fluxsta Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 We landed 12th August via a good flight with 9 hours to potter at Chiangi, Singapore having booked into the transit hotel, use the rooftop pool, free foot massagers and look into the stifling butterfly garden. Our 3 girls (20month old twins and a 4 year old) were absolute angels bar a few breakdowns. We arrived Brisbane airport at 09:30 and tried in the process to leave our now unlawful car seat by a rubbish bin, only to be met by two police officers who politely reminded us that we had ‘left it behind’ and forgotten it. This was later thrown into a skip at the car hire, but we were able with the use of the internet and Gumtree to source 3 second hand car seats for $70! Touch! A friend I had met on PIO met us at the airport and took our luggage to our short term accommodation for 3 nights. This was Scarborough Holiday Village. Very clean, compact but useful for 3 nights. We then moved on to a short term furnished property. The whole process of the first few days was tiring and our brains went into meltdown with information overload! I struggle to remember what we did, saw etc. I do know that first impressions were great and as soon as we landed we felt at home, and everyone we spoke to was friendly, approachable etc. After 5 or so days we got stuck in to finding a rental longer term and after viewing one place in Bray Park, we settled on a place in Joyner in northern suburbs. After reading so much on PIO we found it easy to get a rental. I believe that is because we got out there, spoke with people, made ourselves available and took action! Not once have we compared or griped about the UK, although I have had some productive conversations (all instigated by Aussies!) about the UK. After a few days I met up with ‘itcouldbeworse’ from the forums and my oh my what a source of info Kev proved to be. We were welcomed with open arms into his home and out of all the support on the forums; his has been the most genuine and objective. Before leaving siamsusie, itcouldbeworse and a select few others have been able to give of themselves and without their experience we would have just been another group of Poms trying to wing it alone. From what we have experienced those who do not take part in Australia 100% are going to fail. We have been taken places, shown around, lent stuff, helped with moving furniture in the pouring rain. THIS is what the forum has given us, so I thank all those members who have provided help. And also, without being too much of a bitch pour scorn on those who gripe, are ego-centric, force themselves on others and generally are not here to help but merely to cause trouble. They exist on ALL internet forums, this is not a reflection of PIO in general. Aside from all the usual stuff, TRN number, Medicare, work, getting rental, mobiles, learning about food specials and where to shop our experiences so far have been very positive. Without blowing our own trumpets this has been because we have taken action, not done it alone, sifted out the BS from the forum and begged and borrowed for stuff. We have found sites such as Gumtree, Freecycle and E Bay etc to be invaluable sources of help in getting cheap furniture. E.G. I e-mailed a lady on Freecycle who was getting rid of some books, turned up at her house and left with 5 bookcases and a TV stand FOR FREE! Pleasant lady, and also friends we met on a Facebook site pointed us in the direction of an elderly couple who had twin grandchildren and a host of toys they were selling and we got 4 kids bikes for $50!! If you have loads of money to do the move to Oz and want to buy brand new, good luck to you. We have bought some stuff new and also bought stuff cheap via aforementioned sites and spent I estimate £7-10,000 while we have been here. That includes car hire, new TV, new BBQ, stuff from garage sale, two sofas, fridge freezer, outside table and chairs, some furniture etc. The rest has been lent to us from people such as Kev. My 4 year old has a ballet class she is attending, the schools we have viewed so far seem amazing and the facilities fantastic. Food prices are the same. END OF STORY! No more futile UK vs. Oz debates, we are starting to buy meat in bulk from markets and looking at junk mail that comes through the door, as it contains who is selling things cheaply that week. In the UK we just slung it out! Aldi is also very good. It doesn’t mean that the UK shops are bad, or Oz is bad. It is just a new experience shopping at a few places. Of course we may well miss the convenience of shopping in one place. I tell you; once you taste the un-pumped with water chicken breast here then you won’t want Tesco chicken. Full of flavour. So, our experience has been that food is roughly the same, petrol prices fluctuate during the week but we have filled up when it has been cheaper. We have eaten out once and the price was similar to a Harvester, but because of the kids we have been eating at home. Everywhere is set up for kids, and they aren’t a hassle here, and there is a playground within each square mile I swear! I feel myself waffling, so to summarise it has been busy and we feel full of adrenaline but so pleased that we hit the ground running. Got mobiles, internet dongle, and roof over our head and people to help and the common sense to take action, ask for help and just keep an open mind. I start work next Monday so things should settle into a routine, and the kids are settling more now. When the temp is 23 degrees and you are looking out over the sea at the Sunshine Coast as we were today then life doesn’t seem so bad. My only tip is keeping an open mind, take part and accept help from others. Satisfied customers thus far and thanks you to all those who keep it real on the pages of PIO, we hope to offer objective advice based on experiences in the near future to anyone who needs it........