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What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Old Apr 24th 2008, 10:26 pm
  #136  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Bunna_Wabbit

Hi Andy,

As as someone who has lived (Sandringham) and worked (St.Kilda Rd) in Melbourne for a year before moving to live and work in Brisbane for another two years here is my honest opinion on that: (Please PM me if you need specifics.)

I moved to Melbourne only because I already had a job offer. Like many people, I had never ever been to OZ before moving to Melbourne 'Lock stock and barrel' but I had some pre-conceived ideas that Oz was a place of sun, surf and BBQ's. The day I landed it was October time (Spring) Anyway, I remember my first impressions were that it was a wet and windy day and the city skyline looked a bit dull. As the weeks and months went by I realised it was a big sprawling city with very changeable weather ( the saying four seasons in one day is oh so true) Summer can be very hot but come winter, boy is it cold - usually just a few degrees above zero overnight but the houses are not built anything like the UK ones with double glazing and central heating and so you do feel it more.

Anyway, Brisbane is approx 1000 miles from Melbourne - just think of that for a moment - it is like moving from Manchester to Morocco ! My first visit there to see friends felt like one of my previous trips to Florida or somewhere like that ( I now think of the place as Florida but without the Americans !) For me, being in Melbourne was like being in Manchester and I didn't travel 12000 miles for that ! So now I live in Brissy with my nice consistent weather (winters are superb) and my cool pool. I could never see the point of Pools in Melbourne. Yes, humidity is high for a month or two but the rest of the year the weather is great and my boat gets plenty of use even in July. - I guess it all depends what lifestyle you want - Melbourne has plenty to offer in many ways - but I have seen enough of Manchester to last a lifetime!

Rural Victoria, the Great Ocean Road and Rural New South Wales are all very nice and Sydney is great to visit. Perth is nice too but oh so far from anywhere else on the continent. Brisbane has so much to offer - 1hr flight to Sydney, 2hrs to Melbourne or Cairns. Easy drive to Gold and Sunshine Coasts too plus all their attractions.

I suspect that if I didn’t need to work I would probably like to live even further north like Port Douglas or Cairns but there are some downsides to that which make this area look ideal. (Crocs, Stingers, Cyclones). If you already have a job offer in Melbourne then absolutely go for it - you can always move on. Otherwise, I know my wife thinks that a visit to the hairdressers is not cheap up here and they always seem to need more of them just like most other trades. Property is slightly cheaper here too (but rising).

Interestingly, some other friends of ours have just done exactly the same thing (moved up here after a year or so down there. They are UK Expats too.

- Best of luck to everyone whatever their preference...
Fantastic post, really well put.

What Bunna is pointing out here, and something that may get overlooked, is no city is better than another here, it very much depends on the individual for their likes and dislikes. If you feel like you've seen enough Manchester London, or other European cities, then Brisbane or Perth or Adelaide may well be for you. I've got different tastes and need the buzz of a big city to keep me feeling part of the human race. My main dislike is empty desolate places, no matter how beautiful they are, I've seen enough of those to last a lifetime, to the point of almost inducing agacrophobia.well a strong sense of lets get back to civilisation, Probably because I've been here so long and there are so many of them. Weather is not a major factor for me either, as long as I get that city buzz I'm fulfilled. The surrounds of Melbourne does have it's beautiful places, I can see that for majority Qlds climate means they can enjoy outdoor pursuits on many more days of the year.

