Janet Rutledge

Well we left the Uk on 13th August after nearly 18 months of preparation!!! Saying goodbye to loved ones was hard and although I tried not to saying godbye to my Mum was terrible and we both struggled to let each other go. I feel better knowing she will be coming over in November though

We flew with Singapore Airlines and I would thoroughly recommend them. We got the 40 kg luggage allowance without any hassle and the service was very good. We stayed in singapore for four days and had a lovely time. A singapore sling in the fabulous Raffles Hotel, Singapore Zoo which was lovely and a trip to Sentosa. We were very busy but did enjoy ourselves.

We arrived in Brisbane on 18th August and going through immigration was a bit of a let down as nothing was said about our PR visas but we were just let through. The hire car was easy to collect and we drove to our rental which is a furnished apartment in Newstead on the river. Apartment Ok and enough furniture to get by. The first day was spent registering with estate agents and getting girls enrolled into schools. Enrolments were very easy and Ellie (11) has gone into Year 7 at Kenmore State School and Sophie(16) has gone into Year 11 at Kenmore High School. Both have seemed to settle the younger one taking it all in her stride, the older one taking abit more time to adjust. Ellie went to a weeks camp after only three days of school which was good for her!! Sophie has made friends and the mobile phone has begun to ring again with her new friends although she still spends inordinate times on MSN and the phone to her friends back in the UK.

We have registerd with medicare, changed our driving licences over, applied for tax file numbers and also bought a house!! We have bought a five bedroom house in Brookfield and providing the building report and pest inspection is Ok will move in on October 29th which will give us some roots to put down. Another thing we have done is buy two cars. One for the family and one for my 18 year old and 16 year old to drive. We have gone with toyota which is a good make here so hope we have made the right decision.

So far things seem to be Ok. We miss friends and family but everyone we have met are very friendly. The weather is glorious and we are beginning to feel settled. No jobs yet but we hope to change that very soon. Lets hope that things continue to go in the rigt direction for us.

Janet and family xx

Bag End Bunch

Well done to you.
Hope your new life continues to go smoothly.
Keep in touch with the forum - you know how we like to hear news of those who have made the big move!

Alex

asher

well thanks for the update glad to hear things are going well, good luck on the jobs front

Sally Simpson

Really positive update. Glad all is going well so far & good luck with the job hunt!

suesk

Wot a lovely positive post. Good luck with the job hunting.

Suexx

Janet Rutledge

Thanks for all replies. Hope to start looking for week this week as well as trying to sort out University for second eldest son. There appears to be lots of jobs here if you are willing to do them. Apparently as most students go to Uni there is a skills shortage here so will keep you posted!! Another thing we are trying to sort out is private health insurance. it is a bit of a minefield but I am sure we will get there!!

Will keep you posted

jobo

Hi Janet, great post, you seem to have done loads in such a short space of time.
We are hoping to be over by November, and plan to put our 3 girls in Kenmore state and High School,they are 9,11 and 15 (16 in Feb)
Not sure which year she will start in?
V. encouraging to hear they have settled, they are my biggest worry, them and the spiders!!
Hope things continue to go well,
Jo

marvinc

Your there and done it

Everything sounds to be going well, good luck with your new lives

Wendy

dave7370

Glad to hear it's going well for you all. We'll be heading to Brissy straight after New Year and are really looking forward to it (although very nervous).

Who / where did you manage to arrnage your holiday rental through?

May your new start carry on as well as it has.

Dave, Chez and Jacob

Janet Rutledge

Hi Dave

We got our rental from SEQ rentals on the internet. They have loads of rentals eother unfurnished or furnished. Their website is www.seqrentals.com.au. If you know what area you want to live in it helps. Where we are staying in near to the city but we are buying a property in Brookfield which is in the western subusrbs of Brisbane. Good luck with your move.

Janet x

sophjam

Thanks for the positive post Janet all the best for the future in Brisbane x

Bernieboy

Good positive post Janet,good luck take a deep breath and chill.

somme

Pleased you have settled so quickly, very posative and gives all those still in the UK hope.

I can not get the link for the rental though Is it the correct address?

Thanks Daryl

s-jmelbournewannabe

good for you janet, and hope you get jobs secured soon x

trace141

Hi Janet,

glad to hear you are settling in...im leaving for Brisbane in dec to start a new life,i have a job at The Mater,im looking to live in Kenmore/Brookfield i have enrolled my son in Kenmore primary school, he is really looking forward to it, how are you children getting on..my son is 11 and will be going into year 7 in Jan..

Tracey