Jockeylad

We have now been here for around 5 weeks, visiting both Mandurah and Bunbury and must say Bunbury hands down... but that's just our choice/opinion. Hence we have moved to Bunbury and love it. The people are friendly, chilled and are always willing to help. We found the Aussies' kindness, approachability and chattiness quite strange at first, as if we were on the Trueman Show, but soon realised this is just the way they are. What a breath of fresh air compared to the UK. Total strangers will strike up conversations with you all the time. The staff in the Bunbury branch of the NAB (bank) actually spend time talking to their customers and get to know you personally. I have been banking with Lloyds bank in the UK since I was 8 years old and not one of them ever struck up a conversation, which is quite sad really and makes you realise what has been lost over the years in the UK. There is plenty to see and do at the weekends and you are much closer to towns like Albany, Busselton and Dunsborough, not to mention all the wineries/breweries:goofy:. The beaches in and around Bunbury are also very nice. A train service will take you up to Perth for shopping/visiting etc, but I would say that it's too far for commuting on a daily basis, although there are those that work in Perth all week and travel back down at the weekend. Many FIFO workers also live in and around Bunbury. IMO house prices are comparable with Mandurah, in that they can be expensive depending on location... as anywhere. I've heard it said that Bunbury is less affordable than Mandurah, but I'm not so sure that this is true. If it is more expensive, then it may be because of the demand for housing and Bunbury being one of, if not THE fastest growing areas of WA. We have been up to Perth a few times and as far as Quinns Rocks/Hillary's Harbour etc... but feel that we have chosen wisely and feel very much at home in Bunbury. I am a Mechanical Engineer, so finding the right employment opportunities down here is a must... but they are there if you do your homework. Anyone who needs to find 'Regional Work' as part of their visa conditions (Nurses/Teachers etc) will find Bunbury a great place to settle and believe me, you won't want to leave... it is that good. Coming to WA has definitely been one of our best decisions in life. We have two daughters (7 & 14) and they have settled very quickly at school (Bunbury Primary and Bunbury Senior High) - check out the views from Bunbury Senior High school on Google maps... probably the best school location in the world!!! TBH, you won't go far wrong either way as Mandurah/Dawesville are also a great places to live/visit. In the end you'll have to visit and weigh up your personal pro's/cons and chose accordingly. Decisions, decisions... hope this has helped:confused:.

Hi Alan My wife and I are also renting our UK property out and if I understand you correctly then; 1. We can split the rental income between us, thus reducing the probability of it surpassing our UK tax allowance. 2. Apart from filling out the agents FICO form, we must also register on the non resident landlord scheme. 3. We must register for UK tax self assessment (possibly triggered automatically?). 4. We must also declare the income on our Australian tax return. 5. Once the UK HM Revenue are satisfied that no tax is payable and after at least 1 tax return, we can apply to have our self assessment file closed. Again great info and I'm hoping I've understood it all correctly :notworthy:. You mention that you send a standard letter to HM revenue, on behalf of your clients, to have them removed from the self assessment list. Is this letter freely available :unsure:?

Addison05 My family and I are moving to Bunbury in about 6-7weeks time. How long did it take you to find and sort a rental... will I need to sort a holiday let/hotel for a week or two? I have two daughters 14 and 7, what are the schools like near Millbridge/Treendale/Eaton way? We're all now looking forward to finally getting there!

Praz567, it happened by default really. I work at a power station in the UK and had applied for a job, via the seek.com.au site, at Bluewaters power station near Collie (inland from Bunbury). I found out that there was a guy who used to work at my power station, who now lives Leschenault just north of Bunbury. I got his contact details and got in touch to ask him for info about the area, schools etc. After a few emails back and forth, he asked if I was interested in a job at his place... and the rest went from there. I applied for lots of jobs via the 'seek' site, explained that I was in the UK and that if not successful at this time due to my location, could I contact them on arrival in Perth. I had countless replies that were all positive and said that they would be interested in meeting me on arrival. It is difficult to obtain a job prior to getting there as employers frequently told me that they are not all that keen on Skype interviews, but would be willing to see me on arrival. So if I were you, I would apply for jobs on seek that interest you or write to them directly, kind of like an application covering letter, explaining who you are, when you will be arriving etc. I am a firm believer that decent companies respect this approach and anyway you have nothing to lose and only something to gain! By doing this, you can compile a list of employers you can contact with on arrival. Good luck!

