Nikkis2000 Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Hi Akasully! My two pence worth would go be something like: 1) we got our agent to arrange the visa stickers but I think you just have to send your passport to the embassy on London. Have to say they have saved carting the paper round. People want to see your passport as id anyway and if they're already in there it's easier. Both bank and Medicare had no probs with them 2) we used NAB ( I think the other one is ANZ.) NAB have been great. Set up accounts online from UK, transferred funds and then went to activate the accounts when we arrived last week - all very straight forward. We used NAB as there are no charges on their basic accs. Everyone else seems to charge 4% unless you pay in a certain amt each month. 3) we used Moneycorp because as a member on here they don't charge transfer fees. Again set up acc online then let them know about PP membership. Whatever you do, don't use a bank as it will cost a fortune! 4) we are currently going through this process and have been advised that it's probably better to transfer pensions due to the tax benefits. However a lot depends on your personal circumstances, age attitude to risk etc so get advice. There are a few companies out there that will help. We are using Pension Transfers UK and so far so good! 5) this is a great thread if you have the time to search through. There's some great info in here but if someone (especially if they are new to the thread) was trying to find something specific they might miss stuff. Hope that helps! Hopefully you managed to get to sleep and you won't be sitting there in the middle of the night reading this ! N x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 Right a few new questions lumped together now... 1) can anyone remind me how you go about getting a proof of visa to stick in your passport? I know it is not necessary but Nikki said she did it to save dragging a piece of paper around with her. Seemed A good idea and she gave me the link but I can't find it now. 2) Bank preferences- we have been given info on NAB and NZA (I know that's wrong, something to do with NZ & Aus). Haven't really looked into them, just their names have been waved under our noses. Any pro or cons for any of the banks there? Anything to go for or avoid? 3) Who did you change your money over with? I here a lot about money corp on here but are they the best? How is it different to using your reg bank? Did you bring all your money over or keep it the uk for a while? 4) what did you do with your private pensions? Left in uk or transferred to Aus? 5) Do you think this thread is too long as one person said? . You send your passports to Australia house in London, they now charge I think but that's all I know ! ANZ ! We joined NAB as they do fee free banking on their classic account unlike most, never had an issue with them. We used Moneycorp signing up via the link on the PerthPoms forum site to get fee free transfers. The difference is you can ask for them to exchange funds when the rate hits a certain point and no fees ! We did all ours, just left a few hundred in our UK account to cover final bills etc. We've transferred our pensions into an SMSF as we are here for life, if you do it in the first 6 months you avoid paying tax on the growth in that time . Make sure you are deffo staying long term though as taking it back again will cost you heaps ! Not too long I reckon ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted January 12, 2014 Report Share Posted January 12, 2014 The easiest way is to wait till your here and just wander into the immigration office in the city and they will put it in on the spot. We bank with NAB. Have found them very good and with good service. I lost my wallet a couple of months ago. New cards were with me in about 3 days! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi, 1) We havent bothered with stickers in our passports, we have just shown the printed out visa grant (no great shakes to take with us) and some places have insisted that they need to check the visa status themselves anyway, as they are electronic they are able to do this now (driving licence specifically) so I guess it depends on how many there are of you in your family and if you want the expense (I know for some they like to have it and for others, if you are travelling to less developed countries it can be necessary so everyone's needs are different). 2) We set up with NAB, like others have said they offered a free classic account, they also dont charge a fee to receive overseas funds from Money corp. We have so far found them to be excellent, so much more helpful than UK banks! 3) we used money corp - as above they dont charge forum members for transfers, again they were very good at helping us understand what the market was doing, we moved money over in a couple of batches (for various reasons) but told money corp that this was what we would be doing and they gave us a rate based on the total amount we would move not just the smaller transfers. we have also left some in the UK still as we are renting a house out so want to be able to cover any costs there without having to move money backwards and forwards. 