Redsquare

Quick summary first: We've been here 6 weeks, I got a job offer after 2 weeks and we've bought a car. It's not been all plain sailing though. Due to some issues beyond our control we've had to move around a bit, staying at other peoples houses. Fortunately this has meant we've spent a few weeks house and dog sitting. We've met some wonderful people and made new friends who I'd now consider to be part of my family. Anyhoo.. In the last 24 hours we've been offered 3 houses and the wife has got a job she didn't even have to apply for! I'm sat outside, with a beer, by the spa (house sitting has many benefits), waiting for Monday when we can sign the lease on our first Australian home. No wonder it's called the lucky country

As kings park memorial has come up on another thread..

It is a beautiful and serene place. Part of it, for me, is also very sad. Inside there's a small plaque commemorating the diggers lost in Afghanistan. There's only a few names on there, but as yet there's no end day engraved. My cousin is in the middle of his 3rd tour.

I recently brought in a acoustic guitar. It was listed on the schedule but I don't think it even got looked at.

25th September 2014 will be our first anniversary.

I'd never been south of the equator before.. 6 weeks in and I've got a job, an application in for a rental and a car. Absolutely loving it. A life lived in fear, is a life half lived.

Great pic. I remember when we sold our house. For the last few days all we had was a radio and an inflatable air bed that needed pumping up in the middle of the night!

Good luck Bal. Hope everything goes well for you in SA. We won't mind you popping on here with updates btw.

Good job he doesn't use the phrase "Jim'll fix it" in his adverts! Yeah, he is a busy bloke.. Pretty sure it's a franchise.

I'm loving RTRFM 92.1. It's an alternative station playing all kinds of music from classic rock to trip hop to African music.

I've got an app on my phone. It's called "Ship Tracking" (apt name). I think it's available for iOS and Android.

I don't think I'd buy a Chinese car yet. Some of them (as already said) have shocking crash test results. Not sure if it's still the case, but certain models couldn't be sold in Victoria because they didn't meet the States safety standards.

I've seen very little in the way of litter of dog poo on the streets here. I think people go out at night and Hoover the streets.

I don't have to see this ?

I have to see this!

We recently bought a Hyundai Getz.. From previous family ownership I know they're a good car. I had wanted a falcon or commodore but the wife couldn't reach the pedals! As I've never owned one of the cars you have short listed, I can only go on reputation and past experience of owning cheap cars. If you're short on cash and need a car.. Buy on condition rather than age, and buy Japanese.

It was only a mild 32.4 up in Joondalup this afternoon. Somehow I've been managing with the heat.. In the UK I'd have been sweating like a pig in this heat!

Not at all. It's a very brave step on your way to a new life. Enjoy the ups, learn from the downs and keep a sense of humour.

I'm no expert but a quick search of the internet says that it shouldn't. If either a chlorinated or salt water pool are well maintained, mosquito larvae shouldn't be a problem.

If you can't find a broomstick, I think the step-mother-in-law has a spare tonight. She's sent the flying monkeys out for pizza.

Did you know she can get free roadside assistance from the RAC in any car she's driving?

This evening it's mozzies, would love to be outside tonight but they're out in force. However, most of the time it's houses with no outside space.. I'm in one of the biggest countries in the world and you can't stretch your arms out without touching an ugly steel fence. That and having the wrong discount coupon with me after I've filled up the car!

We went to Swan Valley a week ago. We liked the Windy Creek winery, good wine at reasonable prices. How about Yanchep for a day out?

I'm going to try and be impartial now.. You could have a look at comparethemarket.com.au for comparisons of smaller companies. Or look at RAC.com.au. See.. I can be impartial even though one is my employer.

Not heard about the levy.. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to confirm or deny that. With my massive 4 weeks experience of shopping in WA I can say that overall the costs are comparable. Some things are cheaper, some are more expensive. The larger supermarkets (Coles, Woolies and IGA) usually have loads of special offers each week. There are plenty of smaller markets selling fresh produce at reasonable prices provided they're in season. Having said that, I'd like see Lidl or Aldi open up over here to provide some more competition.