Heading to Bunbury, job sorted at the SSWA desalination plant at Binningup. IMO, get a job, find an acceptable place to settle and if your not happy.... look for another job and move... simple. Always better to seek work when you're in work!

Totally agree with patsmb, probably identity fraudsters at work and you should be very careful and definitely talk to the police, your bank and change all passwords etc etc. They were probably getting angry as you'd moved out before they could make a steal on your identity. It also makes me wonder why they wanted a forwarding address... possibly to carry on the con in the future using the new address??? Don't want to sound pessimistic or anything, but if they had access to your name, DoB, address, copies of utility bills etc, they could, with a false identity, apply for loans in your name or open a bank account! Hell, they could have removed your passport, copied the detail and then put it back, only to have a fake passport produced using your details:shocked:. On the other hand, she/they could just be a pair of class A nutters... there are people like that out there:wacko:! The choice is yours whether you let bygones be bygones. I know what I would do:policeman:! By the way... Owe Bist thee Chall77 ?

Pavlova, I've had a quote from Anglo Pacific and I'm interested to know why your price keeps mysteriously increasing? What exactly are they blaming the increases on? Out of the three quotes I've had for removals they look to be the better, but only slightly. I am still quite interested in self packing, using 1, or possibly two, large move cubes, so your post is kind of reinforcing that thought.

I am also looking at using move cube, but still have not seen a post by anyone who has actually used this method...unless I've missed it. Is there anyone on PIO who has? If so, can you let us know of your experience and whether you would use that method again. Also, how do they work out AQIS fees, is it by volume, or what they have to inspect? What is a rule of thumb guide price for AQIS costs? Thanks in advance.

Actually having been on Wanted Down Under, how realistic, in your opinion, are the programmes compared to the reality? Did you have employment sorted prior to your arrival?

Over in sunny Telford myself. What are EOIs? I'm an Aussie by birth (Adelaide), but my parents returned to England when I was about 3 yrs old. So as far as visas are concerned, I'm quite fortunate in that respect, although my wife does have to get a partner visa. Our two daughters are eligible for citizenship via me. I did go over in 1990/91 for just over a year and spent most time in Melbourne before travelling around SA, VIC, NSW and QLD. We too are now looking at WA, Perth in particular, and I too have a lot of family in and around WA... seems we have a lot in common! Since my wife started this thread a while back, she has agreed to just up sticks and go for it without going for a reccie, even though she's never been. I'm a Mechanical Engineer and work in the power generation industry (power station) and the wife is a School Business Manager, working for the local education authority. Perth just seems to have more to offer me as far as employment is concerned and the climate is a drier heat, so more bearable in summer. We hoping to go over in the summer or early autumn, when are you hoping to go over?

Quite correct owd lad :biggrin:... and someone using the phrase 'mon' just has to be from Shrewsbury, if not then Shropshire? Who was your friend and where did he settle? Are you looking at going yourself?

Hi, I am looking at moving to Queensland next year and was wondering what kind of jobs it is that the majority of Poms are aqiring in places like Rockhampton and Mackay? I am currently a Mechanical Technician in the maintenance department (using SAP) at a coal fired power station in the UK, currently being converted to wood pellet (biomass). Is there much work for my trade in these areas? Where/how did most of you get your jobs in these areas, did you apply online or go through agencies etc?

yes they do look amazing. And im glad you understand about the wedding thing, so now i dont feel like a loner, like dreaming about my wedding. so how many days now for you? Aw do the houses look nice, and i want to live near the beach too, just to walk down the road and there you see the amazing beach. aw so excited. So where abouts in australia was your step dad born?

I just tell my teachers the truth by saying stuff like, "i cant wait to go," or "I want to go but i will miss evryone." It's very much mixed emotions at the moment, and i guess they will get worse as time goes on, im sure i will still want to go. My dad has got his heart set on going back to australia, he loves it over there, due to him being born over there and also living there for a bit. But my mom, no so much, like i told you before she will miss all of our family, my mom is very family oriantated, as you can tell. I am too, but i really want to get out there and experience the lifestyle. Its a feeling i have woth australia, its a good one. You know when something just feels right in your gut instinct, and when you know you will love it and it will be a positive experience, thats the feeling i get when i think about it. I will miss England though, ever since i was little i have wanted to get married in a castle type of thing, and over there, they dont have any , oh well, beach wedding sounds good though, ahaa. I know i have ages till i get married but i just like thinking about having my dream wedding. My dad has got an australian passport, with him being australian, ahah, but me, my mom and my little sister millie, ahve got like a family visa to show that we are with my dad, and the visa paper work is being sent of sometime in september, so exciting. Around January time is when we will be ordering the container to store all of our furniture and stuff in, thats when it stats to get even more exciting. My last 8 months in school now, it sounds wierd saying that. Im sorry for the slow replies recently, I havent really been on laptop, only every now and then, so sorry for that!

