Bridges Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 So, after months of planning and reading numerous posts on PP trying to imagine what it would be like to be in Perth, we are finally here. I haven’t written on here that much but I know I like reading people tales. Here is a brief account of our journey… After 10 years of talking we finally contacted a VISA agent and things moved forward pretty quick after that. My OH is an Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Engineer so we opted for a 190 State Sponsorship PR Visa. He completed IELTS, VETESSESS etc and after a few months of collating information we eventually submitted our EOI on 20th August 2013 and we were granted on 20Th November 2013 – exactly 3 months later. We put the house on the market and it sold in less than a week so for our last three months in the UK we moved in with my parents. Then finally the day arrived. On 13th May 2014 we flew out from Heathrow on a one way ticket bound for Perth. I won’t lie, the good byes were hard, there were a lot of tears and of course all the usual emotions of “what are doing”, “have we done the right thing” and “there’s no going back now” we running through my head. Heading through security was odd knowing that we weren’t going to see our family again for some time. Luckily I think the security guard had much experience of crying passengers as despite the tears he tried his hardest to make friendly chat and change the subject. This helped a lot. A few more tears made an appearance before take-off as the realisation set in and then again on landing in Perth as I realised how far we had come but since then they have not made a reappearance…so far!! Day One…After pretty much no sleep on the flight, we landed in Perth at about 14:30 on the 14th May and we were greeted at the airport by a family friend. He drove us to our holiday home in Padbury, which has been absolutely lovely, would recommend it highly. At the holiday home we were greeted by my old college friend baring a bag of goodies! After a car ride out down unfamiliar roads and to an ever so strange shopping precinct to pick up pizza and beer, we spent the rest of the evening chatting and checking in with family. Then, exhausted, we hit the hay at a reasonable hour of 10pm. The lack of sleep on the flight actually worked to our benefit as it was just like pulling an all-nighter (and there have been many of those in our youth!) and then going to bed at bed time meant we were pretty much OK the next day after a full nights sleep – we managed to escape the jetlag! The Next Few Days… The nice thing about Perth is that it doesn’t feel foreign although most of the time you have no idea where you are! With a substantial list of things to do we got started on ticking them off. Before our arrival we had done quite a bit of prep – we had sorted out a bank account, printed of medicare forms, hired a car etc now all we had to do was find the places that up until now had only been street names on a piece of paper. First and foremost we needed transport, so our friend drove us to the car hire place and then we were free to explore and return to that job list. Next was the bank which was pretty straight forward, no appointment needed, just turned up, showed ID, collected the card and even set up a savers account. Then was Medicare…reminded me of a job centre! You walk in, join the queue, tell the attendant why your there, take a seat and wait for your name to be called. Once though, it’s all done for you there and then (provided you have Passports and Visa for all parties, which we didn’t so had to make a return visit the next day!). You walk away with your medicare number, card to follow in the post. Next was phones but be warned ID is needed for this, Passport, Visa, Bank statements/balance, Confirmation of address (holiday lets are OK to use as we used our bank account registered under our holiday let). Funnily enough as my OH didn’t have a job yet he couldn’t get a contract phone but as I am a “homemaker” I could. However, there is always the option of pre-paid sims but we needed a new phone so contract was best for us. Once home all we had left to do was apply for a TFN number online, which again was easy. The list, that from the UK seemed daunting and overwhelming, was actually being completed with ease and not half as stressful as I thought it would be. With all of the “Big” jobs done we were actually able to go out and explore for fun rather than for purpose which was nice. Although many say don’t try and do too much too soon, we did most of it over two days and it was a release when everything was done and in order (that might just be how I work though!). Shopping… We have now made many trips to the various shopping precincts to get supplies. Supermarkets within shopping centres seemed very odd at first but it’s something we got used to quite quickly, although it’s still a bit of a pain when you realised you’ve forgotten something and just want to “pop” to the shop! I’ve still not used to the cashier doing the packing for you, feels odd just standing there while they pack the groceries! Doctors…As I am pregnant I have had to visit the Doctor and go for blood test and I have to say I’m very impressed with the service so far. You pick a doctors surgery and just go in and fill in a form (or that was my experience). If you’re on Medicare, try and make sure you get one that bulk bills so you don’t have to pay, otherwise you have to pay for the appointment and claim it back. I must have asked at least three times if I needed to pay just to check! There is talk that this system may be changing but for now its all good. Work…Whilst in the UK my OH sent out a few CVs and managed to get a Skype chat. Once we arrived he went in for an Interview on the Monday and was fortunate enough to be offered a position so that was a massive relief to know a bit of money will be coming in as there are a lot of outgoings. Due to his occupation he needs to get an Ozzy licence which means he needs to complete a context course at college and have supervised employment. He has signed up for college course already and is booked on a practical in a few weeks so things are going well but it could take up to 12 months. We are very grateful to the company for supporting him through his re-training. Housing…Our holiday let is due to come to an end soon and so the dreaded house hunt was on, this is quite a stressful job. We’ve only been at it for a few days and already were growing tiered of viewing houses. However, there are lots out there and we have quite a low budget so the more money you have the greater the choice. The rental market seems slow at the moment so if