Akasully2 Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Hi guys, We are in early stages of planning the move over, aiming to be there some time in the winter/spring 2014. I have so many questions popping around in my head about the move but each one doesn't require a new thread. I thought if I could just list them and add to them as time passes, I could tap in to your excellent knowhow and experience and hopefully get the answers I need. Here goes... Now this one is a personal decision but would be interested on your take on it. When to move? Option one: We could move over in January after hopefully selling the house in time, avoid going into rented short term in UK, get kids into primary school ASAP near the start of school year after deciding on an area to settle. OH needs to job hunt too. Downside for us is that OH will be walking out on his employer near the end of a project that he is managing and leaving them in the lurch to finish off. He would have been with the excellent company less than a year and would feel dishonourable about doing this. He also wants to leave on good terms to get a great reference and a welcome back if it doesn't work out for us in Oz. Option two: Stay in UK until Mid/late March, avoiding Easter holiday high fares (or come the other side of Easter when the fares drop again. Late April?) Finish with employer with head held high. Our boys would then need to start a new school much later through the year, not sure which term that would be in Oz. Would they have problems starting then? The longer time spent in UK will either give us more flexibility in selling the house and not having to sell it cheaper as flights booked, but it may mean we have to rent. So, based on the experiences of those of you who have done the move, which one would you recommend? As a teacher, I have to give one term's notice so I can either finish in Dec or end of March. If I finish in Dec I can be at home doing the last of the organising (is there much to do then? Would you recommend being at home then to tie up loose ends?) but if I finish in March, I'll be working up to the last minute and we will have to come out after Easter, around late April. However, it does mean I'll have 4 more months salary to bring over. What do you reckon? Next random question... We need a dining room table and chairs. Should we buy it in the UK as we can get a solid oak set for a good price and ship it over in the container or wait until we get there? How much is solid oak furniture? Do you get bargains or is it high-end stuff out there? Ok, I'll leave you with these two dilemmas for the moment but will add more as they pop into my head. I don't want to time-out and lose all the text as I have done before, when writing long posts. Be back soon! Cheers guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 I would opt for the later move. This is for a few reasons. 1. Arriving in mid summer can be a bit of a shock to the system - it will be very hot. You will also have a fair bit of running around to do on arrival and that is never nice in high heat. 2. More importantly, your both going to be job hunting. Here, nobody recruits between early December and pretty much end of February. It used to be end of Jan, but seems to have pushed back a bit. 3. It gives a couple more months of savings and the more savings you have the better - this is an expensive process 4. Air fares will probaby be cheaper As for the oak furniture, you dont see a lot of oak here as it is not a common or indigenous tree, so my guess is it would be expensive. But, you can of course by wooden tables made of other woods. If you have room in the container then why not. But, i wouldnt worry about it too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonandsarah Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Hi there, We opted to move april time due to the weather didn't want to bring our daughter out into the summer heat although april was still pretty warm when we got here. I bought a new dining room set to come out here and now iam wishing I didn't, you can get some lovely stuff over here ok might not be oak but beautiful all the same. My table looked big in my little uk home - looks tiny in my big aussie home. Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted August 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 Hi VS and Sarah, Thanks for replying, Good to get your take on things. As for tables, What type of wood do you use out there? Happy for it not to be oak, just what we tend to have here. So is the alternative wood reasonably priced and what is it? Does there tend to be the same styles as the UK or is it more modern? Lucky you having a big Aussie house! Jealous or what! Think I will wait on that one then. VS, your take on when companies recruit is extremely helpful, thanks for that. I think arriving and having no job interest would be rather worrying. After typing it last night I kind of saw the situation with more clarity and the later move shone out as the way to go. Will think of another question later to add. cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted August 27, 2013 Report Share Posted August 27, 2013 For you I'd take the later move for us we moved in the January as this was the best time for our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted August 28, 2013 Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 These are some of the furniture shops: http://www.harveynorman.com.au/furniture/dining-room/dining-furniture Expensive, but better quality http://www.freedom.com.au/ These are pretty good and we bought several things from them http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/ Cheap Also there is an Ikea and things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2013 Cheers VS, I'll be having a look at those sites. Ali, you said you came in Jan but you would recommend coming over later. may I ask why? Next, question... I'm thinking about what we should stock up on here before we go. I have heard make-up and toiletries are dear but how many lipsticks can a girl bring over before they go stale?! Do you have P20 sunscreen there? One application lasts all day. Do you have similar? What type of clothes should we stock up on? I have read, flip flops and vest tops but how about jumpers and winter coats? All the autumn clothes are coming into the shops here, M&S are displaying their autumnal jumpers and jackets at the mo. I'm walking around in shorts at the moment but I know it won't be long before we will all be snuggling up. So what do you recommend we stock up on? Next question... Airlines. We are currently looking at going with Singapore airlines cattle class, Quantas Cattle class or splashing out and upgrading to Quantas premium economy but that would cost another £2k for the 4 of us. Which would you recommend? Is it worth upgrading, was it much different? I'd much prefer not to spend the dosh but interested on others' take on it. Looking forward to reading the feedback! Bye for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 I would not bother with sunscreen - it is cheap and good here. I like the nivea kids one as it is non greasy and stay on in the water I would bring a selection of clothes - I my opinion clothes here are either expensive or poor quality. I would include some warm things as Perth can get cold in winter. I also find the selection of T-shirts disapointing, so would get some there. I would not bother with flip flops (thongs here) as they are sold everywhere at reasonable prices. Cant comment on cosmetics as being a guy, its not my thing. But my wife buys hers on line. As for the flight, it depends on your circumstances. If you can afford a couple of grand then i would. Let me put it this way - i fly the equivalant of Oz to the UK every 8 weeks for work as i work in Africa. We have the choice of business class or economy and $2k cash. I take the business class every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 Hi Angela On the school front, I really would not worry too much about starting mid school year. Tom and Emily started last week and have settled in so well that at the open evening last night, Emily was up in the front row singing her heart out in the choir and you would never know they had only been at the school a week. Emily runs into school every morning where she is having so much fun and she even gets in 20 mins early so she can do extra work before the official school day. The staff here are so very different to the UKs (obviously present company excluded) but everyone here at the school talk to you on a first name basis, even the principals. The office staff are fantastic and cannot do enough for you. Today we went to Churchlands where James starts on Monday and again we met the assistant principal, who asked us to call him by his first name and he walked us around the school and went through everything. On Monday when James starts Bernie, is going to settle James in personally, now you dont get that in the UK. Cosmetics are the same here as in the UK, and things like my face cream are slightly cheaper here. There always seems to be sales on here so you just wait until they are on offer. Regarding furniture, we have brought a container full of stuff over to get us started, but we also have brought some things since we have been here and personally I would wait until you are here, there is a lot of choice here and it ranges from very cheap to medium to very expensive. We have brought a lovely table and chair set and loungers here and it was cheaper than if we had brought them in the uk. We have also brought new towels, bedding and duvets since being here as we need them when we first move in, before our container arrives and again you can get really cheap, medium or really expensive depending on your budget. We have all settled here so well and I think it helped we planned, planned and planned and even though we came out here 10 months later than we wanted to, the extra time in the uk, have made it easier here, as there was no rush we tied up all the loose ends and I know our husbands are very similar minded regarding work. Regarding the flights, upgrade if you can afford to. Speak soon. Sarah (PS we are really loving it here now and I can really seeing us settling here for good.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philpom Posted August 29, 2013 Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 With regards to the flights, we paid the extra and flew Qantas/BA to Singapore in Premium economy and my wife said it was a waste of money as there wasn't any extra room, but when we got on the Perth bound leg and had to resort to cattle class, she suddenly realised how much better Premium economy was. With regards to furniture, the pine stuff would be the cheapest and is plentiful or then there is the native stuff such as Marri or Karri. Due to restrictions on logging, Karri can be very expensive. There is Oak furniture but you would find it hard to buy. Marri comes close in colour to Oak but would be a harder wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted August 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2013 (edited) Thank you all so much. I love the fact that there is a wealth of information out there from extremely friendly and helpful people. You are all stars!!! Sarah, loving the fact you have turned it round and can see yourselves settling there long term. As I said before, you are my 'go ahead scout' doing it all before me. So pleased I can learn from your experiences! Fantastic news about the schools, they sound amazing. Lucky you. I think when we meet we should get the hubbies along too so they can be pragmatic and talk building! We are looking to come out at the beginning of April now, before Easter. This way I get paid for two full terms, also I complete helping my GCSE students through their coursework and just leave them to do the revision past papers stuff once I've gone. It works out well for OH job too. I heard back from a primary school today who said not to worry if we arrive for the start of their 2nd term (28/4/14) as they were used to students arriving throughout the year. That was the cherry on the cake as far as I'm concerned, April it is then. Just spent the evening labelling up my eldest son's new expensive uniform for the start of secondary school next week. Can't help but think it is a waste of money but at least he will get 2 tems out of it now. At work today (went in to prepare for next week) I bumped into colleagues and wanted to share my emigration story with them but held off. I need to tell the head first. Feeling so much calmer and excited about things