THANKS from a recently settled Canberra migrant

Hi

We are here and settling down in Canberra! Very cold, so warn any people coming out in the next few months to pack winter woolies - coldest winter in 40 years apparently.

We have been really busy finding our feet here, we have travelled Canberra flat, and have decided to look for a house in the Gungahlin area, lovely area, new development, so modern houses with lots of space but smallish gardens - Amaroo, Forde, Harrison and Casey seem to be lovely areas. Good primary schools in the area are The Good Shepard (private school, Amaroo public school and Harrison public school - Nicole is going to go to The Good Shepard. Again some info for people coming over, but obviously it depends on personal taste. The highest rated primary schools are in the middle of Canberra and very hard to get into - Brindabella Christian College, Canberra Grammar and Garran Primary - waiting lists. We decided not to send Nicole to Brindabella as it would be too far from where we are wanting to stay and friends would be minimal that go to the same school.

Also finalising cars at the moment, and the car salesman is going to have a braai soon as he says the last four sales he has done are all to South Africans, so we are waiting for that to be arranged. I met with Andrew from CSS, very efficient and nice person who has assisted me alot, he was recommended by the Welcome to Canberra Team.

But thanks so much for all your hardwork, committment and putting up with my constant questions/queries over the time we worked on the visa.
You have really made a huge difference in our lives!

Hopefully we will chat again soon.

Julia