A quick hi from me!

[Sylvian]

Literally sticking my head above the water (I think I'm waving... not drowning!) having stumbled across the forum during one of my many 'where's the best... in Adelaide?' internet searches.

 

There's a very good chance we will be moving out within the next 6 months, though we are still at business end of deciding whether it's a definite YES or no. My wife has a definite job offer, and a very good one. In fact she 'popped over' yesterday for three days (yes, three) to check it out. And so far she loves it.

 

So I'm likely to be doing a lot of forum trawling (suburbs, schools etc.) and quite a bit of question posting, assuming all goes well. We're the other side of 45 so not quite as gung-ho as many thinking of making the jump, I imagine. Details, that's what I need... details.

 

For now I guess I'm just looking for a little reassurance that we aren't completely insane!

 

Thanks guys.

 

S

[NicF]

Welcome to the forum. One of the hardest things when migrating is finding a job so you are already half way there. If you are up for an adventure then go for it. It doesn't have to be forever and you can always move back if it doesn't work out. The only time it becomes difficult is if you have older kids whose schooling may be affected by moving here and then back again. I think the only factor the age will have is on getting visas so make sure you know the ins and outs of the visa you will be getting and if it is a temporary visa look in to the possibility of getting a permanent visa in case you do decide you want to stay longer term.

[snifter]

Hello and welcome.

 

Agree with Nic, the hardest thing for many is finding a job so if there is a good offer on the table that is one of the main things overcome.

 

And similar thoughts about the age and moving. I think it can get complicated (and expensive) when you have kids involved, more so with teenagers who often may struggle to settle or bouncing round the different education systems if people ping pom. But honestly, so long as the kids are on board and happy to move, so long as those last couple of years of school can be stable thats a key thing.

 

And yes, if its a 457 ensure you understand the ins and outs of it all. A temp visa is just that and does not automatically lead to PR. And should the job end there is only 90 days to secure another sponsor or leave the country.

 

 

 

Should you have a chance for PR off a temp visa and then want to go for it, of course, apply away.

[Sylvian]

Thanks for your replies. It is (or will be) a 457 visa, but we are in the fortunate position that no-one in Australia can do the job my wife has been recruited for... nor is there likely to be anyone for a number of years to come. So we shouldn't have difficulty converting to PR if we decide to go that way. In fact her potential employer has already gone to some lengths to explain how and when that should be done.

 

So, assuming we don't fail the medicals or fall foul of something unforeseen, it really is up to us. Our nipper isn't quite a teen yet, though she acts like one, and she's massively enthusiastic about it. Although she is a little nervous of bumping into the occasional snake or spider, of course.

 

In short, I think we are in the ideal position for anyone thinking of migrating... but that doesn't make it easy. Did any of you guys feel like it was home before you went out permanently? My wife sat on the beach this morning and said it was beautiful but she didn't feel connected to it in any way. Still, I guess its hard to know which way is up when you only arrived 48 hours ago!

 

One quick specific question - we like the look of Belair and Eden Hills - but is Blackwood school OK? I'm guessing there aren't any league tables to look at, and the school's own report wasn't that enlightening.

 

Thanks again.

 

S

[NicF]

My OH is Australian and we came on holiday 7 times before deciding to make the move. For the first 6 holidays I didn't feel like I could actually live here and was reluctant to move. On the 7th holiday we stayed in North Adelaide instead of one of the beach side suburbs and did more day to day living type things and I for the first time I felt like I could actually live here. We drove around a lot of suburbs on that holiday and when we drove through Rostrevor it just felt right. I can't explain why, it just did. There were lots of other lovely suburbs we drove through but Rostrevor was the one that felt the best. Fortunately the primary school here is pretty good and half of the suburb is in the catchment area for one of the better public high schools in Adelaide.