One major thing to bear in mind though, what you think you may like or dislike may change if your exposed for long enough. I really did enjoy the great outdoors for my first 10 years or so here, now I'd prefer to go to a museum or art gallery or see some interesting architecture.
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Old Apr 26th 2008, 5:08 am
  #137  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by ausi dream
Hi Kathymarie i don't know if you are still posting but i have just read your thread and glad every thing is going well for you, but i wanted to ask you about the bit you said about quote "Driving licences are easy to change over. It takes 10 minutes at a centre with I.D and it is done.
We went to Brisbane up by Redcliffe and my husband had to do a theory test and then when he had passed the marks needed had his picture took for the licence is this what you had to do.
If not then i would like to know as yours sounds a lot easier.
Many thanks.
Hi,
You no longer need to take the theory test.We went to Chermside with our passports and UK driving licences.Took about half an hour for both of us-too easy!!
Andy
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Old May 10th 2008, 8:50 am
  #138  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Hi,

It was really positive reading your post as me and my partner arrive in Brisbane in just 4 weeks time. We are travelling on a 12month visa whilst the main skilled workers visa is half way through the process. Hopefully should be granted within these 12 months.

I'd love to pick your brains on quite afew things!!

We are looking to rent in Forest Lake area and have been in contact with afew agents, but it's not looking hopeful trying to secure a property before we leave the uk, as we have lived with my parents for the past 5years and have no evidence of previous rent/agents etc. I've sent evidence of our funds and filled applications as best as I can with contact details of Andrews (my boyfriends) future boss in Oz, who is willing to view properties for us.

Anyhow, have you any advice on the quickest way to rent a property soon after we arrive? as I suspect we'll have to book into a cheap hotel near Forst lake for a couple of weeks to start - even having trouble finding cheap accommodation for that!!! :curse:

Also, could you provide a link/info. on car auctions in this area, as this is something we'll definately need as soon as we arrive.

Any extra information on living in Forest Lake would be much appreciated. I'd love to know the cheapest place to buy:
- Furniture
- Kitchen Appliances
- Groceries

Everything you need when your starting from scratch!

Sorry for all the questions, i'm trying to get as much info. before we leave as this is a huge step for us. We have lived with my parents since being together whilst we've saved for Australia and I feel abit naive to the whole renting procedure

Thanks.

I'M SO STRESSED !!!
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Old May 10th 2008, 12:25 pm
  #139  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

nicrock - Good old Wigan ummmm Pools pies !

Anyway, I would recommend somewhere like this for your first few weeks accomodation (give you time to find a rental) It's compact and cheap but also clean and tidy. http://brisbane-northside-caravan-vi...com.au/public/. Maybe rent a car for the first few weeks too until you find the best places to buy http://www.eastcoastcarrentals.com.a...FQY_agoduhaBww - there are others of course. I guess IKEA or local stores are as good as any for furniture (you might need to hire a ute to carry that shopping). Lots of furniture bargains can be had on ebay.com.au too! & "The Good Guys" for appliances.

Good Luck !
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Old May 10th 2008, 12:33 pm
  #140  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

You might find some helpful tips on this thread.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...highlight=IKEA
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Old May 11th 2008, 12:11 am
  #141  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by nicrock

We are looking to rent in Forest Lake area and have been in contact with afew agents, but it's not looking hopeful trying to secure a property before we leave the uk, as we have lived with my parents for the past 5years and have no evidence of previous rent/agents etc. I've sent evidence of our funds and filled applications as best as I can with contact details of Andrews (my boyfriends) future boss in Oz, who is willing to view properties for us.

Anyhow, have you any advice on the quickest way to rent a property soon after we arrive? as I suspect we'll have to book into a cheap hotel near Forst lake for a couple of weeks to start - even having trouble finding cheap accommodation for that!!! :curse:

Also, could you provide a link/info. on car auctions in this area, as this is something we'll definately need as soon as we arrive.

Any extra information on living in Forest Lake would be much appreciated. I'd love to know the cheapest place to buy:
- Furniture
- Kitchen Appliances
- Groceries

Everything you need when your starting from scratch!

!
If you browse through the main forum HERE you will find lots of the answers
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Old May 11th 2008, 6:53 pm
  #142  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Bunna_Wabbit -

Thanks for your advise it's really helpful.

I'll definately be glad to see the back of Wigan weather!!

Thunder storms today in whats supposed to be our summer, typical!

