KAZ0829 Posted September 19, 2013 Report Share Posted September 19, 2013 Hi everyone. Just wanted to introduce myself, My name is Karen, I'm 40 and we (hubby and two boys 8 & 4) fly to Perth to start our big adventure on 23rd October? We are hoping to live in Halls Head or around that area. My husband will probably be working in the CBD. Does anyone do this commute and how is it? By train or car? Does anyone have any advice on primary schools in Halls Head? South Halls Head is top of my list but they all look fine. I'm assuming it'll all depend on where we can secure a rental. We need to buy a car as soon as poss but will be in a short term rental for the first month. Can you buy a car without having a permanent address? How easy is it to get a mobile phone contract without any credit history? And how long before you can get credit like a credit card? If anyone is free to meet up one day for a coffee and a chat, a friendly face will definitely be appreciated. Anyway, thanks for listening and I would love to hear all your advice and experiences. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alant Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hello Karen - welcome to PP! We arrived in Perth on 30th August so we had similar questions that you had! In terms of car, I'm assuming that you wish to buy one on credit - if you do, the important thing that dealerships look at is affordability so what they will be most interested in is to see your (or your husbands) contract of employment. We met with one last week and this was their primary concern. So if you or your hubby already have jobs lined up then this won't be too much of a problem. If you both have jobs, you can have the car secured under a joint credit agreement. What you'll find is that the interest rate/APR might initially be a little high but if you have a deposit then this will bring it down. We bank with Westpac and when we arrived we met with them to activate our accounts and order our debit cards. They spoke to us about credit cards (not something we want to have TBH), again, we could get one provided one of us was in employment. They would need to see the a contract of employment. So not an issue if you or your husband are working. With Halls Head being close to Madurah, then going on my limited experience I would suggest that your hubby gets the train into the CBD - it takes just over 40 mins from Mandurah into the CBD (he would exit at Esplanade station & it's a 2 minute walk to middle of St. George's Terrace). You can see how packed the freeway into the city gets in the morning from the train as it runs through the centre of it - everyone I've spoken to that works in the city commutes via the train. The trains get really busy at peak times (morning and evening commutes) but as Mandurah is the first stop into the city on the Mandurah line your husband will have no problems getting a seat! In terms of schools, I have no knowledge whatsoever but hopefully others better placed on PP can help with this! For mobile phones, we decided against a contract and have a prepaid option (it's called recharge here). After doing some searching, for what we wanted we chose Optus (part of Telstra I'm told) and we choose their Social tariff. It starts from $30 (we chose $40 option to start with) and for $30 you get unlimited texts, 250 mins of calls (including back to UK) and 500 mb of data - you can pay more to get more mins and data. It lasts for 28 days and then you recharge again. You lose what you don't use is the drawback unfortunately!! We are currently staying with friends in Waikiki (not too far from Halls Head) but we want to be closer to CBD and western suburbs so this is where we will eventually end up. Good luck with the move - if you've any other questions please ask - I'll do my best with the limited knowledge that I have! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roxy Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Can't help you with the journey from Halls head ... Although I did used to work SOR traveling from North & if he's planning on driving the Kwinana Freeway is a complete nightmare so would only advise the train and compared to the UK I actually think the service is really good... Do not get a contract!!! All you need is ID to sign up... I rushed in & signed up to Telstra and now I've been paying the contract for $60 a month & I don't even have the SIM card anymore it's cheaper for me to use a Vodafone Simcard & topup $49... This lasts me all month, I'm never off the Internet & I call home multiple times a week & txt all day everyday. My contract when I used it for 3 months my bills were never below $200 ... So you really, really don't need one. Credit you will be asked usually for 3 months payslips. I didn't apply for a credit card until I'd been here for a year so was with my bank that entire time aswell so it seemed easy enough. Good luck with your move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardy Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 (edited) You will have a 15 minute drive to Mandurah station first from Halls head. I drive most days to West Perth (near Kings Park) from just North of Mandurah and it takes between 55 and 90 mins but mostly need the car so I can do visits to customers etc. I would personally avoid getting any credit/loans initially as it will affect your mortgage affordability quite drastically unless you have a substantial deposit or very high wages. If you have enough cash to buy a car outright and still have 20% deposit for a house it would be a better move unless above applies ;-) Edited September 20, 2013 by