9 replies to this topic

[weaselwardance]

Hi guys! I'm posting in the hopes that someone will be able to enlighten me with advice on where to move to in Tasmania.

I'm a 20yo chick looking for a fresh start. I've been wanting to move to Tasmania ever since I visited on holidays with my family in 2004.
I'm looking to start over completely, selling most of my household items. I will definitely keep my car, and my rough plan so far is to buy a small trailer to fit as much as I can in, and come over on the boat.

Now for the questions.
- What is the real estate like? I won't have a job, but have a nice long stay at my current rental on record. Do the real estates down there give people a fair go and a chance?
- Where are the best places to live, that realistically, are as cheap as possible. I would like to live close to Launceston, so I've been keeping that in mind for house hunting and such, but Ive noticed that Launceston itself seems to be rather pricey.

I'm looking to move soon after my 21st birthday (mid July). I know people probably think this is a rather strange way of doing things. But realistically, I don't want to give myself more time in Vic to hold me back from moving in the future, and I honestly just need to get away and make a go of it myself. I've been independently living for a long time, but here in Geelong, I still feel held back. The main problem I believe I am facing, is that I will be bringing pets with me. I know the likelyhood of getting a house the same day I get there is practically non-existant, so am wondering if people may enlighten me on a caravan park or some other cheapish temporary accomodation that will allow housetrained and caged animals for a short stay.

In saying all this, I have been researching a lot... And I mean A LOT for the past while, but am still struggling to get some questions answered. Apparently the internet can only provide so much.

Look forward to hearing from you all, thanks in advance and sorry for the half life story!

[Mystic]

Hi weaselwardance, and welcome.

Your is a common question that has been asked here many times before, and the notion of just packing what you can and heading down on a new adventure with nothing concrete, not unusual at all. I did the same thing, and many others have also found their new lives this way.

You will find that rental prices are much cheaper in the rural areas, so if you must have Launceston, then look at the smaller towns surrounding it. Also a lot of places are not managed by real estate agents, but rented directly through owners, with many only ever being advertised on local notice boards and such. With private rentals (direct through owner) make sure you get a written lease, without it you have virtually no protection as it is almost impossible to argue verbal claims in the tribunal. Also, in the north you will be able to receive three weeks bond and one week of the rental cost through Anglicare. Also note that bond should be lodged with Services Tasmania, and not paid directly to the owner. You should also receive a renter's handbook and advice, get to know the laws and regulations surrounding tenancy down here.

Your largest problem is going to be your pets, as very few rentals will allow them, and virtually nothing through an agent is likely to work for you. If you must bring the pets, then you can forget about 99% of rentals. Also think you may have trouble finding a caravan park that will allow them.

Why Launceston? You don't mention any reasons, nor if you will need to find work once you get here.

Best of luck with the move, and hope to see you around here in the future.

[exislegirl]

Quote

am wondering if people may enlighten me on a caravan park or some other cheapish temporary accomodation that will allow housetrained and caged animals for a short stay.

Hello Weaselwardance,

While holidaying recently in Tassie, I recall seeing the term 'Pet Friendly' at various caravan parks, so just did a search in Google for 'Pet Friendly Caravan Parks Tasmania', and found a few in the Launceston area:


Pet Friendly C'van Pks around Launceston:

Beauty Point Tourist Park
36 West Arm Road
Beauty Point TAS 7270


Launceston Holiday Park Legana
711 West Tamar Hwy
Legana TAS 7277

Slightly further afield:

Abel Tasman Caravan Park
6 Wright Street
East Devonport TAS 7310


Burnie Holiday Caravan Park
253 Bass Highway
Cooee
Burnie TAS 7320

Somerset Beachside Cabin & Caravan Park
Bass Highway
Somerset TAS 7322

Anyway, here's a link to Caravan Parks in Tassie, and if you click on each name the next page opens to show Pet Friendly C'van Pks at the top of each list if there are any in that area:

http://www.goseeaust.../accommodation/

Good luck with your move,
Natalie

[Shane V]

Hi weaselwardance and welcome to real Tas. Look forward to seeing you around and maybe catching up at some point. What sort of pets have you got? If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask

That's a pretty comprehensive list, thanks Natalie

[weaselwardance]

Mystic, on 11 April 2010 - 08:21 AM, said:

Hi weaselwardance, and welcome.

Your is a common question that has been asked here many times before, and the notion of just packing what you can and heading down on a new adventure with nothing concrete, not unusual at all. I did the same thing, and many others have also found their new lives this way.

You will find that rental prices are much cheaper in the rural areas, so if you must have Launceston, then look at the smaller towns surrounding it. Also a lot of places are not managed by real estate agents, but rented directly through owners, with many only ever being advertised on local notice boards and such. With private rentals (direct through owner) make sure you get a written lease, without it you have virtually no protection as it is almost impossible to argue verbal claims in the tribunal. Also, in the north you will be able to receive three weeks bond and one week of the rental cost through Anglicare. Also note that bond should be lodged with Services Tasmania, and not paid directly to the owner. You should also receive a renter's handbook and advice, get to know the laws and regulations surrounding tenancy down here.

Your largest problem is going to be your pets, as very few rentals will allow them, and virtually nothing through an agent is likely to work for you. If you must bring the pets, then you can forget about 99% of rentals. Also think you may have trouble finding a caravan park that will allow them.

