Originally Posted by ELLJAY (Post 5520037)

Great post:)
Congrats on 3 yrs
Lj

Originally Posted by Scrawni 2 (Post 5517979)

Lovely to read Gal!

I can remember when you first arrived and all the ups and down of moving. It is so nice to see that you still love it and I do miss Cairns and understand where your coming from. Let's hope our house sale goes through this time (sent you an email today), can wait to see ya mate.

Mandy

Originally Posted by soapy (Post 5548680)

and you met soapy:lol:(QUOTE]

Well Soapy, I could say that was the HIGHLIGHT of our 3rd yr here but my Mummy told me never to tell lies:rofl:

CYA next year hopefully fully fit not like this year eh;) So watch out cause I wont be drinking pepsi next time:D

Take care m8:)

Originally Posted by Bix da Boss (Post 5550797)

G'day
There is a simple answer to that soapy -

NO!!!

If we were still in the UK, the last 3 yrs wld have been the same as ever, BORING!! Cairns has enriched our lives so much and we have never looked back, and to think our sons didnt want to come here..............:)

Have a nice day:D

Originally Posted by soapy (Post 5555565)

we often bring that up to our daughters lol


the youngest really didnt wanna move here lol, we like to rub it in every now and then:lol:

Originally Posted by wardy2 (Post 5562080)

Great post Bix da boss.

We are moving to Cairns early next year and reading your post it could almost have been us you were writing about, you summed up our feelings exactly about what your expectations are the way we see it is expect nothing and you won't be disappointed. :thumbsup:

Bix has been a great help to us planning this move and given us so much info and has really made the decision to move to cairns simple, there seems to be a better class of people up there :lol:

Heres to your 4th year.

Who knows may see you soon.

Kaye x

Originally Posted by Bix da Boss (Post 5511645)

Well all, last week 31st October 2007 we celebrated our third year of being in beautiful sunnyCairns:)

The last three years has had many ups and downs - bit like a rollercoaster ride! The first two years were the worst for us - came over on a 457 temp visa - had to apply for a PR visa once hear - got that in May 2005, relief - cld not sell hse in UK - rented it out for a yr - after many stressful months - sold it end 2006 - came out of renting in OZ for two years and bought our first house in Oct 2006 - that is when we really started to settle and stress levels began to ease. Not having a property in the UK to worry abt was blissful!!

Until we sold our hse in the UK it was hard to 'let go' the ties (family and friends not included) and move forward into our new life. For me, buying our own hse has made all the differnece as did not like renting at all, although it works for some people, not me!! We have always had our own house and thats what we like!!

Everyday working life is generally the same - Bix is lucky to be on a far better wage and has work appreciation which he never did in the UK although with the same company for 30+ yrs!
I have had a couple of part time retail jobs - wld not willingly do that again! For over a year now lucky enough not to have to work unless i want to - that cld change of course but enjoying it - always have, especially since being here - wonder why ??!! Sunny weather by any chance lol!
Our two sons - Mark 21 and Nathan 19 have settled now and both have good full time jobs, and excellent social life when they want it. Neither wanted to come but have gone with the flo and are now adament they will be staying in Australia for the foreseeable future. They are young, they can do what they want.

For us coming from Cornwall, Cairns opened up so much more to our everyday lives. Shopping alone is brilliant - anything and everything you want is here so different for us more choice and big shopping malls, which I love of course he he!!! The scenery is just stunning, so much to see and do, entertainment wise, lots for choice, there is something for everybody, every age if you have the time, money and energy of course!We are happy going to the Esplanade, having a drink and bite to eat and doing some window shopping - there are loads of shops we still haven't seen that are up and down the many streets in Cairns! When we have visitors and are taking them around, it never ceases to amaze us how much more to Cairns there is!!

There are issues that get to you over here like there is in the UK and every other country in the world - that will never change. But that is part of life. Looking thru rose tinted glasses does not work!!

We have made a few really good friends - not easy coming to a new country especially if your kids are not of school age, but we have done it and value their friendship a lot, social get togethers, wine, beer, good food excellent company and much laughter - well you know BIX, no taming a lion, he does the drinking and I do the driving lol!!!

We came with an open mind no great expectations apart from better weather. Once here, just got on with it, went with the flo, kept an open mind, embraced the differences and didn't moan abt them. Australia is not England - wld be no point emigrating if it was!!! An oppurtunity to change certain parts of your life is what you will get, everyday routine is the same, work, kids, school, housework etc. Dont expect it all to fall into place as soon as you land - it can take time - be patient - stay as positive as you can - there is a good life to be had hear so make the most of the chance you have been given:)

Biggest differences for us coming from Cornwall:

Quality of life - excellent
The weather - fantastic most of the year
Income - far better than UK
House - we have far more space and land
Things to see and do - lost for choice
Shopping (of course)! Well, what can I say??;)
Having bites from nasty little insects! Bloody pain but hey something has to be right??!!
Wildlife and birds - fantastic! Especially colours of the birds wow!
Tropical Plants and trees - fantastic - colours and textures - out of this world!
Decent bloody cinemas and lots of em!
Loads of docs and dentists and any other form of medical help to choose from - means a lot.
The Rain Forest - love it!
Have to keep everything in the fridge especially the beer he he he!!!

Cor blimey - i cld go on but wont!!! Think thats enough for you to get the idea eh:D

All in all folks, it was the right move for us and have not regretted it for one single minute, I can say that with my hand on my heart. Still miss family and friends but nothing else. Love it hear and hope we have many more years in tropical north Queensland - paradise on earth:)

Hope you enjoy reading my post - good luck to all of you that want to follow your dream

Take care
Gill:D

Why was it moved??

Originally Posted by sallyclaire (Post 5566621)

Great post, no boring bits either!!!:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by Big Sky (Post 5566656)

Hello Bix da Boss,
Great positive post. :thumbup: We were in Cairns in Sep this year on hol and are now seriously thinking of moving there Aug next year, if we ever sell the house! It certainly seems to offer the lifestyle that we want. Our daughter is really into drama and Cairns SHS seems to specialise in that area.

I'm a social worker and my husband is a development engineer (residential). I'm aware that there is work for me not sure about OH but he would be happy to have a career change.

Best wishes and thanks for the update.
BS:thumbsup: