Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Well arrived in Sydney on our 457 Visa on the 29th March. Had stopped off in Singapore for 2 days to sight see and try and reduce the jetlag....didn't work!! Colleague I knew when in the UK met us at the airport and took us to our serviced accommodation. Plan was to stay there for a month until we found a plce of our own.Started work on the 1st April and now think I am getting into the swing of things.
Bank account and Tax File Number easy to sort out, walked into the bank with my passport etc and did the TFN online. Also popped down to the Immigration Office near to Central Station and got all our passports stickered with the Visa.
Work was hectic straight away which normally I like but in the back of my mind was ' where the bloody hell shall we live???'
Prior to coming out I was set on the Northern Beaches around Collaroy. Once here all I heard was 'long time to commute mate!!'. Took a drive all around the Eastern Beaches and the Northern beaches on the Sunday after we arrived. Just to get our bearings, yes, nice beaches, nice views, etc but the properties (within our range anyway) were not spectacular.
Spent the first week trying to do my job plus pumping everybody for information on where they lived etc. On the following Sunday we took the ferry to Manly...that was it...the wife was hooked!! Nice town, nice beach, nice restaurants....everything was bloody nice!! So that was added to our home list!
This week has been spent with a relocation agent showing my wife some properties in the Eastern Beaches and an area called Raleigh Park (very nice place near Kensington). She found the properties in the Eastern suburbs grotty but loved Raleigh Park. On the Wednesday they went over to Manly, looked at 8 properties, shortlisted 3 which we put applications in for, the rationale being that any of the 3 would of been great for our purposes. Having a relocation agent meant it easier getting viewings outside of the normal times and gave you a bit of kudos with the Estate Agents.
I faxed the applications over first thing Thursday morning, by 11am two of the Agents had called me saying they had been approved and did I want the property! Bloody hell, after all the horror stories I had heard the speed of it surprised me.
So decision time, I got the ferry over myself on the Thursday afternoon, checked out the properties for myself and I knew straight away which one my wife wanted, fantastic view over manly Cove out to Sydney and all mod cons with good size rooms (kitchens here are small so I wanted a decent size one).
But, I had to be realistic and gave them both a good going over in terms of presentation, floor space, rental price, etc. But the wifes favorite won it in the end, just because I knew that she had to be there all day so why not make it a place she felt happy in!
So moving to Manly in our new home next Saturday the 18th!! Its a 2 bed apartment on $700 a week. It is at the top of our range but its worth it, but it is right, you pay extra for the views...but what a view!!
Today....had our first Yum Cha lunch...fabulous!!!
Hope you all have success coming over!
Paddy, Kelly and Calum

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Nice to hear things are falling into place for you. It must be scary sitting at work wondering where you will live etc! My OH and I (subject to 457 visa granted) will be moving in July and will also rent. We were in Sydney over New Year and spent some time in Manly and thoroughly enjoyed it and share your view that is is very attractive place. My job is in North Sydney so would be approx 1hr commute and therefore we will try to find somewhere nearer.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

It was scary, not least cos I am a complete control freak and was out of my comfort zone!! 1 hour commute is not unusual by the way!! Just like the UK it depends on the time you travel. But as we are on a 3 year 457 we thought we should at least try and enjoy the 'style' while we can and not just live in a grey house in a grey street that could be any other city, has to have the views and lifestyle with it.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Hi Paddyo
Glad thing are working out for you. We have a similar attitude about where to live, though $700 is just above our price range, more like $600. I dont need to commute other than once a every three weeks to the airport, so not too fussed about where, other than nice, place with nice view and things. How did you get a relocation agent - was this something the company provided? We have been looking at Manly, Mosman, Coogee etc.
Maybe i will see you at one of the Sydney meet up - we will be in Singapore 4 weeks today

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Best of luck, Paddyo. :thumbup:

We looked at Manly, Mosman, etc., but I thought it might be a bit yummy mummy over there for me. No kids, no SUV, no designer handbag, what to do? ;)

