Hi, what a jolly titile that was! Hello to all, just joined as my o.h and i are having a big turn around on where to emigrate to. We have always fancied Queensland, particularly the sunshine coast and the gold coast.
My only concern has been the humidity as i have arthritis and we thought it may make it worse.
Would love to pick anyone's brains about this. Has anyone found the humidity makes them worse? Or even better that the u.k? Is it humid all year? What are the winter's like?
We have been seriously looking at Perth but our hearts are in Queensland!Would love to be able to come to Queensland instead but don't want to make health worse!
The winters in the uk are killer's though!Got to be better that that!
Any info and experiences greatly appreciated!
Judy

 

Sorry Judy, I can't answer the question with regards to arthritis......but i can with regards to climate.

The humidity in the Brisbane area is only really bad during February and March. It can be pretty oppressive......and just when you think you can't stand it anymore.......along comes autumn!

Winters here are great! During the day it's usually somewhere in the low 20's. We get a lot of winter sunshine. You can quite happily sit on a beach - albeit in jeans and jumper - in the middle of winter and enjoy a picnic. There are a few colder days though - BRRRRRR - today in fact they reckon it's only going to reach 20 degrees and my feet are freezing!!! Overnight in winter it often gets into single figures so it feels cold when you wake up in the morning.

I hope that helps a bit. I just LOVE the climate here!

Love

Rudi
x

 

G'day Judyq

A year after arriving here, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was 52 and it was extremely painful; couldn't lie down, couldn't stand, could barely brush my teeth or pick up a kettle!! Anyway, after seeing a GP, I was diagnosed within a week and had seen a specialist a week later. Following x-rays and further blood tests, he put me on methotrexate and I haven't looked back. I now play golf, swim and go cycling. The whole process from seeing the GP to treatment was less than 3 weeks and the only cost to me is $38 when a see the specialist and $50 pa for the pills!! Thanks Medicare. I would hate to think how long it would have taken in the UK and to have gone through your last winter.

QLD; no drama's and it's all good

 

Hi Judy,

Although I cannot answer you question with personal experience I have known a couple of member who moved here a swear that their Arthritis has improved since being in the warmer climate, The Humidity does not exist in all parts of QLD and depending where you live will govern how the humidity will affect you. At the moment I live 4 hours away from Brisbane in an inland town, our nearest large city is Toowoomba and humidity out here is non existent. Living in or around Brisbane you may find the Humidity more oppressing but if you live by the coast (As I did when I moved here) then the breeze from the Pacific will often counteract the humidity and make it very pleasant.

Rudi hit the nail on the head when she talks about it feeling cold when the temperature drops, After living here for 12 months i started to complain if the temp dropped below around 15c as it was cold, after 2 years here anything below 20 and i am putting a jumper on to keep warm. You very quickly acclimatise to the weather and what can feel oppressively hot when you arrive, will feel chilly 12 months later.

 

Hi , I can empathise, mine started like that and i also have Methotrexate to thank!! What a tough way to start your life in Oz.The speed of the care was amazing! I had a long wait to see a rheumatologist and then it was a year before i got off my crutches as she gave me the wrong drugs!
I was very heartened to see the price of the meds and appointment with the specialist, thank you for that.
Can I ask if you feel any different in different climates? Sound very active! Are you by the sea?
Thanks again

 

G'day,

I really believe that the climate has helped. Whilst we've had the coldest winter in 10 years what that means is that it gets down to single figures at night. We had some nights at 4c and some days at 12c, but generally it's between 10c-22c. During the summer it sometimes/rarely gets above 35c and can be oppressive, but I know where I'd rather be!! And although we have a pool, which is brilliant, there are so many top class heated outdoor cheap public 50m pools around. There's one around the corner from us which is great during the winter, because it's heated as is the 25m one, and it costs less than £3 per day.

Yes we are by the sea on Moreton Bay, in Cleveland. Have a look on Streetview in Google maps; you can take a stroll around the town. The bay is flat and fairly calm and without any real beaches because it's protected by the two islands of Moreton and Stradbroke. To find proper beaches and the Pacific, you'll have to go north to the Sunshine coast, south to the Gold coast, or to the islands. As I said before, it's all good!

On the health care issue, my wife who is a nurse, suffered from a back pain a few months ago. It took four days from seeing the GP to having x-rays, blood tests, a cat scan and specialist diagnosis and treatment. Four days!! And just to confirm, this was not under any private insurance; it was under Medicare which is the NHS equivalent.

Happy to help with any other questions.

BTW, Perth is too isolated!!!

 

Hi again Martyn, Good news about medicare, sounds excellent and so quick!
The weather sounds perfect. Have you found any increase in pain or stiffness when it is at it's most humid? The winter here was appalling last year, minus 17 here one day! Madness. Not only made it worse but terrified of falling over all the time! Makes you feel old before your time!
I know what you mean about Perth! It is very isolated! I was lucky enough to work in Sydney in the nineties and visited Perth on a few occasions. Found it Very modern and pleasant but no massive draw like i feel for the east coast and Queensland in particular.
The main reason for our choice is the climate as it is, i believe, a dry heat in w.a.
May have to do another reccie next year as our house unsold so may get a chance to visit both area's again and make a more definate decision!
Thanks again for your help.
Judy