 

I can't comment on Blackwood school as I don't know it. Have a look at http://www.myschool.edu.au for more information on the school. This will give you the NAPLAN results (bit like sats) for the school as well as other information like the socio economic background of the students, number of students and financial position. When we were looking at schools we made our own league tables from the NAPLAN results on this website to compare several schools results. Just be aware though that results aren't everything and sometimes results can be a reflection of the area the school is in rather than the teaching at the school.

[snifter]

Blackwood HS has a good reputation. It fares pretty well on the NAPLAN and isn't one of the lower ranked HS. It has a sports programme and some other stuff. We are considering it in the future. http://www.bhs.sa.edu.au/ Primary schools around there tend to be good also. Some are zoned as there is demand for places.

 

I really like Belair and Eden Hills area. Blackwood is lovely also. Keep in mind it is hilly round there

 

FWIW I feel no real connection to Adelaide as such when down on the beaches here. Its stunning, lovely to see miles of golden sand but I really don't feel connected to it. However, we live in the foothills and I feel far more connected to Aus and Adelaide up here. Hence us moving up here. I love the gum trees all round us, the more winding roads, being able to be out in the countryside within minutes, seeing so much nature and wildlife (koalas are a daily sight for us). That for me is what I love and I'd not live along the coast and swap that for what we have.

 

I think I was lucky as when I first came here and stayed with my husband (a fair few years before we married) he was living in the CBD a couple of blocks from the Central Market. It was lovely to be right in the middle of things, to have the city on the doorstep and the parklands and so on. It made me feel far more involved and I loved the experience. However, living here long term it isn't where I'd want to be though I happily spend time there. I feel connected to Adelaide there too.

 

I think when you are visiting its hard to really get a grip on the actual reality of living here. I find some areas a bit Stepford Wives like and initially when I first visited and then later moved here it was a hard thing to get past. The mile upon mile of suburbs spreading out and never seeming to end. Not so bad in the metropolitan area but I notice it more further out. It was perhaps a bit of a harsh thing to call it but it really did feel like that to me (and still does to quite an extent in some areas) coming from a rural area of England and lots of open space and so on. Even when we lived near a city in a small town in England it didn't feel like that.

 

Also until you are experiencing the things Adelaide has to offer, just seeing a snapshot over a few days its a really hard thing to pin down. Also jet lag can make everything seem harder and just leave you feeling rather wiped out. Living life here is different to a visit and different to living in England. It doesn't suit everyone.

[Lazy Cow]

Did any of you guys feel like it was home before you went out permanently?

 

My wife sat on the beach this morning and said it was beautiful but she didn't feel connected to it in any way.

 

Like many people here, we hadn't visited Australia before migrating, nor did we have any family here, so I guess I didn't expect it to feel like home from the get-go. I was surprised how quickly it did, once we were here though.

 

As for your wife's 'connected' comment, I totally felt a disconnect too. Even the sky seemed foreign. Sure shopping and every day life felt weird, but the fact I didn't feel a physical connection to my natural surroundings anymore really rocked me. Happily, although it took time, it's all good now.

 

FWIW, Blackwood HS is great. It's an IB school until Yr 11/12 when students study for their SACE. I don't know much about the primary school, although I know their disabilities coordinator is one of the best.

 

Welcome to the forum, and to South Australia!

 

LC

[HelenS]

We had been to Australia before we decided to come out but we had never visited Adelaide. We arrived in June last year (I'm also the other side of 45 and we have 2 kids age 7 and 9) and we are loving it. It is a big decision and it is stressful for a while but for us it has been worth it. The kids have settled really well and have really enjoyed all the amazing activities that Adelaide has to offer.

[PatP]

We did visit Adelaide before we emigrated in 1980 for six weeks we stayed with relatives and lived it hence our decision to emigrate

But and this is just my opinion I still feel visiting and living is two totally different experiences Hubby was 37 I was 34 our kids 16 and 15 so we had been established in the UK

I can remember going into the city for my first job interview and feeling so alone knowing I wouldn't bump into anyone I knew

We come from the North East and everyone in our town seems to know everyone else !

