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2.5 years on the sunshine coast
I haven't been on here for ages and thought I'd give a quick update from a 'long-term' perspective. Please note that my experiences / observations are about the Sunshine Coast and may not apply to other areas of Australia.
WORK Husband: As a graphic designer my husband found it difficult to find work and ended up at a copy shop on a casual basis. As a DJ he was lucky enough to heard by the right person at the right time = 2 nights work a week. He is now a student teacher (something he always wanted to do) Me: I'm a midwife and was lucky enough to get a permanent job (didn't realise how lucky at the time). Most nurses and midwives work on a casual basis. However, for many reasons (only interesting to midwives) I am leaving my job for casual work at the Uni + study. In general = lots of casual work. Pay is usually less than UK. Hard to find a job and all those jobs you said you would be happy to resort to (cafe, supermarket etc) are taken by teenagers. HOUSING Don't expect to sell your house in the UK, buy a mansion + pool and work part-time unless you are seriously loaded. We opted to buy a moderate house without a pool and work part-time. House prices in our area are comparable to the UK unless you want to live in-land. MONEY Things and food are cheaper - but you are earning less so it doesn't really make a difference. But, it is cheaper to do stuff - the beach costs nothing. HEALTHCARE Queensland is about 10 years behind the rest of Australia in many ways and particularly in healthcare. It is torn between the US system and the UK system. SCHOOLS Again standards are not as high as UK - particularly in QLD. But, it depends what you value from schooling. Our kids (16 and 13) are thriving (and doing well academically) in this system where it seems a more rounded school experience is encouraged - ie. sport, art, socialising - rather than just tests and ratings. Having said that, we are living in the catchment area of an excellent school and paid for it in the cost of our house. FRIENDS We socialise with aussies and expats (and indulge in far too much cheap aussie wine). However, miss having mates with a 'history'. If you have a close circle of friends or rely on friends and family a lot - be careful. This is the reason most people (I have known) have gone back to the UK. CULTURE Not very diverse (although Brisbane is). LIFESTYLE Fantastic! Could go on forever. But, the 'feel' is that of the late 70's. Relaxed, kids cycling everywhere and leaving their bikes about the streets without them getting stolen. People leaving their cars unlocked. People happy with where they live - and why wouldn't they be. Hard to explain really. We are getting citizenship soon and all feel that Australia is home. A fantastic move for the family and we are all better for it. Good luck to all those heading here! Rachel |
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
Great post, Thanks for sharing
sharon :thumbsup::thumbsup: |
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
Originally Posted by RReed
(Post 5158379)
I haven't been on here for ages and thought I'd give a quick update from a 'long-term' perspective. Please note that my experiences / observations are about the Sunshine Coast and may not apply to other areas of Australia.
WORK Husband: As a graphic designer my husband found it difficult to find work and ended up at a copy shop on a casual basis. As a DJ he was lucky enough to heard by the right person at the right time = 2 nights work a week. He is now a student teacher (something he always wanted to do) Me: I'm a midwife and was lucky enough to get a permanent job (didn't realise how lucky at the time). Most nurses and midwives work on a casual basis. However, for many reasons (only interesting to midwives) I am leaving my job for casual work at the Uni + study. In general = lots of casual work. Pay is usually less than UK. Hard to find a job and all those jobs you said you would be happy to resort to (cafe, supermarket etc) are taken by teenagers. HOUSING Don't expect to sell your house in the UK, buy a mansion + pool and work part-time unless you are seriously loaded. We opted to buy a moderate house without a pool and work part-time. House prices in our area are comparable to the UK unless you want to live in-land. MONEY Things and food are cheaper - but you are earning less so it doesn't really make a difference. But, it is cheaper to do stuff - the beach costs nothing. HEALTHCARE Queensland is about 10 years behind the rest of Australia in many ways and particularly in healthcare. It is torn between the US system and the UK system. SCHOOLS Again standards are not as high as UK - particularly in QLD. But, it depends what you value from schooling. Our kids (16 and 13) are thriving (and doing well academically) in this system where it seems a more rounded school experience is encouraged - ie. sport, art, socialising - rather than just tests and ratings. Having said that, we are living in the catchment area of an excellent school and paid for it in the cost of our house. FRIENDS We socialise with aussies and expats (and indulge in far too much cheap aussie wine). However, miss having mates with a 'history'. If you have a close circle of friends or rely on friends and family a lot - be careful. This is the reason most people (I have known) have gone back to the UK. CULTURE Not very diverse (although Brisbane is). LIFESTYLE Fantastic! Could go on forever. But, the 'feel' is that of the late 70's. Relaxed, kids cycling everywhere and leaving their bikes about the streets without them getting stolen. People leaving their cars unlocked. People happy with where they live - and why wouldn't they be. Hard to explain really. We are getting citizenship soon and all feel that Australia is home. A fantastic move for the family and we are all better for it. Good luck to all those heading here! Rachel I'm glad you mentioned the "missing history" with friends - that's one of my biggest fears as i'll be leaving some very close friends....i'm sure many people feel this and manage to overcome it - but like you say you do hear of a lot of returns being down to missing friends & family. I guess time will tell for me which way i'll go! |
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
thanks rachel
I needed that today. very interesting and honest post cheers:thumbup: bec |
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
Great post, glad you are enjoying your new life and long may it continue.