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

I understand the control freak attitude - regrettably I am too. To the extent that I am capable of rationalising and taking the no risk option of staying in UK. However, at late 30's looking for some more excitement and adventure that Australia will provide. I was never too fussed about the place until two years ago, first trip, we had our first night in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. When we arrived and stepped out of the car the smell of eucalyptus was so strong and the town setting idyllic it felt like paradise and we fell for Aus then. Any tips / links on sorting out pensions? We know the score re Super - we are more interested in pension planning when we return in 2-4 years time. I am transferring with my UK company.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

lol......well in defence of my wife I think she is yummy...but, certainly not a SUV or PTA type...just a down to earth gorgeous wife and mother. No designer handbag either....just a recycle food bag from Woolworths!! The good thing about Manly is that there is no 'beach god/goddess' must have look...its very accepting of us normal bloaters!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Company provided the relocation agent...only cos I pushed them to do so!!
I was looking at $650 being my max rental but it is manic here at the moment and the places in Coogeee were crap! I def recommend Raleigh Park, close to Coogee and City and the best of both worlds, plus a nice gated community, just no places when we were looking!
But as soon as my wife saw the place in Manly we were doomed!! Has it all for us, as a one child family, and Manly has everything you need and then some!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Would love to help but personal finance and pensions is not my forte!!
I already have a very good RN pension so am using my own company pension as a back up/holiday money!! When returning you can transfer your Super payments back into your UK fund, will be like you have never been away!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

BTW.......if going to Singapore, try Sentosa Island...velly good!!! Plus Vivo City is the big Mall there, also its the main entrance to Sentosa!! Recommend both very highly!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Paddyo...

we are a early 30's couple with a 3 yr old boy..have a 457 sponsorship going through at the moment and are hoping to get out to sydney in late september...my wife loves Manly too and we have been looking online at properties to rent..

got a question for you..i am going to be working in chatswood...is it feasable would you say to commute on public transport from Manly each day??

we are moving out from Dublin, my commute to work in the mornings can be anything up to 1hr..but coming home can sometimes take 2!!..hoping to not have that sort of scenario out there..

also..we are looking to rent an unfurnished place out there..ideally 3 beds..but 2 would do...is your place rented furnished??


thanks.

Russ

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Thanks Paddyo.
Dont know if we will get to Sentosa as we are only staying one night and will probably just try and relax, maybe when we fly again

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Hi, use this link http://www.131500.info/realtime/newjourney.asp to check your routes and times. Just find two streets in both towns and use them as reference points for your journey. The bottleneck in the area is a place called Spit Bridge, but, bus lanes work well there and they shoot past the rest of the traffic. Check out that site and see what is brings up.
As for rental, we have a 2 bed unfurnished (most of the long term lets here are unfurnished) as our furniture is on its way from UK. For a 3 bed place that will be expensive,but, if you are prepared to not be close to the sea you could find a place with some searching around.
By the way, Dubliners are not allowed in Manly....only Limerick boys!! lol

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

lol....relax.....that was our plan, to try and reduce the jet lag. We did a night flight thinking it was the best option but not so sure now. We got to Singapore at 2.30pm, none of us had slept on the flight and when we hit the bed we were out for the light, woke up briefly at 11pm and then the next thing we knew it was 10am!!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Did you fly Singapore Air? We are. Where did you stay - we have booked the Ritz Carlton. Not sure how far that is from the resort, but might try and get there on the second day as we arrive early morning on the sunday and leave the evening on the monday

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Yes, Singapore Air. Baggage was 25k each with as many bags as we wanted. Hand luggage PLUS laptops/shopping etc.
We stayed at the Silosi Beach Resort on Sentosa Island. Don't know where Ritz Carlton is.
Singapore Airport is very clean, almost serene at times compared to Heathrow. Loads of food and retails outlets.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Stormy, if you want to go to Sentosa you can get the MRT (subway) from City Hall, the nearest to the Ritz Carlton, to Dhoby Ghaut interchange. Change to another line and get the MRT to Harbourfront. which adjoins Vivo City, the newish mall Paddyo mentioned. Will take you about 15 mins in all.

Alternatively if you are wandering round Chinatown, you can get there directly from Chinatown MRT.

From Harbourfront you can take the Cable Car to Sentosa, alternatively the little monorail train or a Sentosa bus. Once on the island, buses around it are free. (You pay S$2pp to get onto the island.)

TBH it's not all that, it's very man-made (including the beach) and for such a quick trip I wouldn't bother going - but then I am a jaded Asia-dweller. :lol:

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Seasider, I say the same thing about Stonehenge!!!!! But visitors love it!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Thanks Seasider and Paddyo. It will depend on how hard the OH wants to hit the shops lol

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

oh dear......you really don't know her at all do you!!!!! lol

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Hi, glad that you are enjoying yourself out there! Friends went for saefood dinner in Manly on Sat eve...ho hum...

