Is there a 'living in Australia' thread like the NZ one? Because we're moving and I have SO many questions.

[PinotGreedy]

I just wondered if there is a regular thread where the MNers currently living in Australia / thinking of moving to Australia / have always lived in Australia hang out, discuss stuff, and help each other? I could really do with some 'on the ground' help right now!

[PinotGreedy]

Ha ha, Milly! What you describe there for suggested day structure is just about my idea of a nightmare. Let's just say I'm not really the SAHM type. Thinking about it now, maybe I'll aim for a few days a week doing that sort of thing with the kids (river, gardens, playgroups, etc) and two days on my own doing the 'jobs' like house finding and banks. We now know which hotel they are putting us in so I will search for some childcare around there to get started. But it seems very CBD to me, so I'm not sure what will be on offer nearby.

[chloeb2002]

We live in brisbane. Own our own place after renting. Neither in fact none of our places have aircon and number one on our list when we bought was putting a pool in! I guess each to there own! We find only a couple if weeks it's too hot bad uncomfortable. It's worse that it's cold in the winter! Like 11 degrees tonight. But feels much colder!
Schools. Age appropriate.statistically if you accelerate a year they will do worse by year 12. Our dd was offered acceleration into year 1 from prep. Best advice ever. Now she will be 18 when she leaves school and is happily still top of her year. Confidently looking for an op1 to do law or Physio.
Renting.. We rented from a holiday. Sorry can t remember beyond references and bond that we needed anything else. No credit check. We had no aus bank. We paid bond plus rent for 2 months till we returned.
Areas brisbane vary in prices. We are northern suburbs. Near bribie. Northlakes is little Britain, if you like lots if other Brits.. Then so is bribie .. I'm a nurse I commute to the city to work. Dh is a business consultant.. Works in f valley and all of aus.
Kids go to a private p to 12 school after an epic fail in state school
So much depends what you want!
We love being outside. Sporty kids. Swim, we wanted acreage to have horses, in fact just been and bought dd a new horse today! We love close enough to the city to commute, 10 mins to white beaches, on acreage for horses, big home.
That's why we came.
Childcare is ok. Daycare centres, family daycare mums, we have au pairs. Again each to their own.

[Millytint]

Hmmm sorry Pinot! Missed the mark, I am not a sahm, but was able to do it as was finishing mat leave when we moved and it was all new. Dd was 5 and ds 8 months when we moved so a different kettle of fish. Depends on your kids I guess, childcare might help normalise things. I found a job after six months and that helped me settle. Funny that one of the things we thought we wanted to achieve with a move was both of us working less...it turns out we packed ourselves in our suitcase. We work the same, though the pace of life is a bit slower so weekends are more gentle and often at the beach.

[Millytint]

Chloe, thanks for your input re: the schools, ah appropriate is my gut, and wow your dd has done well :).

[Mutley77]

I think you are right about getting your kids organised with something to do. I had kind of under estimated the need for that and planned to have them out of school for 8-12 weeks. Thank god we found a permanent rental after 2-3 weeks and although we couldn't move in (waiting for furniture) the school enrolled the children on the basis of our rental agreement even though our serviced apartment (where we were living to start with) was not in the school catchment area.

I was hoping to get DD moved up a year as she was working well above her year level in the UK anyway. However, the principal of her school has very firm ideas about things and didn't really give me a chance to push that, I later found out that she and the class teacher had discussed and discounted it with no reference to DH & I - but anyway it has worked well really as DD was able to focus on settling emotionally given the school work was very easy!! And actually although I have heart palpitations sometimes about the education system here (it is far more laid back and IMO far less academic) I see the positives for what they are and trust that all will work out in the end. The positive include great sport opportunities, better confidence building, more child-focused education and for us far better facilities meaning a more comfortable/easy school life.

[PinotGreedy]

Thanks chloeb, that's incredibly useful. Well done to your DD! And more importantly () how exciting that you have horses! I am horsy myself! One of my big regrets in leaving the UK is that my friend has finally agreed to sell me her lovely reliable talented cob that I have been in love with for years. But sadly it's not to be. Once we have settled in Brisbane I'll be on the look out for riding opportunities so I am sure I will seek some advice from you then!

Thanks re suburbs. Definitely not seeking little britain, and I think we need to be central suburbs. One of DH's colleagues suggested Dutton Park but I have no idea. I think we'll only really know once we're on the ground. Do you really commute from Bribie? How long does that take?

Milly, sorry, didn't mean to offend over the SAHM comment. :) I just know my limitations! Last time we moved for DH's work I was thrown into a SAHM situation with a 2 year old and a new born, and I nearly went bonkers. We are actively working on making sure the same doesn't happen this time! Mind you, with the ages they are now I am sure we can do lots of fun things together to fill the days, so I'll put a positive spin on it and see it as an opportunity!