I have go 8/9 months now, im counting down too. Its nearly Christmas aswell and it will be my last one here, then after christmas only a few more months. Im wondering how we will feel hen we are about to fly. I know i will cry, and feel home sick for a while, but im sure we will get used to it. My tutor and teachers ask about it too like how im feeling and if i want to go. Oh my gosh, your friend moved back forever, im sure you will keep in touch, that hasnt happend to me before. I have just come back from my holiday to cornwall today, we went in our motor home, with my nan and grandad in their motor home. It was fun. I asked my mom on the way back, is this the last time i will ever go on holiday to cornwall, and she said yes. That kinda kicked me in the stomach if you know the feeling. I still want to go though. I cant wait!:wink:

Hi Jzombie Brilliant post, with some really useful advice and tips! I really can imagine how it gets more stressful the closer it you get to leaving... but it will all have been worthwhile soon :wink:.

Hi Javi No work lined up as of yet as we're still in the process of getting Sam and the girls partner visa and the move is still a bit of a way off. Once we have the visa side sorted and we are a little closer to the move, I'll start looking more seriously at the job front. We will still be making the move whether we have jobs or not, as I'm confident of finding something in my field... even if it's only temporary to get the money coming in. We too are looking at all of the alternative places to live and work, again even if only for a year or so. We can then either stay put if we like it, or move if we don't. Why are you finding it hard to find work in Brisbane? All the best Russ

Im the same with my mates, im not the most poplar girl in school, but i like that. I know a lot of people, and talk to a lot of people, but i aleways have my close mates, like you do, that are a mix of boys and girls. Im confident , but i dont want to be popular, because you get into arguments a lot more, thats why i stay with my group of close mates. Normally we will meet up in the town centre and go shopping, or i will go round to theirs, something like that anyway. RAIN! Today me and my mates were walking to the school gym, to do PE, and it started to rain heavily. My natural hair look is wavy/ curly, but my hairstyle is poofy at the top, and straight at the bottom, (because i like it nice and neat). So anyway it started to rain, and what did my hair do... go curly! So i had my hair up for the rest of the day, not an attractive look, haha! To be honest, i dont care about being popular, im happy with where i am at now, i wouldnt change my friends for the world, even when i move im still keeping n contact, like i have told you before. Over confidence, i know what you mean,girls i my year are starting to get like that already, i feel like saying "get over yourself, your not that amazing!" God, they really get on my nerves when they are like that though, they act like everyone wants to know their business, like what they had to eat that day, and not many people care. Im the type of person who doesn't shout about their personal life, i only tell my close mates, who i can trust stuff like that. This is random, we have a lot in common, and its really easy to speak to you about stuff, like moving, and yr 9 girls, haha, ooohhh yes, and you sound like a really nice, down to earth person, thats a good thing by the way, in case you were like wondering !haha! Hope the weather is good for the festival, and have fun! Rain is actually so depressing, i was looking out the window in english today, and i was so depressed just looking at it, i wanted to cry strangely enough, because its been raining for ages, it feels like forever to be honest. UUUGGGHHH, dont you just love England? haha.

It doesn't seem five minutes ago since you were telling us it was three months or so to go. Time sure does fly when you're busy. I hope all goes well, and I hope you can keep us all updated with your move as it really is a big help reading about other peoples experiences. Again, good luck, not that you'll need it, and who knows, we may be able to meet up for a beer or two when we 'finally' get there next year. All the best from Russ, Sam, Jess and Amelia.