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scottiesuz Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 What a great post. Like your positive attitude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxsta Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 What a great post. Like your positive attitude! Too much negativity on PIO mate. Feel it is my duty to post our experiences thus far. After all, it is hopefully a positive move, and if not I also like to read the posts from people where it hasn't worked out. Good vibes breed more good vibes my friend! :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kearneyswannagotooz Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 fab post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest scottiesuz Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Would you recommend going thru Singapore? We have looked at flights thru there and Kuala Lumpar, not much difference in price but I like the sound of a transit hotel, is that different form a stop over? Sorry to sound clueless1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoandJon Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I think Changi is a nicer airport - even without a transit hotel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluxsta Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Would you recommend going thru Singapore? We have looked at flights thru there and Kuala Lumpar, not much difference in price but I like the sound of a transit hotel, is that different form a stop over? Sorry to sound clueless1 The transit hotel is located within the airport and is there if you wish to pay for it and have a long layover between flights. the stopover is merely the time between flights, the transit hotel is not part of any booked flight. Link below: http://athmg.com/ We used it to have a shower etc, block book in 6 hour periods and you can then pay by the hour. Cost us around £60 for 7-8 hours.....beats sitting around the terminal. If you search the forums there is a long thread started by siamsusie with all the info about Singapore airport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaffanZimbo Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I love reading the posts from those who have landed / are planning their move and as you mentioned PIO is amazing to help those of us struggling with all aspects of the big move down under. Thank you for an amazing post. We are still at the earlies stage of the move (TRA document gathering seems endless..) but hope to get WA SS then verify early 2012 and move 2013/2014. Thanks once again for posting and congratulations on your move and organisational skills especially with little ones in tow!:biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 . We have been taken places, shown around, lent stuff, helped with moving furniture in the pouring rain. Get those sofas out into the garden mate. They'll dry in a few hours...............Bridget dried a bit quicker :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Pom Queen Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 What a great update, thanks for sharing, it's great when people arrive with such a positive/can do attitude. Good luck in the new job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Louey Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Great post hope you continue to enjoy your new life :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest30038 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 it's great when people arrive with such a positive/can do attitude. More "can do" attitude than I've got. he might even make Lord Mayor http://www.independentaustralia.net/2011/politics/can-do-campbell-can-win-queensland-for-the-lnp/ He bought a garden set that needed stripping and re-staining. Got stuck into it with a sheet of sandpaper until I told him about electric sanders. Apparently they don't sell 'em in the UK 'cause he looked at me rather blank like when I explained what one was :tongue:.................only joking Nige :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest 47403 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Nice one fluxsta great positive post keep that attitude towards things and I'm sure you will make a great life for yourself and family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 3Pirrets2Oz Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Love your post!! We are a family of 3(soon to be 4) who providing we get our visa hope to be moving to the sunshine coast towards the end of next year - your positive post inspires us. Thank you and good luck in all you guys do. A xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saz Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 What a great post, you have certainly hit the ground running. :notworthy: Good luck with your new job & here's wishing you & your family a long & happy future in Oz. :yes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.