[PinotGreedy]

Thanks Mutley! What an interesting experience getting your DD into school. Same situation with our DD working well above her year group here. One of the reasons her teacher is in favour of moving her up is she thinks there will be behavioural issues if the work bores her. (Gosh, she is so like me! )

I think you understand how I feel about the blank first month of me, two kids, and a hotel room! How long ago did you move?

[echt]

Although the pace of Australian school life is not like that in the UK, I wouldn't sweat it, especially at primary. Recent research into NAPLAN, the national testing for literacy and numeracy, showed scant advantage in going private, after the adjustment for parental income/social status was taken into account.

There are private and select entry state schools, as well as zoned state schools that are ferociously academic. To the point that those students who might damage the school's ATAR (university entrance) score are, ahem, encouraged to leave.

I've taught in the state sector for a number of years now and can say that the lack of public exams, there are none until the final year, does not affect the quality of the students' attainment. It still amazes me; they are just as good as the UK in my view, and with none of the angst and pother over GCSEs.

[Millytint]

Thanks ecth, my daughter is in a good state primary. I oscillate between panicking that she is not being pushed (and she is naturally academically lazy just like her father) and on the other hand enjoying her sport opportunities and the fact she is in a nurturing environment with limited testing. Our secondaries don't look too flash here though....

[chloeb2002]

Yes really! We commute. It takes me 45 mins from just off bribie to herston. Dh takes 50 mins to fortitude valley.
We wanted acreage and there is t much this side of brisbane! Burpengary, narangba are good too.

We love the beach too. So win win.

Personally I know lots of people love city life, but it takes up to 30 mins from new farm to fortitude valley in rush hour!

[Mutley77]

Been here 18 months now and starting to contemplate our return at some point... but have had some great experiences... :)

[chloeb2002]

Blimey at 18 months we were not even stating to settle in! This is year 8 and finally it's home.
As far as commuting goes I think if you are not a "city person" then lots of people commute. We have friends who commute from caloundra to the city!
I think in general again if you don't want to live in the city you may need to drive bigger and longer distances. We have moved schools this year to one that's p to 12.private school. But has amazing facilities and isn't hugely expensive
However it's a 30 min drive. I know drive to school was 30 mins while I was at a private school in the uk. But I think in general people don't drive that far.

Otherwise on areas to live. I know now about Northside brisbane.. The closer suburbs of brisbane often have a high Asian or Lebanese population.
Areas like Samford, the gap. Are generally good. They are pricey tho.
Obviously the further out you live the cheaper it gets. Not necessarily true once you get more into the sunny coast with great beaches adding a premium. Good schools on the sunny coast too.
Pinot you will be pleased to hear that horses are far far cheaper to keep here! Often with some searching cheaper to buy too! We are awaiting excitedly the arrival of our latest buy ?? who at 15hh can eventually be enjoyed by all! He is an rspca horse.

[Mutley77]

It's funny isn't it as 18 months in and I do pretty much feel this is home!! But our long term plans weren't ever really to stay and what I logically want from life long term is back in the UK - not to say a move back won't be hard bloody work and probably quite depressing in the short term :)

[PinotGreedy]

Thanks for the suburb info chloeb. :) When DH went over a couple of months ago he drove around a few suburbs and liked Camp Hill, Norman Park, Seven Hills, etc. I am concentrating my rental research around there, but we could totally change our mind once we get the chance to see these places for real.

He will be working on the south side of the river and I'm struggling to see how we could live on the north side without having a nightmare commute. There don't seem to be many bridges! Or am I missing something?

And thanks millytint for telling me about the different types of childcare. I have now found this page: Queensland early childhood which is very helpful. It's starting to make sense now, all the different terminology!

Now I am trying to navigate around the Child care benefit structure to figure out whether we will qualify for anything. It seems there is an income test (which we probably wouldn't pass) but then I also read elsewhere that you get 24 hours per week subsidy? It's not making sense to me yet, as obviously the system is different to the free hours and voucher system here. I'll keep reading but if anyone can shed some light I'd be grateful!

I also see that children have to be immunised, so I'll take the kids' red books with me to show that. Do they generally accept these records, or has anyone had any problems with that?

Sorry again for so many questions, and very grateful for all the help from everyone! :)

[ifink]

Hi Pinot, I live in one of the areas you mention your DH has driven through. They all have excellent state schools and are v family friendly. If I can be of any help then PM me

[Millytint]

For immunisations we made an appointment, well in fact it took several appointments, with a local gp and nurse, they did a compare and contrast, offered top ups where needed, and we then sent all the info off to the register.

Re: childcare, pretty much everyone gets 50 % off, it will depend on your residential status i suspect, (but dont know) then the remaining costs are means tested and reduced on a sliding scale. We get our reductions paid directly to the centre so that we don't ever see the money and can't spend it! You might get somewhere by using the centrelink website to work out what you may be entitled to. There has been some talk of changing and simplifying the system.... But the cynic In me wondered if this was doublespeak for reducing entitlements! Our daycare is really really clued in to this stuff and we found the, really helpful for working out percentages etc. we live in quite a mixed area economically so I guess they were used to different circumstances.

