steandleigh

Hello again!

yes, our two tiddlypeeps attend St A's and we are really happy with the school - more than happy actually. Have you spoken to them at all yet? Cairns can be fairly transient, so families moving in and out of the area all the time, so if you don't get the girls a place straightaway, theres plenty of time. I'm figuring that year 8 would not be too troublesome for them to place Grace (it's the early years that are pretty full, from what I know) but therefore Daisy would be placed in year 3 as they always like to accomodate siblings. Prep facillities and staff are great here too, so Eve will be well looked after one day...

Although we are not religious, it's quite nice to see the kids experiencing a spiritual element to their education, as the morals and values are basically the same as we hold ourselves and at the end of the day, our kids will make up their own minds and they have the option to do that.

Let me know how you get on and good on ya for giving it nother go - I think you're very brave!!!

steandleigh

Hi Mandy!

Yeah, we are all fine, I've had some ill health recently and have been in and out of hospital (which is a bit inconvienient when you have two kids, a working husband, uni study and no family support) but we are getting there.

Yes, we moved out of our rental and into our new build which we're really happy with - a few minor dramas with the builders but nothing major really. Just lovely to be in 'our' home and not a rental.

House prices have shot up a fair old bit but if you look on:

www.realestate.com.au

you'll see there are still nice houses to be had at a reasonable price...I'm sure you have already been looking! Good for you all for giving it another go - it can't have been easy for you all with having a daughter back in the UK. You obviously have an adventurous spirit and thats to be praised, IMO.

Good luck and let me know how you are getting on, Leigh. x

youngy73

just for the record the google earth pics of cairns are less than 10 months old.

RooksieJ

thanks matey. have received email from them to say they are sending out enrolment package and when i receive this and return it with relevant docs, they will arrange a telephone interview - YIKES Fingers crossed - i feel very positive and looking forward to eventually getting over there! Cant wait actually

Yep, gonna give it another go - total disaster last time although Eve was TOTALLY worth it

theyoungs

That's the attitude Rooksie.........good on ya mate

After all the uncertainty it's great to hear such positive, fighting talk.

Michelle

RooksieJ

thanks mate!!! wanna buy a house in torquay!!??!!

theyoungs

If I was in the market it could be very tempting!!!!!

But, don't forget we havn't ruled out returning to Oz ourselves, so we may just be joining you and Scrawnie2 on the list of recent returnees to be

Be rest assured you good people of BE will be the first to know of our decision when it is decided once and for all

Best of luck with the house sale mate, everything is crossed for you and Scrawnie2 and any others who are in the transition

Never a dull moment eh!

Michelle

RooksieJ

you are outvoted 3 to 2 mate so you might as well jump on the band wagon!!! go on, you know you want to

theyoungs

All in good time my dear, all in good time

Michelle

sophjam

Hi Mandy, my sister in law felt just as you did when she settled in cairns, the didnt have children but still missed home a lot. They did settle and have been there for 5 years now. Im applying now with my family too. Ive done lots of soul searching but we both feel we need to try it before its too late. Was there anything in particular about cairns itself you didnt like weve visited many times now and love it but its different living there isnt it. My son is 15 and daughter 12 we are both 37. Can you offer us any advice, maybe if you do return we could support each other. Good luck Trudi

Scrawni 2

Hi Trudi,

I have 2 children aged 12 and 20 and to be honest I loved Cairns and it wasn't the place that brought me back. It is a very relaxed and chilled out place to live.

I found it quite male orientated, especially the fishing, 4x4, beer and barbie etc. but don't let that put you off, they have a big shopping centre with a cinema attached.

We were based at the southern end of Cairns at Bentley Park which has its own state school. Our son did encounter some bullying but apparently he was the only english lad in the whole school. If we were to go back I would probably pay to go to a religeous school. Check your schools carefully.

There is so much to do that doesn't cost a fortune, great if you have kids. Often we would all head down to the lagoon after schools out and swim before tea. Weekend we would dump the swimming stuff in the back of the car and find a watering hole to swim in (you soon get to know the safe areas to swim). Many weekend we would be invited to bbque's from friendly people who hardly knew us or even out in their boats etc. Great lifestyle.

I think food is slightly more expensive that Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Not only do you have to pay for the kids uniforms but you also have to buy all their equipment etc when the start school and pay yearly fee which came to about $200 to $300 if I remember (thats uniform & equipment & fee).

We didn't find renting a house too much of a problem and we found a 4 bed for $270 a week but was going up to $290 when we left. I thought this was reasonable. Renting at any of the beaches will cost you more, or having a pool. The real estate lady even helped us with the cleaning on the day we left, now that's what I call service! (mind you she knew we had a plane to catch). Remember though that prices have gone up slightly and the same house will probably cost $300-$320 per week rent.

When we go back I have said that we must get a house with a pool (cause I want one ). I also think that with kids it sort of helps them when making friends cause they can have a reason to invite people over.

When are you thinking about going? We went in July last time and it was chilly enough for a cardigan in the evening, daytimes were fine. However, it will help you aclimatise better.

Keep in touch Trudi, even if we don't go back to Cairns, I will be happy to lend my support anyway.

Scrawni 2

Oh, I have put a couple of photos of Cairns on the photo gallery.

Mandy

sj oldfield

Hey mandy, just wanted to say all the best with whatever you decide!!!!!!! xxxxxxxxx

sophjam

Thanks for the reply, its really good to hear from like minded people. Ive just watched a programme from the bbc about british nurses heading for cairns i hope there is still room there for us. I hope i can learn to be patient, but im the sort of girl who worries all the time. It sure looks lovely out there still, thats what makes it all worthwhile just hope the kids can settle and adapt too. thanks again keep in touch Trudi sorry we will go probably in a year if the visas come through i think thats about how long it takes at the moment, but asap

Scrawni 2

Thanks for the support guys