Hi Mathew yes it was bizarre- the guy who brought it literally came in the last few hours we had in Durham - we were going to leave it with a friend to sell . He didn’t haggle or test drive it - looking back he was a bit suspicious. The guy we spoke to on the phone was very helpful and we sorted it out in a few minutes but I’d just done the car to too !😁
when you arrive on migration visa - yes, do not wait until the last moment! Activated visa is valid for YEARS! so as soon as you got it (in several month) come as tourist, just to cross the border and get tick in computer "visa activated". At this moment it becomes 5 year unlimited entry visa. You can instantly turn back and fly next plane home, but your PR status does not change. Of course its better to make this visit an investigation and testing, try to apply for rent (with no real intention, just come thru the process and get couple of refusals), for job, open account, try to look around for shopping, foods, cars, area to live, stuff to buy - and when you return home you will be able to make much more effective decisions.
Thanks for your reply Anton and yes excellent advice- we didn’t realise this at the time but totally agree with all you say - we didn’t realise leave it to the very last day in fact which looking back was madness as if we had been delayed we would have lost the visa !! Please subscribe to be notified of our future videos 😀
Quite enjoyed this amazing story. RUclips throws me a lot of “what’s Australia like” type videos and I watch them sometimes to see how much they get half right. Or not really right at all. Basing it around your experiences makes your videos fair dinkum. So I hit the subscribe button 😊
Thanks so much !! We are really grateful also for living in this amazing country - Australia has been so good to us and we love the place and the people/ just about to publish our video of a day at Taronga zoo which is a bit of a different style hit us - thanks again -Bonnie 😆
I hope everything goes smoothly and better from now onwards. Enjoy Australia as I have been for the last 43 years. I love living in Sydney. Nothing beats the sunshine, blue skies and the lovely weather!
I hope you will visit Canberra soon, despite what Australians are likely to tell you about it, it is a wonderful city full of things to do. It can be confusing if you are driving but we could show you around to make it less daunting.
Hi Evan , thanks for your comment. Yes we have been to Canberra and agree it’s unfairly maligned. It has great museums and we loved Manila- thanks for your offer we may take you up! Please consider subscribing so you can be notified of our future videos - 😀
Thanks for the comment Finlay, yes we cant believe we cut things so fine but we were saving up and wanted to leave it as long as possible to earn as we may have been out of work for ages
Sydney and Melbourne have extremely expensive housing markets (on a world scale). This applies to both rentals and purchases. Of course, you need to go where your job is, but worth bearing in mind.
Thanks for your comment Vern- yes agreed . It’s important new arrivals appreciate this - we did find salaries were higher than the uk which helps - a bit . Please consider subscribing so you can be notified of our new videos 😀
Shoulda done like me when I migrated from the UK and come straight to the best place in Australia - the Gold Coast. I’ve spent a lot of time in Melbourne (…vile city) and Sydney (…getting better), but for the best life, the Gold Coast is impossible to beat. Not an easy place to make a home but worth it if you succeed, and then you’ll find out why those who live here never get on a plane ever again. Anyway at least your stuff got here quickly. I waited for months and finally called to find out what was going on to be told my stuff was still on the dock in Liverpool 🤣. Ah well, at least you’re here now - you should come here for a pint by the beach one day and relax. My tip - force yourself to stay for at least 2-years even if things are hard. You’ll get home-sick, there will be challenges but stay - it’ll be worth it when you finally conquer them… good luck.
