cassy

Its my Son's friend who is in the UK, Yes it soes seperate, not sure about the castors though... Thanks

Hi there, wondering if anyone can suggest the cheapest way to send a mechanic's tool box to Brisbane? It weigh's approx 300kg and measure's 2mx1.5mx1.5m. Thanks in advance

Could have written that myself Hayley!!!! I wish you and yours the very best of luck back home in blighty xxxx

Agree with you there, BUT its not for everyone and it depends on what trade you are in. Totally agree with the op about the cost of living... My hubby is a tradie and we are worse off financially.. And if people did not want to hear these things, dont read the post's.

Not saying we are unemployed, just worse off financially

Ok dont come to WA we are worse off

Oh and forgot to add the answer to your original question ' is it worth spending your life savings to get to australia' one word.....NO

If you are planning to come to WA, get oh to get a job 1st... My oh is a carpenter/joiner and he is fitting aliminuim windows !!! Also do your research on cost of living .... you will be shocked

Good luck and look forward to reading your updates xx

I know exactly how you feel, but your situation is a little worse as I have our 11yr old with us. My 3 kids from a previous marriage, 34,30 and 26 are back in the UK and I know they are all grown ups but I cant describe the feeling of missing them. And then this eve thought I would skype them (which we do most weekends) and the buggars are all busy! Good to know I am not always in their thoughts though. Our 11 yr old is fine, made lots of friends and is always busy. I would go home tomorrow, and so would my OH for different reasons, but we are going to give it a couple of yrs (9mths in) for the sake of our daughter... and my sister is visiting Oct then my daughter xmas, so have to stay for them.. It does'nt matter how old your kids are, you will always be their Mom.. The very best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and who knows, when your son visits he may fall in love with the place. xx

Menlow4, Feel for you, really know where you are coming from. I am in Mandurah, so if you fancy a coffee and a chat, give us a shout. Good luck with everything, x

Thanks Jim a great help.. will get on the case because I am on foot and public transport at the moment.. he has my car ha ha

Hi Jim, yes he is self employed, has an ABN but not gst registered, was advised not to do it, cause there is only him...

Hi all, was wondering if anyone knows if you can claim tax back when you buy a new car? My oh will use it for work. Have been on the goverment site but I am sooooo bamboozled (not the brightest light bulb lol) Thanks in advance

Personally I would ship as much as you can, cause the money for other different thing u have to dish out when you arrive here soon mounts up. ie car registration, charge for registering the car in your name, bond for the rental...etc. We shipped new stuff, beds drawers towels bedding (which are expensive here) just took it out of the packaging. We did'nt ship everthing, replaced stuff here that needed replacing.. but in hindsight wish we had now, saying that though we were lucky enough to buy a job lot off people who were moving back to the uk.. Oh and ship lamps over, so expensive here.

Hi again Shauna, think you are probally right, and the one I think it is does'nt have a good reputation. Oh well looks like more hrs at work!!!! And Shauna, do you know that they stay in primary untill the end of year 7?

Hi Shauna, yes she did. We arrived here last year on Aug 19th, and she started in school about 10 days later.. Think it helped her settle better, and plus she had already had a long time off. She had to go back into year 5 though untill they broke up Dec for summer hols. And yes halls head is a lovely area, my friend has lived here 5yrs.. Good luck with the move..

Hi all, could anyone enlighten me of good secondary schools in Mandurah? My daughter has just gone into yr6, so thought we had better start looking... Any thoughts and advice much appreciated for either public or private. Thanks

Hi Tony, there are a few primary schools in Halls Head, our daughter (who is 11) goes to Glencoe.. We have only been here just over 6mths... She likes it, so I think thats the main thing.. I have heard very good reports of South Halls Head, someone I know took their kids out of private school to send them there... But remember you have to live in the catchment area... School term 1 started on Feb 1st, the next break is easter, then July, Sept and finally big hols Dec.. They have 2 weeks off at a time here.. Hope this helps

Hi to you too laura.. Sorry to hear that, but I know how you feel. Its the kids you feel it for the most is'nt it, and it must be so hard for teenagers, My daughter seems to be getting better, and is talking positively about things.. My hubby would go home tomorrow, but we have agreed to give things more time to settle.. I have good days and bad days, and I think when the bad days occur more I will be on that plane with you. I agree with you on the property front, it took us weeks to find a half decent rental. And then they wanted to know everything but my bra size !!! Where about in Oz are you? feel free to pm me if you want to chat. Take care and good luck x

We did that, and they did'nt ask for rent upfront. Think they just need to see funds are there for the term of the lease

Just finished a night shift and it was'nt too bad, worked with someone different still don't think I will love it, but hopefully can tolerate it untill something else comes up.. After reading all your encouraging comments, I am feeling a little more optimistic about things. Have just spoken to my daughter and she has agreed to come with me later to the local recreation centre to suss things out.. About school too... Think she is bored because she had to go back into year 5 and she has done most of the work already, and she is a bright child. So hopefully in Feb she will be on the same level as the rest of her year. We think if we can settle her, it will fall into place with us.. hopefully. Thank you all so much.. And legoman we are in Mandurah

Thanks guys, really helps when you talk to people eh.. Did'nt think of asking the school about clubs etc.. and I am constantly in touch wwith her teacher, because she talks to him about missing home. She says she does'nt want to move schools, so at this point I dont think its a wise move. We did discuss that after the holidays we will sort our jobs out... so will take 1 day at a time. Thanks again We do really want this to work, so will keep trying our hardest

Hi Everyone. I am going to sound like a real whinging pom, so apologies in advance...but need to get it off my chest.. We have been in Perth for nearly 4mths now, we have a job each, a rental near friends, our 11yr old daughter in school.. sounds good, but........... I hate my job, but it is a perfect location,(10mins walk) its 2 night shifts(care work) and it pays the rent and it fits around my daughter...but its awful. Dread it when work nights come around. Hubby has to travel hour and 15mins each way every day so he is constantly tired.. The worst is my daughter, who is terribly homesick (I have 3 grown up kids bacK in the UK) missing them and her friends.. She is ok at school, but cant seem to make friends outside of school.. have told her to get no's so we can arraange days, but she does'nt. It makes me feel so bad about it all, and at this moment feel like packing up and going home. I know its early days, and tell myself that every day.. but each day I feel worse, especially whe my daughter is shut up in her room. And she is'nt being naughty or anything, just quiet and we literally have to force her to go anywhere.. So any advice from anyone to help us would be very much appreciated. Again sorry for whinging on..

Hi there, we have been in oz 7 weeks, we applied online, did'nt take long to do, and recieved it through the post within a week. I would'nt stand in a line too much time wasted, go and explore instead.. Good luck