helenaoz2b Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi everyone How do you really decide where to live in WA, is it similar to the UK, price etc., would ideally like if my hubby got a job first and that would determine where we would consider to live, but think that may not happen as been told employers in OZ tend to prefer you to be actually there before offering you a job. Then there is the schools to consider, not keen to do that just now until I can narrow down an area that would suit, or do I narrow down the ideal school then make the area to live from there . What makes it even harder for us is having never been to OZ so it is making it difficult to decide on the most suitable areas for us to live. I still cannot even decide between Nor and Sor as there is so many areas that look ideal. Does it get any easier????? Really appreciate any advice here, as you can see I am not getting anywhere, and have been feeling like this since the start of the process, so it's not just like I am looking now, and feel I really need to look into sooner rather than later!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesandkev Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi, we are in the exact same boat as you. We have been looking at places like banksia grove, clarkson, currumbine and surrounding areas as this is where we have some distant relatives. We dont have jobs either so its all a bit scary at the moment. We are from edinburgh and are arriving in perth on 23 july, when are you going? This is a great site, lots of bbqs organised and meeting places so that will be good for when we arrive. Be good to hear from u x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi, we are in the exact same boat as you. We have been looking at places like banksia grove, clarkson, currumbine and surrounding areas as this is where we have some distant relatives. We dont have jobs either so its all a bit scary at the moment. We are from edinburgh and are arriving in perth on 23 july, when are you going? This is a great site, lots of bbqs organised and meeting places so that will be good for when we arrive. Be good to hear from u x Hya, nice to hear from you, I have looked at lots of areas and I keep changing my mind, and we are going on our own not knowing anyone there (apart from the lovely people I have met via PIO and PP) We are from Lanarkshire and have still so much to do at this end that I want to make it a little more easier knowing roughly where we would like to move to. Have you to consider schools also??? Yes looking forward to the meet ups with everyone, when we eventually get there lol!!!! Keep in touch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesandkev Posted January 19, 2012 Report Share Posted January 19, 2012 Hi, yes i have one little girl, she is 4. I believe she wont start school until feb next year so i will need to look into that, i actually dont really know where to start to be honest. i have a removal company coming on wed to give me a quote for moving everything over but im not even sure if we should be taking everything or buy most things once we arrive....there is so much to think about. What do you and hubby do for jobs? Its so scary isnt it? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 One thing we did was make a list of our priorities and score them 1 to 5. For example: - close to beach - 3 - walking distance to a pub - 4 - close to station/good transport to CBD - 5 - off-road parking - 4 - aircon - 5 etc If you make up your own list of priorities (looking at either a suburb or for a particular property) then you can start to narrow down a search. You may also find it interesting when you have to start to compromise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&MFOY Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi, we are in the same boat. It is really hard deciding where to move to. We are hoping to be over in Perth May/June 2012. My husband has a job to go to as he is transferring through his current employers. We have two kids so it's finding the right schools. We have not been to Perth like yourselves which makes it hard. There is so much to organise here it is knowing where to start:wacko: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesandkev Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi c&mfoy, It is very scary knowing where to start. I would love to maybe meet up once we both get over there? It will be great to meet some new friends, think it will help me settle in more x Lesley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&MFOY Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Lesley, thanks for replying. It would be good to meet up when we both get over there. As you said, I think you would settle a bit better knowing you had friends going through the same thing. I can't believe we are actually going to be emigrating, it does not seem real just now. I think once we have sold the house and started to pack things away it will seem a bit more real. Hope to hear from you soon. Carolanne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi, yes i have one little girl, she is 4. I believe she wont start school until feb next year so i will need to look into that, i actually dont really know where to start to be honest. i have a removal company coming on wed to give me a quote for moving everything over but im not even sure if we should be taking everything or buy most