now. I think giving ourselves time to get our heads round the changes has helped. Going from 'if' to 'when' was a big shift in gear for me. Just happy to be in a low gear for now, steady Eddie not Sterling Moss. Keep the responses coming. Love reading them! Edited August 30, 2013 by Akasully2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sal Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 re flights $2000 would get you a nice hotel in Singapore for the night. Get a day flight to Singapore in economy. Stop there for two nights to help the jet lag then do a day flight economy to Perth. Best way of spending the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goat Posted August 30, 2013 Report Share Posted August 30, 2013 Sal said: re flights $2000 would get you a nice hotel in Singapore for the night. Get a day flight to Singapore in economy. Stop there for two nights to help the jet lag then do a day flight economy to Perth. Best way of spending the money. FFS you're emigrating you have all your lives to get over jet lag friggin kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted September 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2013 Is the Perth landscape generally flat and brown apart from the hills? Are the hills green or just high and also brown? I ask because a friend said yesterday that that was what he remembered from 30 years ago, well that and an amazing waterfall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted September 2, 2013 Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Akasully2 said: Is the Perth landscape generally flat and brown apart from the hills? Are the hills green or just high and also brown? I ask because a friend said yesterday that that was what he remembered from 30 years ago, well that and an amazing waterfall. No. Perth is fairly green. The hills are covered in trees - eucalypt so green all year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted September 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2013 Thanks VS. So do you get koalas in those eucalyptus trees? If so, are they a common or rare sight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 No. There are no koalas in WA. There are lots of roos though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 That is really unexpected, I thought koala's were everywhere in Oz. Glad I asked the question. When I went to Melbourne last year I was lucky enough to find a few in trees beside the road along the Great Costal Road. I was able to tick off one of my major 'wish list' items. Beautiful creatures. Just hoped to see a few more in WA. Roos are delightful, viewed from the roadside. How close can you get to them? Do they run off or wallop you one? What is the guidance for interacting with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 It depends. The ones around where i live are pretty shy, so hard to get more than about 5m to them maximum. But a couple of suburbs up they have hundreds and they just hang about in peoples gardens and in the park and just ignore people. There can be 30-50 around where the swings are. Though they wont let you touch them. The big roos can be dangerous if cornered. But i have never felt threatened by one. It is very funny to see my dog on the gold course (we often walk him on there when there are no players) and this tiny chihuahua spots a roo, goes mental and chases after it. What he thinks he would do if he ever caught up to it i cant imagine. The other big wildlife plus are dolphins. Common throughout Perth. We have two pods where i live and they will come up as close as 1m while swimming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philpom Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 There are hundreds of roos on the golf course that I play regularly near Bunbury. They just lay about the fairways and very little bothers them. The males tend to pay a bit more attention to you than the females, but they are never a threat.As for the koalas, the reason they don't exist all over Australia is that they are quite fussy eaters. Whilst they eat the eucalyptus leaves, they only like a certain variety which therefore restricts where they can live. Also they are pretty lazy as they sleep something like 20 hours a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Wow, dolphins that close! That just may make up for not having koalas! 50 Roos hanging around the swings, sounds like a gang of yobs intimidating the kids! That must be such a weird sight. Next question... Just asked this on another thread but posting it here too as the answers seem to be spot on, also I can keep track of all my questions! What is happening next year about expats paying for their kids schooling? Is it just those on temp visa or for those of PR visas too? We are coming over on a 190 WA sponsored PR Visa. Will we be effected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Philpom said: There are hundreds of roos on the golf course that I play regularly near Bunbury. They just lay about the fairways and very little bothers them. The males tend to pay a bit more attention to you than the females, but they are never a threat.As for the koalas, the reason they don't exist all over Australia is that they are quite fussy eaters. Whilst they eat the eucalyptus leaves, they only like a certain variety which therefore restricts where they can live. Also they are pretty lazy as they sleep something like 20 hours a day. What fussy, lazy sods! Thanks Philpom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted September 4, 2013 Report Share Posted September 4, 2013 Akasully2 said: We are coming over on a 190 WA sponsored PR Visa. Will we be effected? 457's are the ones that will be affected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 It only affect those on 457 visas which are a temp visa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted September 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2013 Next question... As Brits how have you coped/enjoyed the heat? How much difference does it make having the famous dry heat? More bearable? Equally so, I have read loads lately about people moaning about the recent Oz rain and cold weather. How does it compare to a UK winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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