Hi guys,

Just a quick question! We are working out what to take with us and what to leave. Will standard curtains fit windows in Oz? Are they worth taking? We are talking normal standard 3 pane size. Or should we leave them with the house for the new owners? (Not expensive curtains by the way so would be happy to leave them if they won't fit) Any thoughts?!

Ta

prob best not to - could get older house with large windows, could get place with blinds/shutters, rooms with lot of windows ie end up not matching.

use then as bargining tool at sale - ie not included in sales price but you can have for $$$

When you buy a house in Oz you get all the curtains/shutters/blinds automatically and most rentals will have blinds/curtains already - to be honest they would be way down my list of priorities to take but if you have particularly good curtains and plenty of space then I guess you could put them in.

Thanks guys. We don't have much to take to be honest. Because of having very young kids, and a very small house we have not got any furniture that is really worth anything. Mostly kids stuff will be going, cots, high chairs, mini beds that sort of thing plus toys too of course!

Our sofa is mega old so not worth taking! All white goods are being taken by our buyers, as is our wardrobe. A few chest of drawers will be going, personal stuff like a few pictures and photos etc and household items. Our bed is going to the tip as we hate it, certainly not going to ship it to the other side of the world thats for sure so we would certainly have room for curtains, but sounds like we won't really need them so could offer them to our buyers.

Is there anything that you would recommend we take? Things that are more expensive in Oz than here or things that in hindsight you wished you had taken?

To be honest after bringing everything we owned, I would say bring everything. Its not just the cost of replacing things its the fact that you have your own things around you in lets face it a very stressful time.
Curtains I must admit havn't made it out the box since arriving, had had no need what so ever for them and don't think we ever will. Glad I bought lots of picnic bits, a lettuce spinner from Woolies! so expensive silly things like that really. Glad I had a load of new knickers and bra's as I still haven't figured out the sizes over here, cheap cuttlery sets for bbq use. Really some really silly things, my food mixer thats one thing I am glad I bought with me and the washing machine!

I would certainly buy some bedding before you come or if you have loads take it - it seems particularly hard to find reasonably priced fitted sheets - for most good deals you have to buy a sheet set which always includes a flat sheet as well as a fitted sheet which we never use. I'm really glad I bought the kids bedding with me and really wish I'd bought some for us too. You can get nice bedding here but it just seems expensive - in shops like Big W and Target which are like Woolworths/Argos in the UK you pay the same as you would pay for a set from Next or John Lewis in the UK.

I would bring them. Curtains are hard to find over here (in Perth anyway) and are expensive.

Hubby is flatly refusing to take the sofa. It is quite old, but thats is not so much of a problem as it doesn't mater so much if the kids puke on it He kind of inherited it from me when we got together and he hates it, don't know why, but it is definately not coming!!!#

Was thinking of stocking up on undies, towels and sheets etc, so will definately do that. Am taking all kitchen equipment,cutlery, cooking stuff etc etc especially my food processor. Could'nt live without it now!

When we bought our house they took the nice curtains and left us with the crappy floral job. We brought everything with us and glad we did.

No - don't bother with the curtains but duvet sets would be a good idea as they do seem expensive here like someone else already mentioned. Mattress sizes are slightly different to the UK and there is such a variety in mattress depth over here (due to "feather tops") so probably best not to get fitted sheets until you know what kind of mattress you'll end up with.

B

And I thought only my old dear talked about valances and fitted sheets. I wouldn't know one corner from another.

I agree bring them. I have just had a quote for 2 blinds for the kitchen and curtains for 2 windows in my family room - $2000!

But if you are heading to Perth remember that the nasty daylight saving will only fade them dreadfully! ;-)

I had some childrens curtains from Next and I am glad I brought them with me. They will fit the windows in our new house and will help dress the room. We threw quite a bit of stuff. Wish we hadn't to some extent. I would definatley stock up on bed linen. We have cot/beds and its going to be a bit of a hunt to find the sizes of sheets and duvets etc. You have to remember it is not just about the cost of replaces its finding the time to replace it. It takes a little longer to shop in WA!!!!

Thermal backed curtains are a must if in direct sunlight, they will protect your curtains as well as blocking out the sun. You can get thermal backing in varying degrees of sun blockage.