4) pensions - we have yet to tackle that one, but will be looking for a good accountant and financial advisor shortly to see what is best for us. 5) for me the thread length is not a problem as I am not trying to find information from it, but I think if I was I would find it very frustrating, although that said, maybe it would be better that it was just one long one that I needed to read through - sorry probably not that helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 (edited) Just packing a whole load of stuff away as we're doing a move cube, sounds a silly question but is there any reason not to wrap with news paper???? Use tissue paper on delicate items, glassware, good china etc. Newsprint will come off the paper onto items in the heat of the container. Also it doesn't absorb as much "movement/shock" as tissue and bubble wrap. Just a little lesson we learnt along the way! Edited January 13, 2014 by Rossmoyne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 So judging by the lack of replies regarding colour analysis, I'll take that one to be a dead duck. New Question.... We are looking at areas to book a 4 week holiday rental just to start with. Want to have somewhere as a base to explore different areas. Not necessarily where we want to live ultimately. We have found some reasonably priced smart modern houses with pools in Butler. Any thoughts on this area as a base? What is is like? How far from CBD and beaches? How far from mindarie? Colours.... well it has been done here - not that popular and didn't get off the ground as it was so expensive to do - but you can always bear it in mind for the future.... As you aren't sure where you will be living, I honestly think you would be best placed to stay somewhere quite central so having a look around is easier for you. Perth is very spread out along the coast and travelliing from the northern outskirts to the southern on the freeway would be a nightmare in the rush hour too. Log into google maps for Perth suburbs and have a look at the suburbs closest to the CBD then have a gander at stayz.com or wotif.com. If you want to stay in a house in suburbia, consider the following suburbs that are only just outside the CBD. Victoria Park, Burswood, Kensington, South Perth, Como, Highgate, Mt Lawley, Mt Hawthorn. If you didn't want to stay in a house, there are some apartment-style hotels in the city that are good. Regal Apartments in East Perth http://www.regalapartments.com.au/ are quite good and on the free bus route/near a station/ supermarket across the road. Mont Clare Apartments also in East Perth http://www.montclareapartments.com.au/. Friends have stayed in both of these and found them good for being centrally located. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Thank you everyone for replying. The quality of the advice on here is staggering! So NAB bank it is then. Money Corp needs an email and I need to look at central areas to use as a base. Thank you! As for the length of the thread...suppose it is like a large book without an index. Fine if you start at the beginning and see it as a page turner but not great for dipping. A long timer's log! Just out of interest, what is the cost of having the visa stuck in the passport in the UK compared to Oz? Much difference? another question....so what is Baldivis like? I know this is a futile question really as I am long enough in the tooth on this forum to know the answers will be mixed, dependent on varied personal opinions and I need to be there and judge for myself, but ..... I can't resist asking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Thank you everyone for replying. The quality of the advice on here is staggering! So NAB bank it is then. Money Corp needs an email and I need to look at central areas to use as a base. Thank you! As for the length of the thread...suppose it is like a large book without an index. Fine if you start at the beginning and see it as a page turner but not great for dipping. A long timer's log! Just out of interest, what is the cost of having the visa stuck in the passport in the UK compared to Oz? Much difference? another question....so what is Baldivis like? I know this is a futile question really as I am long enough in the tooth on this forum to know the answers will be mixed, dependent on varied personal opinions and I need to be there and judge for myself, but ..... I can't resist asking! For what it's worth Westpac have been great with us. They really understood the issues facing new arrivals and whatever difficulties we've had, from buying a car to finding private medical they've been excellent. As for this thread, if people do think it is worth it then we can make it a 'sticky' so it sits at the top of the section. We may need to clean it up a little but it does contain a fair amount of useful information so happy to do so if you all think it's worth it. Credit where it's due, Akasully certainly seems to keep everyone on their toes and find some interesting conundrums for us. As for Baldivis, it's *%$* Actually I've never been there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Thank you everyone for replying. The quality of the advice on here is staggering! So NAB bank it is then. Money Corp needs an email and I need to look at central areas to use as a base. Thank you! As for the length of the thread...suppose it is like a large book without an index. Fine if you start at the beginning and see it as a page turner but not great for dipping. A long timer's log! Just out of interest, what is the cost of having the visa stuck in the passport in the UK compared to Oz? Much difference? another question....so what is Baldivis like? I know this is a futile question really as I am long enough in the tooth on this forum to know the answers will be mixed, dependent on varied personal opinions and I need to be there and judge for myself, but ..... I can't resist asking! Stickers are £45 - each Not sure what the cost is if you do it over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 We are building in Baldivis so I hope it's ok ! Seriously though we looked around a LOT of places and even Baldivis has a couple of less desirable parts but on the whole it's coming together nicely, still got at least 5 years development to go so we like the look of it, moving in sometime in March :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Good luck with your move, how exciting. I am sure if it is full of people like yourselves, then it is bound to be a nice place to live! As for going 'sticky' on this thread, fine by me. Quite flattered! Not sure how it needs to be cleaned up....humour , language or spelling! Anyway, Portly, I do my best to keep you all on your toes by asking loads of questions, either that I just have 'key board Tourette's' and just can't help typing what pops into my head! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolaandy Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi All, I have just read this whole thread and it is fab well done everyone It has helped me loads with few questions. We are hoping to do the big move nxt yr I am so excited. Question: Does anyone have any information on Bunbury area and good and bad points about it? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi Lola and Andy, welcome to this thread. So pleased you found it helpful! Good luck with your move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted January 13, 2014 Report Share Posted January 13, 2014 Bunbury is nice and very close to Margaret River. It is a holiday / beach town, but also has some industry. It is though a fair way from Perth and job opportunities are going to be a bit more limited depending on what you do. Have you found out yet if you qualify for a visa? Hi All, I have just read this whole thread and it is fab well done everyone It has helped me loads with few questions. We are hoping to do the big move nxt yr I am so excited. Question: Does anyone have any information on Bunbury area and good and bad points about it? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossmoyne Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 I just have 'key board Tourette's' and just can't help typing what pops into my head! I love that Akasully....... just keep going cos we will just keep replying.... xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 I love that Akasully....... just keep going cos we will just keep replying.... xx Superb!!!!!! Xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted January 14, 2014 Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 (edited) Anyway, Portly, I do my best to keep you all on your toes by asking loads of questions, either that I just have 'key board Tourette's' and just can't help typing what pops into my head! As I will illustrate with this response, there are replies in this thread that don't necessarily offer anything of any great value to the queries posed and it is these I'd suggest cleaning up. Since you seem not to have exhausted your enquiring mind I think we'll perhaps keep this going until you're here. When that time comes it may be time to start a "Made the move and many questions" thread and we can lock this and sticky it. Let's watch this space and as long as you keep asking, we'll keep replying. Anyway, Portly PS. Are you inferring something about my waistline? Edited January 14, 2014 by portlaunay post script Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2014 Ha, ha, ha....obviously suffer with Tourette's and sausage fingers! Good idea to keep it going until we are there, lock it, then I can start a new one. My questions will change to..., well, who knows but I'm sure I'll have a few! Those posts that have little info value, may however offer plenty of humour value. Don't edit it too much as it would lose some of the qualities that make it so entertaining. Got to keep the balance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 New question.... Do perth beaches have shells? If so, are they beautiful or a bit like the uk? Or is it all sand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redsquare Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 All the beaches I've been on have soft golden sand, not been on all of them though. There's plenty of them to choose from. Some are child friendly, others are more suited to surfing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikkis2000 Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 When we were at Mullaloo the other day the sand was like talcum powder! Didn't see any shells though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkabout Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 We have found some (by we I mean my 5 year old daughter who loves to look for such things!) we havent seen hundreds but they are about, the ones we have found have been tiny but beautiful.... hope that helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 So do they not have shell fish in the sea or do their shells get swept off somewhere else? Odds are Porty or Very stormy will know the answer to this! I'll wait and see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted January 16, 2014 Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 We have been to most beaches along the Perth coast and have come across very few shells. Sometimes you might find a lot, other times there is nothing. I am not sure of the reason why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted January 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2014 We have been to most beaches along the Perth coast and have come across very few shells. Sometimes you might find a lot, other times there is nothing. I am not sure of the reason why. Maybe they all emigrated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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