[QUOTE=markallwood;7233682).... Lets put it this way, you wouldn't choose cairns for shopping, bars or restaurants..[/QUOTE]

Have to say I have been pleasently surprised at how good the shops are in Cairns, while in Brisbane we were quite dissappointed for a big city at the standard of shops.

Suzanne, i'm sure your hubby would find plenty of work in that line environmental issues are big news here.

We have been to Perth and we had a great time, but for me personally it doesnt offer enough I have to agree with what some people say its just suburb after suburb with the sea at one side and nothing in the middle.

In Cairns its beautiful and green we have been amazed in comparrison to other areas of Australia.

But its a very personal choice as to where you live, people tried to put us off by saying how humid it was so at this time of year, so far we have had no problems, others say it gets to hot in Cairns, but talking to someone the other day it never gets as hot as 40 + unlike some areas of Australia.

What i'm trying to say is make your own mind up dont listen to all the negatives as it may put you off somewhere you will personally love to live.

If we had listened to others opinions we would have stayed in the UK

thanks again Wardy. I think my heart is definatly in Cairns and I think my hubby is warming to it. The thing i have found is when people have negatives about a place for Cairns it is to do with the heat and the humidity and the rain, when you hear people being negative about Perth it's about Crime, lack of things to do, bad schools, no jobs etc. I have heard of lots of people leaving Perth to return back the UK, hardly any seem to leave Cairns. I do know that is just what you read and no representitive of the real situation, and of course far more brits go to Perth than they do Cairns so it is going to be a bigger percentage.

I must admit though when i research Cairns both the toursity websites and informative ones about real estate, news ones i get a buzz, when i read about Perth it really does nothing for me, yes there are lots of nice new houses and the cbd is nice and new but that is about it

Hey! Hows it going! We're leaving the UK end of march (fingers crossed!) for Cairns, been there twice with the family on holidays and decided to move there. Its awesome, so much to do, great weather, stunning beaches and most of all the kids and the wife LOVE IT! thats got to be a thumbs up i know

we will look forward to seeing you in march then

enjoy your last few weeks with your friends and family, we spent so much time rushing around it seemed to go in a blur

Just to let you guys know, i fly TOMORROW!!!! arghhhhh.

Looking forward to putting faces to forum names...hehehe. Hopefully see you all soon. xxx

good luck will look forward to meeting you

Safe flight hon!

Have you got accomodation etc sorted for when you arrive?
Good luck with your first few days & hopefully see you on the 21st

good luck with your move, hopefully i'll be following you in a few months or so

we have been here only 5 days and its raining ALOT but we love it here!!! it is so beautiful and bigger than we remembered. Great shops you just need to know where to go (we are finding them with some help from those in the know!!!!

Welcome
Lovely & sunny today

PM if I can help you with anything & hopefully meet you at the meet on the 21st

Welcome guys! Probably not the best time to arrive weather-wise, but we did the same arriving Feb 2 years ago in the middle of thunderstorm. If you are enjoying it now, wait 'til the weather is better and you'll never want to leave! Good luck settling in.

Funny isn't it. Everyone else in Australia is having their summer, and we're having our winter.

Just a quick update...i'm here!!!

Landed in the sunshine...and the heat!! Totally feels like im on holiday!

I'm in love with Cairns already. It's soooo pretty, and the mountains add that homely feel...It feels like mother nature is wrapping her arms around you in a big mountain hug!

Haven't experienced any rain yet (apparently i slept through loads last night) - which is great!

Looking forward to seeing some of you on 21 Feb. Happy Valentines day for tomorrow. x

I'm off to the reef for the weekend. Looks like the weather should hold out until the new week.

pleased you are liking it so far