Luckily we had hubbys family to help but I can always remember his Aunty saying one thing she couldn't do for us was to make friends

Back then we found work with days and never looked back and we built up a circle of friends both Aussie and English

My pull to the UK was always my parents as I was an only child ,taking their only grandchildren away from them was the hardest decision ever

In 2001 we left our now grown up family to come back to live in the UK to look after my Mum Being away 5 years when we moved back in 2006 we felt prices had shot up in Oz and got cheaper in the UK it used to be vice versa

In late 2013 we upped sticks again and moved backed to the UK thinking financially we would be better off and in some way we are but emotionally we have the pull of our children and grandchildren in Oz Hence our decision to up sticks again and come back to Adelaide soon

Do I love both countries yes I do both have good and bad points I always feel though if you compare the two it doesn't work

[Sylvian]

Well thanks for all these lovely replies, which I am re-reading and digesting as I type.

 

As for being long in the tooth... if we don't apply asap, we could technically be outside the acceptable limits. But I understand these are only guidelines and can be waived in exceptional cases. I've never considered myself 'exceptional' but it seems I'm married to someone who is. Which is nice.

 

I guess all those years looking at the UKs huge diversity of landscapes and architecture doesn't prepare you for Adelaide! My wife says the suburbs remind her of LA, and the hills of the LA canyons. Which is why we're looking at places like Belair - she didn't go much on suburban LA but loved the surrounding hills. So it's good to know that these areas (or some at least) have decent schools - the nipper is almost 10, so only has one year remaining before going to high school. Hence our focus is on finding something good for age 11 upwards. She's a big fan of sports (football, gymnastics, netball etc) and top of her class in most subjects, so hopefully she should fit in pretty well with life in Oz.

 

Eden and Blackwood are shaping up to be distinct possibilities. Not just for the houses, scenery and schools but their proximity to the JKA karate clubs in Clovelly Park and Marion. I'm seriously into martial arts and got told off for searching out suitable places to train before I started looking for somewhere to live. Still, you have to get your priorities right...

 

It's an interesting mix of stories you've given me, but even more interesting that you're all still enjoying it - or in your case Philly, looking forward to enjoying it again! Ultimately you don't get many chances like this in life and, even though we currently live in one of the loveliest bits of the UK, I wonder how we will feel in the future, growing old in the rain and snow, if we don't take it.

 

And, of course, our ages mean we're very, very unlikely to get another chance. To Australia or anywhere else for that matter. Blimey. No pressure then!

 

Thanks once again. And keep it coming... you can never know too much.

 

S

[NicF]

You should probably be aware high school doesn't start until year 8 here and kids typically turn 14 in year 8, although the younger ones will turn 13. Your daughter will have a few years yet before being in high school here in Adelaide.

Edited March 3, 2016 by NicF

[PatP]

Have a look at Coromandel Valley too a lovely suburb Weymouth oval hosts cricket games , Coro tennis club ( where we socialise and built up long friendships with the club stalwarts )

We count ourselves lucky to have dual nationality and also that years ago it was much easier to emigrate !

We weren't the pound poms in fact when we were told at our interview we had passed the interviewer in the next breath said You realise you will have to pay your own fare We still laugh about it At least we have kept the airlines in buisness lol

[Sylvian]

You should probably be aware high school doesn't start until year 8 here and kids typically turn 14 in year 8, although the younger ones will turn 13. Your daughter will have a few years yet before being in high school here in Adelaide.

 

Blimey. I've only just the hang of the school year/class structure here... I need to brush up on my knowledge for Australia, clearly. Important to know though - obviously it could make a big difference to our decision over where to live.

 

Haven't noticed Coromandel Valley yet. I'll nip off now and have a look now Philly, thanks.

