The Denham family are a family of four, 32, 30, 4, 2. They live a peacfull little town in essex called 'south woodham ferrers',near chemsford. But one day after several hard days at work Mr and Mrs Denham cried ' there must be more to life then this!'. So they decided to move their young family to a slower, sunny place. Where kids can be kids, and family time is playing not watching tv.
Perth appears to be the place for us, although I did like the look of adelaide. We have a 3 week visit booked in may, so only time will tell.
I am a cancer nurse working at Southend hospital & hubby works for Ford motor company. I have some family but we are not very close, so I was thinking 'why not start making friends now'. Although Perth is a big place, as brits we are used to traveling. So if friendships are made, we want feel as lonely! (hopefully).
We are attending the 9th march meet up at the 'halfway house' A127, so please pop along.
I know, abit long winded, just thought it would be a good idea.
My name is Karen, I'm a 40 something HR Manager working for a Recruitment Company (based at home). My husband Mick is a self employed builder and I have one son called Lewis who is 18 and currently at college. We live in Stanford-le-Hope so not a million miles away from you.
We had our medicals this week and are now just waiting for our visas before heading off to Perth, hopefully within the next few months (subject to selling the house).
Lewis and I have been 5 times to Perth and my husband (who is the driver behind this move) has been over 10 times. We all love it. Whilst it is very issolated, it has everything to offer in respect of quality of life and lifestye. We are not sure where we want to live, however Quinns Rock or Jindalee are our favourite at the moment. There is a lot of development going on in that part, so we are hoping to find a new house to exchange the one we have here and be mortgage free.
Whilst I really enjoy my job, we have got to the point where there is more to life than work and if we don't make the move now, we never will.
We are going to the meet on the 9th and would love to have a chat about all the places we have been to in Oz from Albany on the South Coast of WA right up to Exmouth on the West Coast.
Hope to meet you there.
Karen, Mick and Lewis
Quote:
Originally Posted by michelledenham
The Denham family are a family of four, 32, 30, 4, 2. They live a peacfull little town in essex called 'south woodham ferrers',near chemsford. But one day after several hard days at work Mr and Mrs Denham cried ' there must be more to life then this!'. So they decided to move their young family to a slower, sunny place. Where kids can be kids, and family time is playing not watching tv.
Perth appears to be the place for us, although I did like the look of adelaide. We have a 3 week visit booked in may, so only time will tell.
I am a cancer nurse working at Southend hospital & hubby works for Ford motor company. I have some family but we are not very close, so I was thinking 'why not start making friends now'. Although Perth is a big place, as brits we are used to traveling. So if friendships are made, we want feel as lonely! (hopefully).
We are attending the 9th march meet up at the 'halfway house' A127, so please pop along.
I know, abit long winded, just thought it would be a good idea.
Hi Guys, We also from Essex Southminster lived in SWF though for 13 years. Currently going to Brisbane although a very strange thing happened last night I told my husband 'I dont know why but I am being drawn to Perth' Gave him a shock!!
Never been to Perth but I think we will probably start out in Brisbane (or i'm gonna drive my family mad), and if it dont work out we will try Perth.
Going to the meet too, my boys Luke & Jordan are coming along they are 16 and 14, is Lewis coming with you to the meet?
Michelle, wish I was only in my 30's what a good time to start your move!! Look forward to seeing you all soon
I don't think Lewis will be coming with us on the 9th - I think he has got to the point where he is sick of hearing about Australia as this has been a dream of ours for a long time. We had our medicals on Monday and I was pleasantly surprised that he came home to go with us. At 18 he is really settled here and has got a lot of good friends. He drives so is always out and about. I think what he would really like is for us to say, Lewis your bags are packed, the house is sold, we are going tomorrow. Don't get me wrong, he loves Perth - he has been 5 times with us and really enjoys the outside life, on one occassion my husband and Lewis decided to stay for an extra week and waved me off at the airport to fly home alone! I think he is a bit like me, doesn't do change. The good news for him is that he does have a cousin out there who is 28 and lived in Vange for years until he met a girl out there from South Benfleet (she has been in Perth since the age of 9) and married her. We also have a circle of family and friends so that should help.
Hi Karen
Didn't get to chat to you at the meeting. There was alot of people there. I had my two young daughters with me, so was chasing them around for most of the day.
We are going over in may, for a 3week rekkie. Am sooooo excited.
Hope you are all well. Sorry I haven't been intouch sooner, been busy with work! I can't get to PERTH sooner!!! I'd pack my bags tomorrow if I could.
I do have moments when I wonder how strange/hard its going to be, but it never puts me off!!
It was a bit hectic at the meet I must admit - there were so many people there who just have a dream and cannot wait for it to come true.
We have since got our visa and cannot wait to get the letter from our Agent in Queensland so that we can plan a visit to Australia House !!!!
We are off on Monday to the Kent meet - we met so many lovely people at the Essex meet including MrsC who is organising the Kent meet, so we are looking forward to making a lot of new friends there as well. At least it saves us having to bore our friends with our constant Australia stories.
We have got the estate agent coming here on Tuesday with a view to putting the house up for sale, so depending on how long that takes, depends on when we will leave this country to head for our new life in Perth.
Do you know where abouts you are plannig to go in WA in May - we have been 5 times since 2000 and would happily give you some ideas, just PM me if you wish.
Hi michelle & family, i have been in perth for 6 weeks now with my 3 yr old daughter-just wanted to assure you that it is a GREAT place for kids here.my daughter is watching about 99% less tv here than she did at home-mostly due to the fact that the weather has been good so far so can always go out somewhere. The childrens general outside facitlities are so much better here, i am only a short walk away from 3 huge parks (play equipment,lake,cafes,bbq's etc), and so many places to take them out to on day trips! I bet you will have a great trip in may.
suzy.
We are heading to Perth too :) We being me, my OH, Jeff and our three little boys. Jeff is a nurse too and has a job offer from the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth, where he will be working in theatres. My background is mostly in admin, though I am on maternity leave at the moment so a lady of leisure...lol! Like you, we are looking forward to getting out and about with the kids more and generally having a more 'outdoorsy' lifestyle. I will just be glad to get away from 'In the night garden'!
Have a great time on your recce and I'll look forward to hearing how you get on.
Take care and good luck with the move.
Lisa
__________________ Lisa, Jeff, Joseph (5), George (2) and Max (7 months)
ANMC Skills Assessment sent 2/4/08, Skills Assessment passed 15/8/08
Hi suzy
Thank you so much for your reply. At the moment 50% less TV would be great. Even my 20month old is at least a 77% TV addict. It been snowing here today, so we tried to make a snow man but both my girls started crying with the cold!!!!
I'm really glad you sent me a message. I needed to hear that 'yes' actually the lifestyle in perth is better then over here.
It seems like such a long way of before we can come over. Still feels like its a dream.
So glad to hear you are enjoying yourselves. Are you still in hoilday mode or have you started feeling homesick yet!!!
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your reply.
I have 'in the night garden' about 18hrs a day. Even have makka pakka easter eggs!!!!!!
Will keep you informed of all progress, as you seem at the same stage as us.
Where are you from? We are in Essex. Although I don't think it matters, the UK is th UK!! Cold, wet, windy, grey, busy, expensive, etc..........
Gave him a shock!! 
