tazbear

Congratulations James ...new adventures ahead ...good luck

Hi Sadie We are NOR ..our youngest is 12 and is now in year 7 at school which in most schools is the last year of junior school ...your daughter will be in year 7 as the school year has just started in feb ...so your kids would be in the same school until feb 2014 then your daughter will go off to high school .I know how you feel about the kids I was a wreck over our eldest who never said very much prior to arriving then he told us he wasnt staying he wanted to go home ...it was very hard to see him so upset but he made friends and moved on ...he loves it now ...but it wasnt easy with him however the youngest who is very quiet walked off into school and never looked back Once they make a friend or 2 they will be fine we as parents worry so much and they just get on with it .There are loads of horse riding schools etc around so sell that to her she will be fine im sure .If you keep telling her all the good things she will see them sooner or later lol.... Julia

Hi Sadie Star Good luck with the move you will be fine we came here 4 years ago now with a 14 and a 7 year old and no it wasnt easy ....the eldest made live very hard for the first 6 months but we got through it as did he ! We all love living here in Perth and wouldnt live anywere else ...even the child who didnt unpack for 6 months lol.. If I can give you one bit of advise it would be remember its not england ...and things are not the same ...doesnt mean its better or worse but its very different ...Like your husband myne is also a police officer from the uk who transfered here .. Good luck

Hi Speed1439 I have sent you a pm .

Mongrel ..you nutter ..I will ...although he leaves that to the boys who can hide in bushes ..lol....

Hi James well done with your application this far We have been in Perth almost 4 years now my OH is also a police officer who transfered from the UK . No one can really tell you were to live as everyone likes different things .We rented a holiday home for three months when we first arrived near Joondalup as thats were you do your training .As you go through traing you have to apply for postings to stations ,so we didnt want to get settled in one area then have to move because of travel time to work . During this time we had a good look around the areas and soon found plenty of places that suited us . Good luck with the whole application process .Its so worth it when you arrive or at least it was for us ..

Hi Kelly everyone has a different opinion on areas for lots of reasons but I think Joondalup is pretty good lots of things to do for your son....and you of cause ..great transport links into the city and beyond .As for schools dont have any experience in Joondalup but just remember whats good for one isnt always good for all so go have a look round with your son and im sure you will find something to suit ...good luck

Well said Mizzmp .... Life is what you make it ...You only get one go at it so get out there and enjoy it

Yes that is very true Sammy 1 .If you opt to work a country posting then you recieve subsidised housing .Just remember that you dont know were you are posted until you apply and get excepted whilst in the training accadamy so you would need temp acc. in the joondalup area for this time .

Hi Jim and Clare We have been in Perth 3 and a half years now and oh is a police officer who transferred from the UK .I can tell you they do not help you with any accomodation etc ...you have to sort everything out for yourself .We came over a few wks before oh started the accadamy so we could sort out a house car etc etc ...More than happy to answer any questions you have .Good luck with the interview .Julia

Mine were a bit older when we arrived eldest 14 and youngest 7 ....The youngest loved it from the moment the plane landed he cant really remember much about the uk and really doesnt have time now at 11 to talk to any relations in the uk .He loves everything about Australia and often says we will never go back to the UK will we ! The eldest hated everything about Australia ....however after a long time he did settle into ozzie life ..which he does love ...but he has been back to the UK twice in four years and I think the pull of his best mates and family in the uk will always be there .He has now realised what Australia can offer him in his career and how little his mates have compaired to him back in the UK . I do think most children are very addaptable but the younger they arrive the quicker they settle .

Hi there when we moved over our son was 15 and he went into year 10 ...but we came over in feb so he did most of year 10 . As its oct now thats right your son will do the end of year ten at his age then into year 11 in feb ...Its the fact the new school year starts in feb not sept as it does in the uk ... Hope that helps a bit ....

Hi Moirclan ....yes I totally agree with you probs 90 % of the kids at Clarkson High are good kids and you shoulnt always believe what people tell you ....go have a look and make up your own mind ....dont write things off on someone elses say so ...I have friends whos kids go there and they are very happy with the school .Its the old saying of give a dog a bad name !.In my experience some of the worst kids come from private schools .....but hey hoo .....thats just my opinion ....

