820
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,389
From: Derwent Valley
Re: Tasmania??
We spent about 2 hours with the home finance manager at Westpac and we went through everything with her to make sure we could afford everything at every step. She was really helpful and I even made a nuisance of myself ringing her up with questions afterwards. She was professional on every level and didn't make me feel bad for pestering her. Although when she went on holiday we were refered to a complete dingbat bloke at the Moonah branch, he almost cocked the whole thing up for us at the last stages of the mortgage application! 
Apr 9th 2008 | 11:25 pm
#1821
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
No none, everyone was really up front with fees and stuff before hand. So no nasty surprises. We spent about 2 hours with the home finance manager at Westpac and we went through everything with her to make sure we could afford everything at every step. She was really helpful and I even made a nuisance of myself ringing her up with questions afterwards. She was professional on every level and didn't make me feel bad for pestering her. Although when she went on holiday we were refered to a complete dingbat bloke at the Moonah branch, he almost cocked the whole thing up for us at the last stages of the mortgage application!
We spent about 2 hours with the home finance manager at Westpac and we went through everything with her to make sure we could afford everything at every step. She was really helpful and I even made a nuisance of myself ringing her up with questions afterwards. She was professional on every level and didn't make me feel bad for pestering her. Although when she went on holiday we were refered to a complete dingbat bloke at the Moonah branch, he almost cocked the whole thing up for us at the last stages of the mortgage application! Prob best to speak to a financial/mortgage advisor i guess... like you say though - it depends on who you get allocated to talk to as to whether they're good at their job! I'm glad i work in Accounts anyway - so normally when people try to blind you with financial jargon i know what they're on about! We were trying to work out the other night - if we decide to settle in the South we will need a mortgage of sorts - but if we decide to settle in some of the area's in the North of the Island (all depending on work situation) then we could potentially be mortgage free if we choose a renovation kind of property or just something a little cheaper than what's on offer in the South... Hard to weigh up the pro's and con's of both ends of the island as we only saw a bit of one of them! Saying that i saw a LOVELY house in West Hobart up for sale on Realestate.com.au yesterday - but.....as usual it was over our price range (offers in excess of $490k)!
Ian&Helena might know the street - Mellifont Street...
Exactly the kind of house i love....
Oh well - i can dream...
Last edited by travelbug; Apr 10th 2008 at 1:10 am.
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:09 am
#1822
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
I was just reading a thread on dentists and was wondering whether any of our expat tassies have been to the dentist yet? if so, what kind of costs are involved - and can you get cover over there like you do over here that will pay for part of your dental treatment costs?
Not so worried about myself - but for the kids sakes as they get older...
Not so worried about myself - but for the kids sakes as they get older...
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:26 am
#1823
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,414
From: Tasmania!
Re: Tasmania??
cars-try www.tassiecars.com.au to get an idea of prices, don't worry about licences.
car rental-try www.drivenow.com.au
house rental-there are a few sites on my blog on here.
accom on arrival-a few peeps on here have used Quest apartments:
http://www.questtrinityhouse.com.au/
when we arrived we stayed at the Old Woolstore:
www.oldwoolstore.com.au
also Harringtons 102 is good and centrally located in town:
http://www.harringtons102.com.au/pricing.html
car rental-try www.drivenow.com.au
house rental-there are a few sites on my blog on here.
accom on arrival-a few peeps on here have used Quest apartments:
http://www.questtrinityhouse.com.au/
when we arrived we stayed at the Old Woolstore:
www.oldwoolstore.com.au
also Harringtons 102 is good and centrally located in town:
http://www.harringtons102.com.au/pricing.html
Thanks for the info, will have a look at those websites, probably getting ahead of myself as anything could go wrong still but as we are looking at a quick turnaround, I feel I need to have done some preparation!
Sam
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:30 am
#1824
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,414
From: Tasmania!
Re: Tasmania??
Hi Sam, that's great news about the house....I hope everything goes really smoothly with the sale. 
It's coincided really well with your visa's arriving so that's great for you guys! We used Thrifty.com.au car hire when we stayed in Tas last year - got a really good deal with them at the time and a free upgrade on the car....
Is there a chain involved with the buyers? if not, i guess you could potentially be on your way to Tas very soon!
We may have a potential viewer/buyer for our house. Our next door neighbour knocked last night - one of her close friends has just sold her house not far from us (but for about £140,000 more than ours is up for) because unfortunately she's split up with her husband. She's very interested in our house as she wants to stay in this exact area with her two children and there's not much else on offer where we are. The thing is i think she would have been interested in us knocking a bit off the price if there was no agent involved in the sale - but unfortunately we have another 8 weeks left on contract with our agent so we've had to tell her to view via the agent....as i doubt she could wait 8 weeks and we dont want to miss out on any other potential viewers/buyers - plus we'd already knocked £2,500 off the price this week anyway - so we're not dropping anymore from the asking price at the moment as we've only been up for sale 4 weeks anyway....
Quite stressful house selling....Have never really had to do it before. When Andy sold his flat before we bought this house he sold it to the 1st viewer - before the details had even been typed up by the agent...so all this viewing / waiting is new to the pair of us!
Cathy
x
It's coincided really well with your visa's arriving so that's great for you guys! We used Thrifty.com.au car hire when we stayed in Tas last year - got a really good deal with them at the time and a free upgrade on the car....Is there a chain involved with the buyers? if not, i guess you could potentially be on your way to Tas very soon!