Well, almost in OZ 4 weeks to go
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Old May 11th 2008, 9:08 pm
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by nicrock

Thunder storms today in whats supposed to be our summer, typical!
Better get used to that if you're heding for Queensland......
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Old May 12th 2008, 4:24 am
  #144  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by nicrock
Bunna_Wabbit -
Thunder storms today in whats supposed to be our summer, typical!
well yeah - typical Brisbane summers day would have you wake up (in a sweat) set outside to feel the 30C heat at 7am and enjoy the bright blue skies.. (so bright that it hurts and sunglasses will become your bestest friend)...

By lunchtime its 36C and so sticky that all you can do is look out the window and sweat - stepping outside is like stepping into a sauna...and despite being outside you feel like you want to open a window 'cos its so stuffy....

Early afternoon you (and your colleagues at work) start eyeing the increasingly cloudy sky nervously and checking the radar frequently to see where todays storms are and if you need to move the car inside... http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/ID...ange=true#skip

By 4pm the storm gets close and then within 10 minutes the sky goes black, temperature drops 5 or 6 degrees and from nowhere out of a completely still day a wind blusters around and rain falls... not wussy UK rain - but proper 'big fat' rain - first a couple of drops like a seagull defocating on pavement from 2000ft - but then a complete downpour... the thunder rumbles - first in the dstrance but soon directly over head with huge CRACKS of lightening... the rain hardens to hail and you all watch out he window at the poor souls driving outside in their increasingly pock-marked cars.

Within 15 minutes the rain has stopped the clouds cleared and the hummidity outside has gone... You wander out and enjoy the calm - and marvel at the steaming pavement....

30 minutes later again and all the rain has evaporated and the hummidity is back - its back up to 33C.....



If you like weather - Brisbane can be great!

Last edited by DadAgain; May 12th 2008 at 4:29 am.
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Old May 12th 2008, 10:11 am
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

DadAgain

Such a good description and so true (at least for my first Brisbane summer but the last two summers seemed a little more tame). Still, well worth it for the other 9 months of perfect !
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Old May 29th 2008, 2:20 pm
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and just been looking through afew of your posts. I've got afew questions so was wondering if anyone could give a bit of advise. Last year we were granted our visas for Australia and in the summer sold our house, packed up and went to start a new life in Perth. We decided on Perth becasue after months of research felt it was most suitable for us and our 7 children aged between 3 and 20. We were there afew months and knew it wasnt for us. It was too quiet, we were surprised at how small the city was and most importantly so surprised at the fact everywhere shut at 5pm! This i am not used to. What does everybody do?! Anyway we ended on coming back to the UK to sort afew things out but are intending on going back out to Australia permanently this summer but to which part i'm not sure. Any advise anyone? We are seriously considering Brisbane after hereing many good things about it. Basically were just after a better life style; seeking better weather, cheaper cost of living close by to the beaches and cafes.
If anyone has ever been to Brisbane i would be grateful to here abit about it. Whats it like in general, do all the shops shut at 5pm like in Perth, is it more modern than Perth (since we felt it was quiet dated compared to the UK), what are the people like, whats the cost of living like out there? Any information generally would be appreciated. Sorry for all the questions, its just a bit decision.
Thanks
Jemma
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Old May 29th 2008, 3:53 pm
  #147  
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by 1jemma1
Hi,
I'm new to this forum and just been looking through afew of your posts. I've got afew questions so was wondering if anyone could give a bit of advise. Last year we were granted our visas for Australia and in the summer sold our house, packed up and went to start a new life in Perth. We decided on Perth becasue after months of research felt it was most suitable for us and our 7 children aged between 3 and 20. We were there afew months and knew it wasnt for us. It was too quiet, we were surprised at how small the city was and most importantly so surprised at the fact everywhere shut at 5pm! This i am not used to. What does everybody do?! Anyway we ended on coming back to the UK to sort afew things out but are intending on going back out to Australia permanently this summer but to which part i'm not sure. Any advise anyone? We are seriously considering Brisbane after hereing many good things about it. Basically were just after a better life style; seeking better weather, cheaper cost of living close by to the beaches and cafes.
If anyone has ever been to Brisbane i would be grateful to here abit about it. Whats it like in general, do all the shops shut at 5pm like in Perth, is it more modern than Perth (since we felt it was quiet dated compared to the UK), what are the people like, whats the cost of living like out there? Any information generally would be appreciated. Sorry for all the questions, its just a bit decision.
Thanks
Jemma
Hi jemma,

