First weeks in Cairns
 

Background for those who don't know I'm a newly qualified nurse with a job in Cairns on a 457 visa, married to 'windog' with two daughters 11 & 9 who are all still in the UK hopefully selling our house.

I chose to fly Air New Zealand via LA and Auckland to get the extra baggage allowance, hell of a journey to do in one go with no stopovers :ohmy:

Was met at the airport and taken to my accommodation that was arranged (and paid for) by the hospital for the first two weeks. Central Plaza 4* apartments near the hospital, fully furnished but out of my price range as a long term option. Finding somewhere to live was one of my biggest concerns and when someone from work offered me a room at their house I jumped at it rather than deal with a load of real estate agents on my own. Don't know if this was the right thing to do or not as I like my own space but it's cheap and has been a good way to meet people. When the rest of the family are coming I'll start looking for something else. One observation is that there is not much to rent for less than 350 a week (not for a family anyway) plenty of units and townhouses but houses in nice areas are $350+.

As I'm on my own I haven't done big grocery shops but things that seem pricey...cucumber, lettuce both around $2.50 and other fruit and veg, bread also. There are local markets which are nice to stroll around and they are definately cheaper.

Things that are cheaper here, wine...buying boxes is the most economical way, it's possible to get a nice shiraz 2 litre box for less than $9 OR you can get 5 litre boxes for about $12 but I haven't tasted that stuff yet. Buying bottles seems no cheaper than UK. Petrol also cheaper, $1.26 a litre for unleaded.

Cairns is a lovely green city surrounded my mountains with loads to do, you can pay loads to go on reef trips or rainforrest tours but there is also plenty of free entertainment, the esplanade lagoon, muddys park, crystal cascades (local swimming hole - nearly trod on a snake while walking there!), beaches, botanical gardens, centenary lakes etc

Met with Mr and Mrs Bix who very kindly helped me find a car to buy :thumbup: Thanks.
Was able to get finance with a $500 deposit but definately read the terms and conditions because they seem quite different to any I've come across in the UK :sneaky:.

Have been up and down in mood, obviously missing my family and will be happier when they get here and we can all be under the same roof again but on the whole things are good. My job is going well, I've been well supported and colleagues have all been really welcoming.

Just hope when the others get here they like it as much as I do :)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Hi

Glad your settling in ok, it will be tough without your family but worth it in the long run :D. How are you finding work compared to the NHS? Only tell me good stuff (although doubt it'll change my mind!).

julie x

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Good start Nursie. Long may it get easier when family arrives. All the best:thumbsup:

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Sounds as though you have landed on your feet and that things are moving along nicely. Cairns is great isn't it? Once your family arrive you can the relax abit and start to get into some routine. Good luck to you all.

Mandy

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Glad to see things seem good so far, we've been waiting in anticipation of your post.:thumbsup:

Keep on posting, when you can, all about the hospital and the area, anything you come across, all those hopefully heading your way want to know everything good and bad.

Hope everything stays good for you.

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

My wifes a paramedic and weve just started the process, but are hoping to get placed in the Cairns area, posts like this are a godsend to us and many more.
i hope you keep us updated, and hope things go from strength to strength for you.

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Great post! Must be very hard to be there without family but you sound very positive so well done!
How is the weather in cairns?

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Only worked 4 days so far, hospital is bright and modern, right next to the sea. Hardest thing is trying to adjust to a whole new health system and they use different drug names just to confuse me more but they know i'm a new grad and giving me lot's of support.

Thanks :thumbup:

Thanks, the hospital is not too big, I've only really seen the theatre dept so far...there are 8 theatres so pretty busy. I thought there would be loads of UK nurses but I've only met a handful so far but everybody has been really welcoming :D Are you coming to Cairns? I can't remember who's going where.

Glad to help in any way I can :D

Yes I miss them more than I thought possible, feel bad about all the times I've told them I'm too busy to do things with them and would give anything to be able to take swimming in the lagoon right now :(
The weather has been glorious every day, cool in the evenings and warm and sunny in the day time :D

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

[QUOTE=wannabauzzienurse;5077468] One observation is that there is not much to rent for less than 350 a week (not for a family anyway) plenty of units and townhouses but houses in nice areas are $350+.

