klm081

Hi Shelley, how old are your kids? We're moving to Perth January and staying in Joondalup short term (at least) so currently looking into schools for my son who will have just turned 14. Have you found a long term let from the UK? Kelly

Hi sorry pink roses haven't been on for a while. Whereabouts in Perth are you headed? Regarding questions and costs - its really individual depending on the company you choose and how much stuff you're taking with you. There's some really good threads on here if you search, everybodys advice and experience really helped me

I'm writing this sitting in my front room whilst my packing is being done around me and I feel like a spare part! I just wanted to share my experience so far in the event it may help someone else! I had several online quotes and had gentleman visit my home to give me a 'proper quote' which involved actually walking around my things and really seeing what I wanted to take. By far the most pleasant and professional man (in my experience only) was a gentleman from Doree Bonner International. He wasn't giving me all the sales glib or condensending or arrogant as some were I'm afraid! He spent ages talking through everything with me making sure I was happy with everything! Likewise the office have been very helpful and have replied to my endless questions within hours (and there have been many!)! I have the mobile number of the gentleman who visited my home and he also texts me frequently to answer any questions that I have! Two men are currently in my home, very friendly, in uniform who introduced themselves fully and are taking great care with my goods (so far anyway he he). Basically it all seems real now as these boxes all state ' Perth, Australia' on them and although I am worried about a million things, I at present am confident my things are in good hands. Anyway this is only my experience and we are still at an early stage but I'll keep you posted to whether things were lost at sea or whether they arrived safely etc! Kelly

Yes I was attacking the bike with a toothbrush late last night but I'm sure I can still see flecks of dirt. Just crossing my fingers that whoever checks it doesn't have 20 20 vision!

I'm sitting at the table posting this as they are packing around me! They too recommended the tea bag trick!

I would never in a million years have thought of that! THank you!

Freezer off to Oz tom with the rest of our stuffy! Was advised to use coffee in order to soak up and disguise odour but what am in supposed to put it in? Any ideas? Kelly

Thanks for that! Picked some up in b&q but my God yes it stinks!!! Had no idea it would be so bad! Its taken all afternoon to clean stuff but I can still see small traces of dirt in the hard to reach places of his bike . Now trying to work out what to put in the freezer to stop that stinking! Any ideas? Kelly

Hi guys! Sorry if this has come up before! My shipping company recommended Jeyes fluid for cleaning bikes and shoes etc but homebase no longer seem to stock this (according the internet). Is there another alternative anyone has found? Whats everyone else doing? Thanks Kelly

Thanks for replying! I was told the same thing to fill it in as much as I could and they would do the rest later! So stressful isn't it! Good luck to you both - lets hope our things are not lost at sea (gulp) !!! I hope we've all made the right choice with our companies too it does worry you when you here stories of them not replying etc. Kelly

So my life is going to be boxed up on Monday and my shipping company has emailed me customs forms to fill in for unaccompanied personal effects. They need it before my goods are taken but the form asks for : number of boxes, name of ship, estimated date of arrival, container number etc. How can I fill this in accurately when my stuff hasn't even been packed yet? Confused.com. Am I missing something? Kelly

A meet up sounds great Kirsty! I'm getting more stressed by the day! Shipping company coming to pack and take stuff one week tomorrow so the place looks like a bomb has hit it! Everyone here keeps asking if I'm excited but to be honest its the last thing on my mind! Too busy sorting out the million things to do before we go! Don't have time to be excited! Are you shipping your things? Kelly

Although I was expecting to live in the suberbs south of Scarborough and thats where all my research has been based, I've found short term accomodation in Joondalup! Should I walk off the plane into a job and given the keys to a long term rental (you never know !!) does anyone have any opinions on this and surrounding areas? Good schools? My son will then be 14. Many thanks Kelly

Flights booked for 16 January! Short term let in Joondalup as a base while I find work, school, long term let etc! The house looks like a tip now as I'm tearing the place apart deciding what to ship or throw away! Feel so excited one minute and then the next sick with nerves and stressed at just how much I have to do between now and then! It would be great if we all met up for a coffee once we're there! Kelly

Hi guys! Can I ask which companies you used in the end for insurance? Thanks

Good thread! Busy posting a load of stuff on ebay as we speak! I had a few car boot sales but gave up as people literally will pay pennies for things only! Also going on a few tip runs! I'm shipping quite a bit in a shared container to keep costs low. Although starting to worry about how long this will take - they give a time span of between 8-14 weeks which is quite a gap! In the uk i'll lbe able to borrow bit and pieces but am a bit worried about being in Oz and being without furniture for weeks on end! We don't know anyone there so noone to lend a hand! Whats everyone else doing while they wait for their bits and pieces to come over? Kelly

Ah thanks! Finally got something! Sweet relief....was ready to accept just about anything to take the pressure off!

I've used this site for some time now and have heard that finding accomodation is a nightmare and omg is it!!!! Ideally would like to be in Perth early January in time for the beginning of school year (along with everyone else it seems!) as the schools (Churchlands / Shenton) will only take my son if we have a 12 month rental agreement. I and my family have been hunting for ages trying to find an affordable place to stay for a month and its looking like a disaster! Everything is either taken or way out of our price range! Every stage so far has been such a struggle so I don't know why I thought for once this may work out in my favour! Not after answers, just wanted a rant! Kelly

I'm so glad your story had a happy ending, however I am now terrified even further about finding a rental in Perth!

Hi! I'm in the same position! I recently had a gentleman come to give me a quote from Doree Bonner about a shared container. Worth giving them a try

Thanks again guys! Getting worried now as trying to secure a short term furnished rental that is affordable is a joke (I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking the same)! Need to stick to these areas for work. I know a few of you advised against Glendalough but there is a company with a couple of properties available (and affordable) for rental in January. Now I'm wondering whether to book one and just stay for a few weeks and then once I'm in WA have a good look around properly for a long term let. What do you guys think?

I'm searching for a short term rental (nightmare) somewhere around Churchlands area (or there abouts) and my house is like a revolving door with estate agents, removal companys etc coming in to give me information! Want to be there mid Jan so my son has a bit of a holiday before school starts but haven't yet booked flights. I keep looking but my finger never actually hits the 'book' button......think I'm still a bit scared! Have you all secured rentals? Kelly

Also, how likely is it that you would get a 'no further stay' condition on your visa? And what time period counts as 'extended time periods outside of Australia' between applying for more than one tourist visa?

Hi guys, I've been searching and the site is so saturated with the different posts about parent visas, to find what I'm looking for will take hours! I've just been granted PR and my parents (both retired and over 65) would like to come as I am their only child. I've read about the different routes they can go down but am confused at what they do in the meantime. Do they just apply for a tourist visa when they come and visit? I've read that there is sometimes a limit on the number of occassions they can visit for and this is a worry. Any one have any ideas? I'm sure I read a thread about something new where parents can now stay for a year for a visit but can't find it again! Any help much appreciated! Thanks

Hi! Lovely thread. Haven't booked flights yet but hoping to be in Perth early January, just me and my 12 year old son! One last xmas, I'm sure the next 12 weeks will fly by!