Hi all, we are a family of 5. Me and hubby are in early 40's with 3 boys: teenager (18), and a 9 and 6 year olds. Are any other families/couples moving to Gold Coast later this year? We anticipate getting a Case Officer in the near future and aim to emigrate around 3 months after getting our visas. Just thought it would be interesting to swap stories about where we're up to etc.

 

Hi Giggle, we got our visa in Jan 2011 and have been living in Adelaide since Feb last year but its not for us and are moving to the Gold Coast November, will keep a eye on how you go and love to meet up when we are all there. we have 5 kids, 21.19.18.10 and 2 lol

 

Hi we are hoping to move August/Sep if my wife can secure a nursing sponsor. Keep in touch.

The Buchanan's

 

Hello All, applied for my Spouse Visa and hope to get it by the end of July or beginning of August. Moving to Bribie Island, Queensland. My hub is already there and I cant wait to get there, just the two of us, kids all flown the nest.

 

We've booked a short term rental through Rudi on here and arrive on the first of june ,we have two young boys Glenn 5 and Alex will be about 18 months by then.

 

Hey Kevin and Vicky, wow it's all booked, hope all is going well any luck with the job Kevin? All settled now kids in school kindy still job hunting but Nathan is a bit more settled with job now got work with a good guy a hour drive but enjoying it.

Nicola

 

good to hear from you. we are interested in the Robina area and this seems to suit our needs particularly with having a teenager like you eg good range of facilities and good transport links. what made you decide on the Gold Coast. any tips for settling in my 18 and 9 year old? the eldest thinks he wants to go to College at first. he's doing A levels at the moment. my 9 year old is apprehensive, he's quite sensitive anyway and doesnt want to leave his family or friends. this is quite difficult to address as I don't want to just dismiss his fears, although you can keep in contact by phone or skype I can't pretend its the same as being in the same room as someone. yeah, would be good to meet up, you have the full age range of kids like us, never a dull moment!

 

good to hear from you. we are interested in the Robina area and this seems to suit our needs particularly with having a teenager like you eg good range of facilities and good transport links. what made you decide on the Gold Coast. any tips for settling in my 18 and 9 year old? the eldest thinks he wants to go to College at first. he's doing A levels at the moment. my 9 year old is apprehensive, he's quite sensitive anyway and doesnt want to leave his family or friends. this is quite difficult to address as I don't want to just dismiss his fears, although you can keep in contact by phone or skype I can't pretend its the same as being in the same room as someone. yeah, would be good to meet up, you have the full age range of kids like us, never a dull moment!

 

Hello Nicola ,yes we are nearly sorted now,I have a job offer just need to pass a medical when we arrive ,I think its a drug and drink test, so no problems there:smile:

We're that close now I can smell the sea.






Kev.

 

Well done TeamV, Im sure you will like Gold Coast better than Adelaide, keep in touch so we can hear all about how you are getting on and what you think of it all. Our aim is to be there in November

 

Hi Giggle, We visited the Gold Coast in January and liked it so much we knew we had to move there as its much more modern and lively compared to where we are.

Regarding the kids, my son was 17 when we came here and I really regret him not going to school for a year, even though he had completed year 11 in the UK and done his GCSEs he could have gone and because he didnt he has really struggled to settle here. Has only just made some friends after 15 months and thats through the footy team he plays for. They really need to go to college (TAFE) or UNI to meet friends so if this is a financial possibility then I would recommend your 18 yr old does that, or gets work quickly so he makes some mates quickly. I think it may be different on the Gold Coast though,and easier, my sons found it hard to get a job here in Adelaide, theres not loads of work here really. My 21 year old daughter (19 when we came) got a really good job straightaway in the City so she was fine and my 17 year old daughter went to school, year 11 and she too is fine because she has mixed with kids from day 1. I wouldnt worry about your 9 year old, he/she will love the gold coast and the schools mostly look lovely, new and most have a good reputation and also lots of english so that will help with the familiar accent, that age is the best yes definately stay in touch and let us know when you are on your way. x

 

Hi, after dilling and dalling for so long we have finally booked our one way flights for 23/10/12 but to Perth. However, we are having serious doubts, should we be going to GC!! We have been to Brisbane/GC twice now and loved it but then hubbie changed his mind (for electrical licence reasons). They say women are indecisive. We have checked and the flights can be changed so it is not to late. We like Helensvale or maybe Southport.
We have 3 boys so maybe GC would be better for them. The eldest is joining us next year. He also wants Perth as he has a kind of mate there. I would love to hear from someone already there with views on GC i,e getting a rental, employment, making friends.
Cheers
Deb

 

Hi koloadeb,

Can I just ask what is the difference between the electrical licence in wa and Queensland ?

My husband is an electrician and we were going to Perth but were pulled to Queensland just got back from a 3 week trip.

Look forward in your view.

Regards Anouska xx

 

Hi
We are planning on moving to Brisbane by the end of this year. I can not wait but worried about the children settling in. We have 4 boys aged 13, 12, 3 and 1. Do you know where you are going to settle yet? I have been looking at North Lakes but still researching.

 

Anouska, you sound like your in a similar position to us i.e Perth or Queensland. Did u go to the Gold Coast?
From what I can gather the electrical licence is a bit easier to obtain in Perth. Apparently the Queensland elec. licence is tricky to get. I've read lots of threads on PIO about it and it seems quite difficult. My hubbie is not a sparky but a Lift Engineer and will need the licence to work.
Are you going to Perth or Queensland then?
Deb

 

This prob doesnt help regarding the electrical licence but my hubby did his is in Adelaide, SA and apparently he can exchange it for a Queensland one.

 

Hi Deb

We stayed in the sunshine coast and really liked it we went down to the gold coast and it was great we had a fab time but to live the sunshine coast was for us.

We live in Hampshire to!!!!!!!

Hi rain

I am hopping like your husband changed his SA licence for a QLD one my husband can too, my husband is a qualified electrician in New Zealand and what we have found out is that if he renews his NZ licence it can be exchanged for a QLD one ( but I could be wrong).
How is your husband finding the work ?

Regards to you both

Anouska x

 

We stayed in Perth for a few weeks a couple of years ago and originally intended settling there. Since then we have decided on Gold Coast (although havent visited there admittedly). I have kids aged 18, 9 and 6 and particularly with the eldest in mind, believe that there is more going on in GC in every way. Have heard numerous people saying that when their kids get to late teens they get bored with Perth and want to move to the East coast. I know this is a generalisation and its normal for teens to want to move away and explore but it did give me second thoughts about WA. I found loads of info on GC from Poms in Oz and most of it is positive. good luck with your decision!

 

Hi All,

We are moving to the Gold Coast at end of July with 2 teenagers...16 and 13. OH is already there and we will join him after GCSE's!

Have schools sorted in Southport, just need to decide now on where to live!

Looking forward to the move although apprehensive at the same time. Would be good to get in touch with those in same situation?

Bye for now

 

Hi, we are hoping to get out to Gold Coast autumn 2012. we have 3 boys, one whos 18 and a 9 and 6 year old. same feelings as you, excited but apprehensive. the kids always look to the parents to sort day to day things out and then blame us if we get it wrong! (like I did to my parents many moons ago...) keep in touch with any developments.