linda@no9

It appears my husband and I are grumpy gits. We want to sit in the garden on a cool autumn evening, or warm summer night and enjoy reading a book, the paper, sipping a nice glass of wine from Dan Murphys (It can be cheaper than the vineyard prices) you know, because we are 'living the dream' But, alas, the young family at the bottom of the garden whose children (2 and 3) have a trampoline (you know that equipment the kids harp on for and when you eventually cave they spend 24 hours on the thing and its left to rust) and spend the majority of the time bouncing to look over the fence (as kids do) at Mr grumpy and I or crying in their alfresco which tends to echo and amplify because the rooms are so spacious everything does tend to echo. Then the parents will yell, shut the F up or stop effing moaning you little b. Eat your lunch you ungrateful B (yes, alas, some folk have no idea how to talk to their children, but with swearing more common here I guess that should be normal?) So, mr and mrs grumpy git, aka me and hubs, are looking to flee to the hills for some peace and quiet and nurture or family the way we intended and 'live the dream' We took a drive out yesterday for a few home opens and feel this is where we definitely could consider living. Yes there is noise. Think we could cope with the odd sound of a chainsaw chopping wood in preparation for the cold winter months and log fires. Quite liked Darlington, quite liked Kalamunda and when you can get this http://reiwa.com.au/real-estate/Kalamunda/3292941 for as much as you pay for an area in the blurbs, me thinks my scale is tipping! Now, when will Tiger Woods be home you think?

Oh thats lovely!

My hubs does, Madeley to Midland. Shower on site when he arrives. he loves it!! about 20kms I think

IKNWWC! But my son is currently 2 hours into his geology engineering exam in Plymouth right now. I have everything crossed for him!

Yes, if you buy new remove all packaging otherwise you could be seen to sell it on here in oz and could be charged import taxes (our shippers told us that) with all the wood floors here (carpet only in bedrooms) i bought a $50 vacume from Big W. it sucks and thats all i need!

Ah, a bit like the JJB sports bridade in uk where they wear sports wear but dont actually 'do' sports?

Nope, i have no idea what a bogan is either. Sometimes i get quite embarrassed that im british.

You dont need all these posh uk shops! Best for less sell tshirts and shorts, all you need ;-)

Hi Katie. I still have waves, but I did Google Culture Shock and it was comforting to know that it is an actual condition. I dont think i'll ever be living the dream because i still dont know what it is apart of maybe living by the sea? they are getting less and less now that I seem to be finding my feet a bit more, but i think if id moved from Inverness to Lands end id probably feel the same. HTH

Hooners! Those guys who 'drift' on the road causing those lovely black rubber marks. As for swearing, our neighbours at the back (we live in a nice area) have 2 small children 2 and 4. They use the f word in every other sentence when addressing them. My husband actually told the dad to quit with the swearing over the weekend. "Shut the f**k up" seems to be the favourite! Or, "you stupid little f**k" another. ​Yes, it seems it doesnt matter where you live.

My son has his final uni exams over the next 7 days. 4 to be exact. He then, fingers crossed, will be a fully qualified Geologist and make Perth his new home. Jobs depending.

Today we drove from our home in Madeley an hour and a bit to Mandurah. I rather liked Mandurah. A little and I mean a little, like torbay/torquay by way of the holiday town feeling. Plenty to do round the marina, lots of lovely holiday homes. For those who live in Mandurah, is t a commute to CBD? Absolutely loved the 'posh' houses that had rear access to the estuary and private moorings! We are thinking SOR when we eventually buy, but whats the draw so far south?

Look up st. John of God. They also have one i know of in Subiaco and hubs is project manager of the one currently under construction in Midland :-)

Hi. When we first arrived we were in Hilary's. nice area, rental $750 per week! Hillarys primary? Wonderful. Older daughter 16(now 17) Duncraig senior high. No issues at all. Schooling is different here. Arrive towards end of school year your child's report may reflect this (our 8 year olds did) she's flying now however! areas? We are now in Madely. Love it. Rental $620 per week. 5 bed house, theatre room, study etc. triple garage. We were lucky as we got a relocation agent assigned to hubs job Friend is in wood vale- v happy there, with schools too. The further nor you go, the more you get for your money same as sor. Darch is pleasant, newer houses etc, but we do like the older subs too. I wouldn't go beyond Ocean Reef because its too far out of CBD but if budget wasn't an option? Whitfords Beach, Harbour Rise (hillarys) and Burns Beach. ​$600 is a good budget I feel

Our Cairn was at Byford. We chose not to visit. We just wanted to see her and bring her home. We had an issue that she picked up a tick (while at byford) and was told if it was some disease (can't remember) they would put her down or send her home. Luckily she didn't but a further $800 out of pocket! Tick was picked up at Byford!!! Because of our experience, didn't like the place. At least your animals will be oz side and closer than in uk. Time passes quickly so don't fret. X

Hi Elfie, yes, broken foot was it? I remember back in Uk, you never gave up although odds were stacked weren't they? The difference with me is we havent family we want to go back for. Yes we have them, but have chosen not to have them in our lives. Long story! All we do have is my son (hubs step son) and he's already applying for Geologist jobs here. We miss him desperately but hes out in July. He was the one who said not to put our lives on hold for him, because he wants to live his and wont put his on hold for us. Smart lad my boy.

