Hi guys

I feel for all of you, and as I read all your posts, I even had a few tears thinking about my family I left behind. But if you want a better life for yourselves and your family, then stop worrying too much about it. And don't worry too much about the wages front either. The Brits are born survivors, you will learn to cope, and Tassi isn't the sort of place that judges people on their income. With little or lots of money out here you will still lead a better life. We are surviving on only Duncan's wages at the moment, as I'm not working. I am a bit of a spender, so have had to really change my shopping habits. I am learning to save money slowly and trying not to be indulgent on the little things. We do still have our money in the UK from the house sale, and a little in a savings account here. But we are trying not to touch it and survive on D's wages as and when they come in. Its hard but we are coping and in no way is it affecting our enjoyment of the island. We get to go out every weekend searching for somewhere to buy, I take a picnic, so as not to spend on food whilst we are out, so its only costing petrol. And whilst we are out we visit parks and beauty spots and generally enjoy the outdoors.
We have gone without certain things we'd wished we'd brought out, so put everything in your containers except things you will need immediatly. Eg. You will need beds and basic kitchen bits when you get here. But please do ship all your xmas dec's and kitchen gadgets, Tvs, stereo etc. Even the washing machine. (I went without a washing machine for about 7 weeks!!) So if your paying to ship stuff and you can fit it in you may aswell bring the lot.

I'm not trying to tell you all what to do, only our experiences and what we wished we did.

It is hard to say goodbye to loved ones, my parents reckon they won't come out to see us too. But I get to speak to them every week on webcam, its not the same, but comforting to be able to see them in good health, and they get to see their precious grandson.

I hope I have helped to alleviate some of your worries, I only wish some one had taken the time to tell us the things I've written on here!

Suttons,

How are the Bishops getting on? Where have they decided to settle? I wish I could have spoken to them before they left, but we got internet connected after they left.

Kerry
X

Kezza!
That was absolutley beautiful post to read!!
I am sitting here after defrosting my car in the pitch black, to go to a job I hate, I will come home after 14 hrs working, in the dark again, have dinner shower and be in bed within 2hrs, then back up at 5 am to do it all again. Life is meant for living, which why we want to come to Tasmania, for a an actual life! Me and Barry work like nutters, barley get to see each other, and I feel like I miss him all the time, even though we live in the same house.When we do get time off we are both absolutley shattered to do anything besides relax, going out in Liverpool city is just claustrophobic! Plus we all know on BE lots more reasons to leave Blighty, Money is not important, although we are both in very well paid jobs, i would give it up in a second. Swim over to Tasmania, in disguise if we cant get a visa! buy a little place and just actually live.
We are quite lucky, Barrys family are made up for us, and his dad finds websites in Tas i could never find. We got them used to working a web cam (cant wait to test it when we get there on hols),and i think they will be over 6 mths of the year WHEN we get our visa (positive thinking!). I only have a gorgeous Aunty and 2 cousins, and she is always telling me to shoot for the stars!
So thanks Kezza for writing that post! It will stop me from telling my boss to shove his job up his hoop, and i will keep working, just to fill a savings pot up for when i do get to have an actual life with my gorgeous one
See you all in January!!
PS Gary will pencill you in hun!!

Kerry

What a lovely positive post!
We are having a few problems with family at the moment, probably due to Christmas coming and getting the usual "Oh, you won't be here next year, will you?" and we keep grinning and thinking, nope, we will be in lovely Tas! (well, we hope so anyway!)

Sam

Thanks Kerry that was a great post, i guess you learn to live with out some of the trivial things you get used to buying here, thanks for all the great info will put as much as we can in the container now, just in case. Cant wait to come out on hols (staying with the Bishops hopefully next summer, or winter as it will be in your case), at the moment they have a perm rental for about 6 mths in Lindisfarne, they say its lovely and have enrolled kids in school. Speak to them twice a week, they say they still havent taken the grins off their faces and although they get homesick not enough to jump on a plane to UK (i guess this is one of the hardest times of the year).