 

S

[antlet]

Hello there,

I arrived in Adelaide a little short of eight years. Came for a year but ended up staying. The best advice I can give is (and this is from an older head too), nothing needs to be forever. Life is about trying new things and seeing what presents. For me I arrived with a husband and a 14 year old daughter. I have since divorced (nothing about Aus that did it) but my daughter and I have settled so well we are now citizens and have no intention of leaving. As a 14 year old I was worried that my daughter would miss friends, not fit on, hate life, but the opposite occured - there is so much for kids here.

Me personally, I had a 20 year career in sport, continued that for 5 years here and then retrained and am now a cop, which I did as a 45 year old!!! Opportunities are fab for adults too -you are never too old for an adventure or career change.

Feel free to contact me with questions any time

[Sylvian]

Well thanks Antlet. I joking mentioned that I might train as a cop too, though (in the UK at least) I would be attempting to join when most members of the force are approaching retirement!

 

My wife is now back and trying to digest her brief stay in Oz. She definitely didn't experience anything bad (other than a minor argument with a p*ssed bloke on the tram) so we have a lot of thinking to do.

 

Oh and Philly - by a strange coincidence she visited Coromandel at roughly the same time you were suggesting it. Having got the train to Blackwood the sound of the botanical gardens lured her off one or two stops early. Very pleasant area, by all accounts, just as you said. Definitely worth considering.

 

S

[PatP]

Coro further on than Blackwood but she probably got the ghist lots and lots of trees they are very leafy suburbs to say the least but I like the greenery if not the leaves !

There is a decent size shopping area in Blackwood smaller deli type shops in Coro Plenty food for thought on your quest for somewhere to live though as every one has different opinions

Oh and the Duck Inn pub in the middle of Coromandel Valley pricey for drinks but decent food lol

[Deni]

It is only a relatively short, scenic drive down Shepherds Hill Rd to get you to both the JKA Clubs you mentioned.

 

I came from St Albans Herts in 1980 and have never looked back even tho some things took a little getting used to.

 

You couldn't go wrong living in the Eden Hills , Belair , Blackwood areas . Much nicer and a bit cooler in the hot Summers we experience here than living down on the plains .

 

Bite the bullet and head down , you can always return to the UK if you don't settle . There are a number of people on here willing and able to help you as a newbie. I wish this Forum had been available when I first came .

[Sylvian]

Yes Philly, it seems my wife was actually heading to the end of the line when Coromandel beckoned. We're currently living in a scenic part of Cambridgeshire, so the idea of a little hills greenery adds to the attraction of that area.

 

And the idea of slightly cooler summers is appealing, I must say - though I understand it is unseasonably warm in Adelaide... a few degrees higher than normal for early March? Still I have no issues with extra sunshine.

 

I'm trying to get used to the real size of Adelaide - it looks enormous on Google Earth, then you look at the scale and realise Blackwood to Marion is only a 5-10 minute drive. And the beach, which we initially thought we would gravitate to (before the hills beckoned) seems pretty distant, but I guess you could walk there is you were feeling ambitious. Though not in mid-January perhaps.

 

You're right Deni - the forum is already proving to be a big help. Although I haven't asked about the complexities of Medicare yet... so there's still time for everybody to run away and leave me to it!

 

S

[PatP]

It is enormous and Blackwood to Marion would be at least 15 minutes ,could you walk it I doubt it We are moving to Kangarilla which before we emigrated we would have thought was in the middle of nowhere ! It's not it's just a little bit more rural Like ever thing else you just get used to the drive We lived at Happy Valley and had visitors from the Uk who when we drove into the city where I had worked were aghast that I had driven that far daily Really never gave it a thought it's just part and parcel of life

[flossybeth]

Just to let you know I've moved the Medicare question into a thread of it's own - might get a few more replies.

[Sylvian]

OK, well I think I understand Medicare - or at least how it relates to a 457 visa. Everything else is a mystery (don't talk to me about pensions), but Medicare is nailed.

 

Well, it's D-Day. The final contract of employment has arrived and the employer has taken all the necessary steps to get the visa process up and running, so now it's all down to us...

 

Wish us luck, we're going in!

 

S