Hi everyone , just like to say we live in Clarkson and OMG reading this post makes it sound like the bronx.....We have lived here for almost 3 years now and trust me there is nothing wrong with it ......other than the high school ....but I would like to say the feeder school for Mindarie primary is Clarkson High school ...just a thought for all you people who will be driving through in your armered vehicles .....My kids go to Kinross Primary and Mindarie senior so food for thought .....Maybe you should look around a sub before making such harsh judgments ......

Hey Ghost ...I know a couple of people who live in Ridgewood its a small place opp side of the road from Merriwa and a couple of ks from Clarkson in one direction and about the same in the other direction from Butler ...I would say its quite new few bits of building still going on ...No train links ...(closest Clarkson) not really any shops there closest would be in Merriwa which in my opinion can be quite ropy ...Your closest supermarket would be Clarkson or Butler . I think its a ok place to live ..more for your money than other places i guess .Both familys I know who live there do like it no probs at all.I dont think we all like the same areas to live ...which is probs just as well ...lol... I do think you get a feel for the place when you just drive around it (well I did)....sure you will find the right place for you ..good luck ...Julia

Hi the aitkens ....my other half uses the train into the city every day from clakson ...its a 35 minute journey ...so not so bad ..driving into the city at that time of day would be a nightmere ... As for getting from Butler to Clarkson there are good bus services so you should be ok there ...its to far to walk ..im sure it will not be long before you make friends from Butler and bag yourself a lift ...so many people from the northern subs use the trains as they are very regular in my opp very cheap, clean and safe ... Good luck with your move im sure you will love your new live ...Julia

Hi Mimabean Yes your right if you are here on a WHV then you dont need a oz licence ....I do like the sound of a road trip with randoms ...lol....have a great time ....just watch out for the kangaroos ...x Julia

Hi just a quick one Mimabeam Im pretty sure the rules are a little different for new drivers ....I believe you have to have been driving and held a full UK licence for 2 years before you can just do a straight forward change over ....Im not 100 % on the times etc but im sure someone will put me right if im wrong .... Personaly id say everyone should have some sort of refresh course as the driving quite often is a little hair raising ....and ive been driving for too many years to start counting .... I totally agree if you can get a wa licence then do it ...its great for every form of id ....

Id say t-shirts and jeans ,jumpers and def a water proof jacket ....its really cold on a morning and evening its quite nice during the day ... (not sure about shorts )...brrrr....just remember it will rain soon x Bet your excited ...hope you have a great flight and fantastic new life here in the best city in the world !

Hi Sally and Scott , as Steve says in my opinion its almost impossible to find somewere whilst your still in the UK .The pictures can be Very misleading to say the least ...and you really need to see were the house is ,and whats around you . I do know people who have rented houses before they have arrived in Oz but they have had the help of friends in Oz who know what they are looking for .Just be careful ...good luck Julia

Oh I feel your pain ....We arrived in Perth 2 years ago now with two boys one 8 and one 15 ...The youngest was a dream started school within a wk of arriving and was having new friends round for tea with two wks ...he has never looked back .And then the eldest ....he cryed every day telling us he was going back to the UK asap..all the usual things how we had ended his life taken him away from his friends etc etc ....this did break my heart ...we had to hide his passport because i have no dout he would have gone back ...but hang in there because it did take time but he has made some great new friend and he loves his life here now ...he is 17 now and has no desire to return to the UK ..his tells everyone it was the hardest thing he ever did but it was the best ever move ... He is still in touch with his old mates in the UK and i guess always will be which is all good as im still in touch with friends around the world to . It is hard at first for everyone but especially teens ..but they are still children and they do give in eventually and start to enjoy the new things they have around them ...If myne can turn around from were he was two years ago to refusing to go back to the UK for a holiday to visit his grandparens then there is hope for all those kids out there whos lives are about to be turned upside down ... Good luck to you all ..you will need to be strong but its worth it x