I stayed in Brisbane for around 4 months last year and i loved it... But the thing is, different parts of Australia suit different people. I liked it because it was much quieter than london and bristol and you still get the bars and clubs when you look for them. I think if you are after a place where the shops stay open 24/7 then i don't think Australia is for you at all as every where is similar. The reason most people look to migrate to Aus is because the way of life is slower and more relaxed.I spent a few months in sydney and even for the most popular city in Aus it was still very layed back compared to London and Bristol.

I've never been to Perth so it's hard for me to compare it with Brisbane but out of all the East coast cities it was by far the best for me.
I know your situation is quite difficult having kids but i found the best thing was to go and visit a few places for a month or two and get a good feel for it.

Good luck
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Old May 30th 2008, 7:06 am
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by LeeLee
Hi jemma,

I stayed in Brisbane for around 4 months last year and i loved it... But the thing is, different parts of Australia suit different people. I liked it because it was much quieter than london and bristol and you still get the bars and clubs when you look for them. I think if you are after a place where the shops stay open 24/7 then i don't think Australia is for you at all as every where is similar. The reason most people look to migrate to Aus is because the way of life is slower and more relaxed.I spent a few months in sydney and even for the most popular city in Aus it was still very layed back compared to London and Bristol.

I've never been to Perth so it's hard for me to compare it with Brisbane but out of all the East coast cities it was by far the best for me.
I know your situation is quite difficult having kids but i found the best thing was to go and visit a few places for a month or two and get a good feel for it.

Good luck

If you want to live in a very vibrant city in Australia than perhaps Sydney or Melbourne would suit you better. In Melbourne shops are open every day of the week, until 9pm on Thursday, Friday and most large supermarkets are open until midnight or at least 10pm. My cousin went to Perth for work reasons and he found it very slow in comparison to Melbourne and he thought it was about 20 years behind Melb. in many ways. Mind you he is a young single guy so people have different needs and expectations depending on their situation. Perth might suit people who are after a slower, laid back lifestyle. Melbourne has a vibrant arts scene, buzzing restaurants from every corner of the globe, tonnes of nightlife, art galleries, museums, music festivals, arts festivals, pne of the worlds largest food and wine festival which goes for the whole month of March, movie festivals, comedy festivals, jazz festivals etc. etc. You can't get bored in Melbourne as there is always something on if that is what you are after. Probably same goes for Sydney. You need to weigh up the pros and cons of each place. Best to spend a few days in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and see what you think.

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Old May 30th 2008, 2:28 pm
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Smile Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Hi thanks for your comments i found them really useful.

To anyone out there what would you say were Brisbanes pros and cons for families living out there?
What has put us off living in Melborne is the weather - its too unpredictable and one of the main reasons for the move is to get better weather which allows you to live a better quality of life i think.
Whats put us off Sydney is its cost, house prices are just too expensive for us and Adalaide, we've heard that although its the cheaper place to live, it isnt as adavnced and is a lot quieter.
Someone we know who has been to Brisbane described it as been more of a cafe culture, to anyone who has been would you say this is true? Our ideal life would be to live not to far away from a beach, schools, parks but with afew shopping facilitise close by but in a reasonable distance to the city. Would you say this would be possiblke to get in Brisbane?
Also heard that the cost of living out there i.e. cost of food is comparable to the UK these days. Would you say this was true?
Compared to the UK would you say Brisbane was not as advanced - Do they have places like Starbucks and Pizza Hut - essentials for my Kids we've been told they have.
3 of the kids are considering going into higher education out there i.e. University. What is Brisbane like for universities?
Sorry again for my many questions but it would be great if anyone could give me there opinion.
Jemma
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Old May 31st 2008, 12:08 am
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Default Re: What it is really like moving to Brisbane!!!!!!