things once we arrive....there is so much to think about. What do you and hubby do for jobs? Its so scary isnt it? Lol Hya, well that is one thing you don't have to worry to much about which is a bonus We think we are going to go back to the SECC for more info on the removal companies before I get one out at the house, so does that mean you have sold???? I am going to take everything as it can be quite expensive in OZ and would rather get rid of furniture gradually and buy new eventually, as you are better to fill a complete container to the brim rather than leave it half empty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 One thing we did was make a list of our priorities and score them 1 to 5. For example: - close to beach - 3 - walking distance to a pub - 4 - close to station/good transport to CBD - 5 - off-road parking - 4 - aircon - 5 etc If you make up your own list of priorities (looking at either a suburb or for a particular property) then you can start to narrow down a search. You may also find it interesting when you have to start to compromise! Hi Phil Thanks for that, will try and do something similar to that, as it's going to be a tricky one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi, we are in the same boat. It is really hard deciding where to move to. We are hoping to be over in Perth May/June 2012. My husband has a job to go to as he is transferring through his current employers. We have two kids so it's finding the right schools. We have not been to Perth like yourselves which makes it hard. There is so much to organise here it is knowing where to start:wacko: Another fellow Scot, there are so many of us lol!!!! That is brill news about your hubby's job which should take some of the stress out of it for you all. My two children are at a great school so ideally want the same set up in OZ, and would like a nice place to stay also maybe we should contact Phil for relocation relocation ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&MFOY Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi, there seems to be loads of scottish people moving to Perth. The family across the road from us emigrated to Perth at the end of December and a few people my husband knows are making the move out there. I know what you mean about schools, it is really important that the kids get a good one. How old are your kids? My son is 12 and my daughter is 8, they are really looking forward to moving. It is also important to find the right area to live in. Do you think Phil will help us out ?? lol!!! It is good speaking to other people who are going though the same thing. Hope we can keep in touch, it would be good to have some new friends out in Perth. Carolanne x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Carolanne, that will be good for you with your neighbour moving, hopefully they can give you some tips that you can pass on I know of a few people who are also going, we are all just waiting on our houses to sell . My son is 14 and my daughter is 12, so at least it will be just one school I will be looking at!!!! We can ask him I suppose I just want to be able to narrow it down to NOR or SOR and then it may get easier!!! Yes defo keep in touch and hopefully, lesley, yourself and I can have a meet up when we all get there x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 What do you and hubby do for jobs? Its so scary isnt it? Lol Hi Lesley, sorry forgot to answer that bit lol!!! My hubby is a QS and I am hoping to finish off my student teaching will be difficult if I go to OZ this year (which I really want to go) so we will be concentrating on his job and then one the children are settled I can work around them (with a bit of luck) what about you and your hubby??? It is very scary, but hoping to meet up with you all to share our experiences x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi, Have just found this site http://www.comparenewhomes.com.au/ thought I would put it in just in-case anyone is interested, I think personally I would like a new build and would be happy to rent in the area until it is ready, so thought this might help me narrow down my search (I Hope) I need as much help and advice as possibly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesandkev Posted January 20, 2012 Report Share Posted January 20, 2012 Hi Carolanne, that will be good for you with your neighbour moving, hopefully they can give you some tips that you can pass on I know of a few people who are also going, we are all just waiting on our houses to sell . My son is 14 and my daughter is 12, so at least it will be just one school I will be looking at!!!! We can ask him I suppose I just want to be able to narrow it down to NOR or SOR and then it may get easier!!! Yes defo keep in touch and hopefully, lesley, yourself and I can have a meet up when we all get there x I would defo love to meet up once we all get over there. When are u ladies arriving? My friend works for crown relocation so i thought i would get them out for a quote. Not sure if i can take all my electrical goods over...any idea? I currently work for an insurance company doing customer services, my husband works for parcel force as a collections/delivery driver...im a bit nervous about what work we will get once we get in perth but really open to anything. Fancied doing a college course in perth to be a teaching assistant. Keep in touch