Almost 4 Months In...
Apr 27th 2005, 6:52 am
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Bullcreek, WA
Posts: 167
Almost 4 Months In...
Just a quick update in case it contains any useful info for others... It seems like ages since we were posting on here regularly, and waiting for the visa to be granted...
We left the UK on Jan 6th this year and, after 3 months with the in-laws, finally moved into a rented house this weekend just gone. We hadn't planned on staying with the in-laws for more than about 6 weeks or so, but I took over the rental agreement that my boss had, and the property he was buying was in the middle of a chain etc. etc. Having been forced to wait so long was good though, it means that we've had a few months to save up deposits etc. (we came over with pretty much nothing except our container and a few suitcases).
I was lucky (or unlucky from some perspectives), I landed on the Friday and started work on the Monday. I'm a Delphi programmer with 15 years total commercial programming experience. I got the job by searching the web and sending hopeful emails to likely employers, introducing myself, explaining our situation/plans, and asking if they would give me some info on the company and any future recruitment they were likely to be doing.
We used PSS, and posted something back in December about how good they were. The local agents, Kents, were just as good and we would definitely recommend PSS. There were just a couple of items with minor damage, nothing beyond repair, and items like a glass cabinet that used to be my great-grandmother's got through in one piece.
Looking at the packing list, it seems that anything to do with the garden or kitchen was of interest to the Quarantine people. They've certainly been into loads of our boxes. The good news was that we had no cleaning bill, despite having items like garden furniture, bicycles, and a petrol lawnmower. Obviously hours of hard work with Jeyes fluid and a toothbrush, including having the lawnmower in the kitchen sink, paid off.
As for life in Perth... it's great as far as I am concerned. It's an easy city to get around, the weather has been great, I feel completely at home, and I don't seem to be missing anything, or feeling any kind of homesickness at all. I think the key to it is to come with an open mind, and willingness to adapt.
After all the discussions about supermarkets, Weetabix, Marmite and god knows what else last year... Weetbix is fine, Vegemite and Promite are fine, the supermarkets are very good and there's a great choice to be found in local shops, fruit markets, fish markets, and specialised stores (butchers, bakers etc.) in the shopping malls.
Overall, although I always loved the country of my birth, I am glad we made the move and feel at home in Perth.
To those who are still waiting for visas, it soon becomes a faint, distant shadow once you are able to start (re)building your life down-under.
We left the UK on Jan 6th this year and, after 3 months with the in-laws, finally moved into a rented house this weekend just gone. We hadn't planned on staying with the in-laws for more than about 6 weeks or so, but I took over the rental agreement that my boss had, and the property he was buying was in the middle of a chain etc. etc. Having been forced to wait so long was good though, it means that we've had a few months to save up deposits etc. (we came over with pretty much nothing except our container and a few suitcases).
I was lucky (or unlucky from some perspectives), I landed on the Friday and started work on the Monday. I'm a Delphi programmer with 15 years total commercial programming experience. I got the job by searching the web and sending hopeful emails to likely employers, introducing myself, explaining our situation/plans, and asking if they would give me some info on the company and any future recruitment they were likely to be doing.
We used PSS, and posted something back in December about how good they were. The local agents, Kents, were just as good and we would definitely recommend PSS. There were just a couple of items with minor damage, nothing beyond repair, and items like a glass cabinet that used to be my great-grandmother's got through in one piece.
Looking at the packing list, it seems that anything to do with the garden or kitchen was of interest to the Quarantine people. They've certainly been into loads of our boxes. The good news was that we had no cleaning bill, despite having items like garden furniture, bicycles, and a petrol lawnmower. Obviously hours of hard work with Jeyes fluid and a toothbrush, including having the lawnmower in the kitchen sink, paid off.
As for life in Perth... it's great as far as I am concerned. It's an easy city to get around, the weather has been great, I feel completely at home, and I don't seem to be missing anything, or feeling any kind of homesickness at all. I think the key to it is to come with an open mind, and willingness to adapt.
After all the discussions about supermarkets, Weetabix, Marmite and god knows what else last year... Weetbix is fine, Vegemite and Promite are fine, the supermarkets are very good and there's a great choice to be found in local shops, fruit markets, fish markets, and specialised stores (butchers, bakers etc.) in the shopping malls.
Overall, although I always loved the country of my birth, I am glad we made the move and feel at home in Perth.
To those who are still waiting for visas, it soon becomes a faint, distant shadow once you are able to start (re)building your life down-under.
Apr 27th 2005, 6:56 am
#2
A New Day at Mid-Night...
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Away Away From Home...
Posts: 553
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Originally Posted by TheAncientGeek
Just a quick update in case it contains any useful info for others... It seems like ages since we were posting on here regularly, and waiting for the visa to be granted...
We left the UK on Jan 6th this year and, after 3 months with the in-laws, finally moved into a rented house this weekend just gone. We hadn't planned on staying with the in-laws for more than about 6 weeks or so, but I took over the rental agreement that my boss had, and the property he was buying was in the middle of a chain etc. etc. Having been forced to wait so long was good though, it means that we've had a few months to save up deposits etc. (we came over with pretty much nothing except our container and a few suitcases).