Cathy, thanks, dont worry, it would take more than wages to stop us going and you have made me think more about putting away as much savings as poss before we go.

Shona x

Hi Shona, i'd heard from Corinne this week and it sounds like they're really enjoying themselves - she'd mentioned about the rental in Lindisfarne. It was one of the places that we really liked the look of whilst we were over so they're very lucky!
We've already agreed that we're going to take as much of our stuff as possible - with the exception of our leather sofa's (they're quite big - so a lot more stuff could go in their place and not taking beds as like Kerry says that's something you'll need straight away anyhow). I think we're going to get a few quotes in the New Year..... we know of a company that can handle the shipping for us but not the insurance/packing etc...so i might look into doing the whole thing a bit more independently (if i'm brave!) to save a bit there.....but i'll see as i do want to make sure my stuff arrives!

We'll have to see if we can arrange an Essex meet up in the New Year for all us tassie wannabees... We've previously attended one of the Essex Meet Ups but we were the only ones interested in Tas - and everyone else gave us strange looks for saying that! Seeing as we're both based in Romford we probably wouldnt have to go that far to meet up!
It's such a small world really - what with the Bishops being your relatives and living in Romford too - and one of Corinne's friends little girl being friends with my daughter as they'd attended the same nursery (fledgelings) in Romford....

Now that i've met Kerry and some of the other people i'd been chatting to in person in Tas, it's nice being able to put faces to the names....

For those of us that plan on being stay at home Mum's when we move - if we end up living near one another on the island we'll have to keep in touch / meet up. Then we can stop one another from trying to spend any money during the day until our OH's are earning the mega bucks! (But according to Andy if he ever does that he's buying the biggest boat he can afford).....

Have a great weekend everyone - it's my youngests 1st birthday tomorrow bless him - so i dont suppose i'll be posting this weekend.......

talk to you all next week!
take care
Cathy

Could'nt agree more ! great post Kerry, its so good to get some positive vibes, as we are also getting the same comments about it being our last xmas in the UK, and how xmas wont be the same in the summer etc. Also an elderly relative went in hospital which does get you thinking if your doing the right thing. Just getting a bit jittery I suppose about everything ahead, so its good to hear from others that have been through it all. Nice to see so many new folks going to Tas, we'll be there by next July!
Carina

Its great to talk to so many people on here that are going to Tas (or have just gone).

Hey Cathy, hope you little one had a great birthday, its so cute when they are one, our youngest is 6 months and getting a real little character.
We will be taking our leather sofas as we have only just finished paying for them. LOL. It must be great putting faces to names when you get out there and everone sounds so nice.

Will definately arrange a meet up in the New Year and if there is no one interested then will PM you my address and you can both just pop round here for coffee, you could walk it in 10 minutes, and Ian thinks when he hits the big time he is buying a big fishing lake, LOL,
speak soon
Shona x

Happy birthday to Andy Junior !! It was good to meet you all when you were here.

Hi guys - thanks Ian/Helena & Shona for your birthday wishes for my son.... We all had a really nice day but I think it all went over his head seeing as at that age they're more interested in the wrapping paper than what's inside! I'm now worried about where all the stuff is going to get put - bearing in mind that we will have more toys etc in another 10days time!!!!! I've well and truly lost most of the dining room as there's already a babyden (playpen) full of toys taking up far too much room as it is!

Shona, you're right - i think from 6months thats when they really start to develop their personalities.... Our son is very laid back (has to be with his sister i think as she can be a little handful - she'll be 5 in march but she's got the attitude of a teenager with her tantrums and sarcasm!

Now that Christmas is approaching us fast i cant stop thinking about Tas for some reason........ I'm now wondering whether we'll be able to hold off putting the house up for sale in the New Year.....not sure i can stomach another full 12months of Romford!
Shona, i live just off of Mawney Road (Cross Road) so we might be quite close to one another if you live near where Corinne used to live. Will definitely have to arrange a meet up in the New Year if we can.