Why Launceston? You don't mention any reasons, nor if you will need to find work once you get here.

Best of luck with the move, and hope to see you around here in the future.

exislegirl, on 11 April 2010 - 02:34 PM, said:

Hello Weaselwardance,

While holidaying recently in Tassie, I recall seeing the term 'Pet Friendly' at various caravan parks, so just did a search in Google for 'Pet Friendly Caravan Parks Tasmania', and found a few in the Launceston area:


Pet Friendly C'van Pks around Launceston:

Beauty Point Tourist Park
36 West Arm Road
Beauty Point TAS 7270


Launceston Holiday Park Legana
711 West Tamar Hwy
Legana TAS 7277

Slightly further afield:

Abel Tasman Caravan Park
6 Wright Street
East Devonport TAS 7310


Burnie Holiday Caravan Park
253 Bass Highway
Cooee
Burnie TAS 7320

Somerset Beachside Cabin & Caravan Park
Bass Highway
Somerset TAS 7322

Anyway, here's a link to Caravan Parks in Tassie, and if you click on each name the next page opens to show Pet Friendly C'van Pks at the top of each list if there are any in that area:

http://www.goseeaust.../accommodation/

Good luck with your move,
Natalie

Shane V, on 11 April 2010 - 04:48 PM, said:

Hi weaselwardance and welcome to real Tas. Look forward to seeing you around and maybe catching up at some point. What sort of pets have you got? If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask

That's a pretty comprehensive list, thanks Natalie

Ahh, funny story. Or not so much.
I've been talking to a certain someone, and living close by him wouldn't be too bad haha. In saying that, I do have a car, so travelling isn't as much of a problem.
I love the sound of living rural, I'm a city girl I guess, but rural at heart. Having horses again is a goal of mine! The pets I was planning in bringing were two Cockateils, two Cats and a Jack Russell. I have more (rats, birds and another dog), but the few I would take are ones I can't part with, as i know taking them all is not a realistic option.

Thanks very much for the tips on the housing and whatnot, very helpful! I will be calling up all places necessary before I leave, as having limited funds will not enable too many stuff ups. I'm pretty much going to be setting sail with money solely from selling my belongings. Might sound strange, but I'm looking forward as this being a challenge. I have never really pushed myself, and doing this is giving me much more of a sense of responsibility.

I don't currently have a job, so would be looking for something when I'm down there. I want to do a course in Childrens Services, so that I can hopefully work in Childcare, but that's a longer term goal. To start with will be whatever I can get my hands on.

I am a little nervous about not really knowing anyone. And am a little worried that loneliness will be a problem, because of me always having housemates. So am hoping that a bit of networking before I leave might be a tad helpful.

Thanks for all the info guys. Muchly appreciated!

[dangermouze]

Hi,

good luck with the move, I'm currently living oversea's but returning to launceston in july.
with regards to the caravan parks http://www.caravanca...ure_island.html thats the only one i know of IN the city of launceston, but looks like no pets allowed.
the beauty point one listed before is NOT near launceston(hours drive away) the legana one is about 10-15 mins drive from launceston, so might be more practical.

i dont know if they list advetisements, but http://www.examiner.com.au/ is the local newspaper and should have lots of rentals.

Launceston being the 2nd largest city in tas is probably going to be the 2nd most expensive place to live. having said that most of my friends are paying $60-100 for a shared house in central Launceston, so its not really that expensive. the problem is the pets (cat or dog?).

www.seek.com.au / www.jobs.tas.gov.au / www.mycareer.com.au all good points for looking for work, i guess this is hard when you're not in the state though yet.

good luck!

[Tessc]

Welcome to the forum. I hope you get it all sorted out and find somewhere to stay. Another caravan park that does allow dogs at least is http://www.longfordr...aravanpark.com/
They are only 24km from the city and a lovely park. We have just signed the contract to sell our house and move to Victoria so we're doing the opposite lol.

[weaselwardance]

At this stage I'm looking at bringing a small dog, two cats and hopefully my two cockatiels. I'm pretty much up for moving anywhere, although as much as the cheap rent in Queenstown and such are tempting, I'll need to be somewhere closer to employment opportunities. I'm starting my Childcare course next week, so the plan is to get transferred to a course down there and even try to get a trainee ship while completing it, even before I move. I know the likelihood of me having a house and/or job lined up before I go is very minimal, but I shall try nonetheless. The plans are slowly looking to become a reality. *So excited!*

[Cascade]

Hi weaselwardance,

Welcome to "Real Tasmania".

In your relocation you may need to consider being near a TAFE Campus if you are to continue your studies. Although they are spread evenly ..... so to speak ... around the State. It would depend on where the course is actually run as they don't run the same courses at all campuses. I know that in Hobart the course you require is run from the Clarence Campus. Also getting a placement somewhere for your traineeship may well determine where you have to live. You may have already checked these out but here are a couple of links. Good Luck.


http://www.skillsinstitute.tas.edu.au/

http://www.seeklearn...s-explained.asp

http://www.seeklearn...CFYEwpAodb1KnwA

[weaselwardance]

Oh thanks for that.
I haven't in fact researched that, but my Job Network person is being extremely helpful in regards to course work, and said she will try and help get me linked in down there.
The links will most definitely come in useful though. Thanks again!