I was lucky (or unlucky from some perspectives), I landed on the Friday and started work on the Monday. I'm a Delphi programmer with 15 years total commercial programming experience. I got the job by searching the web and sending hopeful emails to likely employers, introducing myself, explaining our situation/plans, and asking if they would give me some info on the company and any future recruitment they were likely to be doing.
We used PSS, and posted something back in December about how good they were. The local agents, Kents, were just as good and we would definitely recommend PSS. There were just a couple of items with minor damage, nothing beyond repair, and items like a glass cabinet that used to be my great-grandmother's got through in one piece.
Looking at the packing list, it seems that anything to do with the garden or kitchen was of interest to the Quarantine people. They've certainly been into loads of our boxes. The good news was that we had no cleaning bill, despite having items like garden furniture, bicycles, and a petrol lawnmower. Obviously hours of hard work with Jeyes fluid and a toothbrush, including having the lawnmower in the kitchen sink, paid off.
As for life in Perth... it's great as far as I am concerned. It's an easy city to get around, the weather has been great, I feel completely at home, and I don't seem to be missing anything, or feeling any kind of homesickness at all. I think the key to it is to come with an open mind, and willingness to adapt.
After all the discussions about supermarkets, Weetabix, Marmite and god knows what else last year... Weetbix is fine, Vegemite and Promite are fine, the supermarkets are very good and there's a great choice to be found in local shops, fruit markets, fish markets, and specialised stores (butchers, bakers etc.) in the shopping malls.
Overall, although I always loved the country of my birth, I am glad we made the move and feel at home in Perth.
To those who are still waiting for visas, it soon becomes a faint, distant shadow once you are able to start (re)building your life down-under.
We left the UK on Jan 6th this year and, after 3 months with the in-laws, finally moved into a rented house this weekend just gone. We hadn't planned on staying with the in-laws for more than about 6 weeks or so, but I took over the rental agreement that my boss had, and the property he was buying was in the middle of a chain etc. etc. Having been forced to wait so long was good though, it means that we've had a few months to save up deposits etc. (we came over with pretty much nothing except our container and a few suitcases).
I was lucky (or unlucky from some perspectives), I landed on the Friday and started work on the Monday. I'm a Delphi programmer with 15 years total commercial programming experience. I got the job by searching the web and sending hopeful emails to likely employers, introducing myself, explaining our situation/plans, and asking if they would give me some info on the company and any future recruitment they were likely to be doing.
We used PSS, and posted something back in December about how good they were. The local agents, Kents, were just as good and we would definitely recommend PSS. There were just a couple of items with minor damage, nothing beyond repair, and items like a glass cabinet that used to be my great-grandmother's got through in one piece.
Looking at the packing list, it seems that anything to do with the garden or kitchen was of interest to the Quarantine people. They've certainly been into loads of our boxes. The good news was that we had no cleaning bill, despite having items like garden furniture, bicycles, and a petrol lawnmower. Obviously hours of hard work with Jeyes fluid and a toothbrush, including having the lawnmower in the kitchen sink, paid off.
As for life in Perth... it's great as far as I am concerned. It's an easy city to get around, the weather has been great, I feel completely at home, and I don't seem to be missing anything, or feeling any kind of homesickness at all. I think the key to it is to come with an open mind, and willingness to adapt.
After all the discussions about supermarkets, Weetabix, Marmite and god knows what else last year... Weetbix is fine, Vegemite and Promite are fine, the supermarkets are very good and there's a great choice to be found in local shops, fruit markets, fish markets, and specialised stores (butchers, bakers etc.) in the shopping malls.
Overall, although I always loved the country of my birth, I am glad we made the move and feel at home in Perth.
To those who are still waiting for visas, it soon becomes a faint, distant shadow once you are able to start (re)building your life down-under.
Appreciate it...
Apr 27th 2005, 7:14 am
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Perth
Posts: 516
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Nice Thread. Glad your feeling at home already.
Apr 27th 2005, 7:18 am
#4
UK Bound
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Tenerife
Posts: 54
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Originally Posted by TheAncientGeek
Just a quick update in case it contains any useful info for others... It seems like ages since we were posting on here regularly, and waiting for the visa to be granted...
We left the UK on Jan 6th this year and, after 3 months with the in-laws, finally moved into a rented house this weekend just gone. We hadn't planned on staying with the in-laws for more than about 6 weeks or so, but I took over the rental agreement that my boss had, and the property he was buying was in the middle of a chain etc. etc. Having been forced to wait so long was good though, it means that we've had a few months to save up deposits etc. (we came over with pretty much nothing except our container and a few suitcases).
I was lucky (or unlucky from some perspectives), I landed on the Friday and started work on the Monday. I'm a Delphi programmer with 15 years total commercial programming experience. I got the job by searching the web and sending hopeful emails to likely employers, introducing myself, explaining our situation/plans, and asking if they would give me some info on the company and any future recruitment they were likely to be doing.