Please can you let me know who you used as a reloaction agent...

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Hi Paddy, Nice to hear that you are happy in Sydney. We will be there end of June. I have one question - how long do you think it will take you to commute between Manly and work? OH will be working in Paddington and we thought and heard that the commute would be long... So we are looking at the eastern suburbs.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

It was provided by my company, I will endeavor to find out for you. To be honest I did a lot of research myself and used them to ferry my wife around looking at the properties. The best thing about them is that Estate Agents give you better kudos for having a relocation agent, almost does away with your need for all those references.
We also had a seafood dinner there last saturday week.....living the dream!!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

For Paddington the Eastern Suburbs will be the quickest for commuting, seriously check out Raleigh Park in Kensington if any places are available, it is superb. But , come on, its Sydney!!! Gotta be a beach place hasn't it!!! And catching a ferry into work taking a half hour, or 15 mins by jetcat, cruise every morning just sounds soooo good!!
From Manly to Paddington would be 1 hour max at peak time, which includes half hour on the ferry drinking coffee and reading the morning papers!! Sexual chocolate!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

thanks Paddy - should you not be asleep now...:)

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

nah....we are 9 hours ahead of you. Bizarrely daylight saving time here is reversed, we go BACK in spring, not forward so usually 11 hours ahead but not during DST.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Millie, any reason you wouldn't fancy living in Paddington? You'll find some lovely old terraced houses on side streets there, and Oxford Street is a very cool place to go shopping and eating.

We would probably have rented there if my husband wasn't going to work way up the North Shore.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Hi Seasider, my husband is joining the army and they have houses all over, however I don't yet know what's available. We would of course prefer a short commute. We also have 2 young kids - so have to find a place we all enjoy. Suppose I have to wait till I'm there and then decide :) I have newer been to Sydney so I'm just reading posts to see what other people recommend. Thank you for your tip though :)

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Paddy it sounds as though things are slotting in to place nicely for you, good luck with the manly apartment,

I liked manly a lot but felt it was a bit too crowded at weekends in the summer I prefer Cronulla which is similar but a cheaper area and a bit further out :thumbsup:

You are right your wife is the one who will really live in the apartment so it is good for her to be happy in it. Enjoy yourselves :thumbsup:

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

The relocation agent chosen by my company was Australia Wide Relocations, just add .com to that name and thats their website.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Yeah, Cronulla is nice but the distance killed it for me, but you never know, we may get a bit fed up of the glitz of Manly!!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

THANKS!!! unless you want me to pay your wife and she can be my relocation agent...haha, might as well get paid for your knowledge!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

You may jest but she did mention that. What better way to get sorted in a new city than to have a fellow ex pat showing you around and knowing how the rental market works over here. Lucky she has a satnav, she gets lost going round the corner!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Paddyo,

can i ask..are you working in Sydney city centre??

if so..how long does it take you to get in from Manly?

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

I am working in Wooloomooloo on Garden Island, the navy yard. Bearing in mind my apartment is literally yards from Manly ferry its the half hour ferry, or 15 mins jetcat, plus the 15 min walk. There are plenty of buses/trains into the centre of the CBD if you would rather not walk.

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Sexual Chocolate indeed, sounds just fab! Glad you and Mrs paddyo have settled in. Going to check out the places you recommend. :)

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Sure, if you want any newbie advice just let me know!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Aw, thanks. Hopefully the Visa is around the corner for us and then we book the flights to validate. I did take a look at Manly, superb and pricey:eek: But you know, I agree, it's the whole lifestyle thing that attracts us and sitting on the 7.08 from Marylebone this morning couldn't possibly compare to a latte onboard a ferry in the bright sunshine!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

Exactement mon ami!!!!

The way we see it, if it becomes to expensive and we are suffering financially then we'll just move inland a bit. We could get exactly the same property for $400pw vice the $700pw we are paying but then we wouldn't have the location or view!

Re: Sydney - Two weeks in!!
 

I lived in Raleigh Park for a while. Fabulous place. Our apartment was on the 10th floor with grandstand views of the city and backed onto Moore Park golf course. Its only 10mins drive to Coogee beach too!