live at the mines? or live wherever and wait for his days off?

[itssunday]

can anyone tell me what the mining towns in qld are like to live in for young families? are they dodgy or great? schools etc? or is it easier just to live somewhere else by yourself till hubby comes home on his days off?



mum to 2

[abibelsmum]

I've got a friend who lives in Emerald with 2 kids and there seems enough for kids to do there. Plus it is expensive to fly out of there on weekends as that is the peak period, so in this case it is better for the family to be together.

[Kazamataz]

I think it depends where they are working.

My friend grew up in mount isa and loved it out there but then I had an other friend who grew up in a mining town outside mackay and hated it.

I think if it's not far to a big town or city then there are huge advantages to living in the town/city and have your hubby home only on his dads off.

But if it's a long way and his company doesn't pay for him to fly in and out then its better for you all to live in the mining town.

If you were to live apart you would want to make sure you have a good support network around you.
It would be really difficult to do it all on your own with no one to help you.

Good luck with whatever choice you make :)

[NewBeginnings]

I used to live up there in the Bowen Basin region.

I never had problems finding things to do... the school was fine... actually it was a lot better than the one I ended up finishing Grade 12 in in Brisbane.

The mining towns aren't really that bad. I quite liked it there, and if I had a chance I would go back and get a job driving the big trucks - and my bestie lives there so it would be great :laughing:.. but unfortunately the ex IL's live there and that's a big turn off for me! :laughing:

I'd personally live in the town than live somewhere else and have hubbie come home on his days off.:thumbsup:

[itssunday]

wow thanks guys, that is most helpful as i have heard so many conflicting stories but most of them are from people who have never even been there ;)
i would prefer to be closer to hubby but not if i felt unsafe when he was working at night or if the schools were bad i think he is going with bma or something open cut mines.
they seem to have a few more shops and stuff out there than where we are living now out west of gympie. so i may not be as bored.
i do get scared out here while he is working nights but more people would be in the same boat as me out there i guess. any one live in blackwater or moranbah? is it rough or good?
thanks again guys. this is very helpful.:thumbsup::yelclap::D

[NewBeginnings]

I'm about to pm you ;)

[~Alicia]

Oooh oooh!! Move to Moranbah! I live in Clermont and I'm about to move back :D NB will tell you about the place ;)

Now if only I could convince her to move back :geek::p

[itssunday]

Oooh oooh!! Move to Moranbah! I live in Clermont and I'm about to move back :D NB will tell you about the place ;)

Now if only I could convince her to move back :geek::p
that sounds good, it would be cool to know other mums out there before i even move!awesome. only thing i am wondering though is if i live out there what happens when hubby is tired and needs to sleep all day and i have been up all night with bubba. am wondering if he is away at mines while working and then comes home to coast somewhere close-ish to mackay then we wont argue when tired? i dunno, how do you all deal with that?

[Myliam]

My DH is on 2 and 1. He still comes home tired and tetchy. But at least it's just for a day or 2 and we know not to try and discuss anything serious during that time. Then I get him for 4 days of fun. The last night is usually pretty rough before he goes back. (see post is you DH's last night always hell).
I hadn't thought about the whole shift work and sleeping thing when your in the same town. Kind of makes me glad I don't live in the same place as his work. I imagine that would be a bit of a problem. Thanks itssunday. Now I don't mind so much that he wont move up north to a mining town.

[Rah]

Have fun making your decision. I grew up in Blackwater, and then lived in Emerald for 3 years. I love Emerald, it doesn't feel as isolated as what Blackwater does. It has a few different schools etc. In Blackwater there are two state schools for primary and one high school.
I think alot of shift workers black out the windows (al foil) and put the airconditioner on.;) If you have any more questions feel free to pm.

[itssunday]

My DH is on 2 and 1. He still comes home tired and tetchy. But at least it's just for a day or 2 and we know not to try and discuss anything serious during that time. Then I get him for 4 days of fun. The last night is usually pretty rough before he goes back. (see post is you DH's last night always hell).
I hadn't thought about the whole shift work and sleeping thing when your in the same town. Kind of makes me glad I don't live in the same place as his work. I imagine that would be a bit of a problem. Thanks itssunday. Now I don't mind so much that he wont move up north to a mining town.
yup i think that solves it, i will find a town near the beach that is still only a few hours away so he doesnt have as long to travel home, then he can surf on his days off too which he will love.and he can stay at the mines on his days on.
then i can keep the house clean and have a routine with the kids too.
:hugs:thanks all for helping me make my decision, i really appreciate it.:flowerz::smiliedance:

[Auntyamber]

I live in a small mining town and my partner and i were reading this thread and both agreed that we couldn't imagine any where better to raise children and that neither of us would want to be away for each other or our children for that long, not to mention the dangers of dp travelling after a week of shift work trying to get home to see his children soon enough

[2sweetgirls]

I live in a small mining town and my partner and i were reading this thread and both agreed that we couldn't imagine any where better to raise children and that neither of us would want to be away for each other or our children for that long, not to mention the dangers of dp travelling after a week of shift work trying to get home to see his children soon enough

Thats really lovely.:flowerz:

I would feel exactly the same.

If I could go with DH everywhere he went then I would.

Although war zones are a little dangerous for children.:p

I hate being away from DH even for small stints.

[kewlchicmum]

I think it depends where they are working.

My friend grew up in mount isa and loved it out there but then I had an other friend who grew up in a mining town outside mackay and hated it.

I think if it's not far to a big town or city then there are huge advantages to living in the town/city and have your hubby home only on his dads off.

But if it's a long way and his company doesn't pay for him to fly in and out then its better for you all to live in the mining town.

If you were to live apart you would want to make sure you have a good support network around you.
It would be really difficult to do it all on your own with no one to help you.

Good luck with whatever choice you make :)

I :iagree: with Kazamataz it all depends. It's a hard question tho:detective:

[berniebabe]

we will be hopefully moving up to the mines with DF in a few months. Just waiting on a house. We would prefer to be with him.

[Kazamataz]

we will be hopefully moving up to the mines with DF in a few months. Just waiting on a house. We would prefer to be with him.

Where will you guys be moving too?

[Spolly88]

I grew up in Blackwater too...my Dad was in the mines :) Been in Brissy about 3 years now but since having my bub, DP has a new job Blackwater-Emerald area...10 on 4 off. We figure at the moment rent out there is too expensive for us to relocate, and until he can get a job where we can get a house, it's cheaper for me and bub to stay here.

Small mining towns have their advantages and disadvantages...everything is more intimate so, for example in terms of schooling, your child will get more one on one time and personal attention as opposed to a large city school. And the teachers remember your name! You also don't worry about stranger danger as much once you've been there a while.

On another note, your business also becomes everybody's too...that can be annoying. Also, health care isn't the best and there are a shortage of doctors in some places.

Overall, I think it is what you make it.