Hi Kerry, it was quite funny as the guy was walking about in some snow with his shorts on - and sandals I dont think they ventured up high enough to get to much of the snow....at one point he leaned over to pick up snow (with their baby son in a babycarrier on his back) and i thought the little un was going to tip out!

Hi Possums The houses they were shown were quite nice, and perfectly liveable (unlike some i've seen advertised for sale!), and quite big in comparison to the average UK home, but for the money they were definitely overpriced compared to some that we've seen advertised - that have appeared to be much nicer (whether they are or not could be another story ) I reckon the TV producers are told to plug one particular agents properties!
One thing the couple commented on about one house was the fact that out of side windows they could just see the roof tops of some neighbour's houses (literally the guttering/tiles) and they didn't like that. But me and Andy both said that unless you buy a bigger plot that's more than likely going to happen, and the only reason it doesnt happen so much in the UK is because we're mainly used to two-storey houses, and looking out just either the front or back windows of a house. There's probably not quite so many places that have side windows as well like villa/bungalow style places..(unless you're semi-detached or detached).
The guy on the TV show actually wanted to live by the coast - but they picked Hobart as their trial destination because the company that did Stone Masonry did more restoration work which is what the guy specialised in.... I often get the feeling watching these programmes that "if only" they'd picked one of the other destinations they'd have been much more pleased with what they saw

You do have some lovely properties for sale in the North and there is quite a few really nice ones all over. But you do seem to get much more for your money in the Northern area's.
I cant mention the word outbuildings/workshops to my Andy without him getting all excited He'd have us living in a shack if it came with one of those huge double workshops with heating/toilet etc we see every now and then....

Echoing Gary - have a great Australia Day everyone - whatever you're doing and whatever you've got planned!

Cathy

Don't know if you ever got an answer to this? The ABC isn't a big office block, its quite a low building right on the roundabout, near a concrete monstrosity of a motel called something like Fountainside or Fountainhead.

http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/traffic_cameras - I can't get the cameras to load tonight, but one of the cameras is right on the roundabout (well its a block away on the roof of the Royal Hobart, and looks at the roundabout.

Hope this helps a bit!

Just to add - Tassie Fire Service site and for info on Tassie worst fires see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_Tasmanian_fires

Hi Pollyanna thanks so much for this. You answered my question exactly - i was trying to ascertain how big a building it was - as my former employers (now a client of my current company) are based in that building...and i wondered how big the building may be.

thank you!

fantastic weather at the moment, loving it

we've had a great long weekend up here, hope everyone else did

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kastell

Thanks for that link Kezzabird, clicked on the link & definitely no snow now!!

Possums I think you may be right about seeing pics on the real estate sites, agents are very cunning with the photo's they post / can be really deceiving!!!

Hi Kastell,

I brought my dogs over from the UK and have acquired some more since being in Oz. Its is relatively expensive, the size of your dogs will determin the overall cost.

I live near Launceston but travel along to the North West regularly including Smithton and Burnie.

The coast is particularly beautiful in circular head (smithton area) but as the locals say your not looking at that when your driving to get somewhere (ie not a tourist). The communities in the area are very tight knit, everyone knows everyone and tends to know everyone else's business. Strangers (not toursits) can stick out like a sore thumb. I remember going into the local coles and feeling like the whole shop had stopped with everyone looking at me, I swear I could hear banjos playing

Everyone I've met there is extremely friendly and there is a genuine community spirit but I think it would take a longtime to develop any meaningful social contacts.

Burnie is seen by many as a bit of an eye sore, people (Tasmanian's) often say Devonport an Ulverstone are much nicer. I think if were looking to live in the north west I'd probably look at Devonport.

However I would say keep your options open and also have a look at Launceston, its a great place and you'd probably find it not only offers everything you are looking for (and more) but would be easier to develop a social network and activities.

Good Luck

Alien,
Welcome to the forum, I would echo what you say, Launceston may not be one of the biggest places around but I love the place.
Gary

Thanks for the info Alien, I think the Launceston area would be best for us, sounds the best on paper & have seen plenty of jobs advertised in that area as well! Just hope I can persuade the OH, as he'd like to be close to the sea, maybe being near the Tamar will be a good compramise!! It's funny as I used to live about 8 miles from the Launceston in the UK & I was born in Plymouth - next to the river Tamar!!!!

We are hoping to come over in September, maybe before if we can!!! Can't wait!!! But definitely keeping our options open, you just don't know where feels right until you've been there!!! Are rental properties easy to find in the Launceston area? Any ideas how much the average rent is?

Also thanks for the info on property prices & area's Gary!

Fingers crossed we can get our VISA, waiting for a couple of Agencies to get back to me, was a bit annoyed yesterday when I spoke to a secretary, as she was very negative!!!!

Hi Alien, welcome to the forum! I imagine the sticking out like a sore thumb must be something that all new residents to the Island must feel? You did make me laugh saying you could hear banjo's playing! I've been into a few "locals" country pubs in my time so i know exactly what you mean! LOL

I'm glad you mention Ulverstone as that is one of the places we are keen to visit when we come back to the Island... We only saw some of the Hobart area's and really feel that we have missed out not seeing any of the North.

Cathy

Hi there, i'm glad you're planning to visit the Island later this year - dont make the same mistake as us with only focusing your visit to one area...as i've said a few times i think people need to see both the North and South to get a good comparison on places...(if you're able to).
Have a look on realestate.com.au under the rentals part for idea's on rent - but having looked ourselves most houses vary from $200-$400+ a week rent - depending on what you're looking for - newer properties tending to get the higher prices...Rental prices are definitely cheaper in the North. I just had a look and there are some 3 bedroomed properties for rent in Ulverstone for example for $200-$220. You can get some for under $200 a week but some
don't look that great

Good luck with hearing back from the agencies...I wouldn't take any notice of what a secretary might say, i'm sure she wouldn't know all the facts like her boss hopefully would!

Cathy

Thanks for the warm welcome guys.


Kastell this link should give you all the info you need re rentals.

http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin...house&p=10&o=d

Happy to give you the low down on any suburb, just let me know.

Anyone going to the wooden boat festival? we are going down on the Sat and staying in Franklin overnight. not been the the festival before is it any good?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possums

Anyone going to the wooden boat festival? we are going down on the Sat and staying in Franklin overnight. not been the the festival before is it any good?

No, but will be going to



Can't wait