Hope you dont mind me asking but was the expensive rentals all in Cairns central itself or have you looked in outlaying suburbs about 10 - 15 km away is it much better there. we will be looking at family rentals with 2 boys

Kaye

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

[QUOTE=wardy2;5081765]we made decision before i got here that we wanted to live on the northern side of town (whitfield, stratford, brinsmead, redlynch, smithfield etc all 10-20minutes from CBD) and this area is more expensive, you get more for your money to the south (mount sheridan, white rock, bentley park, edmonton etc) there are some nice houses down that way but for me to get to the hospital north side is better :)
Bix is a good one to ask he's been here much longer than me and knows his suburbs ;)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

We are hoping to come out to cairns, sometime soon!!!!!

Depends on the visa, which is a real bug bear at the moment. (8 weeks and still waiting to hear).

Glad to hear that the hospital staff are welcoming, and i would have expected quite a few UK nurses, with all the talk on BE, i would have expected mostly UK nurses by now.

Anyway good to see that you seem to be sttling in, keep us posted on all developments, any info will be useful.

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Spoke to Bix about suburbs thanks anyway, just wondered if the prices you were quoting were central Cairns.

We are looking similar north suburbs although Kewarrra beach, Trinity Beach even Kuranda are looking great possiblities.

Initially dont mind renting a 2 bedroom but if we settle, hopefully quickly will be looking to possibly buy dont want to be priced out by leaving it too long.

We can always sell.

Hope to see you soon :D

Kaye

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Central Cairns is mainly units/apartments, holiday accommodation, there are some houses but maybe not the best place for a family. It's difficult trying to decide where to live and now that I'm here I still can't decide.

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Hi

Glad to hear you are settling in. It is hard coming without your family. I came with two of my children initially and it was incredibly hard, so I can imagine how hard it is come by yourself.
I wish you all the best and hope you are all reunited soon.

Amanda

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Sounds like you're getting pretty well organised. Well done you. I can't imagine how hard it must be being without your family - any sign of a house sale?

Hope you continue to enjoy Cairns, and good luck getting the house sold quickly:thumbsup:

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

We have accepted an offer on the house...fingers crossed there will be no hitches :)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

WOW - thats great news!! Hope everything goes well. My house has been on the market for 3 wks and we've had no viewings :ohmy:

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Yes I won't relax till we have exchanged contracts though :0

Hope you get some interest in your house soon!

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Thanks for the update! Sounds like a wonderful new life :)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Hi Im really glad to hear you are settling a little and enjoying cairns its not the same without the family though, I might have to do the same as you and come on my own initially. I just dont know what to do with the house should i rent it out or sell as prices are rising in cairns dont want to miss the boat but my daughter loves this home and we are only 4 doors off my parents so if it didnt work out for us in cairns we would always have home here. I think to give it our best shot we need to sell and start a fresh my son agrees but sophie wont budge. Just hope the visa comes soon then we will have to make up our minds. Keep in touch I think we will settle in bentley park near family im a community nurse so used to travelling but that may change if we cant find a rental when we get there. It will be nice to all get together when we are all there as there are quite a few nurses on their way to cairns now.:)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Glad to hear you are getting on ok. Did you have to go on an induction programme first??? Do they start new grads together on the same date or is it just whenever you arrive?

Tracey
x

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

You should have no problem finding a rental in Bentley Park and it will definately be good to all get together :)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

They only do induction once a month so my induction and orientation is in August, obviously they did orientate me to the theatre dept where I'm working but the rest comes later. There is no particular date for new grads, it's just whenever you get here. :)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

That sounds good then :thumbsup:. No pressure then to start at a particular time. Are you expected to do any assignments or anything?

Tracey
x

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

I've got a load of competencies to get done and a case study as part of the theatre transition programme, not sure about the rest of the hospital it might be just preceptor support for grads , where are you hoping to work?

