Kirstypowles

Hi all! I'm new to this site and would love any and all advice that anybody could please give.

Me, husband and 2 kids will be emigrating to oz - Melbourne in November this year!!!! (Eeeeek so excited). Now, we're not taking everything with us, only a few bits due to us wanting to re furnish when we get to oz. we are going to be taking.....
*fridge, freezer, washing machine. All kitchen appliances and plates ect. I have 4 clothes boxes as we're planning on getting 30kg in luggage so hoping to take most stuff with us. I have also got 2 tea cartons for miscellaneous items. I guess the real question is am I allowed to put in all shower gels, wash powder or wash tablets, fabric conditioner, shampoos and everything like that in. And how about kids medicines like calpol?


Also we will need new SIM cards when we get there what's the best deal people are on?

I've also heard that trying to rent a property is mayhem! In preparation for this I have done a portfolio with a page about my family, visa papers passports papers, working contracts, references from previous landlord. Is there anything else I should include? Also is this what people do? As I assume 30-40 people go and look at one house surely the agent will not remember everyone?.. So. Thought this would be good to hand out.

On the topic of renting. I've heard willamstown and st kilda are lovely suburbs are lovely to live in. As my husbands work will be in laverton, we would like to stay close by, so not much commuting but still live in a nice area.

If anyone could help at all with any of the topics raised I would be much lay grateful thanks.

The Powles family xxxxx

Buzzy--Bee

Congratulations - you have chosen the most livable city in the world! And having lived here 6 years, I agree with that!

Yes. We did.

The cheapest deal is Aldi. "Best" is a bit subjective as it depends how you use your phone.

If you have booked short term accommodation, you might ask for a reference from them. We provide that to our short term guests. Offering to pay 2 or 3 months in advance also helps stand above the crowd.

Williamstown would be the better of the two for commuting to Laverton. Although you would be going against the traffic, commuting from St Kilda would add 20 - 30 mins each way. I also reckon that for families Williamstown would have the edge over St Kilda.

Good luck with it all

BB

Kirstypowles

Thankyou soo much for the reply. You have put my mind to rest on these subjects..... Now to stock up on everything xxxx

Mummy3

You can buy most makes here, and as it will all eventually run out, save the shipping. But stock up on hay fever tablets, they are really expensive compared to the uk!!
I found taking 5 minutes to chat to the agent made us stand out, I didn't hand them any personal stuff, You get the chance to include all of that with an application.

Kapri

I've no idea what the Melbourne rental market is like currently but around here it has taken a bit of a dive.
At home opens with rents above $450 per week, we were the only ones viewing and we took our pick. One letting agent told us this was unheard of a few months ago. We had been all set for it to be a difficult process!
We found that all they were really interested in was my job offer and a copy of our bank statement showing we had money in the bank.

Of course, this may be different if you are looking for a 2 bed unit in a desirable area of Melbourne

We packed some cleaning stuff, shampoos etc but if you shop in the discount chemists or Aldi, you can get good deals on this kind of product. Unless you have room left over in a container, I wouldn't bother. It certainly wouldn't be worth paying to fill up a tea chest with items you can easily get here.
We use Chemist own brands for painkillers and "Calpol".

We got Optus sims as soon as we arrived in Sydney because there was good coverage and it was easy. My OH has now swapped to Aldi mobile and is happy with it. As Buzzy says though, it would depend on how you use your mobile as to whether it would suit you.

Good luck with the move

Pomster

We have lived in Newport area (next to Willy) for quite a few years and are building there now.
Newport is better value than Willy but still has easy access to beaches and shops of Willy. It is a bit of a hidden gem...I can tell you that as we already have our house sorted! Plenty of primary schools but a dearth of secondary ones.
(And we are living in Laverton til our house is built- cheap but not the greatest spot to live, but out of rush hour is about 10 mins drive to Newport)

kirstyp

Hi Powles family

here's a post on the AQIS inspection that your belongings may be subject to on import to help you decide if you can/can't take certain items and some tips http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=782456 hope it helps?

Kirsty

Kirstypowles

Thank you al for your replies, I have been searching the australian gumtree website for property rentals. Ive sent a few (well quite a few) emails off. so see what they become of. Ive been on the real-estate website and i think due to us not moving out untill novemeber there not even giving us a second look as there properties available date are for this month. Am i right in thinking i should maybe wait untill next month to start applying, then it doesnt seem a long wait to get us there? xxxxx

Buzzy--Bee

You cannot apply for long term rentals until you have physically seen them in person. You can apply for short term furnished accommodation.

BB

old.sparkles

Most people book a furnished holiday let for 4 weeks or so to give them chance to go house hunting when they arrive. I used the Homeaway site this time, but have found accommodation through Stayz previously. Once you are here, it is easier to find long term rental.

Even if you are planning on buying some stuff here, the rest is going to take around 8 - 10 weeks to be with you in Australia from when it leaves you in the UK (sailing time plus loading in UK and customs / quarantine clearance in Australia). We sent our belongings about 5 weeks before we left the UK and got them back a few days after we moved into our long term rental, but stayed in holiday accommodation for 5 weeks in the end due to the date our rental was available, and knowing when our furniture would be released.