Thanks for your comment Davo- yes we have been to the Gold Coast and did enjoy it - those three Jewel ( is that correct) buildings on the beach are stunning and we’ve been up q1 of course- we liked Broadbeach and Draculas was fun ! We plan to make a video on the Gold Coast too- but there were no engineering jobs there for Lewis but we can see the attraction - and it’s close to Brisbane, Byron Bay ( our favourite spot) and the sun shine coast - thanks again and please consider subscribing as it helps us make more videos!🙏🏼😀
Sorry forgot to subscribe - will do. Yeah making life work on the Gold Coast is not easy - I’ve done it twice, first when I migrated, and then I had to live in China and Sydney for a few years and I have only just got back here for the second time. But working from home is an option now so it’s a bit easier for me this time. Next time you’re on the GC check out Chevron Island - that’s just behind surfers paradise and where I live. It’s like nowhere on Earth I’ve lived (and that includes the Caribbean). As for Byron Bay - pretty location but you’re three hours from Brisbane and at least two from a decent hospital. I would definitely think twice before living there…
@@daveozip4326 thanks yes we will check chevron island out- yes Byron is nice to visit but we couldn’t live there . Appreciate you subscribing we need all the subscribers we can get so we can make more videos 😀
It certainly sounds stressful! However, I'm glad you're finally all sorted and settled. Welcome. I hope you both have wonderful lives in Australia. I'm biased (lived here all my life), but I think Australia is an excellent place to live. I keep telling my children that they're privileged to have been born in Australia. Watch out for Drop Bears and Hoop Snakes!
Thanks David so glad you enjoyed it -we love it here and would never go back- please consider subscribing as we have new videos coming out all the time so you will be notified-thanks Bonnie😀
Brilliant!! I moved to Australia in 1999 from UK and had a couple years there… trying to get my resident visa back as I miss Australia. I use resmed products in Canada so good company!. Get into the 4x4ing and give camping a go, so many amazing spots and get a surf rod… good luck!!
Thanks for your comment mark - and glad you like ResMed products I worked on s9 airsense 10 and mini - good luck in getting your visa - please subscribe as our next video is all about visas - Bonnie was a migration agent here and share some good tips - thanks again 😁
People need to keep in mind one thing. Australia is BIG. It’s 4 -5 hours flight time depending on where in the east coast you fly to the west coast. And as such, you need to leave the urban myth that it’s all the same at home. And leave the myth that it’s always hot or warm at home. The southern states (Victoria, Tasmania, parts of NSW) can’t get very cold in winter. Ice, snow (in some areas), fog and a lot of rain. Think under 10 degrees. It’s not always shorts, T-shirts and bbq’s in winter. The other things is the 6 states do operate in some respects as 6 different countries. Each with their own driving, rental, etc laws . Of course we have common federal laws but each state is also responsible for significant areas Of their own (health, police, education, public transport, driving licences and car registrations, property purchasing laws etc). Life styles can be vastly different depending on where you live. Even housing types and designs can change state to state.
Thanks for your great comment- yes Australia is a vast country. It’s bigger than mainland Europe. Your points about the state differences are excellent. Thanks again 😀
When my wife and I were thinking about relocating to Australia (2006) we went to an emigration expo where the extremely helpful advisor said as my wife was a nurse and I was a social worker - jobs in demand - we could see through the whole process ourselves and save a fortune, which we did… And we were advised to avoid sponsored employment too!
Thanks for your comment Rich. Yes I remember seeing expos but we never went to any. But that would have been a great way to do it. . Our migration agents were great and I think assumed we had already been to Australian. Thanks so much for watching- Bonnie 😃
As an Aussie who grew up in Melbourne, I wouldn't recommend either Melbourne or Sydney to relocate to. They're both shitholes for the most part as they've lost their Australian charm and the cost of housing in both places is bloody ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, they're both terrific from a touristy perspective, but crap places to live. I'd recommend Brissy or the Gold Coast, as well as Adelaide, Hobart or Perth for their City lifestyles. Darwin is beautiful as well but it can be so bloody hot and muggy you can feel like your living in a bloody oven at times. They're all quite different but are all far nicer than the big two. There are a hell of a lot of other far nicer regions to live here, for example I live in South Gippsland, which I reckon is amazing, as I'm not a huge fan of the heat, but have been all over this wonderful country and have felt at home in pretty much all of the regional locations in every state and I've been to, and I've lived in them all for a time, and it's in these locations you'll experience the true Aussie lifestyle. You'll find far better options pretty much everywhere other than the major cities. Most true Aussies are down to earth and friendly folk who will always offer you a hand if needed, and are always happy to stop for a quick chat, however that's more or less been lost in the major cities.