Joex |
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
Good honest post Glad to hear you have settled and may you continue to enjoy your lives down under hears to the next 2.5 years ;)
|
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
Originally Posted by RReed
(Post 5158379)
I haven't been on here for ages and thought I'd give a quick update from a 'long-term' perspective. Please note that my experiences / observations are about the Sunshine Coast and may not apply to other areas of Australia.
WORK Husband: As a graphic designer my husband found it difficult to find work and ended up at a copy shop on a casual basis. As a DJ he was lucky enough to heard by the right person at the right time = 2 nights work a week. He is now a student teacher (something he always wanted to do) Me: I'm a midwife and was lucky enough to get a permanent job (didn't realise how lucky at the time). Most nurses and midwives work on a casual basis. However, for many reasons (only interesting to midwives) I am leaving my job for casual work at the Uni + study. In general = lots of casual work. Pay is usually less than UK. Hard to find a job and all those jobs you said you would be happy to resort to (cafe, supermarket etc) are taken by teenagers. HOUSING Don't expect to sell your house in the UK, buy a mansion + pool and work part-time unless you are seriously loaded. We opted to buy a moderate house without a pool and work part-time. House prices in our area are comparable to the UK unless you want to live in-land. MONEY Things and food are cheaper - but you are earning less so it doesn't really make a difference. But, it is cheaper to do stuff - the beach costs nothing. HEALTHCARE Queensland is about 10 years behind the rest of Australia in many ways and particularly in healthcare. It is torn between the US system and the UK system. SCHOOLS Again standards are not as high as UK - particularly in QLD. But, it depends what you value from schooling. Our kids (16 and 13) are thriving (and doing well academically) in this system where it seems a more rounded school experience is encouraged - ie. sport, art, socialising - rather than just tests and ratings. Having said that, we are living in the catchment area of an excellent school and paid for it in the cost of our house. FRIENDS We socialise with aussies and expats (and indulge in far too much cheap aussie wine). However, miss having mates with a 'history'. If you have a close circle of friends or rely on friends and family a lot - be careful. This is the reason most people (I have known) have gone back to the UK. CULTURE Not very diverse (although Brisbane is). LIFESTYLE Fantastic! Could go on forever. But, the 'feel' is that of the late 70's. Relaxed, kids cycling everywhere and leaving their bikes about the streets without them getting stolen. People leaving their cars unlocked. People happy with where they live - and why wouldn't they be. Hard to explain really. We are getting citizenship soon and all feel that Australia is home. A fantastic move for the family and we are all better for it. Good luck to all those heading here! Rachel |
Re: 2.5 years on the sunshine coast
Originally Posted by RReed
(Post 5158379)
I haven't been on here for ages and thought I'd give a quick update from a 'long-term' perspective. Please note that my experiences / observations are about the Sunshine Coast and may not apply to other areas of Australia.
WORK Husband: As a graphic designer my husband found it difficult to find work and ended up at a copy shop on a casual basis. As a DJ he was lucky enough to heard by the right person at the right time = 2 nights work a week. He is now a student teacher (something he always wanted to do) Me: I'm a midwife and was lucky enough to get a permanent job (didn't realise how lucky at the time). Most nurses and midwives work on a casual basis. However, for many reasons (only interesting to midwives) I am leaving my job for casual work at the Uni + study. In general = lots of casual work. Pay is usually less than UK. Hard to find a job and all those jobs you said you would be happy to resort to (cafe, supermarket etc) are taken by teenagers. HOUSING Don't expect to sell your house in the UK, buy a mansion + pool and work part-time unless you are seriously loaded. We opted to buy a moderate house without a pool and work part-time. House prices in our area are comparable to the UK unless you want to live in-land. MONEY Things and food are cheaper - but you are earning less so it doesn't really make a difference. But, it is cheaper to do stuff - the beach costs nothing. HEALTHCARE Queensland is about 10 years behind the rest of Australia in many ways and particularly in healthcare. It is torn between the US system and the UK system. SCHOOLS Again standards are not as high as UK - particularly in QLD. But, it depends what you value from schooling. Our kids (16 and 13) are thriving (and doing well academically) in this system where it seems a more rounded school experience is encouraged - ie. sport, art, socialising - rather than just tests and ratings. Having said that, we are living in the catchment area of an excellent school and paid for it in the cost of our house. FRIENDS We socialise with aussies and expats (and indulge in far too much cheap aussie wine). However, miss having mates with a 'history'. If you have a close circle of friends or rely on friends and family a lot - be careful. This is the reason most people (I have known) have gone back to the UK. CULTURE Not very diverse (although Brisbane is). LIFESTYLE Fantastic! Could go on forever. But, the 'feel' is that of the late 70's. Relaxed, kids cycling everywhere and leaving their bikes about the streets without them getting stolen. People leaving their cars unlocked. People happy with where they live - and why wouldn't they be. Hard to explain really. We are getting citizenship soon and all feel that Australia is home. A fantastic move for the family and we are all better for it. Good luck to all those heading here! Rachel Not sure I understand the schol bit though, our daughters primary in London, would not walk in the shadow of Mountain Creek, or any others shcools around here. It says a lot when parents take there children out of private school and put them into state, which a few have at MC :thumbsup: As for diversity of culture, i've had my belly full of that, so this does nicely :rofl: |
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