Claire4 Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Hi! We are a family of 4 and hoping to relocate by the end of the year. We are submitting our visa application this week (via agent). Do you think our time scale is realistic? I have accepted a job just outside Mandurah and we are looking into secret harbour as a base. My girls are 6 and 7 years old so any advice on schools would be welcome. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Not that this is helpful lol but I am emigrating in two years with my family to the same area. Let me know how you get on with your move etc ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire4 Posted July 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Hi Emma.. that's great. Whereabouts are you atm? Have you any little ones? have you started the process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 You might be lucky, but given the current processing times, that is looking very tight - at the moment they are saying 70% of applications processed within 7 months and 95% in 11 months. As for Safety Bay, it is a funny one that some love and some hate. Before we moved to WA, we were pretty certain that is where we would go. Then we went to visit on arrival and of all the places we looked, that was the one we liked the least. I cant say why, it just felt wrong. Though have learnt it does have a rough side as well. There is a huge choice of suburbs now around Mandurah - we lived in Dawesville, which is south of Mandurah for eight years and my advice is to not get too drawn into a suburb until you are there and can visit. You might also want to have a look at our sister forum https://www.perthpoms.com/ and we have a number of members who live in Mandurah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emma Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Hi Claire, still in the UK as I'm finishing a degree atm which ends in 2019. My husband used to live in Karnup and Secret Harbour is a lovely area and the primary school & secondary (as we call them) are very close to one and other. We can't apply for visas until I have my degree in my hand lol as I'll be continuing my studies out there. I've four kids that'll be coming and will be 11, 12, 15 & 16 when we move! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthumbrianDavid Posted July 25, 2017 Report Share Posted July 25, 2017 Hi - I was based in Secret Harbour for a reccie April/May this year. Didn’t get the time to look at the schools, so can’t help you on that one but I really liked the place and got a good vibe. The Whistling Kite has a mixed reputation, but I found it does decent meals and staff were welcoming of our kids (aged 9 and 5). We often walked back to our rental in the dark after a meal and felt as safe as houses. The shopping centre is not great but was undergoing a major expansion that I think might have opened now? You’ll find it dead easy and quick to get to Mandurah from there (btw I liked Mandurah too!). For getting into Perth, we used the train stations at Warnbro and Rockingham rather than Mandurah. Struggled to get a parking space at Warnbro, but Rockingham has an overflow across the main road that has loads of spaces. As VeryStormy said above, don't commit yourself to a suburb until you get there but have a shortlist of half a dozen or so, as a few that I thought I would like just didn't feel right. Hope your visa comes quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire4 Posted July 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Hi verystormy.. we started the process in February and got our invitation to apply this week.. is it still likely to be 7-9 months? also you mentioned Safety Bay.. did you mean Secret Harbour? definately a good idea to have a few areas in mind before we go and see what feels right when we get there. David, thanks for the travel tips too. The people from work said to avoid Greenfields and central Mandurah. Halls Head was recommended though. Thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted July 26, 2017 Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 The department are saying it is 75% within 7 months and 95% within 11 months from the date of application. So, the wait for an invite is not counted. You might of course get lucky and get it earlier, but I wouldn't bank on it. Yes, sorry meant Secret Harbour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire4 Posted July 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2017 Ah ok thanks for that.. I'll not be expecting it too soon then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qprdan123 Posted August 20, 2017 Report Share Posted August 20, 2017 We've been here in Secret Harbour a week, feel free to ask away, we have a 5 year old starting at Comet Bay Primary and our older ones start at the College this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire4 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2017 Hi! Thanks for getting in touch.. how are you finding it all? I was recommended secret harbour by someone I'll be working with. Are you in a rental or holiday let/ air bnb? Did you have a look at both primary schools? Our girls are 6 and 7yo. Where have you moved from? Claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qprdan123 Posted August 21, 2017 Report Share Posted August 21, 2017 Yes we did and we preferred the area around Comet Bay, Lacie starts there tomorrow, she is very excited. We are still in a holiday rental, 3 bedrooms, perfectly decent but not long term (Happy to share the contact details). We just signed up for a long term rental while we decide what we want to do, it has a pool and air con so the kids are pleased, we move next Monday. We moved over from Kent. Everyone we have met so far has been very welcoming and friendly, the staff in the bank here have been very helpful!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelfus Posted September 7, 2017 Report Share Posted September 7, 2017 Hi Claire Secret Harbour is nice. Also consider Safety Bay and Shoalwater. Both beautiful beachside locations very lovely for families. I can recommend South Coast Baptist College (kindergarten to year 12) located in Waikiki....lovely school with good community feel and a football (soccer) and gymnastics programme. Kellie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire4 Posted September 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2017 Thanks Kellie.. both look lovely too.. I'll be working in the Mandurah area so might be a bit far to travel though. How long have you been in the area? claire Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lumia Beach House Posted September 7, 2017 Report Share Posted September 7, 2017 Hi Claire, We have a fully furnished 1 year old beach side house just come available in Safety Bay. Close to Secret Harbor & Mandurah if your interested in somewhere to get srarted for a few months to work out where you want to settle let us know. Regards Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FOL Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Safety bay is quite a good (beginners) surf spot. And rockingham has an active kite surfing community and good kite spots. If you are interested in those sort of things Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelfus Posted September 10, 2017 Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 Hi Claire I grew up in Rockingham and attended local schools. I moved to Safety Bay and bought my first home after graduating from university. I now live in Shoalwater which I love. Safety Bay and Shoalwater are where I will stay .... I adore the beach side living...I walk the dogs along the most beautiful beaches in the state every day ?. I own a pharmacy in St Clair which is between Shoalwater and Secret Harbour . Takes me ten minutes to drive there. I have lots of friends and colleagues from the UK who love the area. My inlaws are actually from London and now live in Safety Bay too Kellie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelfus Posted September 10, 2017 Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 I just noticed you are tonight Greenfirlds Vet. My pharmacy regularly prepares compounded veterinary medicines to Greenfields ? so we will probably talk in the future lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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