x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&MFOY Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hi Lesley, It would be good to meet up once we get over there. We do not have a definate date yet, my husband came home from work yesterday after speaking to his new boss in oz. He would like Martin over there in 8 weeks!!!! :wacko:We have still to sell our house, cars and everything else. We would really all like to go out together, I can't see us having the house sold. Hopefully things would all work out. Keep in touch x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PerthPomToBe Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hey, it is a good idea to just keep your minds open about where you want to live and try and get a short term let for when you just arrive and then you can go and have a good look around and see what you like. Have a little shortlist of areas then when you get here you can then go for a drive about and see if any of them are suitable to your needs. With regards to what to take with you......TAKE EVERYTHING!!! I wish I had taken more actually, especially electrical stuff cos it is so expensive here. Even if it doesnt suit your new home it will do untill you get new stuff then you can sell it and you will get a good price for it here. We sold our fridge here and got what we paid for it back. Take plenty of bedlinen cos it is super expensive here and the beds are sized different here too. Let me know if you are going to meet up and ill tag along if thats ok? Im sure another scottish lassie would be welcome eh?? Bev x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 I would defo love to meet up once we all get over there. When are u ladies arriving? My friend works for crown relocation so i thought i would get them out for a quote. Not sure if i can take all my electrical goods over...any idea? I currently work for an insurance company doing customer services, my husband works for parcel force as a collections/delivery driver...im a bit nervous about what work we will get once we get in perth but really open to anything. Fancied doing a college course in perth to be a teaching assistant. Keep in touch x Hi Lesley It all depends on when we sell the house, we would love to move over during our school hols, so hopefully July/August time would be ideal Take it all - fill container with everything that you are allowed to take x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hi Lesley, It would be good to meet up once we get over there. We do not have a definate date yet, my husband came home from work yesterday after speaking to his new boss in oz. He would like Martin over there in 8 weeks!!!! :wacko:We have still to sell our house, cars and everything else. We would really all like to go out together, I can't see us having the house sold. Hopefully things would all work out. Keep in touch x Hi Carolanne, gosh that is fast, hope you work something out, you may be lucky and sell your house quicker than you'd hoped, good luck with it all x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hey, it is a good idea to just keep your minds open about where you want to live and try and get a short term let for when you just arrive and then you can go and have a good look around and see what you like. Have a little shortlist of areas then when you get here you can then go for a drive about and see if any of them are suitable to your needs. With regards to what to take with you......TAKE EVERYTHING!!! I wish I had taken more actually, especially electrical stuff cos it is so expensive here. Even if it doesnt suit your new home it will do untill you get new stuff then you can sell it and you will get a good price for it here. We sold our fridge here and got what we paid for it back. Take plenty of bedlinen cos it is super expensive here and the beds are sized different here too. Let me know if you are going to meet up and ill tag along if thats ok? Im sure another scottish lassie would be welcome eh?? Bev x Hi Bev I agree, we are going to take everything and fill the container, and check prices over in OZ once your there if anything is need. I am open to ideas of where to live but just feel if I could narrow it down it would be better and less stressful lol!!! I've never been to OZ before so trying to do as much research as poss and get ideas from the people who are already over there whom I've met via the forums ))) What are your plans??? a meet up would be great, can't believe how many Scots are actually going, but cannae blame them )) Speak to you soon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 One thing we did was make a list of our priorities and score them 1 to 5. For example: - close to beach - 3 - walking distance to a pub - 4 - close to station/good transport to CBD - 5 - off-road parking - 4 - aircon - 5 etc If you make up your own list of priorities (looking at either a suburb or for a particular property) then you can start to narrow down a search. You may also find it interesting when you have to start to compromise! Its a good start. Now though you have to view it in terms of budget. For example, you want to be near a beach. But how close, because unless you have a massive budget it will resrict your options a lot. Perth property prices are very high. For example, to buy a house near Cottesloe is going to be around a million dollars. Most people find that being near a beach means a drive. There is a way around that, but it