Scousemouse

Depends on what you want, can afford, and expect to get out of the move really;

We stayed in Morphett vale when we arrived almost 4 years ago, but ended up in the eastern burbs.....the only place where we could find a rental big enough for 6!

It was also closer to work for me, as an hour each way on the expressway, anzac highway and the city proved a drag, even short term!!

Ended up buying here in the foothills, about 8klm from the CBD, on a very straight run in, with good bus services, good schools and about 30 mins to the beach.......

the downside, if you want to call it that, is there are fewer expats round here, and so the support network is a bit flimsy; house prices and rental is a wee bit more, but you pays ya money, ya makes the choice.

You get more "bang for your buck" they say in the south, and it seems there is more of a community spirit; newer developments are on smaller blocks but more modern housing stock to choose from.

The western burbs have the benefit of the beach lifestyle, but places like Glenelg, Morino etc can be pricey.

couldnt tell you about the "hills" proper, but they seem like nice places to visit......quiet, leafy etc.

Likewise, i cant say about the northern burbs, but from what i see, most have excellent shopping areas, although SOME areas are viewed as less than salubrious........

Best advise is to keep researching the areas you consider more to your needs, and buget!!

Good luck

Yup,

Medibank private do offer good aambulance cover...........probably the best i have found, along with dental.

If you are looking to save a bit tho', and who isnt, you can always check the ambulance sa website.

regards

I didnt have time to visit dear old Chelts.........or the Lakes, nor Yorkshire:sad:

The news this morning reported that Gloucester police had arrested 2 people on terrorism charges in Cheltenham.

Im surprised it has taken this long really, what with "spy central" being slap bang in the middle of it!!

Just shows, even wealthy areas are prone to crime, not just the major towns and cities.

It's nice to know other had similar thoughts.....i was begining to feel i was the only one!

I know Adelaide isn't perfect, it has some bad points.......expensive bad points, no curry sauce in the chippy, no tesco........i can live without them for the sense of peace of mind i have here!

Stevo, was the double posting to emphasise the point? lol

Actually, i lived in a very nice part of Liverpool, and lived for 3 years in Cheltenham, so there:tongue:, also in a very nice area!

Cornwall is very lovely so i can see why your daughter loves it there!

My son and daughter in law live on the wirral........and yes, it is hard not seeing them and the grandsons; but i have 3 teenagers here, so im kept busy,lol!

Liverpool has changed, cleaned up its act, but there is a lingering shadow of the seedy....and the same militant attitude and victim mentality. They even go out in their curlers for pity's sake!! Nope the place aint home.

Enough, time to get the weeding done!!

Thanks Moonraker.

Utopia? Adelaide? PMSL at that one.

Look, i was excited and anxious about returning to Liverpool, my memory was rose tinted, but frayed around the edges..........and i hold no illusions about the old town,,,,or this new one!

My visit confirmed that i, personally had made the right choice to move. I certainly wasnt expecting a life of luxury in Aus, which is just aswell, i aint got it,lol.....no koalas in my gum tree, no kangas on my front lawn, and as for champagne on the beach, nope not got that either.

Wanted down Under is a gimmick, Gawd knows who thought they could sell Aus that way, and i say time and again, Australia is nice, beautiful even, but the lifestyle comes at a cost!!!

I will send you some fruchocs if you want.............save my waistline at least.

Regards

Jane

Hi,

youre doing the right thing....RESEARCH is the key, but experience is the answer.

Going back is as hard as coming here in the first place, it doesnt make a failure of you, and staying doesnt mean you are brave, or stupid, or niave......reasons are ones own for going back or staying; no-one has the right to judge, or critisise, they are NOT in your shoes!!

It isnt for everyone, and some situations are harder than others.........personally, i like it here. I have a good job, a nice house, a few friends.........but it can get lonely, no denying it........but you make it what you will.

Good luck

Jane

Oh, and just as a little aside...........

I came back with a Union Flag; union flag tee shirts; Everton tops for the kids; the KOP as my screensaver, pictures of my old home town, the local rag.......ECHO for those not in the know; a book about my hometown, it people the architecture, its history!