We may have a potential viewer/buyer for our house. Our next door neighbour knocked last night - one of her close friends has just sold her house not far from us (but for about £140,000 more than ours is up for) because unfortunately she's split up with her husband. She's very interested in our house as she wants to stay in this exact area with her two children and there's not much else on offer where we are. The thing is i think she would have been interested in us knocking a bit off the price if there was no agent involved in the sale - but unfortunately we have another 8 weeks left on contract with our agent so we've had to tell her to view via the agent....as i doubt she could wait 8 weeks and we dont want to miss out on any other potential viewers/buyers - plus we'd already knocked £2,500 off the price this week anyway - so we're not dropping anymore from the asking price at the moment as we've only been up for sale 4 weeks anyway....
Quite stressful house selling....Have never really had to do it before. When Andy sold his flat before we bought this house he sold it to the 1st viewer - before the details had even been typed up by the agent...so all this viewing / waiting is new to the pair of us!
Cathy
x
The guy has no chain behind, looking for a quick completion, possibly exchanging in 6 weeks
Downside is we have had to drop by over £27,000, not an experience we have had before, like you, we have previously sold at good times.
Hope your lady becomes your buyer
Sam
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:32 am
#1825
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
Hi Sam, did you and your OH have any work opportunities lined up already in Tas? or are you going to look for work once you've arrived? just curious as that's what we'll be doing eventually....
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:35 am
#1826
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,414
From: Tasmania!
Re: Tasmania??
Nope, we are going to move to the other side of the world, with no job, no where to live, no family
Hubby has made some contacts but I think until we are actually there in person, nothing will be offered but we are obviously hoping it will all sort itself out when we arrive
Sam
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:37 am
#1827
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
Thanks Cathy
The guy has no chain behind, looking for a quick completion, possibly exchanging in 6 weeks
Downside is we have had to drop by over £27,000, not an experience we have had before, like you, we have previously sold at good times.
Hope your lady becomes your buyer
Sam
The guy has no chain behind, looking for a quick completion, possibly exchanging in 6 weeks
Downside is we have had to drop by over £27,000, not an experience we have had before, like you, we have previously sold at good times.
Hope your lady becomes your buyer
Sam
I dont think it matters how much you research and how many lists of "things to do" you make - when it becomes real time seems to fly by and you still feel disorganised - well i know i will do anyway 
Wow - i didn't realise you'd had to drop so much in price (makes me feel bad now for whinging about us lowering our asking price by just £2,500
)....Goes to show with properties that you can never tell what way the market is going to go...
I do hope it all goes smoothly though as i know how much you're gagging to get to Tassie!
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:40 am
#1828
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
Nope, we are going to move to the other side of the world, with no job, no where to live, no family
Hubby has made some contacts but I think until we are actually there in person, nothing will be offered but we are obviously hoping it will all sort itself out when we arrive
Sam
Hubby has made some contacts but I think until we are actually there in person, nothing will be offered but we are obviously hoping it will all sort itself out when we arrive
Sam
Andy also made some good contacts whilst on the Island last year - but they were reluctant to offer positions as we couldnt give anyone a definite arrival date...which is fair enough. So he'll probably touch base again with those guys and see what happens from there... I know that even though he's self-employed and has worked for loads of different people - he found it all a bit nerve-wracking - like going for an interview for the 1st time since you left school! No wonder emigrating makes people stronger / better people (or so they say!) when you think what people have to go through emotion/experience wise it's no wonder!
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:47 am
#1829
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,414
From: Tasmania!
Re: Tasmania??
Glad we're not the only ones that'll be doing that as well then!
Andy also made some good contacts whilst on the Island last year - but they were reluctant to offer positions as we couldnt give anyone a definite arrival date...which is fair enough. So he'll probably touch base again with those guys and see what happens from there... I know that even though he's self-employed and has worked for loads of different people - he found it all a bit nerve-wracking - like going for an interview for the 1st time since you left school! No wonder emigrating makes people stronger / better people (or so they say!) when you think what people have to go through emotion/experience wise it's no wonder!
Andy also made some good contacts whilst on the Island last year - but they were reluctant to offer positions as we couldnt give anyone a definite arrival date...which is fair enough. So he'll probably touch base again with those guys and see what happens from there... I know that even though he's self-employed and has worked for loads of different people - he found it all a bit nerve-wracking - like going for an interview for the 1st time since you left school! No wonder emigrating makes people stronger / better people (or so they say!) when you think what people have to go through emotion/experience wise it's no wonder!
I had a wobbly moment last night after we sat and talked about finances, this led to me being worried we won't have enough money, to having to have my horse put down before we go, to rehoming our Cocker Spaniel - once I started crying I could not stop but OK again today
Sam
Apr 10th 2008 | 1:54 am
#1830
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,612
Re: Tasmania??
Yeah, its certainly a test of your determination, that's for sure.
I had a wobbly moment last night after we sat and talked about finances, this led to me being worried we won't have enough money, to having to have my horse put down before we go, to rehoming our Cocker Spaniel - once I started crying I could not stop but OK again today
Sam
I had a wobbly moment last night after we sat and talked about finances, this led to me being worried we won't have enough money, to having to have my horse put down before we go, to rehoming our Cocker Spaniel - once I started crying I could not stop but OK again today
Sam
I think all of us must worry about the money side of things. I think the older you get the more you worry about money! I do anyway....i know i would have took more chances when i was a bit younger and before we had the kids. My fear is that we're quite comfortable here with both of us working...and we're used to having spare money for holidays/going out etc.... That's something i know we wont have so much when we move - and for me losing my financial independence will take a bit of getting used to!
I never realised you had a horse as well as a dog. I knew you'd mentioned your dog before... Was you originally planning on taking your animals with you? I appreciate it must be hard thinking about what's best for animals - especially when they're a part of the family as such... Our daughter has pestered us for pets for the last couple of years - and one of the reasons i wouldnt let her have any is because we knew we'd be moving eventually....
i'm glad you're feeling a bit better today though - it must be very upsetting for you, i'm sure though everything will work out fine....
