Guest Quwa Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Firstly apologies for not replying to messages the past 3months has been a whirlwind! So we are in Perth and are currently settling in to our 12month rental in Mindarie, north of the CBD. It has been a great few months and it has also been pretty tough too! Within the first week of being here i sumitted CV for jobs using seek.com.au and also got my tax file number which can be done online and is easy. Heads up - WA is known for actually meaning Wait Awhile and when it came to agencies getting back to me about jobs it really is the case except for one which happens to be the job i am in now! I got work in my 3rd week of being here and started just before Christmas - got invited to all Christmas Do's plus got paid for the public holidays! NICE! :biggrin: Christmas was odd but good, it was strange having it hot and it didnt feel like christmas 100% but the friends we stayed with put up a tree and a few decs and the actual days was full of food and drinks - to be honest it was a great day and we were still 'holy cow we are in Aus' mode that it didnt sink in at all. Best bit - all the prezzies our family sent over, we opened up on the beach on the morning - just gorgeous! OH struggled to get a job, he is safety netter by trade and its specialist, WA doesnt really have his skills on the construction sites yet but they are slowly introducing them. Anyway, he was out of work for around 6weeks which drove him and me nuts!!...my white underwear will never be the same again, its now grey!!!! We used up all over savings in the first 2months - we brought over bout $8k - its not enough if you dont have the funds or jobs lined up to support yourself you wil struggle setting up and that is my word of warning. Knowing what we know now we would of stayed a few more months to get at least $12k in the bank. Anywho, he has now started work after chasing and chasing companies he was given a contact and, being a small small world, he is now working for someone he used to work with years ago back home! Spooky! So my thoughts and words of advise and warnings which i would have liked before i came over would be: 1) Bring everything if you have a container, fill it to the brim include coat hangers, hoover, cutlery, pack some bin liners (very useful when in packing!), food storage containers - if you can pack it pack it! 2) Cost of living is a little more than UK regarding food and clothes, stock up on Tshirst ect from Uk as best you can , clothes are not cheap here. Beddings costs a fortune! Stock up before you come! Buy Flat sheets, you wont use duvets in summer unless aircon is on high! Food, you have to shop around the supermarkets and markets, each week one supermarket seems to be doing specials on one things, whilst another is doing specials on another! tactical shopping!! 3) cars are not cheap - be prepared to pay min of $3000 for somethin as rubbish as 24yr old car! Most of our savings went on a car. The choices is way less than in the UK and if you dont have money to pay cash you will struggle getting finance being new in the country on a car less than 2001model so your looking at $10k + for a car. 4) We didnt have a problem securing a rental but they have funny way of doing it here. You have 15min window where you can go view the house - if you turn up late you wont get to see it, in that 15min you have to sell yourself to the agent who then puts you and your application fwd to the owner. We managed to get a private viewing of a house a day before the show day - if can do this try, its much nicer and you have more time to look around and talk with the agent! 5) Aussies - whilst i dearly them - cant drive!! you have been warned! :eek: 6) Be under no illusion it really is same s**t different country and take alot of adjusting but on the days that its hard just sit on the beach or in my case a pint in the bar at the marina and just remember where you are. Its real easy to forget your in Aus when bills, work and routine creep in but on one particular low day i had - must say really havent had many - i sat with my pint and watched the boats come in from a days sailing and as the sunset two dolphins appeared in the marina and played in the water! I think i can handle same s**t if its in this country. 7) you have to try - you have to make friends and you have try and fit in, friends dont come to you. A few people i have met dont like it here coz they miss their friends but they dont do anything about and just sit at home with the kids and wait for hubby to come home - that wont work it really wont. i ahve joined a dance class - something i would never wld have done in UK, and practically interviewed for friends meeting up with POI people and others who we met randomly. Get out there and just go for it, dont regret what you didnt do coz you think you cant do it. So there it is guys, its a long'un and im sorry if your now bored our of your brain but i wanted to tell ya'll how its all gone and my thoughts on the whole experience. Whilst some may read this as negative i dont mean it to be, i just want people to be aware that its not an idilyic dream filled country, you have the same things here as you do in the uk but everything seems that better when its bathed in sunshine every morning. I walk to work in the sun, i go to get lunch in the sun and i walk back from work in the sun and its just that little bit better! Public transport is awesome - i use the train to get to work. Weather is gorgeous, people nuts & cant drive, lifestyle is very focused on the work/family balance - its so much more chilled than the UK. In short no regrets. Good luck to everyone waiting to come over, dont give up, its worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 What a great post. I am glad that you are enjoying your new life in Perth. You have made some excellent points and I am sure they will help lots of other members. Thank you for sharing. Kate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 A very balanced and honest view. I wish you both much success and happiness in your new life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 What a great post. I would add though......you may not have used a duvet this summer......but you acclimatise!!! We use ours in Brissy, all year around without aircon!!! Love Rudi x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr luvpants Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 very balanced post and thanks. JOHN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest prettyinpink Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I still have my duvet (dooner) on at the mo lol. Great to hear you're settling in though, welcome to Perth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieLB Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thanks for such a very helpful post! Very sound advice. Wouldnt have thought clothes etc were so expensive, that's food for thought, might be an excuse for a pre-leaving uk shopping trip. Hope things continual to go well for you both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lees Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Great post really enjoyed reading your experience so far I do hope you continue to love Perth can't wait till it's our turn to sample life down under. All the best and please come back and tell us more. I love hearing how people are getting on. Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tabatha Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Hi Sarah We are a family of four waiting for our Visa... Was lodged in october 09 but changes are happening and just preying to move up the pile.. I've applied for a 175 visa through an agency, which has cost a foryune but hopefully I think it's done correct.. Anyway we are desperate to come over and start a life, so to move us up the pile slightly, I'm thinking of applyiing for sponsership to WA... Although it wont move us up much, it may give us a slight chance.. Having read your post, it's probably one of the best i've read... giving much needed info on all the things you never think of.. Do you have any idea of the mandurah area, schools etc??? I have a boy of 9 who has some learning difficulties(although in mainstream) he does require help, having High Functioning Autism.. Also a daughter of 6, who actually thinks she's 16!!! If you can post me any info I'd be most grateful... Many Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cartertucker Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Really good to hear from you....:cute: Really glad it all seems to be all working out so well.....:yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paulandtara Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thankyou for a fantastic post Sarah and Steve; we loved Perth so much on our reccie, we are praying that our visa goes through without any complications, because like you say no regrets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruella2949 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 :cool:Thanks so much for this post. Made me realise that some people actually ARE happy with their decision to move after all. After reading lots of other posts, I felt so many regretted moving there! Make sure you keep us up to date with how you are getting on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pablofet1 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thankyou so much for your fantastic post. We had the shipping guy here measuring up for our quote and he said that we will have some room left in our container.............. so i am now sitting here writing a things to buy list for Oz! Right there at the top is new BEDDING!!! Glad to here all is going well for you. Mel :biggrin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sandisonsonthemove Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Well done the both of you for making it work and long may it last. I now know what requests for anniversary presents are going to be - bedding towels etc :biggrin: Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diz Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 we had some great nights in the indi and the boat when we were on honeymoon last year - we are over to validate in July so might get chance to sink a couple of cold ones when we are there. great update - keep enjoying! Donna x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cazz Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thanks for the fab post. It's great to hear you are settling in & enjoying your new lives. Mindarie is a lovely area to be in, we stayed there last year when we did our validation trip, we felt at home from the minute we got there. Thanks for all the hints & tips. Hope you continue to enjoy your time there, keep us posted. X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wicksy84 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 I came here over a month ago and brought a suit case. I have family which helped no end and im starting to make soe friends . Anyone can do it. Give it your all the people are so friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Hi Sarah We are a family of four waiting for our Visa... Was lodged in october 09 but changes are happening and just preying to move up the pile.. I've applied for a 175 visa through an agency, which has cost a foryune but hopefully I think it's done correct.. Anyway we are desperate to come over and start a life, so to move us up the pile slightly, I'm thinking of applyiing for sponsership to WA... Although it wont move us up much, it may give us a slight chance.. Having read your post, it's probably one of the best i've read... giving much needed info on all the things you never think of.. Do you have any idea of the mandurah area, schools etc??? I have a boy of 9 who has some learning difficulties(although in mainstream) he does require help, having High Functioning Autism.. Also a daughter of 6, who actually thinks she's 16!!! If you can post me any info I'd be most grateful... Many Thanks Hi Tabatha, Our eldest son has an Autistic Spectrum disorder (i think that's the term they use) so sounds a bit like your 9 year old. He has always gone to mainstream school and is currently in a local private school which has a sort of special stream for kids with learning difficulties (St Marks on Whitfords Ave.). He really enjoys school and the teachers have been great. The pupils also seem a little more caring and understanding. We have been here since 92 and still love it just as much. The time here has flown and we still have to pinch ourselves sometimes. All up extremely happy we made the move and should have done it years before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Been here since 92 and still only have on one sheet at night (if that). Have the dooner in winter though. I think you have been going to the wrong places for your T-shirts if you are finding them expensive. We have the wifes parents here at the moment and they went shopping last week. He paid $2.00 each for polo shirts from K-mart or big-W. Can't remember which one now. If you want a bit more designer wear or name brands there is a surf warehouse in Osborne Park which sell all the usual surf brands at about half the price of normal surf shops. You have to rumage around a bit as everything is stacked in the racks or in cardboard boxes. I have bought a lot of clothes from there and pay about $20-$30 for good shirts and shorts. They also sell wetsuits, shoes, bags and other surf related stuff. My wife can't be bothered as it's not an organised shop and you have a bit of work to do to find what you want but I don't mind that if I save some money. Good luck, Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thanks Sara its so great to hear from you. We have finally got our visa and our flying out on the 30th June. Its so lovely to hear its working out and the job situation is a worry for all of us. Anyway Good On Ya or as your fellow Bristolian Gert Lush:biglaugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thanks Sara its so great to hear from you. We have finally got our visa and our flying out on the 30th June. Its so lovely to hear its working out and the job situation is a worry for all of us. Anyway Good On Ya or as your fellow Bristolian Gert Lush:biglaugh: Hi, Isn't it a great feeling to get your visa. I bet you can't quite believe it yet. By the time you get here there should have been a couple of big projects kicked off so the work scene might be better than you think, depending on what you do. The weather can be a bit dodgy in June so don't expect great weather (we can have very nice days though, even in winter). At least you know you will be getting a spring and summer later on. The summer has been great this year. Something like 1 day of rain in 90 odd days. I think we have some forecast for this week though the official line is "chance of a shower". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobbler Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I have a job/457 sponsorship offer in wembley (nother of river) My wife (who is a nursery nurse)would be needing a job to fit around schooling children 4,7 & 9. We would be looking for decent areas to live & I would commute into work. My pay is around $25 per hour. Could we live comportable?we would rent first. p.s This is a very interesting thread thanks to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Quwa Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Cath! YEEHAWW!! AWESOME NEWS you have your visa - im so excited for you was so worried youd be stuck in briz for alot longer what with all the cahnges that have gone on in the visa issuing department!! LOL! So exciting for you, you give me a shout when you get here! I have found more Bristol people if you get homesick!?!?!?!!...or may be not!! LOL ;o) Cobbler- hey mate! A few figures for you to play with - My man is on $25 hour, works bout 40 hours per week, after tax per week he is bringing home on average $780 a week. Depending on how close to the city you live depends on your rent, Wembley is pretty close so rent may be higher than if you ventured a little more north towards Whitfords, Joondalup and surronding burbs or moved a little inland. We are in Mindarie which is nr the sea and up north of the City and pay $360 a week for 3 bedroom 2 bathroom small garden. Just up the way in Kinross you can get 3bed 2 bathroom for $320.....you really need to just keep your eye out in local papers when you get here and websites like reiwa.com.au. The trains and buses are really very good so dont fret about living to far from your place of work...so long as your office is in the middle of nowhere you will be able to get there with little drama! ;o) It all depends on your lifestyle as to whether you will live comfortably on your wage alone to be honest, but i think if your wife gets work around school hours you should be OK. I would advise bringing over as much savings as possible tho to help you set up quickly especially as you have 3 kids. Whatever you do best of luck ;o) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Hi All, Great post Sarah and Steve, We've only been here about 6 weeks and LOVE IT with a capital everything!!! Don't think just because we love it that it's been easy, it hasn't, if can happen, it's happened to us. Without bad luck, we'd have none. When you first arrive and are in your hotel or temporary accommodation and you've been to the white soft sandy beaches, watched the surfers and the sun set over the warm turquoise Indian ocean it is easy to to say 'Oh yes we definitely made the right decision!!' And it's true, it is the right decision for so many reasons. What tends to happen to a lot of newcomers is that when reality hits, it hits hard. The small things that you take for granted in the UK can seem complex, insurmountable and stressful. Getting a house is a painful, intimidating and alien experience, more akin to a rugby scrum than a viewing. I've had to chase the bin men down the road with a wheely bin crammed full of two weeks worth of rotting garbage because i didn't know Aussie 'bin etiquette'. Don't start me on getting an internet connection....a week of pay phone calls and internet cafe time!!! Setting up gas, electricity and telephone is extremely frustrating as all the companies have offices on the East coast which is 3 hours ahead, no good if you work until 5PM and get back to find that they closed three hours ago. We bought a cheap car, it died, had to rent a car, couldn't use our card and had to get a taxi back from the rental office, we returned the next day in a taxi to try again, same thing happened, had to get a taxi back AGAIN!!! Couldn't call our UK bank as it was 1AM in the UK. Tried to get a loan for a reliable car, had to be in employment for three months!! So no joy there. Now we're told that our UK licences are no longer valid as it has been more than 3 months since our visa approval date, OK we'll go to the licencing office to get an Aussie one......'What do you mean they're only open from 8:15 until 4:30 Monday to Friday??? I'm at work then!!! This goes on and on until finally you crack and find yourself kneeling in the middle of a busy free way next to a broken down car in a pool of radiator coolant and oil screaming heavenward..."WHY LORD WHY????" Despite this, it's still fantastic. We've lived in Birmingham, Leeds, London, the Lake District, Stafforshire and Devon and none of those places compare to Perth. Perth is vibrant, friendly, multicultural, sunny, clean, safe, well planned and despite what the snotty 'Australia has no culture posse' have to say it has a feeling of history, although recent and culture is there if you look for it. In my travels around every part of this great (I mean great in size and great as in good) country I've met a lot of Brits who say, "yeah it's OK but there's no history, where we live there's a 1300 year old castle, a cathedral and seven royal palaces". What I say is "great, do you ever go to any of them??" The answer is usually "er...well ...er no but it's nice to know they're there". Exactly!! They won't go away just because you do. The Britain I pine for is sitting outside a 600 year old coaching inn next to a church, hearing the sound of leather on willow as the local cricket team take on the neighbouring village as horses canter by the Land Rovers and Morgans parked outside the village shop while their occupants nip in to buy jam and some farm eggs. The thing is, this version of Britain doesn't exist for 99% of us and probably never did. The point is that you need to be realistic about the country you're leaving behind and the life that you ACTUALLY have / had at home. You will miss people and that will never change. When we left our families and friends there where a lot of tears. If you are willing to leave friends and family behind and endure the loneliness, stress, heartache and tears then you have to make it all worth while. Rather than being a reason for you to return home after a month or matter of day as has happened to some, it should spur you on to make every tear and every good bye worthwhile by making the most of an amazing opportunity that hundreds of thousands of Brits would gladly sacrifice a limb for. One of things that we couldn't find that in hindsight would have saved us stress, time and lots of money was a 'manual for living in Australia'. We couldn't find one so I've written one. It deals with Leaving Home, Shipping goods, Things to do immediately upon landing, Accommodation, Health and Medicine, Motoring and transport, Law and policing, Money & Tax, Education, Running a home and more. It's not quite finished yet but will be over 50 pages of information that will save you time, money and stress. Whether you have your visas and are on your way to Australia or are considering applying for a visa it will hopefully give you a realistic picture of what it is actually like to live here so you can make an informed decision as to whether it's right for you or not. It's taken me weeks so far and will take more a few more yet so I can't give it away for free as I'm considering setting up a small business, so I'm asking for £10 plus P&P. If you are interested please email me so I can gauge interest to see whether it's worthwhile me doing it or not. karldyble@hotmail.com If you have any more questions please feel free to contact me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobbler Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 Good reading that Chicken & Quwa, Great insight on what you should expect. A definate roller coaster ride experiance. Thanks cobbler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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