I took to the UK, a book on Adelaide, fruchocs, a socceroors shirt for my grandson.

No bias there then

Thanks for the replies.

firstly; Ian, i dont have any rose tinted glasses, i am VERY MUCH aware that crime happens everywhere, even in dull old Adelaide.The case i refered to was met with a shrug and a "oh well, it happens" attitude, people are becoming immune to such disgusting events it seems. I think it is a sad reflection on society

secondly; Jenny. I dont recall defending or even justifying my choice to be here; merely stated that my choice was the right one for us. I have in no way, i think, "slagged off" the UK; I love Liverpool, its people are the best anywhere, including Adelaide!

thirdly;Moonraker, i totally agree! nowhere is 100% safe, and there are pitfalls to wherever one lives.

I dont want to get into a slanging match about the UK versus SA; i am proud of my English heritage, but i am equally proud of living here........Im sorry if anyone feels i am being disrespectful or idealogical or just plain niave.

Judy, the shopping is GREAT. Diane, grand job, keep it up. Rachel, i know EXACTLY what you mean.

Regars

Jane

hi All,

just returned from my first (and probably, my last) trip back to the motherland.

I have just become a grandmother for the second time, both kids in the UK, sadly, and whilst i miss them already, i am so glad to be HOME.

The shopping was great, Gosh how i miss Primark, TKMAX, Asda..........Greggs the bakers;

Went to the old haunts, met old friends, visitd family.......and enjoyed all of that. The museum of Liverpool Life was AMAZING, as was Tate, the maritime etc.

BUT, I was reminded of alll the things that made me choose to leave, and the trip has confirmed that i made the right decision to leave.

We havent had it easy, as those of you who know us will agree, and i do get lonely sometimes; but the place has changed beyond what i recognise as "home"; shocking news of a 94 year old woman, beaten and having her finger almost severed, whilst she was in bed, by some scumbag....and the police have no clues who did it,or why this happened to her..........re afirms that getting the H out of it was absolutely correct.

News that certain ethnic groups grooming young girls and passing them round their "fiends", and the police did NOTHING about the complaints for almost 2 years; and then "protect" the lawyers of this group from "racist" protestors was saddening in the normality of what i remember about it all.

So for now, i am staying here in Adelaide, sheilded by my ignorance, and content to forget.

Have a good day all.

Nope, a 100k wouldnt hurt at all;

In answer to your questions...........

I have been the only wage earner for almost 2 years ( if one doesnt count the cash in hand jobs for neighbours).

As a full time RN, with 2 kids in school, a mortgage, and all the usual bills, we have done fairly well on on my $65k plus. I have salary sacrifice, which helps, and most nurses can get this additional help.

We do get child allowance, but no other concessions or asssistance.

We dont eat out much, and buy lots of thing on offer, like loo rolls, washing powder etc.

what you must do is RESEARCH; its been the mantra for most posters here...........everything that can affect your life, almost certainly will, from your work, to your social habits, from school fees to running a car...medical and dental insurance; it all adds up; however, in contrast to the gloom of the mundane, you learn to cope with whatever the move throws at you, because you you have to, or want to, whatever the situation requires.

it isnt easy, no one would say that, even those fortunate few who have 100k coming in, property to rent out, a huge social network and all the good things one would like to have; but if you work at it, respect it, and even sit back and laugh about it now and then, you can do alright.

good Luck with the move

Jane

hi Brooksey,

I dont live in Rostrevor, but close to it..................good choice for families, easy bus ride to the city, and good shopping centres.

There are several good schools in the Eastern Burbs, norwood Morialta high school, Rostrevor College (private, excellent rep all boys), Maghill Primary,Lorretto girls (private), Pembroke (private) to name a few.........

Large italian community and some asian.....chinese mostly.

housing stock can be variable, mostly good, some price variance too best place to look is realestate.com.au, or domain.

I think it falls in the city of Campbelltown district council, and they have a website you can look at........

hope that helps.

