3 years after getting our 189 grant....we're coming

[spangley]

I've been skulking and occasionally contributing on the PomzInOz forums for quite a few years.  However, after three years since we were issued our golden ticket (189 Visa) we're getting the ball in motion.  We accepted an offer on our house in Switzerland last week, and are working to moving down under for the beginning of November.

This means gets real....and I've got to start committing.  I would appreciate any recommendations or feedback on the following:

• Removal companies.  We need a 40 ft container for all of our stuff.
• Australian bank to register with.  A dependable and good value bank.  Branches aren't so important, but a good Internet service is paramount.  I also want to open a business bank account.
• Recommendations of areas in the Northern Suburbs......Hillarys area has quite taken our fancy.
• Recommendations of Primary schools in the Northern Suburbs.
• Advice on any business networking and chamber events.
• Recommendations on temporary accommodation whilst we decide on where to buy a house.
• Advice on where to find house renovation projects.  Foreclosure (reposession) auctions would be of interest to us.

Okay I won't post too much now....much more to come.

 

[Vagio2007]

Hi Spangley

Congrats!

I recommend Commonwealth Bank ( I work for them) , great technology for the future and on line app. I live in Butler and there is a great primary school here, John Butler, but that looks like too far north for you. I have heard Hillarys is nice, bit too touristy for me and schools are also good. Rental market at the moment especially where we are due to the mining boom no more so you could get somewhere nice for around $300 a week and near to beaches etc. 

House sales - look at Domain.com.au and Ray White there are also lots of others, you can also drive around and see what's for sale, again a few going in my area so can't comment on anywhere else.

We used Anglo Pacific from the UK just under 2 years ago and they were really good and everything arrived with nothing broken. Very competitive, highly recommend them. 

Business networking- depends on your line of business, there are forums set up by the local councils and organisations and lots of companies offering training with networking added on, sorry not much help on that one. 

Hope this helps a bit ....

[Weedolly]

I would agree with the Commonwealth Bank, have been with them 8 years, their Online banking is sooo easy!

Hillarys is a lovely suburb, the only touristy bit is Hillary's Boat Harbour and that is not really in the residential part.  There is a great park for the kids, Mawson Park along with some small shops, Coles etc, and Whitfords Shopping Centre too.  I wouldnt go any further than Heathridge to be honest, seems to be so many British congregate further north and a lot of new big estates, just rows and rows of same looking new builds. just personally I prefer older suburbs like Hillarys, Duncraig, Padbury etc, pay a bit more but at least you get a well built house (might need some renovation) but much bigger plots and you dont feel like you are just a colourbond panel away from your neighbours, again thats personal choice though.  Hillarys has a good primary school, along with South Padbury, not sure about Duncraig, but both these areas feed into Duncraig High. 

There is a business networking group here called District 32, they have a facebook page, dont know any others.

We have used Anglo Pacific in the past both just for boxes of stuff and a full container, have moved back and forward a bit, also interstate, Crown is also good, but pricey, Kents are just as good but a bit more reasonable. Transglobal are good too(told you we have moved a bit!)

 

[ali]

Quote

 

We've been with Westpac for 10 years and not had a problem with them (also have our mortgage with them).

We used John Masons for removals and they still have a good name

can't comment re NOR - as we're in the south

 

[Rossmoyne]

I can't comment about NOR suburbs as I live south.

I have banked with Bankwest for about 26 years and am happy with them.    Dabbled with NAB and Westpac a few times with credit cards, but wasn't impressed so didn't transfer my banking to them.    Bankwest is owned by Commonwealth Bank by the way.

[Collie]

Hi there,

Congratulations on your Visa

Are you planning on working for yourself?  Perth is a boom & bust town and is very much in the bust part of the cycle right now.  Work is hard to come by currently, a lot of people unemployed, underemployed or leaving Perth currently.

Silver lining is that it is a buyer's and renter's market for property.

Re timing - Things really slow down in Australia (not just Perth) from mid November until end of Jan.  A lot of people take time off over Xmas and the first few weeks of Jan, some companies even have mandatory shutdowns.  It is summer school holidays.  It is a bit like August in France.  Just something to be aware of, it is the worst time to be looking for work or trying to meet business contacts.  After Australia day (Jan 26) things get back to normal.  It may be better arriving early Jan.  School year starts in Feb too.  If you are ok with 2-3 months time to settle in, then Nov would be good.

Banks - the big 4 are CBA, Westpac, ANZ & NAB.  All have full service offerings.  Bankwest are a WA subsidiary of CBA but run as a separate entity.  I tend to lean towards CBA (Commonwealth) too.  Their online and app banking is excellent, (world leading - I've worked in banking for 20 years).  You can open an account from overseas and deposit money to it, you just complete the KYC/AML requirements when you arrive.  Use somebody like Currency fair, Moneycorp or Halo for transferring your money.

The suburbs arround Hillarys are nice, I find it a bit suburbia but it's not that far up (20mins).  I have some family in Greenwood and they like it.  The closer to the coast the more expensive generally.

Airbnb and stayz are you best bet for short term stays until you get the lay of the land.

Hope this helps

[FOL]

How are things goinf @spangley?

 

In regards to suburbs. We live in Beldon and lived in Craigie before. Craigie has a bit of a reputation and I am not too fond of it. Beldon is definitely the better suburb. Woodvale even better, but more expensive. Hillarys definitely fine, but the west side of Marmion is not cheap either.

[PerthAtHeart]

Hi spangley

i made my move but not to Perth unfortunately, so i can't advise you on the local stuff.

But I can share with you my perspectives on  moving stuff.  Why not take this as a chance to have a long hard look at all your stuff. Do you really need all of it?  How often do you use or need it?  Are there substitutes?  Can you get back the same or similar stuff at the other side?  Anything that could be converted to electronic form?

We sold most of our stuff before we flew and maxed out the luggage allowances of everyone in the family, including the kids. You'll be surprised at how much you can stuff into a large luggage case and how much you find you won't need.  Never regretted my chance to start afresh without clutter!  Not having a container alone is great savings.  Good luck!