you like one it’s easy to apply. Finally, today, we have managed to find one that will see us through for a year and had our application accepted less than an hour after submitting it. Would definitely recommend putting a rental pack together – ours just had a letter about who we are, some photos of our old house, a reference from a neighbour in the UK and then all the various ID documents, we just bombarded them with everything we had! Cars…We needed a cheap run around as our rental is due to go back soon and everywhere is a drive, so we looked to gum tree. There is stuff out there but it’s hard to know if you’re getting a good deal so we visited a few garages. The finance packages seem pretty good (once you have contract of employment) and we were almost going down that route. However, via gum tree we bought a bike for our toddler’s birthday and as my OH got chatting to them it turned out they were Brits, had stayed in the same holiday let as us three years ago and were selling a car – bonus!! During our car looking period we contacted a fellow PP member Bobopaulsy (aka Alan) and he has been ever so helpful, even though we didn’t buy from him he had the car checked for us to check it was all good – what a Gem. I will be thanking him on his thread as well. If you need car advice when you get here he’s the man to contact. Play…There are so many lovely parks to go to if you have young ones. They even have mini play centres in the shopping centres. In fact, we have found it all so child friendly. Our little one has had to be dragged around boring jobs and most times has ended up being entertained by the staff while we do the paperwork, no frowning from on-lookers, it’s been lovely. The weather has been homely (by this I mean windy and rainy!) so we haven’t managed to visit many beaches although the one’s we have popped to have been lovely. But there is plenty of time for this. There have been a few good days where we have managed to get out and about but mainly end up at a park, or oddly enough the local cemetery, which believe it or not is a really good place for viewing roo’s for the first time! We’ve visited the zoo and plan on going to the wild life centre for the little one’s birthday. I’ve also been to Kings Park – wow, the views. We still have a lot of exploring to do but it’s only been 2 weeks! We’re looking forward to holidays down south and trips to the hills. Homesickness…We have stayed in touch with family back home as much as possible through skype, text and calls. Technology is amazing. At the moment, I still don’t think it has fully sunk in that were so far away and not going back for at least 2 years (although at this rate 2 years will be here in no time!) ) plus we’re still in the honeymoon period so not felt homesick yet – having said that, there hasn’t been time to feel homesick. I am sure it will come at some point when things settle and we start living the day-to-day, then it will hit me, but until then we’re just really enjoying being here. So, 2 ½ weeks in….Feels like we’ve been here for ages and just arrived all at the same time. It’s been a busy couple of weeks, in which time we have managed to sort out a house, car and work – I’m surprised at how well we’ve done. It’s amazing what you can do in a short amount of time when you put your mind to it and the stress levels have remained relatively low throughout, which is good for the baby! When we first got here it all seemed very daunting but we feel on top of things now. I remember reading posts when I was in the UK about how much people had done in such a short space of time and thinking “wow, I don’t think we’ll be able to do that” but somehow you just do! Good luck to all those still waiting to make the move, you will be fine. For us all I can say is so far so good… Xxxx PS I didn’t mean for this entry to be quite so long but once I started typing I couldn’t stop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nancy Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Great post. Sounds like everything in falling into place for yous. Have a fantastic new life down under.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedolly Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Did you get a rental in Padbury? Thats where we are, have noticed the rents have come down a bit in the last year around here so hope you got something nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridges Posted May 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 We're quite shocked we got something in padbury too. Seems nice enough! Where abouts are you? We're just off gibson Ave at the moment but will be on gray road x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedolly Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 We're quite shocked we got something in padbury too. Seems nice enough! Where abouts are you? We're just off gibson Ave at the moment but will be on gray road xGibson Avenue haha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkiwd Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Good to read your update, glad you are getting there with your list...we are working our way through ours too but get distracted easily...like oooh beach or oooh lakeside shopping centre lol!! Hope you keep enjoying it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Thanks for the bit about putting a rental pack together, we will remember that :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedolly Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Good to read your update, glad you are getting there with your list...we are working our way through ours too but get distracted easily...like oooh beach or oooh lakeside shopping centre lol!! Hope you keep enjoying it Lakeside's a bit better than the Kingsgate haha! (Am from Dunfermline) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocolevi Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Great post Bridges well done for doing so well in such a short time dont forget to change your location now x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Hi Bridges, I've enjoyed reading your post as we arrived virtually the same time as you. Everything you said is spot on for us too. We still need to get our rental sorted but apart from that, the same. I think your comment about it not seeming foreign although you are on the other side of the world is funny. Weird isn't it? It feels like home, but also nothing like home too. Same culture, language, clothes, food, accents, TV shows. However, the modern houses, shopping all done in huge drive to shopping centre and the landscape is so different. I can so easily understand why Brits have made this their home. Easy on the