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and you make some great points - you are the second person to recommend the Gold Coast in two days- we will try and check out the areas you mention- if you haven’t subscribed we’d love it if you could so you can be notified of our future videos- thanks again - Bonnie 😀
thanks for your comment and yes I agree- Sydney in particular is a medical technology hub with the likes of ResMed, cochlear, nanosonics and EMvision ( Lewis has worked for three out of four of them ) . Please consider subscribing so you can be notified of our future videos- thanks 😅
What ...you are saying that as a result of multiculturalism Melbourne for eg is in your eloquent words a shithole ! I dont think anyone with such a closed minded opinion could be relied upon to offer information on a city . @allisalie101
Thanks for your comment - yes one good thing is we weren’t beholding to any company and were totally independent- yes if a company goes under or changes its mind then it’s very unstable - 😀
We migrated from the uk to Australia the hard way - please share your thoughts 😊
The car story was crazy! Glad it all worked out in the end though 🎉
Hi Mathew yes it was bizarre- the guy who brought it literally came in the last few hours we had in Durham - we were going to leave it with a friend to sell . He didn’t haggle or test drive it - looking back he was a bit suspicious. The guy we spoke to on the phone was very helpful and we sorted it out in a few minutes but I’d just done the car to too !😁
Great Video!
Thanks glad you enjoyed it 😀
when you arrive on migration visa - yes, do not wait until the last moment! Activated visa is valid for YEARS!
so as soon as you got it (in several month) come as tourist, just to cross the border and get tick in computer "visa activated". At this moment it becomes 5 year unlimited entry visa. You can instantly turn back and fly next plane home, but your PR status does not change.
Of course its better to make this visit an investigation and testing, try to apply for rent (with no real intention, just come thru the process and get couple of refusals), for job, open account, try to look around for shopping, foods, cars, area to live, stuff to buy - and when you return home you will be able to make much more effective decisions.
Thanks for your reply Anton and yes excellent advice- we didn’t realise this at the time but totally agree with all you say - we didn’t realise leave it to the very last day in fact which looking back was madness as if we had been delayed we would have lost the visa !! Please subscribe to be notified of our future videos 😀
Quite enjoyed this amazing story. RUclips throws me a lot of “what’s Australia like” type videos and I watch them sometimes to see how much they get half right. Or not really right at all. Basing it around your experiences makes your videos fair dinkum. So I hit the subscribe button 😊
Thanks so much !! We are really grateful also for living in this amazing country - Australia has been so good to us and we love the place and the people/ just about to publish our video of a day at Taronga zoo which is a bit of a different style hit us - thanks again -Bonnie 😆
I hope everything goes smoothly and better from now onwards. Enjoy Australia as I have been for the last 43 years. I love living in Sydney. Nothing beats the sunshine, blue skies and the lovely weather!
Thanks Grace yes we love it ! Please subscribe so you can be notified of our next videos- thanks Bonnie 😀
Great video. Australia is lucky you have come. Hope it continues to work for you.
Thanks Andrew ! No we are the lucky ones - we still love the UK too though - thanks so much 🙏🏼
I hope you will visit Canberra soon, despite what Australians are likely to tell you about it, it is a wonderful city full of things to do. It can be confusing if you are driving but we could show you around to make it less daunting.
Hi Evan , thanks for your comment. Yes we have been to Canberra and agree it’s unfairly maligned. It has great museums and we loved Manila- thanks for your offer we may take you up! Please consider subscribing so you can be notified of our future videos - 😀
@@Bonnie-Lewis-Australia You will always be welcome.
I always love watching your videos. Hi from an old born and bred Brissie boy.
Great thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed it ! I hope you are subscribed as wehave so many more videos in the pipeline! 🙏🏼
Crikey! What a finish and a start 6 hours Wow!
