LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Hi there, thanks for all your replies have looked at those websites!

Just wondered do we know of anyone british living in Darwin and if so what is it like with a family as I backpacked and lived their for a month back in 1993 so probably changed a lot. Understand their is lots and lots of rain and how does this affect the family life? Are the schools good etc etf

Many thanks

Rachel

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Hi Rachel, we are heading that way when can get the visa through.......there is definitely one person on here who is out that way.....Geordie Mandy.....she may be able to help....Ems x

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Hi thanks for your message am new to this website and so how do I find this person?

thanks

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

No problem Rachel - if u go to members list and search for her, that way you can possibly send her a message or find some other posts that she has posted on.

When u heading that way? Do you know where you are planning on settling? How many children and what ages? Sorry lots of questions ...we have two boys 14 and 12 Ems x

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

She's here - http://britishexpats.com/forum/member.php?u=49745

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Ems, its only a possibility as I dont think I will really enjoy all the rain they have, crocodiles and that you cant swim during the summer due to the jelly fish but wanted to get feedback though! I have 4 children, 13, 11, 10 and 8 and thanks again for your help! Rachel:thumbsup:

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

thanks Pollyana, knew it would be a quicker way some where! Ems x

No problem Rachel, good luck x

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

hi i dont really know anything about Darwin yet! im due to move there on the 6th march with my two children aged 1 and 3. my husband went yesterday ready for his job and im going to spend 9 days there on the 16th jan to help him to find a house!!! will let u know my thoughts and feelings of the place then!!!!!

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Hi rach

thanks for your message will wait hear back from you!

Good luck with the house hunting. Where are you moving from?

Rachel

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Hi Rachel,

I live in Darwin, and have done for about 18 months. I started in Sydney in Oz 2.5 years ago, and then met my partner in Darwin after backpacking around and have lived here since. Awaiting the outcome of our partner visa application, so hopefully will be here for a while :fingerscrossed:

I'm afraid I don't know about the kids/school side of things. Geordie Mandy does, and this thread about her arrival here might be helpful - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=672982

Main points to note....

Seasons are not spring, summer, autumn, winter. It's the tropics, so there is wet and dry. The dry is from approx May to Sept and it might rain 3 times in that whole 4/5 months. The temperature is between 28 and 34 degrees during the day, year round. The dry is the perfect climate.

The build-up comes just before the wet - very very humid. Makes the 28-34 degrees pretty unbearable for some people. I don't mind it personally.

Then the wet officially starts in Nov and runs through until approx Feb/Mar and the rains die off. The "wet" is generally an afternoon/evening thunderstorm every day. Every now and again we get a monsoonal front or a "low" come through where it might rain for a couple of days straight. And sometimes we get cyclones.

A lot of rain falls, when it rains. There can be inches in the space of a very short time. However I don't find it that disruptive like in the UK. It probably rains the same number of days a year as the UK - probably even less. So "all the rain we have" it's not a big deal to me. Everyone is different though.

Regarding crocs etc... They're not a massive issue, as long as you are careful. It is sad that you can't swim in the sea (jelly fish too)... but there are plenty of safe designated swimming areas in the local area. Litchfield national park (google it) is stunning with approx 5 waterfalls and creeks you can swim in (only one or two are open in the wet). There's lots of gorgeous places around... Berry Springs, lots of wildlife parks for the kids, free reserves for picnicking/footballing (e.g. East Point reserve, Casuarina coastal reserve, Nightcliff Foreshore), Kakadu National Park is great for a long weekend trip, Uluru is a short flight away for camping. Edith falls is a 3 hour drive away for a camping trip - I recommend it there, stunning swimming hole, waterfall and great little quiet campsite.
There's lots to do as a family. But not so sure about for kids themselves... Hopefully Mandy can help you out there.

I love it as a place to live. Very relaxed life style, warm all year round. Small community feel.

Only problem is the remote location (weekly shop, fuel, transport etc is more expensive and it pushes costs of cars and houses up too), and the aboriginal population. You learn to live with both of these issues, and the wet season I don't think is anything to worry about. The heat is a problem for some people - that's more the issue in the wet season, it is very humid.

Sorry for the big ramble. I hope some of that helps. Let me know if I can answer any more questions!

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

OMG thanks so much you have been a great help and yes have sent messages to Geordie mandy and will do again.

Cant thank you enough

Take care

Thanks

Rachel:D:thumbup:

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

How exactly is the aboriginal community "a problem"? Maybe the mass invasion by British people of this continent has been a little bit more of a "problem" for them?

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

hi rachel

were moving from doncaster in south yorkshire! im going to darwin on sunday for 9 days to help my hubby find a house as he went out this week to get started with work. im looking forward to investigating the place!!!

lou your message was great very helpful, i cant wait to move, im sooooo looking forward to the outdoor living think it'll be great for the kids although not looking forward to the wet season! i guess its something you have to get used to!

ill let u know how i found it when i return? when are u moving there Rachel?

speak soon rachel x

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Rachel, Nothing definate yet just a possible position there but wanted to find out about life with kids their as like I said I was there backpacking for a 1 month and had enough after a couple of weeks really but enjoyed working at the show.

How old are your kids? Let me know what you think and good luck with everything keep in touch

Rachel x

:thumbup:

Re: LIVING IN DARWIN
 

Sorry I didn't mean to offend, and I didn't mean it in a racist way. I think there was a discussion on the aboriginal population of Darwin somewhere, which is the only reason I bought it up.

There are a lot of groups of aboriginals hanging around in groups on the streets, which young kids might find a bit intimidating walking around. That's all I meant.

I have friends who are aboriginals, have socialised with them on occassions and have worked with them. I have nothing against them, so there is no need to jump down my throat.

As an English person moving to Darwin, they may look a bit off putting loitering in parks/shop/street corners.
Have you been to Darwin Budawang?

Good luck to everyone moving here!