mrogers Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hello there, myself, wife and daughter finally got our Visa granted on the 23rd March. I applied back in 2009 on a skilled migrant 175 visa, took 5 years but finally came through. Now, after picking ourselves up off the floor, things have started to sink in. We put our house up for sale, and sold it within a week, house sale should be complete by mid July at the latest. Our stuff is being shipped over with Crown and we are due to arrive end of September / October time, once I have finished work. Our plan is to head South of Perth, somewhere in between Rockingham and Mandurah. Want to live on the coast, and North Perth seems to be more expensive. We have found a short term rental for when we arrive, from here we can hire a car and scour the different areas for a place to get a long term rental. Any thoughts would be appreciated, as we have read that school placements are strict on catchment areas so dont want to disrupt our daughters schooling if we have to take her out to move. So ideally will want to rent in a town where we plan on staying to purchase when able to do so. Do I have to be in full time employment for 6 months before we would be considered for a mortgage? Myself and my wife read so much on here, an unless you are migrating no one appreciates how much of a lifeline this place is. Many posts can be related too on so many levels many questions can be answered without asking the question. But as we are new, just wanted to introduce ourselves to the community. We have never been to Australia and have no family or friends out there / here so making good friends quickly would be a blessing. Anyway, will sign off for now, thanks for reading, Mark, Karina and Mia :smile2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 hi ! and welcome to perth poms !! we have never been to australia either but are looking forward to the adventure :-)) still a way off for us yet, prob wont be out there until sept 2015. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrogers Posted May 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Thankfully there are other people like us, everyone says we are mad as we have not been. But its got to be better than this country, if only for the sunshine :-) Hope everything works out for your family :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jo and scott Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 hope it works out for your family too :-) and congrats on your visa too :-) i have some friends that think we are crazy, i bet they are secretly jealous and wish they could do it too ! the weather is a massive factor for me, i love the sun, the difference it makes to my mood is amazing, loved it today when the sun was shining, music blaring in the car with the windows down, wish i was in oz now lol ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hi Mark, Welcome to PP and congratulations! Myself, OH and 2 kids (15 & 6) are flying out to Perth at the end of July and we're basing ourselves in Rockingham initially with a view to settling in either Fremantle, Rockingham or Mandurah, depending on jobs, schools, budget etc etc..... I've never been to Australia before either so this site has truly been a godsend! I'll be happy to pass on whatever I find out about schools as I expect we'll be visiting most of the primary and senior schools within the first few weeks. Deb :smile2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 We had never set foot in Australia either. I really don't think its necessary you don't get a proper feel for it until you begin living here anyway. We love it and I'm sure you will too. Keep your mind open to different suburbs until you get a chance to have a really good look around. Good luck to you all, very exciting times ahead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davecarter Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I've never been before either. Comming out on my own! It's going to be an adventure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Oh my goodness .... 5 years - now that is a cause for celebration. We didn't know anyone when we moved to Perth, the friendship bit is a bit slow so be prepared but it does happen. Congratulations on the visa x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Congratulations, that's some accomplishment 5 years of waiting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7cdb Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) 5 years ! Bloody hell I had a marriage that didn't last that long! If you are that determind you will have a great chance of making it work and good luck with it. We visited Perth last year and although it is different on holiday with a wad of spends in your back pocket and nothing to worry about,we are glad we had a good look around. Although it does make the wait a bit harder to move out there permanently,it will happen. Some people think we are nuts (usually the ones who have only ever been to Benidorm) the ones who really know us are excited and know we will be ok. But,the main decision making people are us and we will give it our best shot. We came with nowt' and will go out with less but we are gonna have a laugh inbetween Edited May 21, 2014 by 7cdb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopeful Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) But,the main decision making people are us and we will give it our best shot. We came with nowt' and will go out with less but we are gonna have a laugh inbetween - This is so true life is for living the experiences and taking all the opportunities to have as many as you can! Whether they all turn out as you would hope they all add to life's adventure and are character building! Edited May 21, 2014 by Hopeful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leah2408 Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 wow 5 years!! Congratulations. good luck with your adventure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kibanje Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 we are hoping to head out there sept/oct time as well. We were out in Oz about 12 years ago and loved Perth and thought we would go out to live - didn't think it would take this long though. Many things have changed not least that we now have 2 children but as they are still young we thought why not give it a go as we will regret it in years to come if we don't try. I keep saying, if it doesn't work out we can always come back. My oh is looking for work and we are looking at suburbs but we also need to get on and book the flights and hand in our notices - once that is done there is no going back so it is quite a scary step to take!