Thanks for the comment Finlay, yes we cant believe we cut things so fine but we were saving up and wanted to leave it as long as possible to earn as we may have been out of work for ages
Thanks Evan- we may take you up. Are you subscribed as RUclips don’t share who has - but may take you up on your kind offer😊
Sydney and Melbourne have extremely expensive housing markets (on a world scale). This applies to both rentals and purchases. Of course, you need to go where your job is, but worth bearing in mind.
Thanks for your comment Vern- yes agreed . It’s important new arrivals appreciate this - we did find salaries were higher than the uk which helps - a bit . Please consider subscribing so you can be notified of our new videos 😀
Shoulda done like me when I migrated from the UK and come straight to the best place in Australia - the Gold Coast. I’ve spent a lot of time in Melbourne (…vile city) and Sydney (…getting better), but for the best life, the Gold Coast is impossible to beat. Not an easy place to make a home but worth it if you succeed, and then you’ll find out why those who live here never get on a plane ever again.
Anyway at least your stuff got here quickly. I waited for months and finally called to find out what was going on to be told my stuff was still on the dock in Liverpool 🤣. Ah well, at least you’re here now - you should come here for a pint by the beach one day and relax. My tip - force yourself to stay for at least 2-years even if things are hard. You’ll get home-sick, there will be challenges but stay - it’ll be worth it when you finally conquer them… good luck.
Thanks for your comment Davo- yes we have been to the Gold Coast and did enjoy it - those three Jewel ( is that correct) buildings on the beach are stunning and we’ve been up q1 of course- we liked Broadbeach and Draculas was fun ! We plan to make a video on the Gold Coast too- but there were no engineering jobs there for Lewis but we can see the attraction - and it’s close to Brisbane, Byron Bay ( our favourite spot) and the sun shine coast - thanks again and please consider subscribing as it helps us make more videos!🙏🏼😀
Sorry forgot to subscribe - will do.
Yeah making life work on the Gold Coast is not easy - I’ve done it twice, first when I migrated, and then I had to live in China and Sydney for a few years and I have only just got back here for the second time. But working from home is an option now so it’s a bit easier for me this time.
Next time you’re on the GC check out Chevron Island - that’s just behind surfers paradise and where I live. It’s like nowhere on Earth I’ve lived (and that includes the Caribbean).
As for Byron Bay - pretty location but you’re three hours from Brisbane and at least two from a decent hospital. I would definitely think twice before living there…
@@daveozip4326 thanks yes we will check chevron island out- yes Byron is nice to visit but we couldn’t live there . Appreciate you subscribing we need all the subscribers we can get so we can make more videos 😀
Hello from uk, i subscribed to your channel
Thanks George hope you enjoy our videos😀
It certainly sounds stressful! However, I'm glad you're finally all sorted and settled. Welcome. I hope you both have wonderful lives in Australia. I'm biased (lived here all my life), but I think Australia is an excellent place to live. I keep telling my children that they're privileged to have been born in Australia. Watch out for Drop Bears and Hoop Snakes!
Thanks David so glad you enjoyed it -we love it here and would never go back- please consider subscribing as we have new videos coming out all the time so you will be notified-thanks Bonnie😀
Brilliant!! I moved to Australia in 1999 from UK and had a couple years there… trying to get my resident visa back as I miss Australia. I use resmed products in Canada so good company!. Get into the 4x4ing and give camping a go, so many amazing spots and get a surf rod… good luck!!
Thanks for your comment mark - and glad you like ResMed products I worked on s9 airsense 10 and mini - good luck in getting your visa - please subscribe as our next video is all about visas - Bonnie was a migration agent here and share some good tips - thanks again 😁
People need to keep in mind one thing. Australia is BIG. It’s 4 -5 hours flight time depending on where in the east coast you fly to the west coast. And as such, you need to leave the urban myth that it’s all the same at home. And leave the myth that it’s always hot or warm at home. The southern states (Victoria, Tasmania, parts of NSW) can’t get very cold in winter. Ice, snow (in some areas), fog and a lot of rain. Think under 10 degrees. It’s not always shorts, T-shirts and bbq’s in winter. The other things is the 6 states do operate in some respects as 6 different countries. Each with their own driving, rental, etc laws . Of course we have common federal laws but each state is also responsible for significant areas
Of their own (health, police, education, public transport, driving licences and car registrations, property purchasing laws etc). Life styles can be vastly different depending on where you live. Even housing types and designs can change state to state.