Hi Guys, have just seen this post and thought I would jump in as well!! Have borrowed the library computer for 1hr, still not connected at home, those of you who are out here know what I mean about them being slow in connecting you (only another 9 days to go!!!!). Cathy, I hope Jarred had a great 1st birthday, Joseph had is 2nd only a few days after we arrived in Tassie, he was the same, enjoyed the unwrapping and the cards more than the pressies!!!!

Kerry, we are moving into our 6 month rental in Lindisfarne this week, give me a PM and I will let you have my address and phone number if you want it, you are up in Burnie arnt you? Hows it all going for you.

Suttons, missing you all dreadfully, Millie is especially missing Lisha!!! her new big sis as she calls her!! she has already made a space in her new bedroom for her for when you come and stay as has Harv for Mitch!!!! You and Ian, well theres a great spot on the decking for ya!!!! Ty can bunk in with me!!!!!!

People, please dont worry about the wages, alot of it is all relevant as you will see when you visit, everyone lives and spends differently! Yes salaries are lower, but the price to pay for that is a great place to live, friendly people, great schooling and wonderful views and beaches all on your doorstep or outside your window. People are not materialistic over here and they must be able to survive on their wages as most of them that we have met have weekend places and/or boats and or one or two cars etc etc, eat out at least once a month and are out having great family time most nights (in the summer) and especially at weekends. Figure that one out! Houses are cheap too if you look around and dont buy in central Hobart. Also you have to remember what you are doing the move for, if you are doing it to be rich, forget it, you wont be in money but you will be in lifestyle and family time, Yes it is hard leaving behind family and friends and I would be a liar if I said I wasnt home sick, but again not enough to get on that plane back, and also its because Christmas is round the corner and as you know Shona its always been a hard time of year for me. (for those of you reading this my mum and dad have passed away, both at a young age and my mums birthday was Christmas day). Anyways, for those of you coming over soon, come visit me for a tinnie or a glass of rose!!!!! Dont rush over all at once though cause Tassie is our best kept secret and we dont want loads of you Poms over here!!!! Ha Ha Ha. C x

Missing you guys lots too, cant wait till next year now, it does seem to be all we think about although we try not too, and as long as we can get by and live day to day enjoying life the rest will fall into place. Wish we were there now as im sure all the other Tassie wannabes do, it is freezing here, 1 - 2 degrees and much colder at night. Once everyone is out there, we should have the biggest brits expat party when everyone is feeling a little homesick to cheer everyone up. It makes things easier talking to everyone on here though x

Hi all, had a few shipping quotes in now and we are taking almost everything (when we sell the house!!!). Not taking any of the kids beds or wardrobes though, as they will have to share bedrooms and we will need to buy bunkbeds.
Just ordered a book about Tasmania so we can learn some more info before we arrive
Feel like I'm in limbo right now, ready to go but haven't sold the house :curse:
Really hope we can find a furnished rental when we do finally arrive......do the landlords need 6 months rent in advance?
Can't wait to meet some of you......this is probably the scariest thing I have ever done!!!
Beth x x

Hi Beth

I agree with the scariest thing you have ever done bit! Not even got the visa yet but the thought of it all, scares me half to death but on the other hand I've been sorting out our holiday snaps this week and looking at them all makes me wish we could just whisk ourselves there right now
Sadly, got a small matter of getting a CO, then a visa, then the big one - trying to sell the house!

Hope you get some good news re house in the New Year, always a better time to sell, I think, well I hope so anyway. Hubby has just announced that if house prices keep going up in Oz and we don't get a good price for our house here, then we won't be going to Oz at all

Sam

Our house has been on the market since the end of April.....so if we get to this April we will put it up for auction!!!
We will probably have to rent for 1-2 years before we have enough £ to put a deposit to buy a house in Tas, but we would rather do that than stay here!!!
As long as we are together and happy we will be ok........that's what I keep telling myself anyway. Still not sure where to live in Tas, but pretty close to Hobbart probably.
Finally got hubby's professional resume back.......looks brilliant now!!! Just hope a company will employ him
Dreading going through every cupboard in the house soon to sell things, e-bay here I come....hee hee
Beth x x