Seriously considering moving to Melbourne. Please tell me all about it, good and bad. Thanks

[woosam]

Hi
The firm DH works for has offices in both Sydney and Melbourne. The opportunity has come up to possibly go out there initially for 2yrs but for good if we want it.
I think we've ruled out Sydney due to the heat and cost of living but we're both more than interested in the idea of Melbourne.

Weather wise, my ideal would be somewhere with warn reliable summers but much cooler winters and I'd like somewhere with rain (I know that sounds crazy)and a bit of greenery.

Budget wise we'd have about 400k (Sterling) to spend on the house. Not sure what that is in Au Dollars.

Visa would come with the job. I'd more than likely be a SAHM, at least initially so I don't want to be anywhere too isolated or 'end of the line'. Good schools and family infrastructure is vital. I'd like to make friends if possible too

It seems like a fabulous opportunity but I'm sure I'm wearing the RTGs at the moment.

So hit me with the reality, please. good, bad, indifferent and please include whether you'd be willing to be my friend and meet me for a cuppa!

Sorry to resurect but I'm on the hunt for more info.

So, we're coming over in June on a fact-finding mission.
I have read extensively and I love the look of Bayside but don't know if we could afford to live there. Mt Martha also looks lovely but seems maybe too far out? DH happy with up to 1h commute but no more. He needs to get into the CBD.

We're coming over for 2.5wks. Booking flights tomorrow. Choice between Singapore and Quantas. Any thought on carriers? Oh and how to entertain the under 5s on a day long flight?

We've booked a holiday let in Sandringham so will be based in the Bayside area. Any ideas on what we should squeeze into the fortnight gratefully received.

pack bubbles in airplane bag, went down a treat with my 2 year old on landing.

I'd fly Singapore but that's only a personal preference to be honest. I just find Qantas staff rather unfriendly and we were once on a flight with them and had no in flight entertainment for 12 hours. (but as I said, this is personal, there's no reason it would happen again!).

Have your stopover in Singapore if you can as the airport is a wonderful oasis of calm. PLus my big tip, if you're flying economy and doing the whole trip in one go is to book into the lounge in Singapore as you can have a shower and a sleep if you have time, plus free soft drinks and it's just generally nice in there. But I can't rate Singapore airport highly enough. After being crammed in for 14 hours and then suddenly having all this space and it's clean and cool and calm and lovely....well, I don't think I need to go on....

I agree with ozziegirl.

When you are here I would book to look round schools. Go on domain.com and realestate.com before you leave and plan to look at houses when they are open for inspection. One of my friends lives in Mt Martha and she told me that the state schools there were not much cop. Her dd is 9 now, 5 when she moved here. She went back to work so that she could put her in a private school. That was two years ago though so I don't know what it is like now. It is certainly a nice area though.

Where is your let in Sandy ? We lived in Hampton which is the next village. Sandringham is lovely. You will have a great time. Commute wise Frankston is the nearest you can get for a one hour commute, but not a great place to live. A lot of people live out in carrum downs and parkdale which is cheaper and beachy.

There are a few mumsnetters that live in Hampton, so you should give them a shout when you get there. Singapore is definitely the airline to choose, they are great.

Have a fab time. P.s, if you are going in June, take some winter clothes as it will be cold.

Hi Ladies, thanks for info and advice!

Lula, the holiday let in on Beach Rd. I said we'd booked it because I'd sent a booking email but it has bounced back on me so who knows. The company is Beau Bay Houses if you've heard of them. If this one doesn't work out can anyone recommend a holiday let, first two weeks in June, near the beach and suitable for 2 kids under 5. Bayside ideal but we'd consider other options. If anyone in Melbourne fancies going on holiday then and renting out their house for 2wks, let me know!

Good info re the Mt Martha schools, SC. Thank you. I'm thinking down there is pretty to visit but probably not ideal to live if that makes sense. Probably too far out. Though Bayside does seem expensive.

Is Phillip Island worth a visit that time of year? (I know it will be chilly)As for the weather; would sweaters and kagools be ok or do we need winter coats too?

Where else is nice to live? What other suburbs should we look at? Will any of you speak to me when we move out this time next year?

ooh, there is a good guide to living in Melbourne here is that's any use?

There is a company called boutique stays and they do a few around bayside that are really nice. we stayed in one on Milton St in Elwood which was fab. Very near St Kilda and the beach and near the tram to the city. Have a look on the boutique stays website. I don't know the Beau Bay houses but the beach road is very busy and very noisy with constant traffic.