Chardy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy little Vegemite Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 We are hoping to live in Halls Head or around that area. Does anyone have any advice on primary schools in Halls Head? South Halls Head is top of my list but they all look fine. I'm assuming it'll all depend on where we can secure a rental. If anyone is free to meet up one day for a coffee and a chat, a friendly face will definitely be appreciated. Anyway, thanks for listening and I would love to hear all your advice and experiences. Karen x Hi Karen, We (me, hubby, and kids who will be 6 and 3) are in the process of planning our move and hoping to live in Halls Head too as I have family there, so I'd be interested to hear how your move goes, we're not moving until the end of March next year. I had a look at Halls Head PS and South Halls Head PS when I was over visiting last month and I'd be happy with either of them, based on first impressions. You have to live in the catchment area for the school, both taught Japanese I think, and Halls Head also does music, they were learning the ukulele which I thought was pretty cool! There's a really nice coffee shop 'spill the beans' at the new Halls Head shops, so although it's a bit far away for me right now to meet up you might be able to find some friendly faces, my sister hangs out there sometimes and she is friendly Cath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkeroos Posted September 20, 2013 Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Hi kaz we fly on the 22nd October. one word EXCITED. we are staying up in wanneroo and hoping to settle around that area. I am 30 my wife 32 and we have two little girls 3and 1. Good luck with your move. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZ0829 Posted September 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2013 Thanks guys for the great advice. Cath - How great to have your sister out there, That'll make your move a lot easier? Sounds a bit daft but it makes me feel better knowing that you have actually been there and like it enough to make the move. Will definitely give the coffee shop a visit and maybe meet up when you arrive. good luck with your move - the next 7 months will fly by. Lee - Yeah, we are soooo excited too. I thought I would an emotional mess at this point but I just can't wait. Good luck too. Where are you flying from and which airline are you flying with? Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy little Vegemite Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 You must be so excited Karen and Lee, not long to go now! I have got it much easier than a lot who are making the move, I am actually an Aussie moving back after 12 years in the UK, taking my English husband and English born kids with me. I grew up on the east coast though so the west coast is new to me, but all my immediate family are now in the west. I really love Mandurah, there are loads of lovely outdoor spaces for the kids, be sure to check out Quarry park in Meadow springs and the park at the foreshore where you can sometimes see dolphins. Best of luck with your final weeks in the UK and with your move, I can't wait to be only a month away from leaving! Feel free to PM me if there's anything else I might be able to help you with. Cath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkeroos Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Hi Karen, We are flying with Singapore from Manchester. Not really looking forward to saying all the good byes and the farewell party will be tough but I am sure it will all be worth it once we are there. We have been planning this move for 3 years so I will be glad to put all our research and hardwork into practice. Bring on the sun. Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZ0829 Posted September 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 Hi Lee, Yeah the goodbyes are gonna be hard. Quite liking all the nights out and lunches we have planned. We are flying from Manchester too, the day after you. We are flying with Malaysian Airlines. Not heard many things about them so hope they're ok. I've been waiting 20 years to go back - since I went backpacking round Oz in 1993. Can't believe its finally come around. Good luck with your little ones on that flight - at least one of mine can read/do puzzles etc! and hope all goes well for you in Wanneroo. Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walkeroos Posted October 9, 2013 Report Share Posted October 9, 2013 Hi Kaz good luck to you and your family on the move. I finish work tomorrow, so that gives me a week to say all my goodbyes and tie up and loose ends. Hope everything goes great and maybe we might bump into each other in Perth. Take care Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy little Vegemite Posted October 13, 2013 Report Share Posted October 13, 2013 Hi Karen, We are flying with Singapore from Manchester. Not really looking forward to saying all the good byes and the farewell party will be tough but I am sure it will all be worth it once we are there. We have been planning this move for 3 years so I will be glad to put all our research and hardwork into practice. Bring on the sun. Lee Best of luck with all of your final preparations Karen and Lee, bet you all can't wait to escape this lovely weather! Lee, if you are flying with Singapore airlines check out the free Changi dollars on offer: http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/promotions/transit-promotion.jsp Cath x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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