Thanks for your great comment- yes Australia is a vast country. It’s bigger than mainland Europe. Your points about the state differences are excellent. Thanks again 😀
Welcome to Australia You may notice where you put your washing machine has its own room of its own appropriately called The Laundry.
Yes it was in the kitchen or garage in the uk- Australian houses are bigger and better designed 😀
@@Bonnie-Lewis-Australia they certainly are
@@top40researcher31yes we move open plan design we have in Australia
When my wife and I were thinking about relocating to Australia (2006) we went to an emigration expo where the extremely helpful advisor said as my wife was a nurse and I was a social worker - jobs in demand - we could see through the whole process ourselves and save a fortune, which we did… And we were advised to avoid sponsored employment too!
Thanks for your comment Rich. Yes I remember seeing expos but we never went to any. But that would have been a great way to do it. . Our migration agents were great and I think assumed we had already been to Australian. Thanks so much for watching- Bonnie 😃
Welcome!! Pity you didn't get to Melbourne but enjoy!
Thank you ! We have been to Melbourne a few times and Lewis went to the Grand Prix two years ago and loved it - thanks for watching 😀
I hope you don't miss the uk weather?🌧️☔🫣
Well it does rain more than we thought it would but overall the weather is amazing - appreciate your comment 🙏🏼
What an Adventure !
Thanks for watching Loo - yes it certainly was and is 😃
As an Aussie who grew up in Melbourne, I wouldn't recommend either Melbourne or Sydney to relocate to. They're both shitholes for the most part as they've lost their Australian charm and the cost of housing in both places is bloody ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, they're both terrific from a touristy perspective, but crap places to live. I'd recommend Brissy or the Gold Coast, as well as Adelaide, Hobart or Perth for their City lifestyles. Darwin is beautiful as well but it can be so bloody hot and muggy you can feel like your living in a bloody oven at times. They're all quite different but are all far nicer than the big two. There are a hell of a lot of other far nicer regions to live here, for example I live in South Gippsland, which I reckon is amazing, as I'm not a huge fan of the heat, but have been all over this wonderful country and have felt at home in pretty much all of the regional locations in every state and I've been to, and I've lived in them all for a time, and it's in these locations you'll experience the true Aussie lifestyle. You'll find far better options pretty much everywhere other than the major cities. Most true Aussies are down to earth and friendly folk who will always offer you a hand if needed, and are always happy to stop for a quick chat, however that's more or less been lost in the major cities.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and you make some great points - you are the second person to recommend the Gold Coast in two days- we will try and check out the areas you mention- if you haven’t subscribed we’d love it if you could so you can be notified of our future videos- thanks again - Bonnie 😀
For job opportunities in tech and engineering, nowhere else beats either Sydney or Melbourne.
thanks for your comment and yes I agree- Sydney in particular is a medical technology hub with the likes of ResMed, cochlear, nanosonics and EMvision ( Lewis has worked for three out of four of them ) . Please consider subscribing so you can be notified of our future videos- thanks 😅
@ thanks for your comment - Perth is beautiful I agree.
What ...you are saying that as a result of multiculturalism Melbourne for eg is in your eloquent words a shithole ! I dont think anyone with such a closed minded opinion could be relied upon to offer information on a city . @allisalie101
Welcome
Thanks Jack - we are so lucky to be here 😊
Whinging Pommies. Q: what's the difference between a pommie and a jet's engine? A: a jet's engine stops whining when it lands in Australia.
Ha ha yes very good - 😊
You did much better paying for PR, as sponsorship is not stable, and you can be sent back at the employers discretion.
Thanks for your comment - yes one good thing is we weren’t beholding to any company and were totally independent- yes if a company goes under or changes its mind then it’s very unstable - 😀
I swear you could make a movie about your move .
Yes Adam how not to do it !