The reasons I added to escape was that you hear of some people who think they can save a dying relationship by making a massive change and you do hear of relationships hitting the fan not long after they arrive in Oz. Issues are only amplified when you are in a strange location and that can be anywhere, even uk based. I have to admit this was more my husbands dream than mine and yes, ive thrown at him (when emotionally upset) that this was his dream, but my home is where he and my kids are, I know that. Its tough planning this new life from the dining room table surrounded by familiar things, but sometimes, sun, sea and sangria so to speak aren't always the right reasons to up sticks and move half way around the world, (For me obviously)

I was told there are basically 2 reasons to move to oz. Escape whether thats to escape an old life, an ex spouse, debt, try to refresh a dying relationship, the other to start a new life as in change your lifestyle. i think the common problem with the first is that problems will always follow you. There really is no point in running away from anything or anyone. new life? Change your lifestyle? I'm warming to Perth, but I still have wobblies. Not sure what about, but small issues can be magnified when living in a strange country. Change my lifestyle? We were financially comfy back in uk, but things are a little more challenging here. We dont have anywhere near as much cash to throw around, but, what we do have is time as a family, whether that is the occasional meal out. My hubs takes me for a coffee on a weekend so we are having more quality time together. We have an extremely strong and close family unit and when feeling a little unsure of the move, we sit on the beach or have a coffee out and talk. I work from home and do miss him when he goes to work. My only bit of advice when making a life changing move, because thats what it is, is the ability to talk to your partner and more importantly, the ability to listen. After all, you're all in the same boat.

Hi. Yes, this time last year hubs flew to Perth and we didnt follow till late August. Totally sh1te time of our lives and yes, my mum was bitter towards me to. She didnt even want me to visit for the last time. Its not easy im not going to suger coat that it is, just be strong as a couple.

We had/have our house for sale back in uk. Only a couple of views so was suggested we rent. We still wanted to sell so let that simmer, but tenants wanted to increase to a 12 month lease with view to buy. Just had a sniff of a viewing and tenants didnt get back to estate agent to allow the viewing (they are in their last 6 weeks of tenancy) woman viewd and put an offer on another property. just found out from my neighbour, tenants are smoking heavy in the house (we are non smokers and they took the tenancy stating they were non smokers) and they have no intentions of buying as they couldnt afford it. Theyve also made their intentions that they have no intention of allowing their circumstances to change, ie, not going to allow the estate agent access to view. We've decided to not extend their lease and market the house fully for sale. Just hope the tenants havent wrecked our house!

Yep, been here since August 2012 and still wonder how hubs and kids have settled and im still trying to work out what this 'living the dream' is! I read somewhere about location depression? I think the trouble with me is uk was familiar, i spent 48 years of my life there! I have friends here, but dont want to talk to them because i dont want to appear a moaner, so hubs tends to get the flack. No, seriously, we talk a lot as a family over lunch or something, away from the house, to let each other know how we are feeling. My hubs is great, but will be better when he knows im finally ok.

Thanks for the replies guys. No, GMAB, I accepted it at the time and if the outcome was I had a lump then so be it. I didnt so I guess it was worth it. I just wanted to know if everyone's was the same, but hearing responses I guess not. Not many folk can make me feel an idiot thankfully!

Ive had a look through and cant find an answer. i remember posting somewhere about brest examination as part of the medical for woman saying i'd been given one, but no one else said this had happened to them. What is now freaking me out, is that i thought if a male doctor examined your breasts, there had to be someone else present (female nurse) and in my case there wasnt. How many of you ladies had a breast exam as part of your application medical please?

Hi. My daughter is st Duncraig Senior High. We are in Madeley. I dont know much about Duncraig as an area apart from the school. Im not sure about play groups either sorry. There are play areas in places like McDonalds/ Hungry jacks where you can grab a coffee, loads of play areas in parks too.

Bring all that! You just cant bring wicker, edibles or untreated wood items, so if you have an ikea shelf unit for example that is bare wood, whitewash it or varnish it. I aso bought my shells ive collected whilst on holiday which treated with Jeys fluid was fine, but couldnt bring my dried roses or potpourri. Hth