Surfing Waves

Im in my last year of school and plan to head sout for uni and live there after and wanted to know what board I should get baring in mind I don't want a soft board because you soon grow out of them and I don't want a long board because I don't fancy the Wight and transport problems.

If I was to start on a short board how long would it take for me to get good bearing in mind I've been a strong body boarder all my life and is a mini mal an ok beginner board

Sounds fine to me all your positioning and wave knowledge skills will help you a lot, so a mini mal would be a good option.
Congratulations on standing up for yourself.

Dont start on a shortboard!!!! minimal or longboard are great Shortboards just get you angry and they are not much fun on the wave until you consistently catch waves and are able to practice each wave. I have a shortboard I started on and after one year of using it I am now going to buy a minimal and then revisit the shortboard. DONT BE LIKE ME BUY A MINIMAL OR MALIBU (Longboard) FIRST:!: