mikeandjayne Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Dear all I'm writing this for all those people that are where my wife and I were about five or six weeks ago, that is in the UK, stressed out sitting in rented accomodation after selling our home (to an a**e who tried to drop the offer at the last moment!) saying goodbye to everyone we know and love and sending our dog off to be couriered around the globe in a big wooden box. We were plopping ourselves! One month in and I'm typing this from a four bedroomed house that we managed to rent fully furnished (that was lucky) while being pestered by my dog who actually managed to put weight on during his travels. I've been a silent member of this group (had a different user ID in the UK and have just re-registered) and a number of the postings worried me a little before we left, mainly the experiences of 'anti pom' sentiment from the locals. My experience of 'anti pom' sentiment include us spending Christmas day with an Australian family who we had never met before after being invited by a lady in the local cafe who was appauled that we were spending Christmas day without family so insisted we spent the day with her's. They could'nt have done more to make us feel welcome. I have told this story to two expats who have been here five and two years respectivley and they have both had similar experiences! When we moved into our property on the 15th Dec we took ourselves out to say hello to the neighbours (which took a little bit of doing for us because we really are not outward going people) and have been around to two of their house's for drinks since (and been invited to a new years eve party from some friends of their's a couple of streets back!). The local copper lives on the street and loaned me his lawnmower as we don't yet have one. All these people are Aussie's. Now I'm not saying that Australia is a big love in and I'm in no doubt that there are lots and lots of people that aren't like the people we have met - but I'm only telling you like we have found it. People are very inquisitive and seem a little shocked when they realise just how much we all put ourselves through to emigrate, the most common response though is to wish you luck and I've had a couple of pointers from folk as to where to start looking for work. As I said earlier this is aimed at people in the position we were in not so long ago ourselves - Hope this helps. Top tips! Do not close your UK bank accounts (tell them your going to suck it and see for a while!) and make sure you keep a credit card, you cannot get one until you are in employment over here and they are just too useful. If you set yourself up with internet banking and leave an amount in the UK it's easily managed. Be certain that your bank will let you transfer large sums of money if you are leaving large amounts in the UK to transfer at a later date. Most of them want you to 'drop down to the branch!' to sign for anything more than £10K! When it comes to renting property write a covering letter explaining who you are and why you currently have no job (ie. you have just landed) and if you have never rented before state this is because you were a home owner for x number of years and offer character references in place of landlords statements. We also offered to show the agent our bank balances in the UK to prove we could cover one months rental and were willing to pay a number of months in advance to swing the deal, we never had to do this but stated in the covering note that we would be willing to. Bring a laptop - it is a HUGE benefit when looking for property, it can cover more ground than you and you can register with all the agents for e mail updates daily. We brought one out then bought a pre-paid one month internet account with Dodo ($25 from Tandy) that let us use the laptop from the phone line in our initial rental - we also done our banking on this and used Skype (pre paid account, put £10 on via paypal and calls to landlines cost us .012£ per minute!) to call friends and family! You don't have to be a computer wizard to do this, I'm certainly not - just ask people. And lastly but probably the most importantly - talk to people. Pass the time of day in cafes and shops, say hello to neighbours - whats the worst thing that can happen, they don't talk back. Good luck and I wish you all the same good fortune that we have had so far (here's hoping it lasts!) :wink: Mike & Jayne Rowville, VIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ses Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 Thanks for your post. Hubby and I are expecting visa any day now and like yourselves are not really outgoing people. But hey hope with new life we may become more outgoing people!!! Is scary though! Thanks again for your Top Tips Sarah & Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheArmChairDetective Posted December 30, 2006 Share Posted December 30, 2006 What a fantastically helpfull post. Do't forget the quickest way to make friends is to join a club that interests you. Tennis, Military, Railway Wheeltappers and Shunters etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted December 31, 2006 Share Posted December 31, 2006 Great post - optimistic and realistic - just what this forums about. Good luck Ali x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeandjayne Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Dear all Glad our post has helped a little and thanks for your kind words, I've had a couple of people respond saying that they are not very outgoing and don't feel that confident meeting new people. We didn't either but we found a great way of doing it (by mistake!) and that was to ask people questions! Not personal ones about their bank accounts etc. but just conversation starters (whether you know the answer or not!). I had to ask the neighbour how the central heating controller worked in our house, what day are which bins collected on, where's the nearest train station/council office/strip joint...er maybe leave the latter one out! Ask the bloke walking his dog where you can and can't let them of their leads, where's the best parks/vets/pet stores are etc. (this one sort of requires you to either have a dog or have one in transit or they may think you a little strange, but hey it's adaptable - dogs, kids etc). One of our neighbours has a fantastic garden so I spent half an hour talking over the fence with him naming every bit of flora and fauna on our patch........and then the converstaions lead on. We have all pushed ourselves beyond what we all probably thought we were capable of to arrive where we are, so just go the extra short mile and introduce yourselves to some people. Some people you will find that you don't have a lot in common so just nod and say hello next time you see them in Coles or Safeways, but I think you also might find yourselves some new friends. They may never be your best friends but we are certainly finding our new surroundings a lot more comfortable for being on speaking terms with the locals around us. This is the adventure and the new start that we all wanted, I think it'll be more enjoyable with a few new friends. Hope this helps, worked for us! Good luck and a enjoy your new year. Mike & Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anita Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Hi Mike & Jayne, I just had to post a message when I saw you had settled in Rowville as that's where we are heading on 31st Jan! Sounds like you are settling in fine and I totally agree with you that you have to put yourself out there and speak to people. I hope everything continues to go well and you never know we may even bump into each other!! Anita x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Debs64 Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Dear Mike & Jayne Thank you so much for your post, very very useful as well as reassuring. Especially welcome today as I had another one of those moments realization (panic?) that this 'struggle' to get the visa is the easy bit and the tough bit starts if & when we get to Melbourne. So thank you and wishing you all the very best. Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pasty Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hi Mike and Jayne What a great post! Glad to hear that you've made friends and we couldn't agree with you more about you having to go and meet people and ask questions, etc it's the only way to do it. Most Aussies are very friendly (we are in Sydney and have certainly met some great people) and are always willing to help and answer questions when they can. We bought a house within 5 weeks of arriving here and it was a straightforward, easy process, we moved in 5 weeks later and once you'd paid a deposit, the house was yours! Best thing to do I agree is to keep your bank account in the UK open, we have got the parents, etc to pay money for the kids Xmas pressies into it so that we can get them something that they want and not have to worry about it getting lost in the post. We never found any problem with getting a car or car insurance or indeed house insurance, they just wanted to see proof that you had it in the UK ie your no claims proof from your old insurer. We live in a lovely area and the schools are great, kids love it and never talk about the UK (good or bad thing I'm not sure!). They've got settled really quickly here. I've found a job and it took me 5 weeks to get sorted, hubbie will be looking around March time and until then will keep working for his UK firm. Hope everything continues to go well with you all. Best of luck Jackie, Andy, Rhys and Evie Cornish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandymoo Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 Hi Mike and Jayne, What a lovely reassuring post with which I totally agree with everything you are saying. To a certain degree, for me personally, I have found obtaining the visa the easy part its moving here with no one that is the hard part. I wasn't looking at Australia through rose coloured glasses at all, and knew that it was going to be hard - probably the hardest thing I will ever do. We have been here 6 weeks and the Ozzies are a totally friendly bunch. We met our next door neighbours a few days before we actually moved in and they invited us round for a BBQ on the day we moved so I didn't have to cook. Now how thoughtful is that. Just talking to people in passing, telling them that we moved here totally amazes them beyond belief and think that we are so brave - brave or mad sometimes I'm not too sure!!!! We also met another couple at South Bank on New Years Eve who emigrated to Australia from the UK 3 weeks ago. We are seeing them on Saturday for a get together. I am normally a private person, and quite quiet, but have found that I have got to get out there as people aren't going to come knocking on my door!!!!! Moving to Australia has been a real learning curve for me, a total mixture of emotions but it has only been 6 weeks I tell myself and I hope that it will get easier!! I wish you all the very best to you and your family and really hope that everything works out for you. Love Amanda x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest markb12 Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Well done Mike for a brill post. I havejust been reading another forum which was so whinging I was beginning to have doubts! :shock: You have reassured me that a move with partner and 2 young children is still the right thing to do. :lol: Best of Luck to everyone! Caroline x Could do with any advice on Adelaide if there's anyone reading from that part of the world!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cazb Posted January 30, 2007 Share Posted January 30, 2007 Sorry.....seem to have been logged in as partner in above post! :oops: Look forward to chatting with anyone considering/ heading to adelaide! Caroline x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bondy3182 Posted January 31, 2007 Share Posted January 31, 2007 Hi mike and Jayne Fantastic to hear everything working out,both me and my wife Elle are out going people. But we also have similar concerns as yourselves, your post has helped put our minds at rest. One thing I would like to request of you, or anybody else is for a realistic figure for the everyday living costs in Melbourne. We land 10th May with our 12 yr old daughter on a fact finding mission, but any info regarding how much income is required to sustain a fair standard of living(renting property,health insurance,bills, food, transport, socialising,ect,ect) would be gratefully received.planing on staying in the bayside area when we come over.perhaps arrange to have a meet, over a beer or glass of wine,another point you might help with, is where did you stay, after leaving the airport, and can you recommend it? looking forward to your reply Karl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeandjayne Posted January 31, 2007 Author Share Posted January 31, 2007 Karl Thanks for your response - Cost of living, wow thats a hard question to answer for another family/couple. There are so many variables (family with children vs family without, number of kids, where you want to live) to consider it's almost impossible to give a figure to someone else. Some other factors to consider yourself though- Are you planning to buy or rent? Whar are your spending profiles (ie. In the UK did you shop in Aldi or was everything M&S...make a big difference) How many cars do you need when you are here? Are you planning some time off before seeking work? & those are just my inital thoughts. What I would recommend is that you look at your out goings now and assume the same, it probably will be less than this but its better to prepare on the side of caution mate. We rented a holiday accomodation in St Kilda for a month (only stayed two weeks as we rented soon) and it was expensive $149 a night - but the ashes were on and holiday accomodation was steep, you pay to live in St Kilda too. Shop around and look around the Eastern Suburbs, they are generaly nice areas and you are not too far from the city. Hope this posting helps, made it a little while after arriving http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2493 Good luck Mike & Jayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JRB Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Hi And many thanks for a good thread. Could you give me an idea about how you got the dog over? Cost ETC and an agent if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wee wen Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Mike & Jayne, What an encouraging posting. We received our Case Officer today. I'm beside myself with excitement. They want Medicals & police checks by 2nd May. Fingers , toes & everything else crossed we pass the last hurdle. It's enthuisasm like yours which is convincing me more & more that I'm making the best decision of my life Wee Wen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The McClusky Clan Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Hi there Mark & Jayne, My family and I (Gill, 34; Paul, 34; Betty, 9 & Joe, 5) are flying out of Manchester on 14th November to start our new life in Melbourne. We have friends over there (and a rapidly expanding 'extended' family) and during the lengthy migration process have always looked at Rowville or Lysterfield as a place to base ourselves. Just wondering if you could offer some help or advice on organising a rental property for us to be able to move in to on our arrival on 24th November (having a stress fee holiday on the way over). Having 2 children (and our Westie, Daisy on the way) means that we really want to be able to 'move in' to something when we arrive. We could camp down with our friends - but ideally, we'd like to give the children some stability after what will be a hugh upheavel. Anything you can offer would be great. Been keeping in the loop on realestate.com.au - but wondering how feasible it wil be to organise something from the UK. Many thanks - The McClusky Clan x:wubclub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sharmaine Posted September 25, 2007 Share Posted September 25, 2007 Sorry.....seem to have been logged in as partner in above post! :oops: Look forward to chatting with anyone considering/ heading to adelaide! Caroline x Hi Caroline, We are heading out to Adelaide on 19 November, would be happy to chat so pm me if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the terry's Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Sorry.....seem to have been logged in as partner in above post! :oops: Look forward to chatting with anyone considering/ heading to adelaide! Caroline x Hi Caroline, have you tried the site PomsInAdelaide they're a great bunch on there and very informative. Trust me if you have any questions, big or small, there will be someone on there who can answer it. Helen aka the terry's. x:smile: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scorgiep Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Hi there Mark & Jayne, My family and I (Gill, 34; Paul, 34; Betty, 9 & Joe, 5) are flying out of Manchester on 14th November to start our new life in Melbourne. We have friends over there (and a rapidly expanding 'extended' family) and during the lengthy migration process have always looked at Rowville or Lysterfield as a place to base ourselves. Just wondering if you could offer some help or advice on organising a rental property for us to be able to move in to on our arrival on 24th November (having a stress fee holiday on the way over). Having 2 children (and our Westie, Daisy on the way) means that we really want to be able to 'move in' to something when we arrive. We could camp down with our friends - but ideally, we'd like to give the children some stability after what will be a hugh upheavel. Anything you can offer would be great. Been keeping in the loop on realestate.com.au - but wondering how feasible it wil be to organise something from the UK. Many thanks - The McClusky Clan x:wubclub: Hi guys, we just arrived in Canberra. We also looked at property to rent from the Uk, but it really is best to view it once you arrive. Looking at the pretty photos of the outside and a few inside does not give a true feel for the place. Dont know about Melbourne, but rental here goes so quickly that the real estate told me to wait until I had arrived. allhomes.com.au is another good one to use as all properties are listed there. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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