update.......
Feb 9th 2004, 1:51 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: Gold Coast- the best place in the world
Posts: 3,196
update.......
Well we have been here for all of 3 weeks, but as my pal in the Uk put it, have done more than most people do in 5 years. Guess we hit the ground running and didn't want to miss out.
My only gripe is that my container- which left 12th Dec- is still in customs. Probably another 3/4 week wait yet for it. Apart from that the place is fantastic.
The Aussies are a friendly bunch and quickly take you under their wings. We have found the hardest thing was to get a place to rent. The references etc that they want are madness. In the end we offered to pay up front for 3 months. Luckily we found an independent agent who came over from NZ himself and he liked the look of us! We are moving into a brand new 4 bed house tomorrow. It is walking distance to our kids school which is great. Right next to the rain forest and 5 mins to the beach. What more could I want??!
I can't really explain how much we feel at home here. Obviously the homesickness hasn't kicked in yet. But in general I can't think of a more beautiful, friendly place to live. We went to the beach at Bribie island yesterday which was fab.Other days we spend walking around, shopping ( yes there are shops here!!!) or going swimming.
We are still pinching ourselves and chuckling that we don't have to go back to the grey country. There are lots of business opportunities around if you look for them. And people are happy to offer advice.
Kids love school and 2 of them are going on camp this week. The 7 yr old can't wait as she has not done this before.
More update to follow and I will be back to defend Qld when I get our PC off the container!!!
My only gripe is that my container- which left 12th Dec- is still in customs. Probably another 3/4 week wait yet for it. Apart from that the place is fantastic.
The Aussies are a friendly bunch and quickly take you under their wings. We have found the hardest thing was to get a place to rent. The references etc that they want are madness. In the end we offered to pay up front for 3 months. Luckily we found an independent agent who came over from NZ himself and he liked the look of us! We are moving into a brand new 4 bed house tomorrow. It is walking distance to our kids school which is great. Right next to the rain forest and 5 mins to the beach. What more could I want??!
I can't really explain how much we feel at home here. Obviously the homesickness hasn't kicked in yet. But in general I can't think of a more beautiful, friendly place to live. We went to the beach at Bribie island yesterday which was fab.Other days we spend walking around, shopping ( yes there are shops here!!!) or going swimming.
We are still pinching ourselves and chuckling that we don't have to go back to the grey country. There are lots of business opportunities around if you look for them. And people are happy to offer advice.
Kids love school and 2 of them are going on camp this week. The 7 yr old can't wait as she has not done this before.
More update to follow and I will be back to defend Qld when I get our PC off the container!!!
Feb 9th 2004, 1:54 am
#2
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Location: Gold Coast- the best place in the world
Posts: 3,196
Forgot to add wish us luck with our driving theory tests. We have to take them this week as you need the Aus licence for mortgages, banks etc. We got the book from the Transport centre and now it is swotting up time
You can only sit 1 test a day and it is $15.50 per try, could end up costing me a bit
You can only sit 1 test a day and it is $15.50 per try, could end up costing me a bit
Feb 9th 2004, 2:47 am
#3
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Joined: Feb 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 495
Hi Tina
Glad to see you made it OK.
Don't worry about the test. Can you donwload the sample version 'cos it'll give you a good feel for the real thing.
H took hers and passed 100%, the fcat she hadn't driven a car in 20 years didn't seem to be factor. I wish it had been then maybe she wouldn't have run over our mailbox this morning
Glad to see you made it OK.
Don't worry about the test. Can you donwload the sample version 'cos it'll give you a good feel for the real thing.
H took hers and passed 100%, the fcat she hadn't driven a car in 20 years didn't seem to be factor. I wish it had been then maybe she wouldn't have run over our mailbox this morning
Feb 9th 2004, 2:55 am
#4
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Joined: Jul 2001
Location: From England. Moved to Adelaide Nov 2000
Posts: 432
I'm pleased to hear that everything's going well for you.
Must be great to finally be living in Oz! I know i'm still loving it after nearly 3 1/2 years.
Good luck with the tests.
Must be great to finally be living in Oz! I know i'm still loving it after nearly 3 1/2 years.
Good luck with the tests.
Feb 9th 2004, 2:57 am
#5
Banned
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,613
Tina - great to hear your news and that you're loving it!
Feb 9th 2004, 3:15 am
#6
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Listening to Puffing Billy
Posts: 9,183
Hi Tina,
Glad to hear you and the kids are settled, keep us informed wont you?
Love Hxx
Glad to hear you and the kids are settled, keep us informed wont you?
Love Hxx
Feb 9th 2004, 3:16 am
#7
High in the Dandenongs
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Listening to Puffing Billy
Posts: 9,183
Originally posted by Nibbs
H took hers and passed 100%, the fcat she hadn't driven a car in 20 years didn't seem to be factor. I wish it had been then maybe she wouldn't have run over our mailbox this morning
H took hers and passed 100%, the fcat she hadn't driven a car in 20 years didn't seem to be factor. I wish it had been then maybe she wouldn't have run over our mailbox this morning
pmsl!!!
Feb 9th 2004, 3:21 am
#8
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,666
Good onya Tina...another member in the "loves Oz" camp.
As for the driving test thing... it makes me laugh...i am a very experienced driver and it earned me a lot of money in UK in my business, yet it took me 3 goes to pass the theory test here!!! LMAO....i'm never gonna live it down!