[chloeb2002]

Childcare subsidy. It's for pr only. Or occasionally on 457 if you have special circumstances. We got it while our pr was being processed as ds has special needs.

As far as travel to work goes ... The train.. It is quick. Many people work and live in different areas. Commute in from Logan, Ipswich, Gold Coast to the city too. Bridges??? I'm confused ??.... Either drive over them or train over them. Whether dh has parking at the office will be more of a question! My dh has a park at the office now he is a senior manager. Not many of them in the valley!
I guess when you live in aus you either get used to traveling distances or you become the typical Aussie who hasn't left the city!
We often drive to Logan for ikea, the theme parks every month. Ikea is about an hour away, sea world is an hour and a half/ three quarters.
One of my friends lives in h bay and I will go up there for lunch. 3 hrs each way.

[chloeb2002]

Ohhhh also I'd suggest renting in an area you can afford to buy? That's obviously a very personal decision! So chapel hill not a lot under 700k.
We rented near dayboro, then realised land was way expensive and not flat enough! Moved house, school, rented again.. Finally bought.
Just to forward plan. It is hard on the kids moving schools lots! Let alone new friends.

[PinotGreedy]

Ooo, ifink! How exciting! I will definitely get in touch.

We are having lunch tomorrow with a couple who used to work at DH's new work. We have a stack of questions ready for them about living in Brisbane, what areas might suit us, etc. Hopefully that will be a bit of a reality check and steer us in the right direction.

chloeb, the bridges question was assuming there would be traffic jams if you need to cross a bridge to get from home to work each day, which would be an unnecessary pain. Just thinking of other cities I have known with bridge problems. Or is Brisbane traffic not so bad?

Thanks on the childcare and immunisation questions. DH and the kids are already citizens, and I aim to be as soon as poss. One more thing on the to do list!

[chloeb2002]

Ahh.. Ok.. Well most the bridges run just like roads! Multiple lanes on them. I guess they are fairly new. Also there's the great tunnel system that goes north to south.
There is a huge north river ... South river.... Thing
It makes me laugh personally we live Northside because we like huge quiet beaches, less people, generally more affordable land/ houses.
Obviously buying in central brisbane will we the same as buying in the centre of London. I think that sums it up !
We choose to live a bit further out to start with and dh has a better commute now we have bought that before when we rented. I think it would be hard to increase or dramatically change after renting.
Maybe of course people don't want to buy .. We have many friends who rent inner brisbane properties. Love it. Great schools.. Shopping, galleries, museums. No stress of maintaining a property. Cheaper!
Lots of choices out there!
It's a great city to live in
Don't fear the heat / humidity.. All brisbanites hate it that's what the mall, cinema, beach and parks are for!
A few great things no one has mentioned.. Parks.. Wow. Our favourites.. Pine rivers park. Sandgate, northlakes has several great parks. Bribie.. The list goes on!! They all have free BBQ's you just press the button and on they come!
Great for ages of kids.
The new fad is indoor trampoline centres. There's nearby 3 across brisbane!
Shopping.. Costco has arrived! Woo hoo. It's Northside tho. . A second ikea and gold class cinema complex is also opening at northlakes next year.
Be prepared for a change in view towards schools. They are very different! It's not the uk system.
I had little to do with schools in the uk. Just pre school and reception. Way different! Although qld is catching up with the national curriculum. There are good state schools but choose carefully. There are good and bad private schools too. Private schools are nearly all religious. This we have learnt is not a bad thing as long as your happy with what they are being taught! We are I a baptist school. It's great " Christian" celebrates Easter and Christmas.
Vaccinations.. You will need catch ups on hep b and c pox as these are not given in the uk but form part of the aus schedule.
Otherwise dd has no issues with the vaccines given in uk.

[Millytint]

Pinot...what are the advantages you see in being a citizen rather than a pr? Just pondering really.

[chloeb2002]

You have to be resident for 2 years before citizenship. Advantages..passport. Kids can access support for uni. Otherwise they pay up front! You can't be asked to leave

[Millytint]

I quite like my British passport, fantasies of working in Europe when I am old and the kids have abandoned me.

Hadn't thought about uni, I guess because dh is a citizen. But being clobbered for international fees if they wanted a uk uni wouldn't be much fun either (though of course as we wouldn't have paid much tax there it would be fair enough! ) hmmmm

[Mutley77]

You can hold dual citizenship (all of my family except me do!). I thought it was 4 years resident in australia as a pr for citizenship now but I may be wrong, I haven't looked into it recently.

However, you will be eligible for all the childcare benefits etc and medicare as a pr.

[Millytint]

Ooh I heard dual citizenship was going out of fashion... I have been pr here for 3 year. Perhaps time to look again. Would certainly like to vote in the place where I currently pay tax....