The Journey from Wigan to Perth

3 Months On

Well since our last entry, there has been a lot going on.

The Rental

After looking at loads of properties from the south of the River to the Northen Surburbs we eventually got a rental in Ocean Reef, about 5-10 mins walk from the beach. The rental scheme here in Perth seems to work different than the Uk, where if you see a property that you want to rent, then you contact the agent and they arrange a viewing. When you arrive at the viewing all the other people that are intested in that property also view the property at the same time and then you can get an application form.

It also seemed norm to secure getting a rental that you offered more than they advertised, espcially as we had bailey (Our dog). We had to up our budget for the rental and gave $655 a week (Advertised as $600 a week), We also gave 10 weeks rent up front which swayed it I think.

The House is a 5x2 with a Pool for the spring and summer months for cooling down a bit.

We also bought a table tennis and play that some nights, at first we were hitting the ball slowly but we are gaining pace. (watch out Matt, you might have to get used to losing at that game when you come out)

The dog (Bailey)

We visted him everyday in quarantine between 11.30 - 12.00 apart from the weekends when they arev closed. We booked a pen everyday (No Cost) for a walk outside where we spent time with him and gave him a few treats. He lost a bit of weight in quarantine but has but that all back on. We got the rental the day before he come out of quarantine (Close call). He has settled well now and walks round like he owns the joint. A lot of places we visted for rentals were asking about our dog saying "is he an outside dog"  thats what i think was our biggest hurdle for the rentals.

We have already visited the Vets and have booked him in for a yearly worming, jabs etc and we have taken him down the beach a few times and have also taken him outside for walks.

The Jobs

I applied for a job on the internet on SEEK.COM.AU for a test analyst position and we was called up the next day to go for a chat with an agnecy (Robert Walters). They put us forward for contract roles with a few companies and after the 2nd job interview, after leaving the interview our agent phoned us and said we got the jobs. We both work for Ajilon - Sub Contracting for BHP Billiton working as testers. There is a lot of learning here as there are multiple systems to learn. We are both enjoying the work and it is so different to what we used to which was banking which is a nice change.

The Car & Petrol Costs

Aftrer looking at different cars for about 2 weeks after arriving, Julie eventually decided on a Nissian Pathfinder 4X4 that John (Family we lived with) got us, it had reasonable mileage but to fill the tank its costing about $95 (about 65 Litres).

It has been really handy getting a 4x4 as we have used it to get furntiure back to the rental and not pay the delivery charge.

The Price of Fuel has changed in the last 3 months, when we got here the price was about $1.30 litre and it went up to $1.55 a litre, it is going down a bit and the average is now about $1.52 a litre.

Also if you do your shopping like tescos then you get a 4c a litre discount up to the value you spent on shopping.

Food Shopping

Our grocerie shopping at the moment for the month is a lot more expensive than in the uk, but then we are still buying bits that you dont tend to get once fully established, It seems that food is about equally priced as long as you go for the vegtables that are in season (basically the same as the uk)

Alchole seems more expensive and you can't buy alchol from the shops you need to go to the Liquor Stores.

Shopping In General

In General shopping is good apart from that the shopping centres are closed on a sunday and so far we have not seen any 24hour stores. Late night shopping is on a Thursday and the quality of products are good (No Complaints), The one problem is Julie needs to find a shop for (Hobbits) as there doesnt seem to be much of a range for Petite. There doesn't seem to be many dedicated Card Shops in the shopping centres.

There are loads of Coffee shops, Australians do like there coffees with drive through coffee shops called "Muzz Buzz"

Outlet shopping & DIY

It seems that the versionn of B&Q (Bunnings) has the monoplpy of DIY stores and I have not seen any other DIY warehouses. We have also not seen any Huge Book stores like borders, or First sport , but they do have outdoor pursuits and loads of furntiure shops, and IKEA.

Activities

So far we have not done much due to the fact we are trying to funish the house and getting into a routine of life, eg. Grocery shopping on a Thursday, Cleaning through the week, Washing on a Friday/Saturday etc.

We have visited the beach a few times and been to a national Park where we saw Kolas, Kanagroos and we done a walk round the lake (Nice Day out). Been out to a pub for a few bevvies after work

We have a week off next week so hopefully we will ahve done a few more things. And joined a squash club.

The Aution

When we got the rental we went to the auction and bought the following which saved quite o lot of money.

Bed & Matress, Fridge Frezzer, Book Cases

Finances

Our finances are starting to grow again slowly (better than not at all), We automatically pay into a pension scheme they are called "Supers" and we have private medical that covers almost everything from Dental, Eyes, Back as well as doctors and hositals that costs about $250 a month which is good.

The dentistry costs are about the same if not a little bit more expensive, The doctors you pay to see them about $60 but claim that back from either medicare (Gov Scheme) if not in a private sheme. Pharmacy costs are about the same.

Overall we are both really happy and both think that emigrating is the best thing we have ever done, with no regrets at all.

I think thats about all I can think of for now.

Dave & Julie