Jane

I AM an acupuncture therapist.....trained back in the UK........and it can help with a huge number of conditions.......my speciality was migraines,

all types of migraines from food induced, rebound analgesia, hormone fluctuations.

One good thing is most medical cover offers alternative therapies for treament!!

hope the tennis elbow gets better soon.

We've been here 3 1/2 years.............and in that time i felt homesick......once; totally out of the blue, i burst into tears on the way to work, no real reason for it, just a heart and gut wrenching feeling of "what the H have i done"? That was 6 months into our journey and i havent felt it since.

Im going back in 8 weeks, for a 9 day visit for the birth of my second Grandson............and while im looking forward to seeing those precious kids, i have little desire to return! the flight alone fills me with a sickness that i cant describe. I left EVERYTHING and EVERYONE behind in the UK; i dont talk to 3 of my 4 brothers, have little contact with work colleagues, and have not once felt any guilt about it; all that is there are my Dad, Brother Son and Grandson(s)...i love them dearly, but the old country has no appeal to me!

I understand that the family ties, and missing those you love is a heartbreaking experience, but, to be honest.........i have done what i have to ensure my kids have a more rounded life experience, something they wouldnt have got back in the motherland. My husband didnt go back for his Dads funeral, his decision, and i feel sad about that; but respect what he wanted, because WE ARE A TEAM..............and our life is HERE now, even if I feel lonely sometimes! Believe me, it hasnt been easy, we have had loads of troubles, and i often think "what if......."; We have few friends in Australia, which is hard for a social couple, i miss having friends over......at the level i am used to.......i miss being 5 mins from my family..........of course i do. I miss my OH not being in charge of his business, and my kids miss their education; cos believe me, it ended when we left!! And they hate being pointed out by their accents............something i tell them is exclusive, realistic and identifies them as proper ENGLISH, not the BBC WORLD SERVICE types that (some) South Aussies think they are!

Its all relevent, you do what you can, you share what you have, you give what you can afford ..........but you keep your own council.........sometimes.

I genuinely believe that as expats, we have more to prove than an average Aussie, and work harder to make life work for us..........but I am NOT AVERAGE, and will always be a POM, no matter if i am here 15 years or 50 years..........

hope you feel better about it soon, its a great place to live, hard word work, admittedly, but soo very much better than "home".

God Bless.

Jane

Jeepers, what a debate................been far too long folks!!

Now, the OP has a point; Adelaide is a bit dull, slow and behind the times............so what?? Most of us actually enjoy the slower pace of life, and some of us would like to see a bit more action.......i have a foot in both camps.

The Eastern burbs are, indeed, very lovely to live in...........naturally, i live there! however, i do not wear designer clothes, jimmy choo sandals, diamonds at breakfast; mainly because i dont own any, lols! I know very few who do.......but as soon as you need a tradie......you are slammed with EST (eastern suburb tax), the zip code means you are RICH, which as a single income family, we are not!! there are disadvantages wherever you go.

Mad March.....a bloody expensive nightmare imo.I avoid most of it as i can possibly do so..........those damn cars are a menace!

Its all well and good to say "move here, there or anywhere", but in all honesty, family, jobs, the cost and the second upheaval put me off!

I cant really compare Adelaide to ANYWHERE, but it is clean, easy to get around, and has some lovely areas surrounding it. sadly, it has a small town mentallity too.......and unless you have a BBC World Service accent, money, kids in the "right school", the postcode........it can be a lonely place to live!

I have had friends move here, hate it.......and move back to less than salubrious areas (in my humble opinion) of Liverpool.........only to move back to QLD......im not sure if that is for them, either.........im not sure anywhere would be.

youngsters can make a difference, but teenagers can have it rough........especially if they have an accent.........so those that do well, i am happy for; but when my daughter is bullied for her style choices, her accent, and then not speaking to her school"pals", i feel very sad........for those LESS fortunate than us who talk like newsreaders from the beeb........or worse, maggie!

Good luck in whatever you decide, im gonna stick it out, for now.