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Hoping to go to Gold Coast Hosp, any medical ward. At present am working on neuro ward in UK.

Have also got house on market, 2 weeks now and no viewings :mad: we are selling it ourselves.

Tracey
x

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

First time getting into thread not sure what to do! :confused:Enjoy reading all your craic. Looking for advice on wages for bricklayers and cost of living lots of mixed views on both. Have forms filled in ready to post still a bit dubious if doing the right thing. OH bricklayer (20 years) is there as much demand for them as we hear? Self clerical, and 3 fun loving kids. Any advice welcome!

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

FANTASTIC thread K
loads of info in here for anyone moving to cairns.

if you update this every now and then, this could be one of the most important threads for any nurses hwading to cairs:)

oh and it was smashing meeting you at the port meet:D

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

:thumbsup:Ive got my visa cairns here i come!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbsup:

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Cheers Soapy, good to meet you too! :thumbsup:

Great news, when are you hoping to arrive?

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Thanks Soapy I was hoping to be there by january but my hubby wants to wait till march for the kids to settle with less humidity. I think I will have to start my new job before then though. I cant wait to be honest but its really scarey.So we have lots to do dogs to arrange and house to sell.

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Well I've been here nearly 8 weeks now and at work for 6, hubby and children are still in the UK, without wanting to tempt fate I'm hoping they will be here sometime in October but these house sales are complicated beasts and we still haven't exchanged contracts :unsure:

To any nurses coming to Cairns wanting to claim up to $3000 relocation expenses for flights and removals KEEP RECEIPTS and find out from your NUM exactly how to go about it early on, a few nurses weren't given the correct information and I think it has caused difficulties for some. I've had a lot of different information from various people and I'm still not sure what's right :blink:

Other than that all is well, I'm still a lodger for now but have lined up a house unfurnished, 3 beds, air con and pool for $300 a week, could've had it furnished for $350 but I want to get some things of my own again all I have at the moment is my clothes, a few gadgets and my car and it's very disconcerting. That house should be available sometime in October hopefully just in time for when the others get here :thumbsup:

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

sounds like its all happening now K.
hope the family get there in October, it must be harder for you.
good luck with the house too:)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

I dont think I can claim anything as Im on a 136 visa is that right. We are back now from holiday and are going to get the bungalow on the market asap plan to book flights for january. That sounds a good price for the rental where abouts is it in cairns. I bet its hard without the family being with you. If you find out about claiming for the flights please can you let me know. Cheers Take care Trudi xx

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Cheers Soapy :)

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Trudi even nurses relocating from Brisbane to Cairns can claim the money, in fact anyone who's moved more than 100km can claim their expenses up to $3000, you will get $1000 at 6 12 and 18 months, there are no pro rata payments if you leave before 6 months you wouldn't get anything, hope that makes sense...just keep your receipts!! :)

Forgot to say the rental is in Westcourt, quite central and wouldn't be my first choice but it's a private agreement and the owner will let us rent 6 months at a time...we hope to be in a position to buy early next year.

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

Have been miserable today, find the weekends the worst being here on my own, I'm Ok at work, that keeps me occupied, but weekends first thing in the morning when you want to turn over and go back to sleep and you can't because the birds are in full flow...I love to hear the birds I just want the rest of my family to hear them too :(

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

I need some more of that house selling karma please :o

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

House selling karma sent - please send me some too!!

I'm shocked that your getting weekends off - how lucky are you??!! Although I'm still off permanently cos not found work in UK yet!!

It must be hard not having your family there but it'll be worth it in the end :wub:

Re: First weeks in Cairns
 

It wont be long and you will be together again enjoy the peace while you can you wont know where to turn when the family arrives. I loved the sound of the birds. How are the kids coping without you? are they being spoilt by the family? how have you been passing time on your days off? i loved the lagoon and the cafes on the boardwalk. I bet its hard just waiting is your hubby doing all the packing mine would bin everthing couldnt let him do it!!! my son is 16 today i feel so old take care keep in touch 4 months and we will be there too.