If you didn't already know - we are all in Australia now. Actually we've been here for five weeks. However things are far from settled or normal. Darin is working in Melbourne and Jake and I are spending some great time catching up with my family in Brisbane. We are currently looking for a place to live in Melbourne in the inner northern suburbs....and are not having much luck yet. It's a lot tougher than I imagined with 10 to 20 people turning up to every inspection - lots of competition. I feel like it shouldn't be this hard to find a place to live...
Jake with our boxes in Japan before they were sent
Anyway apart from that Jake and I have been enjoying baby chinos and lots of good coffee at outdoor cafes, lots of parks, art galleries, museums, beaches and other lots of fun stuff. We made the right decision to move, but I'll feel a whole lot better once we have a semi-permanent place to rest our heads, so if you know anyone with a place to rent or sublet in Melbourne, please let me know.
Jake and I in our empty apartment
Our boxes arrive from Japan soon which means I'll have all of my craft supplies and that is very exciting. Am hoping that I'll be a lot more productive now that I'm not working (for now at least). I do hope to keep blogging but I'm sure it'll be a little intermittent for a while. We are all good though so I just wanted to let you know!!
Jake and his daddy on Easter Saturday - reunited after a month (Palm Beach, Queensland)
oh how I love Australia, I've only been to Sydney though. Its so nice! Good luck finding a nice place!
Posted by: pixie | May 08, 2009 at 11:33 PM
Best of luck with finding a new place. I love forward to reading about your Aussie adventures now!
Posted by: Joselle | May 09, 2009 at 03:13 AM
Oh wow, I didn't realize that the market was so tough! Best of luck finding your new home :) In the meantime, have fun crafting!
Posted by: Veronique | May 09, 2009 at 05:26 AM
Let me know as soon as you are settled. I live in the north-west so not too far from where you are looking. Also let me know if I can do anything to help.
Posted by: jacqueline | May 09, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Good luck with the house hunting! It's really tough in Sydney right now too. What can help is getting to know an agent who works in the area you're looking in. If you have a chat at the inspections and build up a bit of a connection (hard, because lots of real estate agents are evil) they can recommend places and put your application on the top of the pile. That's worked for a couple of people I know here. I hope it all works out soon, you'll feel so much more settled when you're all in one place and unpacked. x
Posted by: suzy | May 09, 2009 at 09:27 AM
I was just thinking about you the other day and hoped all was going well in your new home. Good luck finding a place...I am sure the perfect one is just around the corner. Take care!
Posted by: Niki | May 09, 2009 at 11:53 AM
glad you made it. i will check with our friends via facebook to see if they know of any places, they are in melbourne too.
Posted by: mamie | May 10, 2009 at 06:51 AM
I hope that you guys are settled into a nice cosy place soon, with all your stuff having arrived in one piece!
J looks very happy to be at the beach with Daddy!
Posted by: Steph VW | May 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM
He looks quite a bit sad to be leaving Japan in the top pic.
Posted by: Dating Japanese Girls | May 16, 2009 at 03:26 PM
wow, who knew that finding a place in melbourne would be so tough?! i'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!
Posted by: gleek | May 19, 2009 at 08:35 AM
It took my friend 5 months to find a place here in Melbourne after moving down from Sydney. Its crazy. I think the advice of getting to know the real estate agents is spot on. I would also suggest making a point of having a kid and needing to settle, they do have a heart. I've heard childless couples "borrow a baby" of a friend/relative and bring it along the inspection as it is meant to speed up the process.
Posted by: Fashion Hayley | May 20, 2009 at 09:51 AM
wow... just checking in to see that it really is official. And, I leave for Japan tomorrow! I know it's been ages, but so funny that I have been lucky enough to spend time with you every time I've been in Japan (and lucky enough to have you as my spectacular tour guide!). I'll miss you this time around, although I'm sure I'll be seeing your smiling face (and Jake's!) in those corners of Yuzawaya! Hope all is well!
Posted by: kelly | May 23, 2009 at 03:15 AM