Jane

Pr defo the way to go if you sponsered you may get stuck somewhere you hate (happened to my friend in Melbourne got stuck with a boss he hated on a ward which was clicky and he got stuck with all lates and weekends until his PR came thu) Hospitals I have visited on my 3 reccies were Perth= royal perth were to big and didn't want to bother with my work preferances, Freemantle and rockingham were very welcoming and would have been very happy to work at either!!! Gold coast hopital helpful and have second site in Robina away from the tourist tat of surfers that would have suited (offered me a job on the spot)

 

townville was nice but hot Adelaide the RAH was ok but the QE was more friendly so thats where I chose to work I have a few friends in the private sector they are mosly happy except in theatres which is a conveyor belt!!

theatres are a conveyor belt in the private sector! totally!!

The thing is most private hospitals will not refuse a request to do proceedures, either in or out of hours; its about the money really!! After the closure of Blackwood, nervous CEO's darent say no. consultant surgeons really do hold the whip hand, and whilst most are reasonable, they all use the "patient choice/convenience" cards.....its the downside of private sector working. However, weekend work is (mostly) rare, and covered by oncall status in smaller units.

Why?? Do they want you back??

Is the funding an enticement??

I know of a family of brummies............will pass on the details..........

I lived in Cheltenham for 3 years.....wonder if the C&G will give me some funds.............

hi Kathleen and craig.

there seems to be a balance of agency/ casual/ permanent roles; some nurses have 2 separate jobs.......agency and casual poss; i think one of the reasons is because nurses working in non profit organisations can claim tax relief on their earnings.....salary sacrifice, to pay rent, school fees, entertainment, shopping etc...........and earn the extra cash doing agency, and keeping their lifestyle and working options open!

You can get on with your application yourself, but tbh, an agent can steer you through the hazards...........some even offer a free consultation first time.

the DIAC website has a guide on application but i think it isnt easy to navigate.

Getting on with the registration is a good idea; sadly the cost is unavoidable, all your training schedules have to go through the relevant bodies directly to ensure proper checks etc.....

Once you apply, the forms are sent to the appropriate section, and sit on a desk for months, it seems.

Dont worry about medicals, or police checks just yet.........thats much later in the process.

Keep smiling

ps, make sure you qualifications are transferable/ recognised here......it will be easier to get work in anything other than nursing!! An agent can advise on this too!! Maybe worth the initial outlay.

J

hi,

in response to your question about changing visas, and employers.............

My (former) employers paid for a fair bit of the visa costs, and part of that meant THEY were expected to employ me for a minimum of 2 years, and i SHOULD stay with them for that period.Its a 2 way protection thing, and it works for most people.

however, I had a few issues with my line manager, and when i had specific requests denied, and an aussie colleague, who had a huge family and social network asked for very similar considerations, had her request granted; i complained to her boss.........result......i was taken off my lists, got rubbish rosters, no overtime offered and things degenrated; I lasted 10 months!! the final straw came when a newly qualified nurse was offerred a saturday shift, in front of me and a consultant, who treated me like his personal endoscopy nurse, and had requested me for every list....and when the boss was challanged she used my kids and husband as an excuse!!

Of course, DIAC had to review my visa because of the "contractual" element on both sides; they found in my favour, the employers had treated me unfairly, it seems. I will say that this is an unusual event, but for the record, i keep a diary, and had all the evidence, and witnesses i needed to support my claim!!

there is plenty of work for nurses, agency work is as anywhere adhoc, but those i know seem to get enough work to keep it together!!

the chosen route for visas was a personal issue for us; we wanted OUT asap, and the 457 was fast......it also gave us the option, if we didnt like it here, to move away or back! We didnt take any relocation allowance either, so we didnt have that noose around us!!

hope that helps , a bit; try not to worry, you can over think things, and it colours ones judgemnet about places!!

ATB

Jane

Hi Ruth,

I am a bit older than you, but a bit closer than some of the others!

It's hard when you first arrive, and honestly, even now i feeel a bit like "where is everyone"?

always ready to lend a shoulder, have a drinky or 3 ..........even just to shop with, at weekends, cos i work full time.

The OH has his golf buddies, so i can be around some weekends too.

