DSLRUsers.com

by **Geoff M** on Fri Jul 01, 2005 3:18 pm

Hi

I came to Oz 13 months ago from Norfolk, on permanent resident visa and now residing in Brisbane. Regrets? a few......miss family and freinds and seasons. Here in Brisbane it is generally too hot for me but we have a swimming pool to cool off. I enjoy the winter best, much like a UK spring.

Cost of living is much cheaper, earnings lower, house prices a little cheaper, but this all depends on the suburb (we moved from a 130 year old two up two down cottage in UK to a new four bedroomed home, about 6 times bigger!!, with pool). I have two kids aged four and two, It is great for them here in Oz........a lot of outdoor living and less time stuck in front of the TV.

If you are given the oppurtunity take it. If you dont like it you can always go back. If you dont take the oppurtunity it you will always look back with regret and say what if?

Hope this helps

Geoff

by **Killakoala** on Fri Jul 01, 2005 6:35 pm

I came here in 1975. best move my parents ever did. 30 years later i still love Oz.

Good luck Charlie. i hope you get the job.

by **Miliux** on Sat Jul 02, 2005 5:54 pm

Nnnnsic wrote:Hmm... yeah, I have to say that from going to schools in both the US and Australia, Australia has some of the most cruel kids and teens in their school system.

Me thinks their parents need to do a better job.

It all depends which school you go to. I was going to North Shore and it was a great experience with community spirit and solidarity. I find the schools at West and South West the complete oppisite.

:roll:

by **kingsley** on Tue Jul 05, 2005 11:15 pm

Hi,good luck with the interview etc,

Hi moved to Perth from Scotland just over 3 years ago,and not regretted it at all.I have more imediate family here than back in Scotland now so that makes a huge difference,as I don't have anything pulling me back to the UK.

Love the outdoor lifestyle here in Perth,only downside is it is so far away from anywhere!!

Only really miss the football from back home,miss the coverage in the press,listening to it on Radio etc.

Anyway here is a very usefull site http://www.pomsinperth.com/
although it is biased towards Perth there is loads of info which is revelant to someone looking to relocate.Also has a discussion forum.

All the best

Graham

by **leek** on Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:01 am

kingsley wrote:I moved to Perth from Scotland just over 3 years ago

Isn't Perth in Scotland??? :lol:

by **kingsley** on Wed Jul 06, 2005 12:27 am

Sure is,but didn't move from that Perth

leek wrote:
kingsley wrote:I moved to Perth from Scotland just over 3 years ago

Isn't Perth in Scotland???

by **Charlie Chalk** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 12:57 am

Hi All

Many thanks for the responses, its been a great help!

Just found out I've made it to the interview stages, with an interview tomorrow at 8am (UK time) fingers crssed!

Can anyone tell me about the schools (for a 5 year old) around the Ryde area of Sydney, I understand you pay for schooling in Oz??

Ryde is where the company is based, is that a good area? is it residential, i.e. would I be able to live near work, or is it more the norm for people to live out of town and commute in?

Thanks again

CC

by **birddog114** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:26 am

CC,
Heaps of school around Ryde area for your 5YO.
My guess: the company which you're going to work with is based in North Ryde near the MacQuairie University Campus, mostly major corporate have their headquaters or head offices there.
Yes, Ryde or North Ryde almost have the residential area apart from business, it's nice area to live with bush land and nature reserve surrounded.
More Ryde residents will input their thoughts here for you.
Good luck by the way.

by **gstark** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:08 am

Charlie,

Good luck with the interview.

Ryde is a residential area; as Birddog suggested, your company will most likely be in the North Ryde industrial centre.

Apart from Ryde, Gladesville, Hunters Hill (a beautiful part of Sydney) Pymble, Chatswood, Epping, Eastwood ... lots of nice areas from which to choose.

Public schooling is free, private schools are fee based.

by **Sheetshooter** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:34 am

Charlie,

Ryde is an older area then North Ryde and has many houses by comparison to the newer residential areas of North Ryde which are primarily blocks of flats (dating from the late 60s/early 70s).

North Ryde is at the end of the M2 Motortway, an arterial toll road, which makes it wasy to commute from further west if you want a newer house on its own block. A new motorway link is currently under construction which will take you dorectly into the CBD of both the City and North Sydney. It is also close to a ring road which will facilitate movement north and south.

Let me prepare you fr a shock - eventually you might visit our own Newcastle (about 100 miles north of Sydney) and you will have to brace yourself to accept that there is both a Hexham and a Wallsend there (although no actual wall, I'm sad to say.) No Angel Of The North either.

Cheers, PS: Newky Broon is readily available in some Bottle-Os .... you have been warned!

by **Glen** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:45 am

Charlie,

many good suggestions on areas around Ryde or North Ryde (North Ryde is a well known IT area if you are in that business). Have a look at http://www.domain.com.au to get an idea of rental or purchase costs. Lane Cove is right next to North Ryde to give you a few ideas.

