we have just got our permanent visa (independant skilled 175 skilled - independant) and have booked to visit Oz on 15/03/2009 for 3wks. We are landing in Brisbane and are planning on visiting the Brisbane City, Surfers Paradise and a couple more places along the way.
As this is my first time to Oz I was wondering if anyone can help me decide on where the best places to visit are. We need to consider the best place for us to move to as my husband is a carpenter so he will need work and I work in the Finance Industry. We have 2 small children so need to considr schools. We have been advised that Coomera is a nice 'up and coming' area to have a look at? Can I have any suggestions please?

 

Hiya anywhere between Brisbane and tweed headsis ideal for familys, you will find suburbs to suit every taste and budget. Surfers is ideal for a day out but i dont think you will want to live there, its too 'touristy' and all hustle and bustle.
As you already mentioned Commera is a nice area ,hubby often works at Coomera Waters and says its beautiful. Oxenford is another popular area,some more nice areas are ;
Jacobs Well, Runaway Bay, Robina, Mudgeeraba, Coolangatta, Tugun, Springbrook , the list really is endless.
In your shoes i would drive the full length of the coast not forgetting the hinterland side of the motorway where you are still near enough to everything but have the stunning green hinterland on your doorstep.
Hope this helps a bit
Cal x

 

Places to visit

Cal,

Thanks for your reply, we will try and cover as much ground as possible when we visit. You may or maynot know the answer to this, but if we were to live in one of the areas you have mentioned, where would it be likely that my husband would look for work on the building? he is a carpenter so would be looking for mainly new builds etc
Apart from Brisbane itself, are any of the areas you mentioned quite big to call a city? Im only asking as I would be searching mainly for jobs in the financial industry.
Sorry for all the questions!!

Thanks

Sarah

 

Most are on or in commutable distance to the Gold Coast where building is booming, you may too be lucky with a finance job in that area, although everywhere is a bit quiet right now
Cal x