YEP! Instead of your pe teacher saying come on lets do rounders, they will be saying... come on we are doing surfing! How amazing! I dont really get the school thing either its a bit hard to understand, because we are used to the way it works over here. Im sure it will be easy enough to understand when we are actually at school. So i m a year behinde you then, i cant wait till year 9, is it good? I have heard that the girls get even bitchier than now, and if im honest im not really the mean type of person, i dont really argue with my friends, or anyone else, so i guess im just not that way like some girls at my school. Like all girls i can be a bit mean at times, if i have to stand up for myself. But dont worry, im not under confident myself, but im not over confident, im just in the middle. I dont think i need to become any more confident, im happy being the way i am now. The weather will definetly be nicer over there, a lot nicer. I mean have you seen how much rain we have had latley, it's starting to depress me a bit if im honest, so thats when i just daydream about australia, and think to myself its not long now, because for my family it's roughly 9-10 months, so im very excited and im counting down the months i know it may seem a bit sad but yyaannoooo

We are moving to the sunshine coast, so not far away from you, about 2 hours. The year thing is a bit annoying, they are a semester behinde us so i will have to go back to being a year 8 for a term and then move up again, or something like that anyway. I definetly want to get more involved in sport out there, like rowing, surfing, beach volleyball, basically all the sports that we dont really get an opportunity to do over here. Oh and by the way im in year 8 about to go into year 9. So maybe when you get in Aussie, we can meet up and i can give you some tips and help you with some things like school info and stuff?

YES IT WILL BE! I would never of thought that you were under confident, and god, if my parents ever divorced i would make my step parents life HELL, if i hated them. It sounds a bit awkward with your dad, i have to agree with you. We are doing the exact same as you when we get out there, we are going to rent out there for a few years, but if we decide to stay we will buy out there permanently, i think we will like it, but i dont want to get my hopes up in case its not for us. Its kind of hard not to, because everyone says that its like paradise. When i was younger i hated getting told off, i used to cry so much. But anyway even if we just live out there for 3-4 years we would of had a great experience! I just figured out that my end of term whole school assembly will be my last because we are moving in 10 months time, so im leaving a few months before the end of year 9, im currently year 8. But im so excited, im counting down the months, but my mom says that i dont really take everything into account, and that i will start to feel more apprehensive/ nervous to go when its nearer the time.:biggrin:

I know what you mean with the awkwardness, i sometimes get it with my family when we talk about it. My grandparents are also very supportive, but you can tell that they dont want me to go, as my moms side of the family is big, and out of all 13 grandchildren me, and my little sister millie are her favourite. So my mom feels like shes tearing their world apart. My nan hate flying, but my grandad loves to go on holidays, and the sn, so im sure he will persuade her to come over, im sure she will even my nan said she would, but would have to prepare herself for the flight. My parents told me when i came back from my mates house, they sat me down and told me. I have always wanted to do this move, but when the decision is final and my parents are arranging visa's, and containers to take furniture over, it suddenly becomes real, and i realise what i will be losing, but as well gaining. The one aspect which i will miss in aussie is my famiy and friends, i believe that family and friends are the rock of our lives, the support, and backbone sometimes, when you need an extra back bone. It's easier for my daad because he was born their, in Adelaide, and his mom, my nanny Sue, god bless her, passed away when i was 6. I can tell in my dad sometimes, especially around christmas, that he misses her and that in a way he needs her, for someone to talk to. Sometimes i sense that he needs her now, going through the whole aussie thing. But anyway, we all want to go and experience it, where as millie my little sister, wants to stay. My mom told her and she started to cry and asked if she could take her room, bless her, shes only just turned 6. Oh and maybe your dad can come out and see you all out there, you may come back here for holidays, so you could see him them, and its an emotional process, he's probably thinking that he's loosing his little girl, well your not little anymore, but its the same with my dad, he still see's me as that newborn baby sometimes. Are you moving their permanently or temporarily?

yh i know what you mean it maybe hard at first, but my nan said to me that i will be starting all over again, so instead of being popular like i am at my school, i will go back to being the newbie haha! But its now 11 months or so before i go, and because your going in 2 years, we can meet up when you get over there and i can give you tips on anything, and everything, so dont worry i will help you more on aussie life when im out there.haha! They love our accent, well i love their accent. I have always thought the english accent is pretty boring, well my personal version of it anyway. So i cant wait till i cling onto their accent. So how did you react when your mom told you that you two were leaving?

Yes i know surfing for pe, i was looking at the school curriculum and you have surfing lessons for pe and surfing competitions, im so jealous. The houses, dont get me started, I LOVE THEM they are amazing, so modern, there was one we were looking at and on the wooden decking outside it had an amazing lounging area and it had a BAR! OMG! It was amazing, and a big pool. Same not really into sport only dance, trampolining ,and gymnastics. I want to fit in too, im nervous that no one will like me but im sure they will, im really easy to get on with and an easy going person. Im sure we will have fun though!