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 we are hoping to head out there sept/oct time as well. We were out in Oz about 12 years ago and loved Perth and thought we would go out to live - didn't think it would take this long though. Many things have changed not least that we now have 2 children but as they are still young we thought why not give it a go as we will regret it in years to come if we don't try. I keep saying, if it doesn't work out we can always come back. My oh is looking for work and we are looking at suburbs but we also need to get on and book the flights and hand in our notices - once that is done there is no going back so it is quite a scary step to take!! Busy few months ahead, but very exciting. Any ideas which area you're heading for? Deb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kibanje Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 No idea Deb, I have such a huge list of suburbs that just keeps getting longer and longer but at the moment they are just really names, need to sit down and look at each place to see what they have to offer. It would also be lovely if OH got a job before we head out so we know where he needs to commute to but don't think that is going to happen. I'll start looking at short term lets soon but again need to narrow down the areas we want to spend 6 weeks in - anyone have any tips for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 No idea Deb, I have such a huge list of suburbs that just keeps getting longer and longer but at the moment they are just really names, need to sit down and look at each place to see what they have to offer. It would also be lovely if OH got a job before we head out so we know where he needs to commute to but don't think that is going to happen. I'll start looking at short term lets soon but again need to narrow down the areas we want to spend 6 weeks in - anyone have any tips for this? I found that part really difficult. I spent a lot of time on a sort of shotgun approach, but I liked the look of almost everywhere! Had to make a list in the end of everything the family wanted, put it in order and then start being deliberately picky... Beach or pool, close to facilities vs more space etc etc. We don't have jobs to help us focus our search but we got there slowly. I feel like a Perth suburbs nerd! Can't wait to stop researching and start looking around. I know nothing can truly prepare us for what we'll find when we get there but it's nice to feel a little bit prepared. There are obviously others but we rented a furnished holiday let through ozhouserentals.com and they have been really helpful so far. Seem to have a good selection of properties spread all over Perth. Lots of pics on their website and Facebook page. Definitely worth a look x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kibanje Posted May 22, 2014 Report Share Posted May 22, 2014 will have a look at them - many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmsyEss Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Hi! Congrats on your visa and hope the preparations are going well! My husband and I are also flying out in October and looking to possibly settle around Rockingham too. We fly on 6th October with our two daughters who will be 2 and 1 (only 17months between my two!) Just wanted to say hi and agree with you that this forum is great to get info, feedback and suggestions! We have travelled in Australia and have lived in Sydney before but have never been to WA so Perth is new to us too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 Good luck when we came out we had never been to perth before and not knowing anyone is hard.Perth is a lovely place. We choice Rockingham we just liked the look of it and it got lovely child friendly beach.We had our rental with stayz . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmsyEss Posted June 13, 2014 Report Share Posted June 13, 2014 That's great. We've got quite a few suburbs on our shortlist and I guess we will see once we are out there and have a good drive about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted June 14, 2014 Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 I found that part really difficult. I spent a lot of time on a sort of shotgun approach, but I liked the look of almost everywhere! Had to make a list in the end of everything the family wanted, put it in order and then start being deliberately picky... Beach or pool, close to facilities vs more space etc etc. We don't have jobs to help us focus our search but we got there slowly. I feel like a Perth suburbs nerd! Can't wait to stop researching and start looking around. I know nothing can truly prepare us for what we'll find when we get there but it's nice to feel a little bit prepared. There are obviously others but we rented a furnished holiday let through ozhouserentals.com and they have been really helpful so far. Seem to have a good selection of properties spread all over Perth. Lots of pics on their website and Facebook page. Definitely worth a look x Where have you rented Deb? Some of us who are already here were talking about this the other day...where you first lay your hat tends to be where you end up settling; especially when you have kids of school age in tow!!! The decision of where to rent even a short term let becomes a really important one. We're in Waikiki (Rockingham) staying with family. We managed to get our eldest into Freddie Irwin in North Mandurah but I couldn't get my younger two into any of the privates we wanted so they've started at the local primary just round corner even though we might only be here a few months. So that means we'll need to rent/ buy in either Harrington Waters or between here and Mandurah and the twins would have to move schools. They're likely to be at the same school as my eldest within 18 months! I didn't want to have to move them twice but that might end up being what happens I have to admit on one hand I'd love to live nearer the city so my oh doesn't have a big commute but until he finds work we won't know where he will need to commute to! It's likely to be CBD but we just don't know yet. Also we are starting to make friends and connections around here through clubs and activities and PP!!! So it becomes more difficult to move too far within WA. So we are hanging on in there staying with family until we are able to make a more informed decision. Good luck with your search...there's only so much you can do remotely. When you're here you may find you completely change your mind again. But keep researching because where ever you first lay your hat is where you're most likely to settle! Lou x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hi Lou, I've just noticed that my reply didn't post... I don't have broadband anymore so I suppose I should get used to that? We have rented in Rockingham for the first month but if I'm honest I've got my heart set on Freo. Without either of us having jobs lined up Freo is a bit out of budget while we're living off our savings. I've applied for a job at Fiona Stanley hospital so if I'm lucky there then Freo is a serious contender. Obviously we don't want to move the children once they settle into school but as you know that's not always possible so we're trying to stay open minded about where we'll end up. It's hard not to over think it, especially as all the packing is over and done with. I spend far too much time on Domain.com x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 Hi Lou, I've just noticed that my reply didn't post... I don't have broadband anymore so I suppose I should get used to that? We have rented in Rockingham for the first month but if I'm honest I've got my heart set on Freo. Without either of us having jobs lined up Freo is a bit out of budget while we're living off our savings. I've applied for a job at Fiona Stanley hospital so if I'm lucky there then Freo is a serious contender. Obviously we don't want to move the children once they settle into school but as you know that's not always possible so we're trying to stay open minded about where we'll end up. It's hard not to over think it, especially as all the packing is over and done with. I spend far too much time on Domain.com x Let me know when you get here. I'd love to meet up for a coffee or glass of vino and you can pick our brains on our first impressions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted June 15, 2014 Report Share Posted June 15, 2014 That would be lovely... Well, as lovely as inquisitions can be because I'll probably have about a MILLION questions for you by then :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted June 16, 2014 Report Share Posted June 16, 2014 That would be lovely... Well, as lovely as inquisitions can be because I'll probably have about a MILLION questions for you by then :-D Lots of vino then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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