Hi my husband & I moved to Cleveland in Sept 2008 with our children Nathan (7) and Mia (3). It has been a rollercoaster of emotions and ups and downs but finally beginning to settle down. We have been very lucky to have met lots of lovely people but are always looking for any social get togethers so that we can meet new friends. If anyone is moving here or is also new and fancy meeting up give me a shout.

Here's to happy days...

Adele

 

Hi Adele,

We have just joined the forum today, we are hoping to move to brisbane. Jason is waiting to have his trade assessed in february and then we can start to apply for our visa's. I was just wondering can you tell me a little about cleveland as we have no idea where we would like to live. We are married but dont have childresn yet. Jason is a plasterer and im a pharmacy manager, Is there enough work there or has it slowed down? we have heard so many stories. Sorry for all the questions, we have so many decisions to make. hope to hear from you soon.:biggrin: Ruth

 

Hi Ruth & Jason, we were in you position 2 years ago, wanting to come to Oz but not knowing where to go. I met a lady on the internet and my godmothers nephew who both lived in Cleveland so we decided, along with the other research that we had done to start in Cleveland. It is a lovely town with a harbour and shopping area. The schools are good but not a nice as UK schools. There is a very nice hospital here which a friend of mine works in as a pharmacist and loves it. She did however have to do a 4 week course to convert her qualifications so that might be something you might want to look into. We are at the end of the railway line for commuting into Brisbane which takes approx 40 mins and many people commute in each day. My husband Mike was a general builder in the UK and had his own business for 25 yrs but has struggled to find work out here on the residential side. In Queensland like all of Oz you need a licience to work. For him to obtain his licience to do the work he did in the UK he would have to pay $4000.00 and complete a work book and assigments which would have taken approx 6 mths. But in the mean time he would have to work as a casual labourer. Therefore he has changed over to the civil side working for an agency and has to travel an hour and a half to get to work at 6.30. Your husband might want to look on the BSA site to see what he would have to do to obtain his licience. I understand now that some liciences can be obtained in the UK prior to coming over. I'm not sure about plastering work but I know renderers are quite busy still here. It might be an idea to post a note asking for info for plasterers in Brisbane. If I didn't have kids I would probally look to live on the gold coasts as it is much more lively. But first I would plan a holiday out here and come any have a look for yourself. We are very happy here and don't regret leaving England but it is definately worth sorting out the work sit as that has been our biggest hurdle. Good luck keep in touch

 

Hi Ruth & Jason, we were in you position 2 years ago, wanting to come to Oz but not knowing where to go. I met a lady on the internet and my godmothers nephew who both lived in Cleveland so we decided, along with the other research that we had done to start in Cleveland. It is a lovely town with a harbour and shopping area. The schools are good but not a nice as UK schools. There is a very nice hospital here which a friend of mine works in as a pharmacist and loves it. She did however have to do a 4 week course to convert her qualifications so that might be something you might want to look into. We are at the end of the railway line for commuting into Brisbane which takes approx 40 mins and many people commute in each day. My husband Mike was a general builder in the UK and had his own business for 25 yrs but has struggled to find work out here on the residential side. In Queensland like all of Oz you need a licience to work. For him to obtain his licience to do the work he did in the UK he would have to pay $4000.00 and complete a work book and assigments which would have taken approx 6 mths. But in the mean time he would have to work as a casual labourer. Therefore he has changed over to the civil side working for an agency and has to travel an hour and a half to get to work at 6.30. Your husband might want to look on the BSA site to see what he would have to do to obtain his licience. I understand now that some liciences can be obtained in the UK prior to coming over. I'm not sure about plastering work but I know renderers are quite busy still here. It might be an idea to post a note asking for info for plasterers in Brisbane. If I didn't have kids I would probally look to live on the gold coasts as it is much more lively. But first I would plan a holiday out here and come any have a look for yourself. We are very happy here and don't regret leaving England but it is definately worth sorting out the work sit as that has been our biggest hurdle. Good luck keep in touch[/quote]

 

Hi Adele,
Thank you so much for your reply, Its great to talk to someone that is already out there as we dont have anyone. Cleveeland sounds beautiful with the harbour, This is such a big discision but we are both set on moving. work here has really slowed down, jason also has his own business, but since last year its been so quite, its like the whole world is in a recession. Is the work book and the 4,000 if you want to start your own business or is it to work with other people, i was'nt sure. Is the rent expensive? i hear its quite hard to get a place to rent as they all look for references. We are still waiting to get jason's trade assessed before we can apply for our visa, it just takes so long, You sound like you really love it there, i quess the sunshine all year round is great. The one thing i will miss most is my family. Again thanks for all the info, would love to stay in touch. Ruth:tongue:

 

Adele, if you feel like a coffee and a chat anytime, give me a call - I know it can be tough in the first year. I live in Wellington Point and would love to catch up with you for coffee when you are free
Lorraine 0421 003403