wandarri

Hi, we have now been here 2 years so pretty sorted out with a $300k mortgage and family of 2 kids 6 and 4. On $110k we live - we eat well hubby has company car though and we live close to city - there is enough money to pay for the everyday things but not enough to have the $6 - $10k required for a holiday to Bali each year. We don't buy many clothes (got loads on ebay in the uk before we left as they are cheap 2nd hand there) and don't spend money on facials massages etc. I have a 6 year old car CX7 nothing special but good family car - Personally to have a good life here and lots of good socialising etc one would need min $160k per ann. hope that helps

Can anyone recommend a decent simple IT person to assist with home office please - just things like setting up a printer wirelessly and transferring my back up back to my computer and setting up active sync again please.

Many thanks NicF - I have called Vince and he is coming to do a quote for us - he sounded really great and I like the idea that it is 3 of his family members doing the build - will post and let you know how we get on next year!

Many thanks, why did you not use them then? and who did you use in the end and why -

Hi everyone, we need to do some building work here - plumbing electric and building - have any of our recent arrivals had a good builder that they have dealt with that they can recommend. Or are there any builders out there that have arrived from the UK that are looking for work? We are based in North East Adelaide. 6km from the city cheers

Crown - excellent on uk side - good quote, fab packers - sadly we had some issues this end - unpackers friendly and we are still owed $500 approx back from Crown - go with John Mason - they were our second choice, slightly cheaper than Crown and I wish I had used them now.

We decided to go with Crown because of the outstanding reviews here on the forums - they were slightly more expensive than the others but we figured with such good reviews we would cover the extra . The sales person was great, the packers in the uk were excellent - could not fault one thing - however.... we were not sure where we would end up in Australia so we agreed that we would pay to have our items shipped to a country town but with the right to change our minds and hold in Adelaide if necessary - it was agreed that the difference (around £1k) would be offset against storage if necessary and any over payment refunded to us. As it turned out we decided to store and hold in Adelaide as my husband found a job there and we purchased a house a lot sooner than originally thought. All was fine until this point. We were then sent invoices for over $1000 for storage (the figures change all the time) - despite dozens of of emails to the Adelaide and London offices the manager seems to feel that it is appropriate to ignore our emails - the sales persona and the admin staff have all passed on our messages but this "Peter" seems to feel that it is ok to take our money and not deal with our emails. As it stands and according to our figures Crown owe us around $500.00 - Additionally the 2 men that unpacked were very unfriendly. Would I recommend Crown - definately no. Buyer beware - John Mason was the other company we considered and I wished I had gone with them. Next week I start legal proceedings to cover our funds. Please consider your removal company carefully and heed my warnings about this company -

Unless you are lucky enough to have brilliant family support for babysitting and childminding the cost of childcare can be expensive but also bear in mind that your social life will change and you will spend less going out. We used to eat out at good restraunts a couple of times per week but now entertain more at home or do lunches out b/c of the kids - we probably spend at least 200pw less on going out (yes we lead a good life before kids!) - also we used to get a lot of taxis but young kids means that you need a clear head so we also spend less on that and drink now as well Pregnancy means needing to get clothes to fit so I spent a lot less money on clothes for those several months and to be honest with all the chucking up and mess I also have not spent much in the last 4 years on clothes and have bought much cheaper clothes as I was sick of getting my good stuff ruined all the time - picking up kids and having dirty feet and spit on them is not hand in hand with an expensive outfit! Ah the joy!! So all in all - yes we have increased costs due to childcare but spend a lot less on a lot of other things - we have a basic family car now instead of a posh car and live a much more simple lifestyle - I don't feel we have lost anything - just gained so much by having 2 beautiful girls! Don't worry about the costs - it all works itself out - there are so many cheap secondhand baby clothes furniture and toys at garage sales and charity shops you can keep the costs right down, toy librarys are fab and playgrounds are free and make the best day out! it costs next to nothing to have friends over for a bbq and the kids playing together are the best thing ever - Sit back - enjoy the journey - I can't tell you just how much you will love it!! I have never smile and laughed so much in my life - my monsters are trying but wonderful!

We used Globalreach-partners (peter) - they were excellent and very proactive and gave us the best rate by far (and my husband extensively researched!).

Hi, Moving to Manningham in the very near future and will need some day care for my 2 and 4 year old - Looking for a day care center close by and would welcome any recommendations from fellow pomz in oz members Have been recommended to go for privately run day care centers but welcome any advice and recommendations many thanks

Hi, can anyone recommend a mortgage broker who has experience in dealing with investment purchases - I am looking for someone very proactive who looks outside the box when brokeing and who has access to lots of lenders - I am dispondent with the current brokers I am using. thanks

Hi Diane, Sadly we are 1 street outside of Walkerville Primary (my cousin's children went there and did so very well there!). Thank you for the re-assurance of area sharon

Hi, Can anyone recommend any great primary schools for Manningham area please - I would not be adverse to paying some smaller fees but can't afford $20k a year for St Andrews!! Gov't or church schools are fine as well. We want to give our children the very best of education. Many thanks

We are looking to move to Adelaide very shortly - we are 2 adults and 2 kids 2 and 4. Hubby has job in city center but will not need to travel in every day as a lot of it is working from home. He will need to go in perhaps once or twice a week. We will eventually buy a fab family home of budget up to $1m but in the meantime are thinking of around $400k for a 3/4 bed house slightly further out which we can then change to an investment property when we buy the family home. Areas we have looked at are Torrens Park/Mitcham or over towards Walkerville area - the first being better transport links with railway lines but the later closer to city and more "gentrafied?" perhaps. Priorities to come will be very very good schools for kids when they need it in around 1.5 years but meanwhile a good childcare facility as we both work we would like to be walking distance from some shops, cafes and pubs Lately we have looked at Manningham which seems to be very up and coming but very cheap at present. Do not want to be near beach or in the hills. Any thoughts very much appreciated. Postive or negative. thx

Anyone know of a good holiday let or corporate let city area in Adelaide - we are looking for a 3 bed house for 2 mths whilst we set ourselves up in Adelaide. thx