Help - moving to Brisbane in six weeks

[Lulou]

Hi, we were all set to try life in Perth from xmas and then my DH landed a job in Brisbane so we have to be out there in six weeks! I have 2DD's and a DS. The girls are currently in Nursery and Reception and we need to find somewhere to live and a good school. I have never been to Brisbane or even anywhere in Oz except for Perth. I would be grateful for any tips as we are currently trying to sort out a rental. Have been looking at Manly as it is close to the beach but really don't know any of the suburbs - are there any I should stay away from?. Does anyone recommend any good schools. I will not be working to start with as my DS is only one but will be looking for toddler groups. My girls also are in lots of gym, swim and dance clubs, I know sport is big in OZ but are there many clubs for little ones. It's all a bit scary!!

[Paranoid1stTimer]

Sorry I can't help - we are meant to be moving to Melbourne at some point (have visa's but can't sell house etc at the moment...... sigh)

Anyway, you should post your questions on British Expats message board. They have brilliant advice and lots of people there will likely have been in something similar to your situation.

britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

[Paranoid1stTimer]

britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

[PestoEatsPasties]

My lovely neighbour moved there last year and they have settled in Wellington Point. Her DS's go to a nice primary school there.

[Lulou]

Thanks, I think my husband has been on there but not asked the children questions!! We have given up trying to sell and rented the house out instead. Good luck though, I've heard melbourne is lovely. I'll have a look at Wellington Point thanks xx

[Lulou]

Thanks, I think my husband has been on there but not asked the children questions!! We have given up trying to sell and rented the house out instead. Good luck though, I've heard melbourne is lovely. I'll have a look at Wellington Point thanks xx

[chloeb2002]

Hello I live in brisbane well northern brisbane, caboolture, and we love it! I have two children atm one in year 2, dd, who loves trampoline and swimming and ds who is 2 and enjoys going to kindy gym. We find all the kids stuff is so much cheaper than in the uk. The climate here is great for kids stuff and all kinds of out doors soports are around. DD was going to do nippers but i have been warned our local one is a bit clicky so ive avoided it for now!.
Schools were tricky as they are very different to the uk and the biggest problem i had was that some schools have huge bristish populations which make them a bit like little britain.... in this area bribie schools and north lakes would be the main areas full of brits and the schools attract the same problems as english schools seem to. however dd now goes to a private school, ( private schools in australia tend o be church run but being religious is not a pre requisite!) and she loves it and is doing really well. The fees are nothing like uk private schools. We pay $2000 a year for dd which is less than nursery one day a week for ds!whats more she is happy!
There are lots of organisations like PCYC that run childrens activities cheaply. They do dance and gymnastics at alot of them or tumbling and tramp like dd does. It costs me $6 a lesson for tramp with an accreditated coach. Areas to lie depend where ypu want t be and what kind of place you want to rent? if you want acreage then id head out of the city a bit but if you want to be in the city then id head to new farm. I dont know much about manly im afraid. But i would be wary about alot of seaside places. Bribie island is lovely and lots of brits there! but i wouldnt reccomend the school. DDs school is St pauls lutheran primary. which is a fifteen minute drive from bribie. But again it depends how far out you want to live and where dh's job s. My Dh is based in Brunswick street and gets the express train to the city which takes 45 mins.
Hope that helps!

[eidsvold]

Hey chloe how are you.

I am a Brisbane girl born and bred and love it. I would look where your dh is to be based and then make a decision. As well as seaside on the southside there is the whole Bribie Island area as well as Redcliffe on the northside.

My dh works in the city and he catches the same express train that chloe's dh does and is in the city in no time.

I can echo everything chloe says regarding activities for kids and things to do. In fact I live not far from North Lakes and it is very much a little britain - for some people that is what they want. For others - not so there are so many places you could choose to live. We are about 15 minutes drive from the Redcliffe area, 30 minutes to rainforest for bush walking - 5 minutes from a lovely dam park. 2 minutes from fabulous markets.

[chloeb2002]

Hi eidsvold.. all well here.. just a bit b##dy cold!

[eidsvold]

oh yes - I make a fetching site in my fleecy dressing gown pj's and slippers these days.

[Lulou]

Hi Chloeb2002 and eidsvold. Thanks for the advice. My main concern is school for the kids. MyDD1 is doing really well at the mo here and don't want that to change. My DH is going to be working in Balmoral High school but we didn't know if we should try and stay out of the city. We currently live 10 minutes from Newcastle and have a sports centre at the end of the street so are not used to travelling far. I know this will not be the case in oz but i just want to be near to a child friendly beach have a decent size garden for the children to play and be close to a good primary/Kindy. Currently looking for a 3/4 by 2 rental. Is there anywhere we should avoid? Someone mentioned Manly was good for kids so was looking there but when I googled for gym clubs everything seems to be nearer brisbane. Any advice would be great as I really know nothing !! I read back about spiders hiding in toy cars and nearly cancelled the flights! xx

[chloeb2002]

depending where you live theres no reason why you woulnt have a sports centre on the doorstep! There are far more here than in the uk! wynum is a nice area... no idea about schools there tho! i know theres a good pcyc at wynum as dd does tramp comps there! so lots for the kids...spiders yes.. there are some.... big shoe gets rid of them if they upset you! how long are you looking at staying in brisbane? is it just a trip or a permenent move? and will you be working here too?... so is wynum/ manly good for you to gte a job etc?

[thumbwitch]

I don't know anything about the area and therefore can't help with schools etc...
but whenever you get there, do go to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Their website isn't playing the game at the mo or I'd have linked to it - but wiki tells you all about it. I love it there - have been twice but am in NSW now so not much opportunity to go!

Pack some warm clothes - you probably won't need them as much as we do in NSW or Victoria but don't take any chances!