Advice on TAS

Hi Ladies,

My DP has just been told of a work opportunity in TAS initially for 3 months early next year with a possible semi permanent relocation.

We emigrated to Oz 5 years ago living first in Sydney then moving to Queensland when our first daughter was born in 2009. I'm about to give birth to our 2nd in November.

Am beside myself about this potential news, not sure if it's because I'm pregnant and hormonal or just because of the logistics of it all. We were sent to Perth for a month last November and I found it really hard being in a strange city with non of our own things around us etc.

I don't really know anything about TAS and the things on offer for little ones. Our girl currently attends a Kindyroo class, swimming lessons and a local council playgroup. And I really want her to start at KIndy next year.

Would really really appreciate any info or insight to what Tas is like, good areas to live etc.

J

It depends where in Tassie you are talking. Like every state it depends on where you are living as there are big differences between city and country life.

Hobart is a capital city, and isn't as big as Sydney by any means, but has everything you would expect in a modern, cosmopolitan city.

I live in Launceston which is much smaller. Although there are heaps of facilities here for young children and babies. My DD does all the thing your girls do like playgroup, swimming etc.

If you are planning to give birth here I would advise you that as far as I know (correct me if I am wrong tassie ladies), you can't actually give birth in the private hospitals except in Hobart. But you can go provaite after birth. It is also quite hard (here in Launceston ayway), to get into a private obs. I tried at 14 weeks, and they were already booked out. But Hobart is differnt and maybe even the NW Coast (devonport and burnie ladies would know?).

I was born here, but left when I was in my early twenties to travel the world. I have live in the UK, Ireland, Melbourne and Brisbane. But I came home to have children. I believe there is no better place in the world to raise kids.

That's my very biased opinion.

Hi
Like Clax said, it depends on where you are moving to.
I'm on the NW Coast and there is lots to do.
We go swimming, I know of at least 3 swimming pools that do classes for kids, most of the public school have playgroup once a week. Some schools also do 'early learning' which is like a pre-kinder kind of thing.
The libraries do singing and movement groups.
I could be out everyday of the week doing some form of activity with my little girl, there is heaps on offer.

I live in New Norfolk which is about a 40 minute drive west of Hobart. There's swimming, playgroups, pram walking group, young mum groups, Salvation Army has a centre here that runs kids stuff and has a playground and toys etc. In Hobart there's everything you would be used to. Music, dancing, reading, swimming, walking, mums groups, all the usual stuff.

The thing about Tassie is that you're never really far from anything. It's a 3 hour drive from Hobart to Launceston for example, so if there was a show that you wanted to take the kids to that was only on in one location, it's not a big deal to do it.

Where are you moving to?

Hi Ladies

Thanks so much for all your responses.

We only have sketchy details at present, but think it will be starting in Feb 2012 for 3 months and will be Hobart based.

I'm having baby next month so that it one less thing to worry about.

Thanks again for your time and info

My parents live in Tassie and they have said that whilst it is a lovely place to visit there are problems steming from the current government.
eg cuts to hospital funding creating a shortage of beds, cuts to road funding meaning poorly maintained roads. On the plus side if you like sports they are spending heaps on sporting venues and teams.
Other downside is the cold.