Hmm..moving to Australia?

So...I woke up about 3 weeks ago after I had dreamt about living on some beach watching whales dance [it was a really cool dream by the way] thinking I should move to Australia. Since then...Ive been entertaining the idea more and more and am actually getting excited over the possibility. Why Australia? I really dont know...Im just feeling called to go there. Ive never been there and everything I know about the island was gained from watching the crocodile hunter and the like on the discovery channel....so basically I dont know much about the island. Perhaps...you folks in australia can fill me in on what living is like there? I checked on craigslist for rentals and holy crap stuff is cheap out there! But...whats the job situation like? and where in australia would you all reccomend I move too? Any advice would be helpful in making my final decision! Thanks!

Blessings

 

i was born in australia.
thats it tho.
neither of my parents are australian, they were on a vacation.
but u should learn how to play the didgeridoo when u get there.

 

well, I'm in Sydney, When i get my own place it'll be between "Newcastle" and "Port Macquarie" along the coast. My choice is "Seal Rocks" Look it up on Google maps and check out the satellite/street view of the street "Kinka Rd".

 

Teehee...I actually have a didg and can already play it...well kinda...havnt mastered the circular breathing yet! Im gonna try the google thingey now...thanks ozz =]

 

I lived in Australia for most of my life. My favourite place was Queensland, though I spent most of my time in Victoria. I imagine it would be best to spend sometime traveling around to find the place you like best. Perhaps set up base somewhere you've a good feeling about and go from there? I always found it pretty easy to find a job, as did all my friends. I've not been there for a few years but I doubt that's changed a great deal. The current economic situation has been relatively kind to oz, as least that's what I've been told. If you've any specific questions I'd be happy to help if I can. Oh... this may help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f_p0CgPeyA

 

Wow...google maps is kinda creepy but super cool! I was able to travel all the way down kinka rd.! I saw pics that people have posted of the area too and was drooling the whole time! Absoutely beautiful!!!!! If you dont mind me asking....how much is the average rent for a 2 bd. house, apt, shack, or whatever in that area? And are there many jobs?

 

Thanks evolve! I heard through a friend that Australias public school systems have a montessori approach to learning? Do you know anything about that? I have a 5 year old who is already in a Montessori and if its true about the school systems there...well....that would just be icing on the cake! Oh...and thanks for the youtube comedy Bruce! =]

 

Don't know the prices, yet...

but as for our public schooling system...its fucked. And sadly its getting worse, our schools aren't teaching the children, there pushing them through just to make the schools look good. hence the fact that there making it so the only way you can fail is if you don't turn up for your exams.

look for a place where the school is small, may not have the best equipment or the brand new books but the teachers will care and there education will be better.

or

Go private...lol.

oh, and I've just gotten out of the institution our government calls "School" so i know a bit about it.

 

I live down in Adelaide, however I was born in England. Been living in Adelaide for 16 years though (im only 17)
However
Theirs a few things id like to clear up though.. we don't actually ride kangaroos to school/work, thats just stupid. Wombats are clearly the transportation choice with a 4 star safety rating.
and shrimp on the barbie? we eat that shit raw


But Australia is quite a terrific place. If you ever come to Adelaide and you or your little one want to learn to surf be sure to give me a yell

Toodles Noodles

 

Mandyland, these people are all lying, don't listen to them!!
Perth/WA is totally where it's at

hahah just jokin....all of Australia is really nice.
Not too much difference between the states, all of them are roughly the same.

It just depends what sort of culture/population you're used to.
Melbourne for example is the "arty" place to be, lots of people although Sydney is bigger
Brisbane is really cool too, lot sof sugar cane plantations etc. Probably the best theme parks are found there too (if you're into that sort of thing).

Some people consider Perth "boring" coz we haven't got as many pubs/clubs etc as most of the other capital cities but hey its a great place to raise a family. The population is slowly increasing here which I guess is both a good and bad thing haha

 

i have family in perth, thats where ill be based when i go out there in a few years time, but im ganna travel around. ive bought a load of travel brochures and books and guides and things about oz and im quite excited about goin..

 

I feel pulled to Australia as well. I'm only 18 and currently in college in NY. I might study abroad in Australia and I would love to live there when I'm older.

 

wow...thanks everybody for the info! I love it. I was hopin to ride a kangaroo to work! Damn thanks for popping the bubble on that one Enjoy! =]
Bummer to hear about the school system....I'll have to research that one more. I would love to live on the coast in an area thats safe for kids with just cool laid back artsy surfer people that dig good music! I dont care much for the big city vibes or the crazy night life. Enjoy...I will def give ya a holler about the surfing lessons! Im from southern Cali...I used to surf a little down there back in the day....its been awhile though and Im sure surfing in Australia is a whole different story than the waves in southern Cali! Are there tons of sharks?

 

I would say the school system isn't all that bad, in fact I think there are positives over the American schools, even here in Seattle where they are said to be of a high level relative to other places in America. I would recommend looking into this yourself of course, but from my experience it seems that federal funding is easy for schools to get in oz, but of course they always need more... in this aspect it's kinda like the difference between the health care systems in the two countries. There also seems to be less of a likely hood in Australia for schools to cut back on arts, though again this is a problem there too. In America there seems to be a better system for honours programs, but again, I'm no expert. I sure everything differs from school to school, state to state and I've not been there for close to 5 years now. If your boy is 5 he would go straight into regular school, most kids start at 4 or 5. I don't think Australian schools are more like Montessori schools than there American counterparts, the structure and what I understand of the teaching techniques are pretty similar between the two countries. On a whole I would say that any problems with the Australian public schools are problems all schools with a modern/western style teaching philosophy share, which is a whole other conversation and maybe where Ozzy Dread is coming from? One important thing is that Australian schools are in general, safer, I never saw a "no knifes or guns" sign posted on an Australian school, but of course the human race is perfect nowhere.

A good insight into the different countries can be gained from seeing that the population of the state of California is more than the entire country of Australia, where as the whole country's land mass is only slightly smaller that that of continental USA. Since I mentioned it, if you became an Australian resident you would never have to worry about health-care. I'm really astounded at the health care system here.

To be clear, I love America, from the moment I came here I felt like I was home. I'll also add, I've not seen a lot of it yet, mostly contained within the Pacific Northwest, so my comparisons between the two countries should be taken with this in mind.

 

mandy you are forbidden to go



unless you take me

many years ahgo i had a tipi waiting for me biout an hours walk from cambera
i trued hard to get there then
then when the world gathering was in tazmania i tried going again but still never msade it
if you go you gotta take me with ya
otherwise im not gonna let ya go...

 

what are you going to do about a visa and stuff? dont they have a points system?

 

Well come on SE! =]
In regards to a Visa...I dunno. Ive never traveled out of my country! Im totally new to this! I have to research all of that still! I have a lot to look into!

 

lol SE, you really wanna come to AUS.

 

id love to go to aus buyt especialy with mandy

 

From what I found when looking in to it for a friend, it is quite hard for americans to get into australia for longer than a tourist visa (3 months i think?) It's because you can't work. England and other countries can back pack / working visa for a year because they reciprocate that. I think there are ways around it, but you would have to look into that. <--- this is not stated as fact, just as my recollection of previous research 4 years ago.

IMO the school system is alright, varies from state to state, I've been told by numerous people that Queensland has a lot better teaching of the 3 r's although not as good as in my day. I don't know why you think the rent is cheap? Most prices you will see are the weekly rental. I can't find a rental under 300 a week in a small town atm, so we are living at a van park. Actually I can't find a rental close by at all, but when they do come up they are over 300 and snapped up straight away.

I don't want to put you off, just saying, tis all.