Glad you are down to the short list, Good Luck

by **sirhc55** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:56 am

We all look forward to seeing you at a Minimeet CC

by **Charlie Chalk** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:54 pm

Interiew went well, haven't talked £££ yet though.

Will either be working at head office in North Ryde, or on-site with J & J in the city.

Is it possible to commute from out of town to either of these, or is it more likley we'll be in an apartment??

Find out by the end of the week if I'm getting a second interview...

Fingers crossed!

I'll keep you informed

by **johndec** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:14 pm

Charlie Chalk wrote:Interiew went well, haven't talked £££ yet though.

Will either be working at head office in North Ryde, or on-site with J & J in the city.

Is it possible to commute from out of town to either of these, or is it more likley we'll be in an apartment??

Find out by the end of the week if I'm getting a second interview...

Fingers crossed!

I'll keep you informed

Charlie,

It depends on what you mean by commute. Perhaps you should google up a map of Sydney to help with all the suggestions that will be thrown your way :lol:

North Ryde is in the middle north western belt of Sydneys suburbs. Road (car) access to this part of Sydney is quite good with several major roads converging in this area. Parking would not be a major problem as most of the companies based there have large carparks for employees. Public transport to the area is only served by buses. The nearest railway line is several miles away.

The CBD on the other hand is basically the reverse. Nowhere to park but well serviced by public transport (it should be mentioned that a major local issue atm is the inability of the rail network to run on time, so don't catch the train to a job interview in the Sydney CBD :shock:

)

Good luck, hope to see you at a mini-meet!!!

by Mj on Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:16 pm

Charlie,

Plenty of options for accomodation around the N'Ryde region from town houses and units to houses. A little further and houses with pools and tennis courts if your budget extends to that can be found.

by **wile_E** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:18 pm

Good luck re the second round Charlie!

I'll not say anything about commuting and public transport, as my opinion on it is quite poor (I've resorted to driving into work these days)!!

by **johndec** on Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:20 pm

As far as apartment vs free standing house goes, assuming the type of income you would be on, it would be more of a lifestyle choice rather than a neccesity.

by **gstark** on Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:22 am

Charlie Chalk wrote:Is it possible to commute from out of town to either of these, or is it more likley we'll be in an apartment??

Either would be feasible.

by **birddog114** on Wed Jul 13, 2005 7:31 am

johndec wrote:As far as apartment vs free standing house goes, assuming the type of income you would be on, it would be more of a lifestyle choice rather than a neccesity.

Work in North Ryde and rent a house at Vaucluse or Point Piper:lol: How is that sound?

by **leek** on Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:03 am

Birddog114 wrote:
johndec wrote:As far as apartment vs free standing house goes, assuming the type of income you would be on, it would be more of a lifestyle choice rather than a neccesity.

Work in North Ryde and rent a house at Vaucluse or Point Piper:lol: How is that sound?

Don't forget the tax concession on rental that i mentioned earlier... that will make an enormous difference to the standard of the place you can live for the first few years...

by **Charlie Chalk** on Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:08 am

Leek, if I get the job (big if) and we use the LAFH tax thing, can you stay in Oz after the four years are up? or is it only for people staying for up to four years then going back to where they came from.

CC

by **leek** on Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:35 am

Charlie Chalk wrote:Leek, if I get the job (big if) and we use the LAFH tax thing, can you stay in Oz after the four years are up? or is it only for people staying for up to four years then going back to where they came from.

CC

There is a restriction that you can only work for the sponsoring company while on a temporary residence visa... Typically you can stay up to 4 years on a temporary visa and I have even heard of people renewing for another 4 years, but what typically happens is you would apply for permanent residence after 4 years... As soon as you apply for permanent residence you will lose the tax concession (as you have shown an intent to stay here).
Application for permanent residence typically takes 6-8 months and you are reasonably certain to get it as long as you are in employment, you are not critically ill or otherwise a burden on the state...
Permanent residence is not quite as permanent as it sounds as you have to renew it every 5 years and have to be in Australia for 2 years out of the 5 year period...
After you have been a permy for a few years, if you are really keen you can apply for Australian citizenship... This then gives you an Australian passport (and you can keep your British one too!), complete freedom of movement and an absolute guarantee that you can stay here forever...

LAFH is really meant for people on assignment here, but as long as you don't show any intention to stay and still have family or other ties in the UK, you would qualify for it...
As I said, as soon as you show any intention to stay (which would include buying a house), then you lose it...
My advice would be to enjoy the benefit of the LAFH for a few years and live in a rich area that you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford - nice house / apartment with swimming pool and / or harbour views :lol: