Hello, newbie with lots of questions

[Guest Harbords]

Hi all.....We were granted our visa 3 weeks ago. At first we planned on moving to South Australia, but after reading through threads on this forum, we decided that it may not be the right place for our daughters. They are aged 21,20,18 and 18months. We were afraid that it may be a little quiet for our older daughters. We finally decided on Brisbane and were all set on moving there. However, something keeps pointing us back to Adelaide.

 

Could anyone please give us some advice on this please as we really need to make a final decision.

 

Also, o/h is an electrician......are there many job opportunities for electricians in Adelaide at the moment, and what is the process to gain A licence? We keep getting different information, so would really appreciate it if someone could point us in the right direction.

 

Thanks loads

Sharonx

 

Mark, Sharon, Emily (21), Charlotte (20), Catherine (18) & our little Grace (18months)

[Diane]

Welcome to the site.

Can't help on the electrician questions, but for your older daughter I would say, as long as you're not too far out of the City centre, there should be plenty to keep them amused.

 

Adelaide is not a "bright lights big city" type of place, as you've presumably already worked out, but there is plenty going on if you know where to look. There are quite a few venues that have live music, comedy shows, and suchlike going on, and it seems quite lively with young people (ohhh, doesn't that phrase make me sound old!) around the East End of the city (Rundle Street area), Hutt Street, and (a little "livelier"!) Hindley Street at night, plus plenty of pubs and restaurants around. Henley Beach areas and Glenelg are busy in the summer months too.

 

Don't forget there are three big universities in and around Adelaide, so obviously the students find stuff to do! Depends what your girls are into, but there's also plenty of sport going on here.

 

If after you've settled the older girls decide it is too quiet for them, Melbourne is only a short flight away so they may decide to spread their wings and explore that a bit, and the Gold Coast theme parks are a good place for a short break away, whilst leaving you to raise your younger daughter here in the very-family-orientated Adelaide.

 

Not sure if any of that helps... but as I say, welcome to the site and good luck with your decision making

 

Diane

[Guest guest3462]

I have to say that I agree with Diane. Adelaide is a lovely place to live with plenty to do for all ages if you are close enough to the city. The older girls will be able to fend for themselves here and little Grace will thrive here it is such a great place for younger kids. All my opinion of course, but I think Brisbane is fantastic for a holiday but I wouldnt want to live there! (too much wet weather for my liking for a start)

[Guest kangomik]

Depends what the girls enjoy really.

If they are the type of girls that go out on a saturday night and stay in the local boozer, Adelaide City center will be fine.

If they are the type of girls that travel to different city's for different nightclubs then they will struggle.

 

Adelaide night life (night clubs etc) is really one street long. then it's a plane trip to another city.

 

Yes there is a lot to do here, for 3 months of the year. after that there are things to do but you have to travel around for different things.

 

If your comming to Australia you have to take into account that life is different here, it is not a pub culture. People spend more time sociallising at home than down a pub and have more of an outdoor life style. The change may be good for them.

 

The youngest one will love it as she grows, it's one of the best places to being a kid up IMHO.

[Guest Squareman]

Is it wise to make a 'life decision' based on your kids' ability to visit a decent range of nightclubs? Sounds crazy to me, with the greatest of respect. If they are active young adults, then they'll love it here.

[mick&shan]

Hi Sharon,

I know quite a few electricians that have came over here and had do a wiring regulations course before they was able to gain there A class licence.

As for teenagers Ive got a 19 year old daughter that is always out socalising and partying the weekend away, so there must be places around for them

[simon@sarah]

Hi Sharon

 

I know exactly what you mean, we have 3 boys, 15,18,& 20 and I like you was worried about how they would settle and would they be bored..I put a thread on here - new and nervous - and got some lovely reassuring replys, its still on here if you look, they might put your mind abit more at rest.

As you have been advised, nearer the city sounds like it will better for them, but from what I can ascertain, nowhere is that far from the city and as Diane said there are 3 uni's in Adelaide so they must do something right to attract the student life.

we are just waiting for our visa's having had meds yesterday, so hopefully wont be long now. If you decide on Adelaide, keep in touch, the more friends the kids have the easier it will be..and us adults of course!!

Sarah:)

[Guest Harbords]

Hi all.....thanks for your replies. At the moment we live approx 30mins outside Cardiff. My daughters are not into any particular sports since leaving school. They go to the gym and swim to keep fit and my 18 year old used to have a horse (we have just sold him).

 

When I said Adelaide may be too quiet, I wasn't specifically referring to pubs and nightclubs. They do go out in Cardiff with friends occasionally, but mostly enjoy eating out, the cinema and shopping (for clothes of course). What suburbs would you suggest, reasonably priced, with good transport links into the city and the coast?

 

Cheers

Sharonx

[Guest Squareman]

In that case, your kids will love it. Having been to Cardiff, I can tell you that there is a lot more to do in Adelaide than there is in Cardiff! I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the size and diversity of Adelaide. It has more 'outdoor' things to do than anywhere in the UK as far as I'm concerned and has the highest number of restaurants and pubs, per capita, than any city in the world.

 

Have you see this video?

 

 

YouTube - South Australia

[Guest Harbords]

Hi Sharon

 

I know exactly what you mean, we have 3 boys, 15,18,& 20 and I like you was worried about how they would settle and would they be bored..I put a thread on here - new and nervous - and got some lovely reassuring replys, its still on here if you look, they might put your mind abit more at rest.

As you have been advised, nearer the city sounds like it will better for them, but from what I can ascertain, nowhere is that far from the city and as Diane said there are 3 uni's in Adelaide so they must do something right to attract the student life.

we are just waiting for our visa's having had meds yesterday, so hopefully wont be long now. If you decide on Adelaide, keep in touch, the more friends the kids have the easier it will be..and us adults of course!!

Sarah:)

 

Hi Sarah

I have just read your thread...good to read more reassuring replys. I know they will have opportunity to make friends through work/studying but can't help worrying. They all want to go at the moment so don't want them to be dissapointed when they get there. Good luck with your visa...ours took about 5 weeks after meds were done. Be good to keep in touch......any idea where you are heading to.

Sharon:)

[Guest Harbords]

In that case, your kids will love it. Having been to Cardiff, I can tell you that there is a lot more to do in Adelaide than there is in Cardiff! I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised by the size and diversity of Adelaide. It has more 'outdoor' things to do than anywhere in the UK as far as I'm concerned and has the highest number of restaurants and pubs, per capita, than any city in the world.

 

Have you see this video?

 

 

YouTube - South Australia

 

Looks beautiful and yes plenty to do...thanks for the link

Cheers

Sharon:)

[jim and adel]

It has more 'outdoor' things to do than anywhere in the UK as far as I'm concerned and has the highest number of restaurants and pubs, per capita, than any city in the world.

 

I know Canberra used to boast that it had the most (laughably arguing that it beat Paris into second place ...), until someone pointed out that over a hundred US cities had more per capita, then it dropped the claim.

 

Some clumsy contributor has a current wikpedia snip about Melbourne:

 

'In Melbourne there is approximately 5000 cafes and restaurants - per capita Melbourne has the most cafes/restaurants in the world.[citation needed] Also, Melbourne has more clubs/pubs per capita than anywhere else in the world[citation needed].'

 

Citations needed indeed!

 

Got to say, it's the first time I've heard the claim about good old Adelaide!

 

Jim

[Guest Squareman]

Really? I've been telling people that for the past 3 years! LOL. Can't even remember where I got it from! LOL

 

Ok, ok. Can we agree that Adelaie has more pubs and restaurants than Cardiff? I would argue that Cardiff is probably on a par with Coober Pedy in this regard. Hehe

[Guest kangomik]

Just wait square pants, you can't go banding things around like that just for the hell of it.

Even if it did (i don't think deli's and chicken shops count) you would have to travel a long way to see a few.

 

Ahem, the comment about nighclubs reflects what people (young) expect of the place they are going to. Are they expecting to go to Australia and be greeted with 24/7 nightlife? or are they expecting a quiet laid back pace of life.

 

BY the way the video link is wondeful, for tourism.

 

Look to the OP, its a fabulous place, it really is great, has lots to do in it's own way. If you embrace it and invest time it will pay you back. Let the young adults make their own minds up once they arrive.

The locals are friendly, and it's easy to get around.

[simon@sarah]

Hi Sharon,thats good that they all want to go, half the battle, we have one unsure but am hoping he will come out and give it a try. we are initially going to Seaview downs, if it all works out okay we have hopefully got a house for short term rent then we will look around and see what area suits as a family. It is such a daunting thought though and soooo much to do, we have just put house on market, so figures crossed it sells quick. you any idea where you are looking and have you a date yet?

Sarah

[RockDr]

wrt where to live.

One thing to bear in mind is that the older girls will be moving out soon anyway, so provided you're close to a good transport link to the city (can transfer onto buses to the beach/hills from there) then I would say move to where YOU want to be. Also might be worth renting for a while, as once the girls move out, you probably won't need quite so many bedrooms, especially if they're living in Adelaide.

[Diane]

... be greeted with 24/7 nightlife? ....

 

Soon to be only 21/7 apparently - some new law they're bringing in to make it illegal to serve alcohol between 4am and 7am (except in the Casino!) - never been there at that time myself but apparently the current busiest time in Hindley Street is 3am...!!!

[Guest Harbords]

Hi Sharon,thats good that they all want to go, half the battle, we have one unsure but am hoping he will come out and give it a try. we are initially going to Seaview downs, if it all works out okay we have hopefully got a house for short term rent then we will look around and see what area suits as a family. It is such a daunting thought though and soooo much to do, we have just put house on market, so figures crossed it sells quick. you any idea where you are looking and have you a date yet?

Sarah

 

Hi Sarah

We did have moments throughout the visa process with one of my daughters. She is a bit of a home bird and is comfortable with all things familiar. She also had a long term boyfriend and was adamant that she was not coming with us ..........but as soon as our visa was granted she started to tell friends, lecturers etc. that she was moving to oz, thank goodness, a real surprise. We have just put our house on the market but will rent it out, if we can't sell. Still not sure about where we are heading but will have to make up our minds soon as we are hoping to make the move around September.

I met the family from Camarthen who were on WDU when we were having our meds done. Their flights were booked but they had experienced difficulty securing a rental property.

 

Hope all goes well with the sale of your house,

Sharonx:)