Good luck.

Thanks, Lula, that information is really helpful.

Ive just been on the boutique stays website and they have quite a few properties in the Bayside area. I'm going to email them in a moment for some more details as they seem to have two available for the weeks we need. Really good to get a personal recommendation. Thanks!

BTW, did you book with them whilst still in the UK? If so, was that easy enough? Their website does seem geared up to cater for international cuctomers and mentions the property is suitable for short term rental in the event of relocation so hopefully it will go smoothly.

Oh and thanks for the link, Rhubarb. I'm sure it gets hotter than 25 though!

Just had a read of that website you linked to, Rhubarb and noticed it refers to Sydney as 'Australia's capital city.'

DH reckons it been set up by a 15yr old doing their ICT GCSE! Though clearly not an 'A' student as they don't know the capital city of the country they're talking about!

It is set up by someone who has never been to Australia actually, i.e. me. But point taken, I hadn't realised it said that and will amend accordingly. Cheers.

Apart from that did anyone find it useful?

Sorry Rhubarb, I didn't know it was your website!

It was quite easy to navigate, if that helps.

Well, not actually mine, I don't own it but I do most of the content and news stories. For nothing I might add!

Glad it was easy to navigate. It's not easy doing stories on travel and migration in Australia when you've never been you know! And Geography was never my strong point......

We booked it all from the Uk before we left. They have little shower gels and most kitchen stuff ie dish clothes and stuff. The ones called Sandy Haven are in a really good spot, right near the beach, shops, train station to the city, parks, huge shopping complex known as Southlands. You can walk everywhere from those ones.

Hello,
i have just joined mumsnet as i wanted to add onto this thread. Firstly reading all these made me laugh and woosam u r having the same issues as me hence why i have added on to this , im not sure if this is the rite place either but i need help and you guys have seemed to have helped woosam so im hoping you will kindly help me too..here goes.

I am currently living in the uk, my hubby has been offered a job in Sprigvale ~(not hearing good things on this place)and we are hoping to get our visa in Novemeber to make the big move!
I have too small children one of 4 years and another of 8 months and have no clue on schooling or anything as i havent had the internet until now so if i dont reply straight away its because it only connects when it feels like it hee hee.
ANyway i really need help on places to live, my hubby doesnt mind the commute but i really want a lovely place to bring my children up,so heres where u guys come in...i want to no everything , the good the bad and the ugly! best places to live,schools,shopping,houses,cars...etc etc

Thank you if u reply to this thread and i will get back to you as soon as i can...also woosam if ur already there,hope it went fab for u.

Kind regards
Lou
xxxx

You don't mention money, and this will influence where you can rent.

Cheltenham, Mordialloc and Parkdale are easy commutes for Springvale. The last two are near the beach.

Schools here are much like the UK - fine at primary, but more thought needed for secondary. Lots of Aussie parents send children to private schools - buggered if I can see what bargain they're getting, but there you go.

Can't write more just now as the system keeps cutting me off - this is my third attempt.

Hey there. My husband has just been offered in Melbourne CBD and we plan to move over to OZ in February or March on 457 visas. We have two girls aged 1 and 4 and need some advice re healthcare and childcare. Where do we start to get quotes for health cover - can you recommend anyone and what should we expect to pay? Then childcare? My 4 year old currently attends pre-school in the UK and gets heavily subsidised by the govt - what is on offer in Melbourne? My head is exploding with all the things I will need to organise - any help would be much appreciated.

Bump.

First thing that concerns me is your visa. Have you actually looked at the DIAC wesite to see if you qualify for a visa?

Its not just a case of moving to Melbourne.

If you are looking at the 457 visa which is a temporary one then please think carefully about it. If your husband is made redundant, off on long term sick or the firm goes bust then you have just 28 days to find another sponsor and have everything approved or you have to leave the country.

Buying during that time IMO would be a silly idea given you may find yourself having less than a month to leave the country.

Further, as you would only be temporary residents you will be liable for international school fees. I am not sure what Victoria's fee are but I do know in WA that they are around £8,000 per child per year. Another huge cost to factor in.

Daycare charges are around $80 per child per day.

I think you are also required to pay for private health cover. That wasn't that expensive at around $1500 for the family for the year. You do get reciprocal health cover with the NHS though.

You won't get any form of benefits whilst temporary from help with childcare to unemployment/job seekers type help.

I don't want to put you off but please think carefully about the type of visa you would be eligible for.

Good luck.