We used PSS, and posted something back in December about how good they were. The local agents, Kents, were just as good and we would definitely recommend PSS. There were just a couple of items with minor damage, nothing beyond repair, and items like a glass cabinet that used to be my great-grandmother's got through in one piece.
Looking at the packing list, it seems that anything to do with the garden or kitchen was of interest to the Quarantine people. They've certainly been into loads of our boxes. The good news was that we had no cleaning bill, despite having items like garden furniture, bicycles, and a petrol lawnmower. Obviously hours of hard work with Jeyes fluid and a toothbrush, including having the lawnmower in the kitchen sink, paid off.
As for life in Perth... it's great as far as I am concerned. It's an easy city to get around, the weather has been great, I feel completely at home, and I don't seem to be missing anything, or feeling any kind of homesickness at all. I think the key to it is to come with an open mind, and willingness to adapt.
After all the discussions about supermarkets, Weetabix, Marmite and god knows what else last year... Weetbix is fine, Vegemite and Promite are fine, the supermarkets are very good and there's a great choice to be found in local shops, fruit markets, fish markets, and specialised stores (butchers, bakers etc.) in the shopping malls.
Overall, although I always loved the country of my birth, I am glad we made the move and feel at home in Perth.
To those who are still waiting for visas, it soon becomes a faint, distant shadow once you are able to start (re)building your life down-under.
We left the UK on Jan 6th this year and, after 3 months with the in-laws, finally moved into a rented house this weekend just gone. We hadn't planned on staying with the in-laws for more than about 6 weeks or so, but I took over the rental agreement that my boss had, and the property he was buying was in the middle of a chain etc. etc. Having been forced to wait so long was good though, it means that we've had a few months to save up deposits etc. (we came over with pretty much nothing except our container and a few suitcases).
I was lucky (or unlucky from some perspectives), I landed on the Friday and started work on the Monday. I'm a Delphi programmer with 15 years total commercial programming experience. I got the job by searching the web and sending hopeful emails to likely employers, introducing myself, explaining our situation/plans, and asking if they would give me some info on the company and any future recruitment they were likely to be doing.
We used PSS, and posted something back in December about how good they were. The local agents, Kents, were just as good and we would definitely recommend PSS. There were just a couple of items with minor damage, nothing beyond repair, and items like a glass cabinet that used to be my great-grandmother's got through in one piece.
Looking at the packing list, it seems that anything to do with the garden or kitchen was of interest to the Quarantine people. They've certainly been into loads of our boxes. The good news was that we had no cleaning bill, despite having items like garden furniture, bicycles, and a petrol lawnmower. Obviously hours of hard work with Jeyes fluid and a toothbrush, including having the lawnmower in the kitchen sink, paid off.
As for life in Perth... it's great as far as I am concerned. It's an easy city to get around, the weather has been great, I feel completely at home, and I don't seem to be missing anything, or feeling any kind of homesickness at all. I think the key to it is to come with an open mind, and willingness to adapt.
After all the discussions about supermarkets, Weetabix, Marmite and god knows what else last year... Weetbix is fine, Vegemite and Promite are fine, the supermarkets are very good and there's a great choice to be found in local shops, fruit markets, fish markets, and specialised stores (butchers, bakers etc.) in the shopping malls.
Overall, although I always loved the country of my birth, I am glad we made the move and feel at home in Perth.
To those who are still waiting for visas, it soon becomes a faint, distant shadow once you are able to start (re)building your life down-under.
Good reading ! nice one to start the day with.Keep us informed please.
Apr 27th 2005, 7:50 am
#5
Superfreak!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Thornlie, Perth, W.A.
Posts: 1,177
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Wicked. Glad it`s all going well for you. We`ll be staying with the in-laws soon as well (though it will probably be for about a year or so as we save money for a deposit on a house).
See you in Perth sometime soon hopefully
See you in Perth sometime soon hopefully
Apr 27th 2005, 8:27 am
#6
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2004
Location: Bullcreek, WA
Posts: 167
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Originally Posted by Stormz
Wicked. Glad it`s all going well for you. We`ll be staying with the in-laws soon as well (though it will probably be for about a year or so as we save money for a deposit on a house).
See you in Perth sometime soon hopefully
See you in Perth sometime soon hopefully
Apr 27th 2005, 8:39 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Sutton Coldfield now beautiful Karalee
Posts: 530
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Hi,
Great thread, good to know you're enjoying it and are getting sorted.
We are just waiting for meds now, hope to be in Perth later this year, still so much to do.
All the best to you and your family
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Great thread, good to know you're enjoying it and are getting sorted.
We are just waiting for meds now, hope to be in Perth later this year, still so much to do.
All the best to you and your family
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Apr 27th 2005, 9:08 am
#8
Superfreak!!
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Thornlie, Perth, W.A.
Posts: 1,177
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Originally Posted by TheAncientGeek
A year? You are brave
Apr 27th 2005, 10:26 am
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Cairns
Posts: 3,918
Re: Almost 4 Months In...
Nice to hear another one enjoying Oz.
Best wishes,
Best wishes,