would mean getting away from the city. I am in mandurah and am 30 meters from a great beach. But, thats because for us, the beach lifestyle was the whole point in comming to Oz. Walking distance to a pub. Not impossible, but Perth pubs fall into one of two types. Very trendy bars that sell beer at around $10+ a pint - i was in one around Christmas and ordered a double vodka, and was charged $30. Or the crapest places you can ever imagine that a devoid of any atmosphere. They dont really do the pub thing here. It is something i miss a LOT. Also, unless you are very lucky, you will probably be a drive away. I think thats one of the reasons for the high instances of drink driving. Having a drink at home is very common and hence huge drive through off licences. Transport is actually fairly easy to tick off. Perth rail system is excellent, cheap, fast and regular. I used to commute from Mandurah which is the end of the train line and at peak periods its runs every 10 mins and takes about 50 mins and costs about $11 return. Off road parking wont be an issue in most areas. There are some of the suburbs in central Perth that dont have a lot, but most houses, particularly the newer ones have a double garage. Air con. You will be amazed how many houses dont have it. Probably the majority dont! Bizzare i know. If you find somewhere you like, do not let that be the deal breaker. Instead look if its got high cielings as it helps keep the rooms cool. Look to see if it has fly screens on the windows so that you can keep them open in summer - Perth is the 3rd windiest city in the world which can help to keep you cool. Also, the flip side is worth keeping an eye on. Lots of houses have no form of insulation and winter can get damn cold. Think about living in a house that has no insulation, no double glazing (its almost unheard of here) and no form of heating and its low single figure temperatures out side. So when looking for the air con, check if it is reverse cycle as well so that it can be used to heat the house. I have often found my wife sat in front of the TV in a coat and gloves. (And dont forget it rains a LOT in winter - Perth has a higher rainfall than London, so bring something waterproof) Lastly, do remember that rentals are in big demand. When you go to see one their will be a fixed time for half an hour and a load of other people will be there. They all fill the forms in, often have to hand over the deposit and then the agent takes it all away and the owner decides who to pick. The unlucky ones then get their deposit back. It not unusual for better properties to undergo a bit of a bidding war amongst people who are willing to pay more than the advertised rent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portlaunay Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 We had to arrive and live here to work out what we wanted and, more importantly, what we didn't. We researched the options, 'drove' around the streets on Streetview and decided on a few places. We were sooooo wrong. We thought the idea of a large house, pool, quiet was what we wanted. We moved in to that after three weeks and only lasted six weeks there. We realised one of the most important things to us is community - being close to everything that makes life work and not having to drive everywhere. Coming from London we were used to public transport, not using the car and having everything within walking distance. We have a small house in Freo, walk into town, cycle to work, free CAT to the beach and only use the car when we need to. We do some voluntary work and love the creativity and quirkiness of Freo. It's busy and not for everyone but equally I'm not ready for suburbia, lawns, retic and Chelsea tractors. I'd say don't get too worked up about it. Get here, look around, rent, move on, look around more and find what's right for you. Good advice from Phil but also consider the negatives of the things that you think should score highly. You might want a house on the beach but maintenance costs are going to be more, you might want a new property but look carefully at the design, some of them rely heavily on aircon for cooling; there's a reason why all the older houses have veranda's and covered alfresco's. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 Its a good start. Now though you have to view it in terms of budget. For example, you want to be near a beach. But how close, because unless you have a massive budget it will resrict your options a lot. Perth property prices are very high. For example, to buy a house near Cottesloe is going to be around a million dollars. Most people find that being near a beach means a drive. There is a way around that, but it would mean getting away from the city. I am in mandurah and am 30 meters from a great beach. But, thats because for us, the beach lifestyle was the whole point in comming to Oz. Walking distance to a pub. Not impossible, but Perth pubs fall into one of two types. Very trendy bars that sell beer at around $10+ a pint - i was in one around Christmas and ordered a double vodka, and was charged $30. Or the crapest places you can ever imagine that a devoid of any atmosphere. They dont really do the pub thing here. It is something i miss a LOT. Also, unless you are very lucky, you will probably be a drive away. I think thats one of the reasons for the high instances of drink driving. Having a drink at home is very common and hence