Originally Posted by 1jemma1
Hi thanks for your comments i found them really useful.

To anyone out there what would you say were Brisbanes pros and cons for families living out there?
What has put us off living in Melborne is the weather - its too unpredictable and one of the main reasons for the move is to get better weather which allows you to live a better quality of life i think.
Whats put us off Sydney is its cost, house prices are just too expensive for us and Adalaide, we've heard that although its the cheaper place to live, it isnt as adavnced and is a lot quieter.
Someone we know who has been to Brisbane described it as been more of a cafe culture, to anyone who has been would you say this is true? Our ideal life would be to live not to far away from a beach, schools, parks but with afew shopping facilitise close by but in a reasonable distance to the city. Would you say this would be possiblke to get in Brisbane?
Also heard that the cost of living out there i.e. cost of food is comparable to the UK these days. Would you say this was true?
Compared to the UK would you say Brisbane was not as advanced - Do they have places like Starbucks and Pizza Hut - essentials for my Kids we've been told they have.
3 of the kids are considering going into higher education out there i.e. University. What is Brisbane like for universities?
Sorry again for my many questions but it would be great if anyone could give me there opinion.
Jemma
Hi Jemma,

We have 4 kids and our house is loud but 7!!! you feeling ok? Granted 3 of em are babies but all the same....

Well we live in Mountain Creek on the Sunshine Coast. We are 1hr 15 ish from CBD Brisbane, about 1HR from Southbank Brissie. We have Sunshine Coast University (sippydowns) 8 mins away(car). Maroochydore is 10 or so minutes away, with a shopping plaza and loads of retail parks open past 5pm, late some nites till 9pm and open sundays. We have starbucks in Mooloolabah on the Esplanade & its a great beach (a bit hotel/touristy, but better than Alexandra Headland). Surf clubs good, skate park at Alex headland. Mountain Creek State School very good but quite large.

plenty of Soccer clubs for the boys AND girls.. my 11 yr old daughter plays for Buderim Wanderers and loves it.

We are 20ish minutes away from Australia Zoo, Glasshouse mountains. Coolum, Peregian and 30 mins from Noosa (hastings st)

Shopping is expensive here compared to UK for food, BUT i now go to ALDI in Noosa for a 'good' shop every couple of weeks & it helps. its a better quality shop than the ones in the UK. You see all the 'big cars' in the carpark and you have to stick a dollar in the trolley so no chance of them going missing!

As for lifestyle it's so amazing, every day is wonderful, yes we do have a bit of stormy weather in the summer but May has been beautiful (just like UK summer, but with cooler nites) it goes dark earlier here but you get used to it. summer around 7ish and winter around 4:45ish... (correct me if i'm wrong )

My husband goes surfing a couple of times a week after work and on Sunday, i hit the beach most days (only 5mins in car to Mooloolabah, the local) there are some really nice places to visit here, Buderim is beautiful as is Peregian, Coolum, Noosa, Glasshouse Mountains, Palmwoods, Mooloolah Valley, Eumundi and Montville is gorg if you're ok with heights (i screamed virtually all the way up and down and i have a 4x4! was very funny looking back, had to get FIL to take over driving on way back!)

I'm sold!

Good luck mate. S-j xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Oh Average 4 bed 2 dlug here is about $550k and rent on that would be around $425 ish a week, difficult to find rentals though and even harder in summer months. I secured mine from UK before i left a gamble but worth it for the peace of mind, it was pretty new so didnt think it would have any major issues...) If you need owt give me a shout.

Last edited by s-jmelbournewannabe; May 31st 2008 at 12:12 am.
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