eye too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkiwd Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Weedolly, the Kingsgate is slightly better than it used to be, I am more used to the Mercat in Kirkcaldy so Lakeside is Awesome in comparison. :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oz2014 Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Great post will use it like a mini check list for when we arrive glad it was long cos you got a lot of info best wishes helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odies Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 thanks Bridges, enjoyed reading and nice to know you are settling in so well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonM Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Great news on picking up a job that quick, i have my Vetassess coming up for air conditioning and have tried emailing a few companies with little feed back, i hope that will change when we get the visa. I have got the wife to read your post as a lot of the things she is worried about you have managed to do easily within 2 weeks. Please keep me posted on your experiences regarding the job and training please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7cdb Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Agree with everyone else Bridges,really helpful info for us starting out! Can an you ask your other half if he would mind me messaging him as I'm a fridge man as well (we are known as the sexy workers as I'm sure you know!) and some info on courses and hourly rates etc would help us budget a little better,as I have planned to have a year sabbatical but her indoors is convinced I can't do it as I struggle to have two days at home without doing her head in! Good luck with the baby. I suppose you have the names Sheila or Bruce to choose from? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7cdb Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Great news on picking up a job that quick, i have my Vetassess coming up for air conditioning and have tried emailing a few companies with little feed back, i hope that will change when we get the visa. I have got the wife to read your post as a lot of the things she is worried about you have managed to do easily within 2 weeks. Please keep me posted on your experiences regarding the job and training please. Looks like we had better have a few fridge men beers when we get out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted May 30, 2014 Report Share Posted May 30, 2014 Thanks for the lovely update, must be reassuring for those still to make the journey. Glad things are falling into place xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Fantastic to hear how you're getting on; especially as we arrived only 24 hours apart We've done a lot too since arriving but at the same time it feels like we haven't! At least you'll all be sorted when baby arrives. Lou x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bridges Posted May 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I know how useful I found PP in planning so thought it would be nice to try and get as much info in one place. When you're thinking what you need to do from the UK it all seems scary/overwhelming/a bit unachieveable but once you're here things just click together somehow. I read about it time and time again about how people were getting themselves sorted in a short space of time and now it's happened for us too so it all doable. A car is a MUST and then you can drive around doing the rest day by day. One thing I forgot to comment on was the food, so far we have found it delicious! Trying to find bacon as we know it is not everywhere but it is around! Jason / 7cab - I'm sure OH won't mind you messaging him, he doesn't have his own account so you can do it through this one. we will update the refrigeration thread at some point too with all the info we have. Good luck with the vetassess and once you get your visa you'll hopefully get a bit more response. Thanks for all the lovely comments x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecass3 Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Great post Bridges! Having just gone through it all too, the key is definitely take it all in your stride. We relaxed when the boys got into school as this was a worry for them. I also agree with the huge outgoings... So glad we have a little money behind us or I'd be stressed as we are still trying to get jobs. Not easy when the government put a freeze on jobs until July & we would both be looking for a gov. Job! Still it'll happen! Good luck with your journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
True blue1 Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 What a great post! It has been really interesting to read all you have done in the short time you have been in Perth. I'm an Air Con Engineer and will arrive in Perth on 30th June. I'm on a partner visa, so I am going down the Recognition of Prior Learning route and having my skills assessed and completing gap training when in Perth. I've already got my first appointment arranged at the Polytechnic West the first week I arrive. I was really interested to hear that your husband managed to get a Skype chat, prior to arriving in Perth. All the vacancies I've seen are asking for the Australian ARCtick licence. Did your husband send his CV to advertised vacancies, or just send to companies on a speculative approach? Many thanks, Ryan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayliandnathan Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 I agree brill post!!!!! Enjoyed reading as I love some positive info that's helpful when your having a day where you think " am I doing the right thing" so thanks for that ) hope everything continues this way for you all!! Take care x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted May 31, 2014 Report Share Posted May 31, 2014 Lovely post... So glad it's all working out for you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roop Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 great post... goodluck for future & tc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadhouse Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Hi what a great post!!! Our container left today and only 7 weeks till we make the big move too and this post getting me even more excited and also a bit piece of mind about the whole thing. I just hope we do things as quick as you and oh finding a job so easily etc. well keep enjoying and won't be long until we r with all you perth lot :-) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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