Keep your chin up!!

Jane

Hi, welcom to PIA:

We came out 3 1/2 years ago on a sponsored (457) visa, and changed over to PR about 9 months later!

SA is always looking for good nurses, and her skills would be welcomed here, her experience in such a specialist field would be of an advantage; however, as an RN, she may find such specific work a bit challenging, a few nurses get sponsorship from hospitals who utilise them in AED, or Theatre, even when they worked on medical wards!! Hopefully, if she applies direct rather than through an agency...........she will get lucky!!

keep an eye on the Advertiser website, careerone website and the SA Health websites..........

In my experience, a sponsored visa can get you here very quickly, within 6 months; a pr application can be a lot longer..........there are advantages to both, but remember that to change over from sponsorship to PR will cost you again!!

visiting the EXPO is a good call, the variety of information is wide, we got a useful book about Adelaide which helped us decide where to look for housing schools etc.........visit each cities stand and get everything you can from them!!

RESEARCH is the key to a more organised move with few upsets!! the more you see, find out about, the more you can decide upon.

Realestate websites have some great information about the suburbs, and will clue you in to the housing markets........both Perth and Adelaide are on the rise, with Adelaide hitting the top 50 most expensive places to live, in the world...........personally, i think its cheaper here than Perth, from info from friends over in Wait Awhile!!!

Good luck with everything

Jane

How WRONG is that?

I wish i could help....my Dad returns to the UK on thursday; he is partially sighted, and it is a worry............

I have to say, with Cathay Pacific, on the way out, the staff where understanding, and really looked after him; hopefully, it will be the same on the way back...........

hopefully, someone can offer some assisstance, best wishes

Jane

I love the smell of jeyes fluid, we used it raw on the bikes..............just to be certain!

I made my OH get rid of soooo many things, workbeches, table saws, and he was very sad about it.

now i am kicking myself that i did, they do cost more here imo........and he has relaced them, and a whole heap more.

Admittedly he uses auction sites mostly, but oh, the pain of raying out a second time.......

Let him keep as much as he can, that way you can spend the dosh on what YOU want!!!

Regards

Jane

Acupuncture!

I did my second degree in alternative therapies, specialising in acupuncture.........did some work at the Walton Neuro Centre in Liverpool, and in Cheltenham for research projects......outstanding results with it;

I havent had a migraine for over 3 years now!

Regard

Absolutely correct cliveost...........

Since 2009, ANY nurse, from ANYWHERE in the world must have the IELTS certificate.

REGARDLESS of where you train, your transcripts must be supplied from the country of origin's GOVERNING BODY direct to AUSTRALIA's governing body; no transcript will be ACCEPTED through the individual nurse..........call them old fashioned, but there are standards to be met; and in such a litigious society, the APRHA will NOT accept anything less than the FACTS!

Whether you are HERE or there..........you will have to pay for this service to be carried out..........

the only other way round this is to train here.........and trust me, thats not a cheap option.

Ah Briget,

what a tough time!

Having 4 kids, albeit older than your son; and 10 years in paediatrics...............i know a little about childrens psyche.

What we adults tend to overlook is the fact that kids are SMART! They formulate opinions, and react to situations in a way we "grown ups" try hard not to do; and as adults, we don't give them enough credit for being sentient.

It's early days, and the lad just needs time to adjust...........and he will do it in his time, in his way........and he wont tolerate adult interference, no matter how well meaning.

He enjoys his time in the park, with other kids..........whilst "grown ups" are peripheral to his interactions with others;

SCHOOL.........the single area where he can be a person, free from the constraints of parental types, with others who are his peers, and not his gaurdians, who will formulate a relationship not based on how he is but WHO he is, and this is NOT limited to the time he has to build up these relationships.

Christmas; a time spent with family, grandparents, other kids in the family...........its been cold, wet and dark..........befor now.

He is used to YOU being home, not DAD........and that makes him wonder, i think, just how upside down things are right now.........

Soon he will settle, and life will turn back to what he is used to; dont fret love.............

Merry Christmas

Jane