jo and scott Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Hi. Just curious to know if many of you had visited Perth before you emigrated or did you just up sticks and go ?? thanks !! jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carla Morris Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 Hi we never visited before, we just moved over and we've been in Secret Harbour for nearly 11 weeks now :0) Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest9824 Posted August 15, 2013 Report Share Posted August 15, 2013 (edited) Hi. Just curious to know if many of you had visited Perth before you emigrated or did you just up sticks and go ?? thanks !! jo hi Jo and Scott, Good question. I guess it depends how much you want to see things prior to coming over permanently, maybe get the feel of a place. I guess it won't be the same as actually living here, no matter how much reccy you do. In answer to your question, we have visited Perth over a number of years, to see my family, so were very familiar with it. If its any consolation I never wanted to get back on the plane when we were here on holiday. Edited August 16, 2013 by guest9824 shocking spelling... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibbs Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I was born here, visited a few times in the few years before we moved. The wife had been backpacking up the east coast before. So kinda knew Australia. We came out for 6 weeks to get married, and spent our time form MonkeyMia to Albany. That was 18 months before we moved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skit78 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Hi, we have been here now for a 3 weeks to validate visa but time to get on that plane tomorrow. Wish I could just stay for good now. Still only got till dec 28th till we move over so not to long, and it gives us time to sort out house and things, and we have a cheeky week in Cambodia on the way home. Perth what can I say fantastic beautiful looking forward to coming back. Good luck to you all. Scott. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 hi, visited many times , each time I miss the cleanliness, the ocean, the pretty walks, and the looking after where you live eg no weeds on the motorway etc. So we decided to live there will take a couple of years to get the visa but looking forward to our retirement in Jindalee. I would say visit it will make you want to move and understand why you are doing the move. We live in a pretty village in the uk but nothing like Perth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debs2001 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I would say come and see Perth before making the decision. On hindsight, I wish we had done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Em38 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We are in final stages of getting visa (hopefully) - we visited back at Xmas and stayed with our friends who emigrated 5yrs ago. They showed us round all the suburbs etc and gave us the lowdown on things you don't think about. We loved it - had both previously spent a year over there backpacking in the 90s so knew Australia but never went to Perth and in my opinion it's really different there. Much nicer, really clean with the most beautiful beaches. Having said that, it also made us think about a lot of things - the distance really hits you and you realise that maybe all the people who say they will come and visit actually won't. It's just so far away and flights aren't cheap. We came home and were really unsure what to do plus the exchange rate was terrible so unless that improved it would have been impossible. We put it on the back burner for a few months, exchange rate has slowly started to climb and various other things have changed for us to make us continue with our plans. I'm still not 100% sure (husband is already there in his head!) but I'm also not 100% sure that staying here is right either. We are going to go for it and just look at it as an adventure - if it works out then great but if it doesn't we just come home - not the end of the world. Life's too short to not give it a shot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candygirl Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We first landed in Perth in 1999 and travelled round WA in a campervan. Been back since for holidays. We have lived on the East Coast before, but we had a good feel for the West Coast so are very happy to give WA a go. I personally could not live anywhere that I have not visited before, but I have read of many people who "upped sticks", have never regretted it and have lived there for years. What is to say that if you visited a place on numerous occasions and fell in love with it, that it would be the same when you actually moved there. YOLO and life really is too short ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 hi Jo and Scott, Good question. I guess it depends how much you want to see things prior to coming over permanently, maybe get the feel of a place. I guess it won't be the same as actually living here, no matter how much reccy you do. In answer to your question, we have visited Perth over a number of years, to see my family, so were very familiar with it. If its any consolation I never wanted to get back on the plane when we were here on holiday. Thanks for your replies. We have never been to Australia. And maybe we are just a bit crazy. We have sold our house and living with my mum in law, which is going well. Easier for me than Scott if I'm honest. Girls are fine and settling in well. We are looking at this as a big adventure. If it works out then great, if not we can come back. We did price up a holiday but our friends in Perth said save the money and just come out. The next stage of our visa is to sort out the medical side for our daughter who has type 1 diabetes. We have to fill out a report. If Australia decides it will cost too much then we will be unable to go, but we have everything crossed !! Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveakaginge Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We have never seen Perth, but been to Brisbane a few times for holidays, and the reef (nice). It gives you a feel for the place, and the people, and also the kind of life you could enjoy, so yes, I'm in the 'try before you buy' camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Well here goes. Mine is a bit different I guess but as an option suited us. My wife was born in Perth in the 50's but was removed back to Scotland the same year that England last won the World Cup. When we met, and started to speak about each others lives, I could never understand why she was so unhappy in the cold and damp weather after years of living by the big, blue ocean near the Waterman's Bay / Trigg area. A real mystery that one.... Anyway after we married, following a getting to know you period of nearly 10 years, I promised her that I would take her back to the city of her birth on holiday. Well add on another 12 years and we went to Perth on a holiday, and when we visited Fremantle, she just burst into tears when she saw the old boat sheds. This was her last memory of Perth as she left Fremantle in the boat to go back to Scotland. (Yes the ones that are still there today nearly 50 years later - takes time for things to be developed in Perth you know.) After the holiday and on the flight back I said trust me I will get you back home to Perth to live. Of course she did not believe me, funny that The next step of the master plan saw me getting a job swap with a Perth based Aussie. He moved to our house for a year in Scotland, and do my full time job, and we moved into his house and did his full time job. (Well I did it in two days a week actually but that is bye the bye.) The year of living in Perth let us see the place warts and all, let me undertsand the culture a bit better and also allowed us a full cycle of their weather. After the year, and a bit for another holiday, we went back to Scotland, the glens and the most fantastic sunsets you will ever see. (Perth sunsets are just sooooooooooooooo short by the way...) Back in the depth of winter we took a family vote. (How many of you take the vote test by the way or do you just tell your kids of teenage years they are going beacuse you know best ) Will we stay or will we go? I was out voted 2-1 and so we put in train the move to Perth on a more permanent basis. However I cunningly added in that if we go out then I get to come back every year as part of the deal. My wife said anything to get rid of you for a while, yes go for it The master plan was coming to fruition, don't you just love a plan when it comes together. The next bit of the jigsaw was not to put all our eggs in one basket and buy an old property in Perth, do it up and make it into a home over time. Even back then, and after living in Perth for that one year, told me this is not a place to carry a lot of debt. Proving a sound tactic as things now spiral out of control and as we move towards the stage in life when we will not be working. Would I do it any differently? Nope it worked for us. Can others try some of these tactics? Sure they can, just need a little thinking through and a slice of luck. Would I say don't come over if you have never been here? Not at all. I know several people in Perth who are having a ball and living a great life here and who had never even thought about Perth as a destination. Is there a right or wrong way? As with so many things in life absolutely not. Would I tell my kid(s) you are going? Definately not This is only thing that my wife and I had a diffiuclty with and if the vote had gone the other way we would have never been in Perth. Would we have regreted it? Maybe but not sure as life is what you make it where ever you are. Good luck to all during the decison making process...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Well here goes. Mine is a bit different I guess but as an option suited us. My wife was born in Perth in the 50's but was removed back to Scotland the same year that England last won the World Cup. When we met, and started to speak about each others lives, I could never understand why she was so unhappy in the cold and damp weather after years of living by the big, blue ocean near the Waterman's Bay / Trigg area. A real mystery that one.... Anyway after we married, following a getting to know you period of nearly 10 years, I promised her that I would take her back to the city of her birth on holiday. Well add on another 12 years and we went to Perth on a holiday, and when we visited Fremantle, she just burst into tears when she saw the old boat sheds. This was her last memory of Perth as she left Fremantle in the boat to go back to Scotland. (Yes the ones that are still there today nearly 50 years later - takes time for things to be developed in Perth you know.) After the holiday and on the flight back I said trust me I will get you back home to Perth to live. Of course she did not believe me, funny that The next step of the master plan saw me getting a job swap with a Perth based Aussie. He moved to our house for a year in Scotland, and do my full time job, and we moved into his house and did his full time job. (Well I did it in two days a week actually but that is bye the bye.) The year of living in Perth let us see the place warts and all, let me undertsand the culture a bit better and also allowed us a full cycle of their weather. After the year, and a bit for another holiday, we went back to Scotland, the glens and the most fantastic sunsets you will ever see. (Perth sunsets are just sooooooooooooooo short by the way...) Back in the depth of winter we took a family vote. (How many of you take the vote test by the way or do you just tell your kids of teenage years they are going beacuse you know best ) Will we stay or will we go? I was out voted 2-1 and so we put in train the move to Perth on a more permanent basis. However I cunningly added in that if we go out then I get to come back every year as part of the deal. My wife said anything to get rid of you for a while, yes go for it The master plan was coming to fruition, don't you just love a plan when it comes together. The next bit of the jigsaw was not to put all our eggs in one basket and buy an old property in Perth, do it up and make it into a home over time. Even back then, and after living in Perth for that one year, told me this is not a place to carry a lot of debt. Proving a sound tactic as things now spiral out of control and as we move towards the stage in life when we will not be working. Would I do it any differently? Nope it worked for us. Can others try some of these tactics? Sure they can, just need a little thinking through and a slice of luck. Would I say don't come over if you have never been here? Not at all. I know several people in Perth who are having a ball and living a great life here and who had never even thought about Perth as a destination. Is there a right or wrong way? As with so many things in life absolutely not. Would I tell my kid(s) you are going? Definately not This is only thing that my wife and I had a diffiuclty with and if the vote had gone the other way we would have never been in Perth. Would we have regreted it? Maybe but not sure as life is what you make it where ever you are. Good luck to all during the decison making process...... Lovely post, made me cry. Can I ask you what age your kiddies were when you asked them about moving. Wish we'd done it sooner but the thought never entered our heads. Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Lovely post, made me cry. Can I ask you what age your kiddies were when you asked them about moving. Wish we'd done it sooner but the thought never entered our heads. Jo One kid. 9 when he was on holiday, 11 when we did the year swap and 13 when we took the family vote. Which bit made you cry? Gosh did not think it would have that effect on anyone, sorry..... Thought it would help to mix up the debate but crying, nope never saw that one coming..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 One kid. 9 when he was on holiday, 11 when we did the year swap and 13 when we took the family vote. Which bit made you cry? Gosh did not think it would have that effect on anyone, sorry..... Thought it would help to mix up the debate but crying, nope never saw that one coming..... the bit about your wife getting upset, to be honest I cry quite easily ! I try to read the posts out to my husband but sometimes can't get the words out. I must sound like I right baby lol ! A lot of the post on here make me well up. Think it's very emotional, life changing and huge moving to oz. but I'm going to feel the fear and do it anyway :-)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraighttothePoint Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 the bit about your wife getting upset, to be honest I cry quite easily ! I try to read the posts out to my husband but sometimes can't get the words out. I must sound like I right baby lol ! A lot of the post on here make me well up. Think it's very emotional, life changing and huge moving to oz. but I'm going to feel the fear and do it anyway :-)) Yeah but think how happy she is every year when I leave Perth..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Thanks for your replies. We have never been to Australia. And maybe we are just a bit crazy. We have sold our house and living with my mum in law, which is going well. Easier for me than Scott if I'm honest. Girls are fine and settling in well. We are looking at this as a big adventure. If it works out then great, if not we can come back. We did price up a holiday but our friends in Perth said save the money and just come out. The next stage of our visa is to sort out the medical side for our daughter who has type 1 diabetes. We have to fill out a report. If Australia decides it will cost too much then we will be unable to go, but we have everything crossed !! Jo Wow. That is a bit out there selling the house before you have a visa! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Wow. That is a bit out there selling the house before you have a visa! Yes completely crazy, but we had to sell the house to pay for the visa. We couldn't save anything either whilst living there. I'm glad it's sold and we can start our exciting adventure :-)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 Wow. That is a bit out there selling the house before you have a visa! We all plan things in different ways. If my mum had space at her house for me and my little boy, I'd sell my house and move back home to help save. I think it's great. They're all in it together as a family. At the end if the day, it's just a building. I'm sure they will have no trouble getting another house of their own if their plans don't come into fruition. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We all plan things in different ways. If my mum had space at her house for me and my little boy, I'd sell my house and move back home to help save. I think it's great. They're all in it together as a family. At the end if the day, it's just a building. I'm sure they will have no trouble getting another house of their own if their plans don't come into fruition. Debs Very true. And situations can change... We took the risk and sold before getting the visa granted (albeit not that far ahead) but decided to take advantage of a suddenly more buoyant market here in UK and it paid off, we made nearly £40k on what we paid 6 years ago! We're lucky in that we have some temporary accommodation for the next few months but we would've rented if necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 To answer the original question my OH had been several times as his family is over there. Me - I'm doing it on the strength of 10 days over there last December! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelchic Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 I've never been to Australia. It's a whole new thing for me. But hey ho. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Debs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted August 16, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We all plan things in different ways. If my mum had space at her house for me and my little boy, I'd sell my house and move back home to help save. I think it's great. They're all in it together as a family. At the end if the day, it's just a building. I'm sure they will have no trouble getting another house of their own if their plans don't come into fruition. Debs thanks debs, my mum was devastated that we was selling our house, we had recently put a lovely new kitchen in, and only last year we had a new bathroom fitted too, and decking in the garden, but every other room was looking really tired and worn, we just did not have the money to sort it all out, im so relieved we have sold it and feels like a massive weight off of my shoulders. once I had explained she was fine with it, kind of :-/ if it doesn't work out with the visa then we can get another house, we was discussing it today actually, where abouts we would live, but im still hoping for perth !! scott has a good job so we have no problems getting another home together, all of our belongings are in storage, im glad we havnt sold anything ! jo. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted August 16, 2013 Report Share Posted August 16, 2013 We had visited Australia - Brisbane, Sydney and Cairns but not Perth ... we still feel that we made the right choice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kookylittlestar Posted August 17, 2013 Report Share Posted August 17, 2013 (edited) We haven't visited yet. I've recently spoke to a migration agent who told me I should have enough points to apply for PR (if I do so within the next two years) so I'm currently weighing up visiting in January or just putting the flight money towards the visa costs and getting there asap. I've always been up for an adventure and think I'm open minded enough for just going for it. . .it's the sunny lifestyle and lack of crowding that are doing it for me (plus beaches) so hope I know more or less what I'm letting myself on for. Edited August 17, 2013 by kookylittlestar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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