As for the driving test thing... it makes me laugh...i am a very experienced driver and it earned me a lot of money in UK in my business, yet it took me 3 goes to pass the theory test here!!! LMAO....i'm never gonna live it down!
Feb 9th 2004, 3:30 am
#9
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Joined: Feb 2003
Location: Perth
Posts: 495
Originally posted by hevs
pmsl!!!
pmsl!!!
Feb 9th 2004, 6:41 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
one tip: learn the right of the way rules, speed limits, everything else seemed to be common sense/ and or similar to pommieland.
I boned up on the code whilst I was in the queue for the test computer.
Badge
I boned up on the code whilst I was in the queue for the test computer.
Badge
Feb 9th 2004, 6:44 am
#11
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,149
Originally posted by badgersmount
one tip: learn the right of the way rules, speed limits, everything else seemed to be common sense/ and or similar to pommieland.
I boned up on the code whilst I was in the queue for the test computer.
Badge
one tip: learn the right of the way rules, speed limits, everything else seemed to be common sense/ and or similar to pommieland.
I boned up on the code whilst I was in the queue for the test computer.
Badge
Feb 9th 2004, 7:05 am
#12
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,810
Glad you're still enjoying it Tina, and dancing happily round your handbag! We'll get together again soon! Don't pin any hopes on getting your container soon though - they told me today I might have my stuff by mid-March....the ship docked on Dec 27th!
Feb 9th 2004, 7:16 am
#13
Rocket Scientist
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Dreamland AKA Brisbane which is a different country to the UK
Posts: 6,911
Good to hear from you Tina & glad to see you got home from the wedding OK & didnt get lost up that big road north . Excellent news on the house, do you still want some furniture or have you got stuff organised? Give us a ring if you need anything, its all just sitting here collecting dust anyway .
. Excellent news on the house, do you still want some furniture or have you got stuff organised? Give us a ring if you need anything, its all just sitting here collecting dust anyway .
Feb 9th 2004, 7:19 am
#14
home again, home again
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Notts to Perth, Perth to Notts
Posts: 1,748
Re: update.......
[QUOTE]Originally posted by tinaj
It is walking distance to our kids school which is great. Right next to the rain forest and 5 mins to the beach. What more could I want??!
Sounds lovely. So glad it's all coming together for you. Well done!
It is walking distance to our kids school which is great. Right next to the rain forest and 5 mins to the beach. What more could I want??!
Sounds lovely. So glad it's all coming together for you. Well done!
Feb 9th 2004, 7:47 pm
#15
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Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Eatons Hill, Brisbane
Posts: 2,289
Re: update.......
Originally posted by tinaj
Well we have been here for all of 3 weeks, but as my pal in the Uk put it, have done more than most people do in 5 years. Guess we hit the ground running and didn't want to miss out.
My only gripe is that my container- which left 12th Dec- is still in customs. Probably another 3/4 week wait yet for it. Apart from that the place is fantastic.
The Aussies are a friendly bunch and quickly take you under their wings. We have found the hardest thing was to get a place to rent. The references etc that they want are madness. In the end we offered to pay up front for 3 months. Luckily we found an independent agent who came over from NZ himself and he liked the look of us! We are moving into a brand new 4 bed house tomorrow. It is walking distance to our kids school which is great. Right next to the rain forest and 5 mins to the beach. What more could I want??!
I can't really explain how much we feel at home here. Obviously the homesickness hasn't kicked in yet. But in general I can't think of a more beautiful, friendly place to live. We went to the beach at Bribie island yesterday which was fab.Other days we spend walking around, shopping ( yes there are shops here!!!) or going swimming.
We are still pinching ourselves and chuckling that we don't have to go back to the grey country. There are lots of business opportunities around if you look for them. And people are happy to offer advice.
Kids love school and 2 of them are going on camp this week. The 7 yr old can't wait as she has not done this before.
More update to follow and I will be back to defend Qld when I get our PC off the container!!!
Well we have been here for all of 3 weeks, but as my pal in the Uk put it, have done more than most people do in 5 years. Guess we hit the ground running and didn't want to miss out.
My only gripe is that my container- which left 12th Dec- is still in customs. Probably another 3/4 week wait yet for it. Apart from that the place is fantastic.
The Aussies are a friendly bunch and quickly take you under their wings. We have found the hardest thing was to get a place to rent. The references etc that they want are madness. In the end we offered to pay up front for 3 months. Luckily we found an independent agent who came over from NZ himself and he liked the look of us! We are moving into a brand new 4 bed house tomorrow. It is walking distance to our kids school which is great. Right next to the rain forest and 5 mins to the beach. What more could I want??!
I can't really explain how much we feel at home here. Obviously the homesickness hasn't kicked in yet. But in general I can't think of a more beautiful, friendly place to live. We went to the beach at Bribie island yesterday which was fab.Other days we spend walking around, shopping ( yes there are shops here!!!) or going swimming.
We are still pinching ourselves and chuckling that we don't have to go back to the grey country. There are lots of business opportunities around if you look for them. And people are happy to offer advice.
Kids love school and 2 of them are going on camp this week. The 7 yr old can't wait as she has not done this before.
More update to follow and I will be back to defend Qld when I get our PC off the container!!!
sounds like you're really happy and settled,
best of luck for your test, keep us posted
hugs
rach, mark and chanelle xxx