huge drive through off licences. Transport is actually fairly easy to tick off. Perth rail system is excellent, cheap, fast and regular. I used to commute from Mandurah which is the end of the train line and at peak periods its runs every 10 mins and takes about 50 mins and costs about $11 return. Off road parking wont be an issue in most areas. There are some of the suburbs in central Perth that dont have a lot, but most houses, particularly the newer ones have a double garage. Air con. You will be amazed how many houses dont have it. Probably the majority dont! Bizzare i know. If you find somewhere you like, do not let that be the deal breaker. Instead look if its got high cielings as it helps keep the rooms cool. Look to see if it has fly screens on the windows so that you can keep them open in summer - Perth is the 3rd windiest city in the world which can help to keep you cool. Also, the flip side is worth keeping an eye on. Lots of houses have no form of insulation and winter can get damn cold. Think about living in a house that has no insulation, no double glazing (its almost unheard of here) and no form of heating and its low single figure temperatures out side. So when looking for the air con, check if it is reverse cycle as well so that it can be used to heat the house. I have often found my wife sat in front of the TV in a coat and gloves. (And dont forget it rains a LOT in winter - Perth has a higher rainfall than London, so bring something waterproof) Lastly, do remember that rentals are in big demand. When you go to see one their will be a fixed time for half an hour and a load of other people will be there. They all fill the forms in, often have to hand over the deposit and then the agent takes it all away and the owner decides who to pick. The unlucky ones then get their deposit back. It not unusual for better properties to undergo a bit of a bidding war amongst people who are willing to pay more than the advertised rent. Hya Thanks for the information, I am happy to live a drive away from the beach and still be close to amenities etc., had a look at some of the new builds which look good but again it is deciding on price and area. I was kinda shocked to hear that double glazing was non existence, and heard for the dual air con can be expensive. There is so much to think about with everything, that you easily forget about the house types. SO thanks for all that info, it is nice to hear from someone who is actually experiencing it and can provide advice to us all. Must admit the whole process is pretty daunting, no wonder some people sort the rented accommodation out before they actually get there, but that will be difficult for us having never been before!!!! we are hoping to get a time-share for around 3/4 weeks when we get there so we can actually look at the house we have seen on the internet prior to going, but again as you said it will depend on how long they are willing to rent the property out for. I hope that once we get there things will fall into place with a bit of luck. Are you glad you made the move?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helenaoz2b Posted January 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 We had to arrive and live here to work out what we wanted and, more importantly, what we didn't. We researched the options, 'drove' around the streets on Streetview and decided on a few places. We were sooooo wrong. We thought the idea of a large house, pool, quiet was what we wanted. We moved in to that after three weeks and only lasted six weeks there. We realised one of the most important things to us is community - being close to everything that makes life work and not having to drive everywhere. Coming from London we were used to public transport, not using the car and having everything within walking distance. We have a small house in Freo, walk into town, cycle to work, free CAT to the beach and only use the car when we need to. We do some voluntary work and love the creativity and quirkiness of Freo. It's busy and not for everyone but equally I'm not ready for suburbia, lawns, retic and Chelsea tractors. I'd say don't get too worked up about it. Get here, look around, rent, move on, look around more and find what's right for you. Good advice from Phil but also consider the negatives of the things that you think should score highly. You might want a house on the beach but maintenance costs are going to be more, you might want a new property but look carefully at the design, some of them rely heavily on aircon for cooling; there's a reason why all the older houses have veranda's and covered alfresco's. Good luck Hya Thanks for the advice and the useful info. We are hoping we will be there for a few weeks so we can actually go and visit the area, because that is what we did in the UK, there is no point renting somewhere until you drive round during the day/night and weekends, I am so glad you were able to opt out the rental, there is nothing worse that staying somewhere which just doesn't seem right. I would be happy that I could just get a glimmer of the sea from a house but not sure if that is possible as not too fussed about being near the beach, we are used to driving to one (if we get the weather lol!!!) here. Thanks again, glad you are enjoying Freo, have heard goo things about it ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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